Chapter 4

Word got around fast about "Jashley."

The Chat was full of it.

`User_GossipGirlXO: Heard Jake and Ashley were making out behind the bleachers! Spicy!`

`User_PlainJaneSarah: Sarah' s probably so jealous. Her sensible shoes can' t compete with Ashley' s new Nikes.`

I ignored the "sensible shoes" comment. My shoes were comfortable for walking to the library.

Then, during study hall, a girl named Tiffany, who loved drama, grabbed my arm.

"Come on, Sarah! Jessica said Jake and Ashley are totally doing it behind the bleachers! We gotta see!"

Before I could protest, she was dragging me towards the athletic fields.

Sure enough, there was Jessica, Ashley' s main sidekick, pointing dramatically.

"There they are!" Jessica shrieked, then she saw me. Her eyes lit up with malice.

"Oh, look! It' s Sarah, stalking Jake and Ashley! Can' t take a hint, can you, psycho?"

Jake and Ashley emerged from behind the bleachers, looking annoyed at the interruption. Ashley' s lipstick was smudged.

The Chat was having a field day.

`User_StalkerAlert: OMG Sarah is actually stalking them! So creepy!`

`User_TeamAshley: Get her, Jessica! Put the stalker in her place!`

`User_EvidencePlz: Wait, is there proof she was stalking? Tiffany dragged her there.`

That last comment gave me an idea.

"Actually, Jessica," I said, pulling my arm free from Tiffany, who now looked scared. "I wasn' t stalking anyone. Tiffany dragged me here. But you publicly accusing me of stalking and calling me names? That' s harassment. And making false accusations is against school rules."

I turned and walked away, straight to the guidance counselor' s office.

Ms. Evans, the counselor, knew me. I was one of her top students, always focused, never in trouble.

I explained what happened calmly and clearly.

"Jessica has been spreading rumors and publicly accused me of stalking," I said. "It' s creating a hostile environment."

Ms. Evans listened, her expression serious. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Sarah. I' ll speak with Jessica and her parents."

The Chat was divided.

`User_Snitch: Wow, she ratted them out. No fun.`

`User_SmartMove: Good for her! Jessica is a bully.`

`User_RulesLawyer: She used the system. Clever.`

I didn' t care what they called me. I just wanted the harassment to stop.