“You can call Cerise, tell her to return because of something urgent, and when she has arrived, we will catch her together.”

That words from Kristen kept replaying in my head after the lunch break ended. I knew exactly that everything was in line with my plan, but I doubted Kristen’s emotional pressure was enough.

I needed to make her mad before she met Cerise, and when that happened, it would be a bang. 

Before returning home after school, I sneaked to the bathroom first and then texted Kristen with Helena’s number.

—

Helena: Aw, Kristen, are you trying to influence your new stupid friend, Emmy, to do your bidding? I didn’t know that you can be this desperate.

Helena: The goodhearted Kristen Suite, now desperate enough to trap a coward like Cerise. How funny. 

Kristen: Shut up.

Kristen: How did you know about this anyway? 

Helena: Naturally, I’m just a ghost. Of course, I can hear all of your talk with Emmy. Too bad Emmy is too stupid to realize your plan. 

Helena: You’re planning to pin Cerise by shifting the blame on her, right? You want to accuse her of slandering your good reputation.

Helena: Oh, my dear sweet Kristen, you’re so predictable.

Helena: But be careful, I’ve prepared something, you need to find Cerise as soon as possible, or your life will be ruined~

—

With that, I finished my ‘breaking the fake bitch #1’ session. I thought Kristen wouldn’t say anything and continued being paranoid of what I have to destroy her life. 

But surprisingly, Helena’s phone vibrated, and I saw Kristen was calling this number. I opened the bathroom stall and then looked around. After making sure there was nobody around, I put the phone in the sink and accepted the call.

…

…

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

The sound of water leaks filled this empty bathroom, I think I am the last one to stay in the building right now, so I could be ensured that nobody would disturb this. 

I waited for Kristen to speak as we were both stuck in this eerie silence for a while. 

…

…

But she didn’t speak at all, the creepy sound of water leaking only worsened the nightmare, and she suddenly hung up the call, just like that.

She must’ve wanted to confront me and catch me off guard. Maybe it was a burst of courage that she had. But at least, this should be enough to scare her not to call me again. 

“Enjoy your own nightmare, Kristen,” I said as I turned off the phone. 

After I was done scaring Kristen, I went home quietly. 

When I arrived home, I saw grandma was sitting on her rocking chair, knitting something again. I parked my bike and then approached grandma. I had a question that had been haunting me since morning. 

I sat on the chair beside grandma’s rocking chair and then patted her thigh gently to avoid startling her, “Grandma….”

Grandma stopped knitting and turned her head to me. Her wrinkly smile bloomed as she patted my head, “Emmy, how’s school?”

“It’s good, Grandma. But I have something to ask you….” I said.

“Go on, Emmy.”

“About the boy who gave you flower yesterday, what does he look like?” I asked. I wanted to know more about this mysterious boy.

I had a suspicion that it was Mason because he was the only one who knew my address. But at the same time, I doubted he cared enough to do something so ridiculous, like coming to my house to give flowers to my grandma. 

Grandma giggled happily as she heard my question, “Is that your boyfriend? He said that he wants to gift flowers to Emmy’s family. What a sweet, old-fashioned boy. He is like your late grandpa.”

“Then, how about his looks?” I asked again. 

“Hmm… I can’t remember much. But I believe that he is very handsome, he will grow up to be a very fine actor in the movie….” 

I knew I couldn’t count on Grandma’s memory, but at least I could count on this one.

“How about his hair? What’s the color of his hair?” 

“He wore a black cap, so I can’t see his hair color,” Grandma replied.

My body stiffened after that answer. It might be just my fear, but I had a feeling this boy predicted that I will question my grandma about him, so he wore a black cap to avoid getting recognized. 

Grandma stared at me for a while and smiled, “Do you know his name? Or is he a secret admirer? Well, Emmy, you’re beautiful. You should be careful with whom you’re talking with.”

“Though, I think that boy is sincere. I saw his eyes… his eyes is very sincere when he mentioned your name.”