The Secrets of the Bad Boy

ROSE SHARMAN

"It is so beautiful." I sighed fascinated at Edrien.

Edrien Peck, the magician of mysteries, the bad boy from Institute. And the most handsome and strange boy in the institute who bullied.

"It's so horrendous." Gus, my best friend, mutters reluctantly.

"If you were gay, you wouldn't find it horrible." I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him.

"Why do you like a weirdo like that?" I snort.

"That's exactly why I like it, its rarity. He is unique."

Her black hair, fair complexion, grayish green eyes, bushy eyebrows, thin and luscious lips, a slender and worked body fitted in black clothing, a turned-up nose, a not exaggeratedly marked jaw.

Really, it was.

"You have nothing in your favor, he has caught you countless times spying on him, and no, it is not a seduction tactic, when he sees your laptop wallpaper he will sue you for harassment." funny laugh.

"No, he won't run away from me," I growled, "and shut up, your laugh is horrendous." I crossed my arms.

"Sure, stalker."

"I at least accept it," I shrugged my shoulders, "but I can't say the same about you, you're still behind your ex," I cleared my throat, "humiliating yourself."

I ended the conversation when I saw Edrien leave the field, his class was over and I knew he was heading to the library. How do I know? I've been bullying him since he was six years old, and I'm not exaggerating.

"Don't scare him away, Abby and I will wait for you in the dining room."

"See you."

I rushed to go after him, very subtly and very cautiously.

All the boys in the halls saw him as a freak and the girls as a chocolate with legs.

Ethan's reputation was not bad but unusual, he is the second most popular boy without even crossing monosyllables with his peers, he was famous for his mysterious aura and wrapped in secrets.

Everyone who wondered who is Edrien Peck?, got more questions in response.

But I knew him very well, I have heard him sing in the shower, I also know that he likes criminology, he is the leader of the chess group, he listens to alternative rock or Heaven-metal, he hates rabbits, his favorite colors are fainter scales of gray. And I would even tell you how his first communion was, but I lose focus on my goal: spying on Edrien .

Where are you going, Edrien? You're supposed to get literature in the library, honey, why are you going the other way?

She was very immersed in not making noise and going cautiously after his steps, the distance between the two has not changed, there are fifteen feet in between, the usual fifteen feet.

I sneakily lift my face to the front and I gasped when he looked in my direction.

Fuck, hide gross, keep walking.

I dragged my feet and stiff legs, forcing myself to take a firm step, I don't breathe and I feel like I'm freezing.

He narrowed his eyes and completely paralyzed me, he gave me a scan looking for something unusual from normal, he continued with the sides of the corridor, I did it too and to my misfortune; the corridor was completely empty.

"Stop following me." Rough mused like his voice.

I swallowed forcefully and broke into a cold sweat, because he had caught me.

"I-I wasn't following you," I stammered, scratching the back of my neck, "I was heading to..."

"Get away."

"That?" stunned watched as he resumed his walk.

"I won't repeat it."

It took me a while to react and I ran until I reached her side, of course keeping fifteen feet.

"Because?"

I had to stay as far away from him as possible, but I couldn't silence that curious voice that wants to know about the enigmatic boy, a voice that I hate sometimes.

"Do it." he said grudgingly, his countenance; not friendly at all; it was accentuated before leaving. And it was clear what you want: Do not follow me!

Well, that was all for today.

He sighed processing what happened in that corridor, it was not the first crossover between the two, since he has already caught me harassing him on several occasions.

"How did it go? Did you discover anything?" Abby ran over the questions, she has always been the same or more curious than me, that's why she was my best friend.

"Edrien hate me." I exclaimed in a pout, dramatically sitting down at our table.

"You have every right to do so."

"You don't know how much your support comforts me , Gus."

"You're welcome, that's what friends are for."

I dropped my head on the table, forgetting the world for a moment.

"Hey, it's not that important." I felt Abby's hand pat my back, I turned my face to see him and smiled.

"Talk later." I confessed discouraged.

"That?" He had two pairs of eyes wide open watching me, they were stunned.

"Yeah, all he said to me was, Get away." I went back to my pout, "They can believe it."

"It's Edrien Peck, what did you expect?"

"Good point, Gus." Abby supported tossing herself a potato chip.

"He has feelings deep down, guys."

Deep down, but he had them.

"Of course." They both muttered, dismissing my statement.

"Here come the royalty ." Gus said greedily.

The royalty: the most popular group at the Institute named after my friend, of course.

In the royalty we can find:

Aly, my Edrien's ex-girlfriend, an attractive girl to look at, super sociable and very charismatic, too bad she's manipulative, captain of the cheerleaders, the envy of many and annoyance of thousands.

Monica, the principal's daughter, the voluptuous girl with no brains but who knows how to get what she wants, and Aly's best friend, good at making scandals and can't stand being ignored. How bad the hell was for me.

Frederick, the life of the party, the first boy in the ranking of the most popular, relaxed, distracted, his name is synonymous with fun and problems; and a shambles in numbers, her grades stinking worse than cat poop.

Eliécer, a handsome boy who knows how handsome he is and doesn't hesitate to flaunt it, is the second best average in algebra, an economics intern, has excellent grades, is responsible and educated. A defect? He is narcissistic with an ego with larger dimensions than the mysteries of the universe. Oh, and he's Edrien's older brother.

The same Edrien who was staring at me from his spot at the VIP table. His dark eyes scrutinized me carefully looking for a flaw.

Did you miss something on my face, honey?

"Did you see his new tattoo?" I heard the surprised tone in Abby's voice.

"Yes, on his neck," I looked at the z; if that's what it could be called; on her skin, "it suits her."

"It looks sexier."

"Umm." I nodded agreeing with her, but lost in her tattoo.

"Control yourselves, it's not like it was Chris Evans, for God's." Gus snapped, fed up with our mini-chat, "Rose, you're going to accompany me to the lab, right?"

I turned my attention to him, he had a pout that matched his wavy hair. How cute.

"Okay, but make it quick, I have to help mom with the sweets later and I don't have the wild card of being late."

"Perfect, I won't be long," he promised with a wink, "They saw the new entrants... according to and that they are causing hormonal fever."

I denied disinterestedly, "I haven't seen them, and you abby?"

His eyes were drawn to, let me spin m... My God, let's praise that creation!

Brown eyes located symmetrically in her rectangular fair-skinned face were divine, her two piercings on her left eyebrow and another on her; pink and wet; lower lip gave him the image of someone insufferable, strong and rude.

His enigmatic aura dressed in dark outfits drove any girl crazy. Leather jacket, pants and black diver. A mysterious boy straight out of a Play Boy magazine.

I sighed captivated by his charms in plain sight, "Who is he?"

"Grean, a boy whose intellect is amazing and his courage is to be admired. Of few words, he hates everyone and loves loneliness." my friend replied, smiling at me mischievously.

I lowered my slug smile, "Um...Interesting."

"It's cute." Abby said, elbowing me under the table. I glared at her.

After a long time, silence settled in the dining room, giving the signal to what all Westside Institute students already know.

"The odyssey has already begun." Abby declared.

The Odyssey: better known as the torture of fools. In it, the popular or better-class kids take advantage of trampling or bothering the poor scholarship holders.

Every day it was the same group of nerds who mercilessly attacked, taking away their trays, kicking their bags, ripping their notebooks, breaking their glasses and even stealing their homework.

Just now I saw how the weakling of the group of nerds, I think his name is Richard, hunched over in the presence of Frederick who intimidatingly grabbed his backpack, pushing the boy leaving him on the floor.

That was the reality that the scholarship holders had to face, it is unfair that just for that reason they take advantage of them in such a cruel way. For the good of the nerds there was a guardian who made an appearance.

Grean.

"Give him back his backpack, Freck, you weren't taught not to take what doesn't belong to you." He spoke sternly, contracting his marked jaw.

His bravery was the best joke for Frederick, who still hadn't let go of the boy's backpack.

"It's none of your business, Elordi," He laughed, emptying the bag and throwing its contents on the floor and; as if he didn't have an ounce of goodness in his stocky body; She takes her diet soda, takes a sip, and scrunches up her face, "It tastes pathetic." He mutters before pouring the liquid on the boy's things.

It was sad to see the poor man's face, because the soda drenched his work, absorbing all his effort.

"My history report." I call inaudibly looking at the soaked and useless sheets.

"It was pathetic, Richard, like diet soda." Frederick smiled malevolently to go off to celebrate his great feat with his group.

Nobody got up to help Richard, because if we got involved we would become part of the select list of those molested. Despite that, Grean bent down and tried to clean his friend's things, but it was impossible to rescue his assessment.

"Poor boy, they never leave him alone."

"This is wrong, Abby." I said getting up to help, I felt I had to. I would have fed Freck my work in his shoes, so he would have an excuse: my partner ate my work, Professor.

"Do not even think about it." Gus stopped me, but I continued my altruistic impulse.

"Listen to your friend, little girl." Frederick commanded jokingly.

"It's not fair what they do and they know it," I defended, and I don't know where I got the guts from, the same ones that disappeared when I saw him approaching, "he has the same rights as you, even if he's a scholarship holder."

"Let's see, little girl, who decides..."

"Leave her alone, Freck." Edrien intervened placing his hand on his imbecile friend's shoulder.

Was he defending me?

"Since when are you so condescending, eh?" He hesitated smugly, Eliécer.

"Since never, but she has nothing to do with this." his brother objected.

"I'm sorry to say: he's right."

Freck still wanted to continue having fun, in his mischievous look thousands of ideas passed where I was his jester.

"Good," He shrugged, removing Edrien's hand and nailing me with one last warning as he left, "Take care of yourself, little girl."

Yeah, he wouldn't leave me alone.

I was officially on his list.

"If you're smart you won't make the same mistake, Rose." said the Magician of the mystery passing by my side, bumping my shoulder to stamp his words on me.

I swallowed, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, realizing that I've never told him my name.

How did he know?

What if Edrien knew more than my name?

Honestly, thirty minutes have passed since the incident in the dining room and it doesn't stop replaying in my mind.

"Gus, have you ever talked to Edrien?"

"Let me review my memories. Hum" he frowned, thinking, "Oh, right, in kindergarten and it was to keep quiet that he had hidden a spider in his backpack."

I stopped walking and didn't see myself, but my face must have been confusion in person.

"A Tarantula?"

"Yes, he said: you shut up or my spider shuts you up. It was very strange for me at five years old."

I snorted kicking a stone from the path.

"Why do you ask?"

"It's just that... He knows my name and... I never introduced myself to him," I sniffed, overwhelmed, "Who could have told him?"

"Don't stress about it, little Rose, maybe she heard us say it and you were turning into a puzzle." he advised arriving at the laboratory, stopping us in front of its doors.

"You're right. Forgotten affair... "

Did that guy walking into the library look a lot like Edrien?

"Wait for me here, the experiment will last a few minutes and we'll leave, believe me; studying the internal anatomy of a puffer fish will be easy."

"Sure, as you say." I said looking better.

Damn, it didn't look like...it was Edrien himself.

"You can wait for me in the library so you don't bore me."

"That's exactly what I'll do." I decided going straight to the library, right behind an attractively mysterious boy.

He went to the gothic narrative shelves, it was his favorite genre in terms of reading. I kept the fifteen feet and went to the next shelf, the drama one. I didn't like the genre at all, but my eyes enjoyed the space between the books to see it on the other side, it just wasn't there.

Where was he?

I went from space, taking care of my sounds or rather the squeaking of my plastic sandals against the ceramic, I cautiously browsed through the books and reached the end surrounded by shelves, where the opaque light did not act in my favor to find its whereabouts, not until that I heard some voices on the shelf behind me.

"You did the work?" I heard clear as water, this voice was unique to me, it was Edrien's rusty voice.

Job? Sure it's the tedious history report or it could be the physics blueprints.

"There was a problem." whispered another deep voice, obviously male, but no face came to mind when I heard it.

Yes, they were the physics blueprints.

"Now what?"

"I think there is a witness, someone saw everything."

Ok, or they didn't talk about that kind of work .

What he said caused a sarcastic chuckle from Edrien, "Impossible."

"I don't like being the one to tell you this, but... Yes, it's possible, because the anonymous witness sent me some photos by mail that were very... compromising and detrimental to both of us." that killed the giggle of the aforementioned.

"For both?" Edrien uttered greedily, "This is your problem, solve it before the authorities get involved."

Authorities? How serious was the matter?

"How supportive" ironic complaint before snorting, "Scare or funeral?"

Funeral? What the fuck...?!

"Delete it." Edrien sentenced, and I held my breath. They would eliminate a witness, a person, knowledge that made me swallow cold saliva.

My Edrien wouldn't be able to eliminate someone... right?

"Whatever you want."

"There's no trace or proof that incriminates you, right?"

"No."

"I'm leaving." His footsteps echoed down the hall, Edrien was leaving.

"Edrien."

"What do you want?" I mumble irritated.

"You put the note on the body."

So there was a body.

"Error #1 in red letters." he replied and sounded bitter.

This is scaring me, if they found out it would be Error #2, I better go and nothing has happened here. I wish my plans went as planned and there were no failures like slipping and falling on your ass, obviously not as pathetic as me.

"Ouch." I groaned, while rubbing my butt, the floor is solid.

"What was that." asked the unknown voice, she had heard me.

SHIT!!!

"It was me, I sneezed, I'm allergic to stalkers."

SHIT TWICE!!!

Help me! Help! SOS! Help! Aid! May day, May day!

What do hit men do with a problem, they annihilate it.

What am I going to do to get out of this alive? No fucking idea.

Will it be too late to pray?

"Stop saying nonsense and go check it out." I bellow annoyed.

"I'd better hire Scooby-doo," Edrien joked, "relax, the noise could have come from anywhere. But for you to be calm, I will check the place."

"You better, see you." His shadow moved away and I saw my opportunity to see who it was, and I also had to get out of here. I took a book and ran fast asking my sandals for discipline so as not to have a second slip.

Leaving the drama section I sit at the table closest to me, open the book and pretend to read, after a few slow seconds; a boy comes out of the gothic narrative section, I wouldn't look, it would be very suspicious to do so, but when he passed by I knew who he was.

Eliecer, his brother.

What trouble has he gotten himself into?

Not in a problem... He had committed a crime.

And Edrien knows it...he was helping him.

Who was the victim?

Would they be the only ones involved?

"Stay out of trouble, Rose." My eyes fell on Edrien, sitting on the other side of the table, and it was strange to perceive him as a complete stranger, everything I know about him became questionable.

I nodded and closed the book, setting it aside.

"How do you know my name." I rested my body on the chair, relaxed.

"I investigate the people who persecute me" he attacked indifferently, "nothing personal."

"Sure, if you say so." I shrugged, going back to my book, telling him; indirectly; that I was not interested.

Edrien was a quiet and objective boy, he doesn't always have something to say and when he does speak he likes to be attentive to his every word. Getting information out of him would be difficult, but if I apply my knowledge of what he hates, I could get somewhere.

"I'm not interested."

"Yes, yes, whatever you say." I didn't even look at it.

"I'm serious, Rose."

"Of course."

I exhale thunderously. His tolerance was running out.

"Be more tolerant, Edrien." I laughed, and his eyes collided with mine, his hard face cutting my roll. I was angry.

"What are you playing, huh?" He rested his hand on the table, leaning over me.

"What game would I be playing?" I used the book to push him away a bit. Too close was wrong.

"I do not know you tell me. It's your fucking game after all."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes you do, stalker."

"I repeat, I don't know what you mean." I looked away.

"I repeat, stay out of trouble, Rose." he warned before turning away and leaving the library.

What had just happened to me?

I took my cell phone out of my backpack and immediately dialed Abby, she would have to find out.

"Abby, we need to talk."

"Rose, don't scare me, I haven't done anything wrong... well, I only watched The Originals without you..."

"Treacherous." I whispered hurt.

"I'm sorry."

He snorted loudly, downplaying it.

"Abby, we have a mystery to solve."

Three hours later...

"What?!"

I told him the summarized version of what happened without censoring anything.

"I know, it's something very serious."

"Seriously my panties, Rose, this is very serious, there is a body, by God!"

"Calm down, there is a witness who saw everything."

"He witnessed the events, but..." he got up from the sofa, pacing from one side to the other, analyzing things, "... Where is the crime?"

"It's waiting to be discovered... I think." I objected doubtfully and dizzy from his zigzags.

"I don't think it's good to meddle. I better tell dad about this."

Abby's father was a police officer, it was her greatest pride.

"We needed evidence to talk to him, Abby, it's a mystery and we're the ones to solve it."

"Don't know." she alluded stunned.

Abby and I have always been fans of mysteries , we were both cunning and liked to look for clues and discover the truth. Ever since we saw Sherlock Holmes, we've been solving puzzles... And we both considered Scooby-doo a bad joke.

"What happened to Rose Holmes and Abby Watson, um?"

"That without one the other is useless." he smiled.

"I'm going to need your nonsense, Watson."

"I am not stupid." He contradicted erasing his smile.

"I still need you."

"Any indication of the crime?" I smiled.

"Mistake #1 written on a note in red letters."

"And that the Peck brothers are up to their necks in this business."

"Evidence must be collected to incriminate them, Watson."

"Don't tell me."

"I already said it."

"What will we do? spy on their behaviors?"

"No, I have an idea. Do you know a Hacker?"

We spent the afternoon thinking and studying what we would do the next day, everything was under control, we didn't detect any flaws... except that it never occurred to us to see Aly's dying body, inert, with an opening in her abdomen covered in crimson liquid. , lying at the gates of universality... With the note "Error #1" on it.

The Institute was closed, the policemen were investigating the case and the forensics were studying the body. I was still in shock.

Aly was the victim.

How could it be possible?

"How unfortunate about Aly," Gus murmured evenly, watching the scene, "Who could have committed such an atrocity?"

Abby and I exchanging glances, knowing who the prime suspects were.

"We should tell him."

Whiten my eyes.

"We have no proof, just words without validation."

"I hate that you're right." I snort.

"What are they whispering? In case they hide something from me."

"Of course not, Gus." We both repeat at the same time.

"What do they know."

We have been caught, Gustavo knew us very well.

"You don't happen to know a hacker." topic change; conveniently; Abby.

"What? A hacker. So that?"

"Answer, Yes or No." I pressed pointing at him.

"Quick, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock." Abby followed me.

This made Gus nervous, he had a personal problem with timers.

"Yes, I know Peter of the FourShadows."

"Peter?"

"Four Shadows?" I stressed interested.

Gus looked at us as if we were aliens from another universe and we were asking him what is the difference between mucus and saliva.

"Duh, everyone knows about the FourShadows, where they've been lately."

"We ourselves don't know." my friend commented.

"Tell us, what is it or who are the FourShadows."

"It's a group of weirdos made up: Peter, Diego, Robert and Grean. The new transfers."

Both Abby and I blink in astonishment.

"They say that strange things happen in the corridors at night, and I don't know about you, but I think that this little group is hiding something very serious." Gus looked down at Aly's body and back at mine. That was a very direct hint.

"You're implying that the FourShadows have something to do with Aly." I whispered to all three.

"I don't know, everyone has a profile that matches the person behind all this, except Grean."

"How can you be so sure of that, Gus?" Abby spoke.

"I hear rumors, okay? Most believe that they are psychopaths with perverse fantasies to fulfill. The other night they found a butchered rabbit in the lab and according to the security guard he saw about four boys."

"Oh."

What if the FourShadows were behind this?

"Will you introduce me to Peter?" I inquired curious.

"It's not convenient for now."

"Because."

"They are being questioned by the police."

Yes, the accusations of the students towards them were serious.

"And Green too..."

"No, he's out."

"What else have you heard about Aly?" inquired Abby.

"There are many suspects, but it is known that he is from the Institute because; according to the coroner; Aly knew the attacker because she did not defend herself."

What did he die of, judging by the perforation on his back. Bled to death from a stab wound.

The question was how did he die? Answer that only the witness knew.

"Something weird?"

"The royalty do not appear. Nor Edrien who was her ex-boyfriend."

"Eliécer, have you seen him?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, I saw him a few moments ago in the parking lot. What's with him?"

"Nothing."

His face was a rogue poem.

"You like Eliecer." He danced his eyebrows.

"Do you practice saying stupid things or do they come naturally to you?!" I yelled getting a lot of attention from the others.

"Okay, calm down."

"Okay, don't be so stupid."

"Gus, and that bracelet?" Abby took her bracelet-decorated wrist; actually a short black ribbon, very minimalist.

"Uh... I bought it." he said nervously.

"They are very fashionable in the Instinct, I want a blue one, where can I get them?"

It was true, the bracelets of that style were the new sensation among the students, very few had the black ones, the majority were white.

"Um...well." Her voice trailed off and her gaze caught on something behind us, "Look, Monica showed up, I'm going to give her my condolences."

I turned and confirmed it, Mónica was crying like Magdalena, without comfort, she was dressed all in black, in mourning for her best friend, she was wearing expensive dark glasses that prevented her from seeing beyond them, I saw how Gus comforted her and...

"How long have Gus and Monica known each other?"

"Since when Gus stutters?"

We shared a telepathic look, and hers said, Gus is hiding something from us.

"I'm going to try to get information from my dad."

"Well thought. You know where the interrogation area is."

"I think in the main hall. What will you do?"

"I'll find this Peter guy." I informed bumping my fist against his shoulder, ready to look for the Hacker.

"Luck."

With luck I managed to infiltrate the Institute, apparently the officers were more attentive to Professor Hood to do their job, they were not judged by the history teacher, she was single and well preserved.

The first room was located after the student cafeteria, one block from where I was. The empty corridors felt gloomy and the electrical failure in some two light bulbs flickered horribly, making me walk with pauses and ready to sing the Hail Mary.

Walk fast.

I hastened the step with cold feet and hands, I was terrified, I was going through the lockers and right at the end the bulb exploded sparkling, burning one after the other, stopping me completely because the rest of the way would be under the blackness blurred with the dim rays of sun that They provided the windows.

What was missing.

I worked up a bit of courage and urged my feet to continue, now at a slower pace thanks to fear, I sighed, pulling out of me all the memories of horror movies I've seen and determined I enter the darkness. Bad idea, crash into something or someone; very strong as rock; returning to the starting point, only on the ground rubbing my bruised forehead.

Who put that wall there?

"Be careful, little one, you haven't been told that monstrous things happen in the dark." said the wall, in a thick voice.

Do the walls speak?

"Who are you?" I backed away, scrambling away from the darkness.

"I am the hidden truth."

"Leave me alone."

"Eh-eh," he hissed, "too late, little one."

My eyelids widened at what I saw, he was tall, stocky, hooded, all in black and his face... I couldn't see it, because it was covered by a buffoon or puppet mask, I couldn't tell you exactly what it was.

"What do you want of me?" I was dragging myself scared on the ground, my legs were weak to get up, useless to run.

He took a step, laughed, took another, laughed and was five feet away; my heart was pumping blood at rapid rates; said:

"Shouts."

"Wh-what."

"Scream scared, show me that you fear me." he asked, bending down and tilting his face.

Yes, I was afraid of him and a lot.

"Leave her alone, Robert, she's had enough." I heard another voice, another boy came out of the hall, short, long brown hair, light blue eyes under very marked eyebrows, pale complexion and acne-prone cheeks, dressed all in black. I looked compassionate and my eyes wavered from that sexy being.

Finally, a bit of kindness and... masculine sensuality.

"You never let me have fun, Peter." the cruel Robert mumbled, removing his mask and lowering his hood.

Damn, that was cute.

Greenish honey eyes, medium lips, Greek nose, not so bushy eyebrows; with a cut on the right, brown hair, medium complexion, perfect teeth.

Wait...Peter?

I looked at the good-natured boy who still looked pitying on me.

"I'm Rose."

"Peter," he said dryly, pointing his chin at his friend, "Robert."

"Call me Houdini." He narrowed it down, smiling.

"Sure, Loki."

"I like him." said another boy with a very peculiar look, fire-red hair styled in a messy swirl, a piercing on his left eyebrow over green eyes, a fair complexion and a round face. Serious and expressionless, but just as handsome as they are.

God, what mysterious charm did this trio have?

"Diego." Peter introduced boredom.

"Not so nice to meet you guys, thank Robert for that." My sweaty hands were still shaking.

"It's nothing personal, I like to have fun and scare you." He smiled like Cheshire, it would be his new little toy. fantastic.

"What are you doing here?" Peter asked, "I understand that entry is prohibited."

"Um... I was looking for you."

The bewilderment spread through those three cute little faces.

"Peter? Oh really?" Robert raised his severed eyebrow, brightening up the 'You're fucking me' face he had.

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Peter, I need your help."

They exchanged dialogue glances with information that was unintelligible to me.

"What can I do for you?"

Lots of things, Peter, lots of things.

"You know advanced computing."

"A hacker." Diego mused, serious.

"Illegal troubles?" Peter smirked.

Ok, this boy likes trouble.

"Not at all, it's just that I urgently need to access an email, there is very valuable information, Peter."

"Hack an email, nothing else?" He lowered his small smile returning to bored mode.

"Umm." I nodded needy, I urged his help.

"On Wednesday after chemistry, in the computer area, be on time."

"I will be there." I assured taking Diego's hand to get up.

"And let's get out of here before they catch us." We agreed with Peter, he seemed the most rational of the three, like the father in charge of those two.

"Why the mask?" I asked Robert, pointing to the accessory he was holding.

"Everything looks better behind a mask," I whisper intriguingly approaching me, "You like the blood?"

"It's disgusting." I answered, remembering my hematophobia.

"I do, how much blood will your skull hold?" he disturbed, hitting my head briefly and I moved away from him as much as I could.

"Leave her alone or we'll check how much is in yours." Peter threatened and I turned off him, I felt that he would protect me from that Loki-joker.

"Is it always this disturbing?"

"He really likes to horrify people, especially girls."

I glanced at Richard out of the corner of my eye and he smiled macabre and then laughed.

"I'm scared of it. "

Peter chuckled softly, "We too, we don't sleep with a knife under our pillow for nothing."

I laughed nervously.

"Deep down, he's a good boy."

Good boy, remember the knife under your pillow, Peter.

"Guys, is everything okay?" Grean said as soon as we stepped outside, his broad back supported by the wall behind him, his gaze flicking over each one and focusing on me, "Hello." He greeted smiling amused. did he have monkeys on his face or what?

"How are you? I'm Rose." I extended my hand to him, which he looked at and did not hesitate to shake.

He smiled without releasing my hand, he pulled it, pushing me very close to him, due to the difference in height I had to crane my neck to see it, it was like looking at the sky, gosh, it's more than I thought!

"Enchanted, Rose." He moved his face to the side of mine and whispered in my ear, "Grean, available for when you want."

"Enchanted," I felt my cheeks red, I separated instantly, avoiding eye contact, "Welcome."

"Good." He shrugged taking another drag from his cigarette.

"Super," I replied, not knowing what to add or say, "I have to go, my friend is waiting for me."

"Clear." Grean said, blowing smoke.

And there were those four guys:

Peter. Neutral, compassionate and defender.

Michael. Quiet, serious and bloody.

Robert. Disturbing, handsome and unique.

And Green. Intelligent, altruistic and introverted.

The Four Shadows.

"See you guys."

"See you." They all fired in sync.

My eyes searched for Abby carefully, I saw her father, but nothing of her, suddenly I thought to look in the parking lot, we had left our bikes there.

My feet moved in time with the song I was humming; Charlie Puth 's How Long ; I heard it twice and it stuck in my head for life.

"How long has this been going on?... You've been creeping around on me... While you're calling me baby..." I was going to the chorus when a supernatural force grabbed my arm, dragging my body with it, they covered my mouth, closing off my cries for help.

I was led to a secluded alleyway from the parking lot, feeling a firm chest on my back, it was definitely a boy, but who?

He pushed me against the wall with rage, and I was free, he no longer had my arm and my mouth wanted to scream, plus the face of the hooded boy in front of me paralyzed me.

Dark hair, deep brown eyes, strong bushy eyebrows, medium nose, tight thin lips, fair complexion and hardened countenance.

"Elicer?" I said barely inaudibly.

"I know you heard the private conversation between Edrien and me."

A thousand times shit.

He takes me the one he brought me.

"What talk?" Better to act like you don't know anything.

"Don't pretend, you heard it all."

"Why do you think it was me?"

"Easy, you were breathing hard after the marathon you ran from the back of the library to the table. And you also read the book backwards."

Well, Eliécer might have the nerve, but he wasn't stupid.

"So what if I heard her."

You already screwed up.

Did I ask your opinion, conscience? Not right?

"Well, the same thing as Aly could happen to you."

I held my breath, scared, "You would not be able to."

""No, if you do me a favor."

I huffed with my arms tied, I had no other option, "What do you want?"

"Look for the witness."

""What? Why me?"

Another question would be: Why doesn't Eliécer hire an Investigator and prevent me from sticking my nose into his affairs? He couldn't do it why; you don't know it, but; Eliécer was the Governor's son, paying an Investigator who could betray him or divulge the information to the press would cause his father's political career to end in a matter of the blink of an eye.

""You are nosy and good at spying, you are exactly what I need to find the second mistake."

"Eliécer, if I help you I become your accomplice."

He laughed sarcastically, "Rose, by listening to our talk you became a witness, but by silencing her you became an accomplice."

I kept her quiet because I have no evidence to prove it, idiot, if you were not behind bars and grateful to me.

"Aha, I'm looking for it; I find him, they eliminate him and then what?... I'm still on!"

"I won't do anything to you, Edrien wouldn't let me."

"Edrien?"

"You will do my favor, yes or yes?"

"Do I have another?"

"No."

I gave a long sigh announcing my resignation, "On one condition."

"You are in no position to impose anything, dear."

"I need to know, Eliécer, or I won't do anything."

"What do you want to know?"

"About Aly, was it intentional?"

He laughed sarcastically, "It was an accident, Rose, a... mistake in plans."

"How he died?"

"Tomorrow; here, at the same time; "I want news about the anonymous witness." he ignored my question, he wouldn't say anything about Aly.

Only silence came from me.

"Understood?" She clenched her jaw and I swore I heard her teeth grind.

It was advantageous to be the one to find the witness, collect evidence and do the right thing. Hand over the culprit and give justice to that poor girl.

"Okay."

He gave me one last stern look before walking away from the parking lot.

Things were not looking good for me, I had to think very carefully about what I intended to do.

"We know who Mistake #1 is," I informed Abby, writing down the discoveries in a notebook, "Unfortunate Aly McCarthy."

"Suspects." she interacted.

It hurt to say it, but it was the truth, "Edrien and Eliécer.

"Evidence."

"Zero." I exhale overwhelmed.

"We will have them."

"Eliécer asked me to look for the witness, Abby," she swallowed thickly, pale, "I have to find him."

"It's very risky."

"It's the testimony that could put an end to all this, you understand? He or she has evidence to accuse you of murder."

"And if you have them, why don't you report them?"

Abby's question makes sense, every person with rational use of their abilities would do the right thing: report. Why didn't she do it?

"What if the witness is someone close to them?"

"It is an option."

"Look, Aly died in the night, I heard it at his conversion."

"The time of his death varies between 09:00 pm to 05:00 am."

"But the precise date?"

"When talking to my father, I heard the forensics say that he was three days old."

Three days. Today was Monday. Monday Sunday...

"Saturday night."

Wait...

"Wasn't Saturday the fraternity smile party?"

"TRUE! "Royalties go to all their parties together." She agreed with me.

"Except the hermit Edrien. "I don't understand how he knew about the crime, he couldn't witness it."

"Maybe Eliécer screwed up and looked to his brother for help."

"It would make sense. In his conversation, Edrien said that it was his brother's problem, not his. But he knows what his brother did." I mentioned thoughtfully, interconnected ends.

"What do you think?"

"That the witness is not outside nor is he as far away as they believe... I believe that the witness is within their popular group."

"I don't know, it sounds really crazy."

"Think about it! The witness does not report because they are his friends."

"It's a posibility."

"Our list of possible witnesses is growing."

The charcoal of the pencil traced their names.

Jessy and Frederick.

"Whats Next."

I smiled, "Interrogate."

"But they don't know us and I doubt they want to talk to us. How will we achieve that?"

"Being part of them."

Abby denied, determined and nervous, "They won't accept us."

"I have something going for me."

"I'm not going to join a group of savages with money." She crossed her arms, angry.

Abby was honest and loyal to herself, she never liked to trample on others, her thing was equality, just like me.

"I will do."

"I don't know, Rose, it could be dangerous if you get caught."

"We have to get justice, Abby."

"Promise me something." she said with a heavy, sad look.

"What thing."

"Promise that I went through what I went through... you won't change or walk away from me."

"That would never happen," I laughed at what he was going to say, "if you see that I behave like Monica, throw a brick at me."

"I swear on my favorite cereal," he said and we laughed, "The joker?"

"Yes, yes, Watson."

We spent the whole afternoon watching movies until my mom called me and when mom calls I have two options: a) answer and tell her that I'm halfway there without having left Abby's house. Or b) not attend and pedal as hard as my legs can to arrive early.

"Honey, until you finally arrive." she exclaimed, exaggerating my mother.

"Healthy and beautiful."

"How is Abby?"

"Well, crazier than sane" my belly roared as I smelled the sauce for the family's traditional pasta, "Spaghetti and meatballs?"

"You have a better developed sense of smell than the bloodhound." she joked, feeling like a dish.

"Next week I move to the Institute residence." she murmured, amused, because she would miss this, the taste of the food with its essence and love. And of course, her too.

"I will continue to feed you, even if you are on Mars."

It was not something that was in my hands, leaving or staying was not my decision; It was mandatory by the Institute's rules: Upon reaching the age of majority, the student must stay in our establishments created for these purposes.

"How I would like to stay, mom." I longed out loud, looking at her and knowing that leaving would make me mini-depressed, it would affect me a lot not to feel her close to me. By God, I would go from living with her to living alone in a matter of seconds!

"And I'll stay, but it's time to leave the nest, Rose."

"I don't know how to fly, mom."

"How do you know, little one, if you don't try."

"I love you."

He smiled, "Me more, good night." She kissed my forehead and I delighted in watching her climb the stairs.

"Tomorrow will be a rough day." I guessed in the silence of the kitchen.

One day at a time, my grandmother used to advise me, enjoy each date and live each square on the calendar, and it is very good to keep that in mind. For the FourShadows the days were lived in a deplorable way.

Their lockers were covered with huge letters written in red can paint: Sick psychopaths!

The students' taunts were off-color, especially Frederick's, like just now when they were being booed to deny them access to the dining room.

"Find yourselves a madhouse!" Monica shouted angrily, that was her state lately, they got angry with everyone, I guess it's her way of dealing with the loss of her friend.

"We are innocent!" Grean defended indignantly, with three boys in black that he knew very well.

Peter, had a bruise on his right eye from a fight in geography, his face was one of resignation, he did not get angry at the mockery of the others.

I couldn't say the same about Robert, he was furious and aggressive, no wonder they shouted atrocities at them, judging them and cataloging them as the plague of Westside Institute.

Michael was being Michael, deadpan and serious. Was he really a human?

"Get out of here and take the misfortune with you!" protested Maggie, the girl who appeared out of nowhere and joined her group. Her gestures were very Aly. We all knew about her envy of Aly, but I never thought that he would stoop to behaving like her... isn't that sick?

"We are not going anywhere, we are part of this Instinct and we will stay in it." Robert said angrily, pushing Freck who was laughing.

"Enjoy your short stay here," Freck laughed, "we will make sure it is unforgettable."

That could only mean: Stay and see how shit goes.

"Don't take trouble that doesn't belong to you, hypocrites."

"They think that by having money they can humiliate whoever they want," Robert spat, seconding Grean, "well let me tell you that money can maybe buy everything... except the truth."

"They're delirious, did they change medications or what?" What Maggie said sparked jeers and boos.

"Don't waste soap washing your hands," Peter laughed mockingly, "when the dirty is on your conscience."

"Let's go, guys." Grean encouraged indignantly.

"Fucking hypocrites." Robert insulted, leaving the dining room with the other three shadows.

"They are cruel." I thought out loud.

"Yes, but I'm becoming more and more convinced that they may be involved in Aly's affair."

"I don't see or think what you do, Gus," I clear my throat, receiving his attention, "Why them? What links you to Aly?"

"They don't give me a good feeling."

"Don't tell me, feminine intuition?" he joked checking the royal table.

"How funny you woke up today." Mofo Gus.

The usual ones in the usual positions, Mónica, Frederick, Eliécer and Edrien. I got lost in Aly's empty stall remembering her typical laughs and flirtations. Which was taken over by Maggie in a matter of seconds and it made me angry to see her flirting with Edrien.

I hate you.

"Rose."

"Abby." I responded by coming to and looking at her.

"I have news," he whispered, linking our arms, "the witness has been delivering accusatory notes to Eliécer's locker."

"How do you know?"

"Eliécer burst out in the morning, shouting: Who is it! Is it you, right?! "To all of us who wandered the hallway."

"I can not believe it."

"Eliécer is not tolerant just like his brother. "Apparently the witness leaves them every day, we must guard his lockers and we can see who he is."

"Good idea." I urged, smiling at him.

"What are you hiding from me!" Gus exclaimed seriously.

"What could we hide from you?"

"You whisper among yourselves, you no longer talk to me, you are distant and you forget that I am also your friend."

I separated from Abby and patted her shoulder with a bored expression, "Better tell us how long you've known Monica."

"That? Well I-or I met her..." Her pale face indicated that her brain was preparing a lie.

"Come on, lie to me."

"She and I met at... at summer camp."

"A summer camp." I repeated knowing that he was going to spend the summer at his grandparents' house.

"Yeah."

"And what does Monica think about your grandmother's cookies?"

He lowered his eyelids and sighed, "I would like to tell you girls, but you won't let me."

"Who won't let you?" I asked in disbelief because he was a free soul.

"Is prohibited." I mutter more self-consciously.

"Gus, are you in illegal trouble?"

"No, stay away. Forget what I said." she warned, getting up and leaving the dining room at a quick pace.

"He's in trouble." Abby determined worriedly.

"Yet another problem."

"We have to help him."

"Watch him and follow him. Gus won't tell us anything. I take care of them." I raised my chin towards royalty.

"Well, I have an exam in a few minutes, after that I'll focus on Gus," he stood up, kissing my cheek, "I'll let you know if there's any news."

"Good luck on your test."

I saw how she walked to the exit bouncing, Abby wouldn't be Abby if she didn't jump in her happy walk. And suddenly Richard enters through the dining room doors looking bad; watery and swollen eyes, red nose, dry and pale lips like his skin, disheveled hair, and absent eyes. He seemed to be going into his own world.

Okay, we all had a bad week.

Without anything else to do, I went to my classroom, I had physics and the Professor was not condescending by adding theory about quantum physics. And the only subject I shared with Edrien was what delimited my concentration.

"Time," he announced, adjusting his glasses, "its unit is hours, minutes, seconds..." and the rest makes me lazy.

He spent the hour transcribing his class into my notebook, without mentioning that my hieroglyphs were not understandable and even if they were well written he still wouldn't understand.

"I chose the pairs for the following works on the basic theories of time," Professor Hemmings spoke slowly, "The pairs are Navarro with Smith, Irwin with Lombardi,..."

That I touched Edrien, That I touched Edrien.

"Peck with..." please with me, please, "Morgan,..."

I'm worth shit to the universe.

"And finally Sharman with Elordi." He finished by closing his folder.

Magnificent, he paired me with Grean Elordi.

"See you, students, you may leave."

I followed the order and put my things away, I left the room stealthily, spying on him, it was so beautiful.

"Rose?"

"Yeah." I turned around to find my co-worker.

"When are you free to do work?"He settled, crossing his arms and studying my face.

"You see, Grean, I don't know if I will be of much help to you because I don't understand physics and the relativity of time at all..."

"I explain to you." he interrupted sympathetically.

I smiled, "I think that's great."

"You are great."I wink flirtatiously and wrinkle my brow at his unexpected compliment.

"Um. Thank you."

"Well, you can look for me to explain the topic to you whenever you want."

"Clear."

"See you."

"See you." I smiled watching her go down the hallway, and I continued smiling alone... wait...

Was Grean freaking out on me?

"Be careful with him." warned a thick voice that I knew very well, interrupting my meditation.

"I'm careful with everyone, Edrien."I dragged the syllables on my tongue bitterly.

"I don't want to see you crying because of a moron like that."

"I know how to take care of myself, but anyway, thank you very much." I smiled, staying away from him.

He frowned, "Why are you thanking me."

"For worrying about me." I shrugged my shoulders, avoiding him to go to the computer area.

"I don't care about someone as insignificant as you." I detected high degrees of arrogance in her prayer.

I turned around showing him my hurt face.

"So thanks for warning me, but like I said: I know how to take care of myself."

Fool.

I would say something, but I left at lightning speed McQueen, I wouldn't waste my saliva or time on him. What was happening to the world today? Grean flirted with me and Edrien worries about me. Whats Next? Armageddon.

"Peter?" I called entering the computer room.

"Here." I heard and saw her hand raised between the cubicles.

I went straight to him hoping that he would solve my problems, not all of them, but the most confusing one.

"I thought you wouldn't come."

"Me too." She responded by offering me a chair next to her to start the action. The laptop in the room was on and playing a YouTube video about the most common mental disorders.

"The mail." she asked typing something on the laptop.

"Here it is."

"Why do you want to access Eliécer Peck's email?" he questioned, reading Eliécer's email address that I obtained by snooping through his IG account.

Don't be impertinent, Peter.

Now what would I say to him?