Chapter 6 006

Riley's POV

“Easton, look at this number, it matches one you used last year," I said, holding my phone out. My voice came out stronger than I expected, and I locked my eyes on his, so he couldn't look away.

The kitchen light made his blue eyes look colder, but I saw a flash of fear in them before he hid it. "Tell me the truth, did you send that threat about my mom's secret?"

Easton laughed meanly and stepped back. "Do you think I will stoop so low to sending anonymous texts like some scared kid?" He crossed his arm over his chest, his jaw clenching. "You're paranoid, Riley. Just because I hate you doesn't mean it's me that sent you that text."

The words stung, but I didn't let it get to me, instead I stood my ground in the middle of the kitchen.

"You're the one who said you will make this place hell for me," I shot back, my voice rising a little despite trying to keep my cool. "This threat came right after we fought."

My heart beat louder in my ears, waiting for him to lose his temper. He ran a hand through his messy hair and looked away for a second like he couldn't stand my stare.

"Believe what you want," he said, turning toward the stairs. "I don't have time for your games." He walked out of the kitchen, his footsteps heavy on the floor, leaving me standing alone with my phone still glowing in my hand.

I dropped into a chair, hurt and angry all at the same time. The house was quiet now, like the walls were listening.

I stared at my phone screen, replaying his denial in my head over and over again. "Was he really innocent?" I whispered to myself, my fingers tracing the number like it could answer me.

My heart began to ache slowly, making my eyes sting, but I blinked it away. "I can't let him win," I said out loud, standing up to put the phone down.

The next morning at school, strange whispers started following me around every hallway. My phone buzzed with notifications, I pulled out my phone to check and my jaw dropped in disbelief.

On the school group chat was a fake audio clip with my voice saying, "I have a huge crush on Easton Caldwell, he's so hot."

It kept on playing in the group chats, making everyone laugh. Heat rushed to my face, but I kept walking straight to the cafeteria, refusing to hide today.

I was about to enter the cafeteria when a student from math bumped into me snickering, "Heard your confession, Riley. What a bold move."

I ignored him and walked into the cafeteria, my stomach twisting tightly.

As I entered, another girl whispered to her friend, "She's desperate to the extent of living with him now?"

The words hit me like a blow, but I lifted my head straight. I grabbed a tray, loading it with food though I didn't feel like eating. Just to keep my hands busy.

Cass sat at her usual table with cheerleaders all around her, grinning wide when she saw me. "Oh look who is here, it's the queen of crushes," she called out, holding up her phone so everyone could hear the clip again. "Admit it, Riley. You moved into his place to steal my ex."

The cafeteria went quiet for a second, all eyes on me now. I walked right up to her table, my heart pounding but my voice calm.

"That audio is fake and you know it," I said clearly, looking straight into her eyes. "Stop spreading lies or I'll make sure everyone knows you are the one that made it."

A girl from the debating team sitting next to Cass nodded and said quietly, "Yeah, it sounds like it was edited badly."

Cass's smile went away, but she shrugged it off. "Whatever, loser," she muttered, but the small stood up from the girl made me feel better

"I can help prove it's fake if you want," the debate girl said in a whisper, leaning over. "Cass does this all the time."

I quickly nodded, and a spark of hope ignited inside me. "Thanks, that means a lot," I said softly, grabbing my tray to leave.

Cass yelled after me, "This isn't over!" but her voice cracked a little, like she knew she lost that round.

I sat at my usual table alone, picking at my lunch, deeply in thought of what to do next. Suddenly my phone pinged again. It was Amara texting.

"Hello, it's been a while since I heard from you. Care to call me later?"

Her message made me smile a little, releasing the tight knot in my chest.

I typed back immediately, "Definitely, I really need your advice."

The bell rang soon after, it was time for another class for the day.

I was about to reach the class corridor when Blake appeared, pulling me aside near the vending machines before I could walk away.

"Riley, wait," he said slowly, looking around like he didn't want anyone to hear. "I heard about the threats, the texts and stuff." His usual sneaky grin was gone, and his eyes were serious for once. "Be careful, okay? It's not safe."

I stared at him, confused. "How do you know?" I asked, but he just shook his head and walked away quickly, leaving me more confused than before

"What was that about?" I muttered to myself, watching him disappear into the crowd. Blake had always been part of the bullying, laughing with Easton and Cass. Now he warned me like he cared? His sudden change filled in my head, making me bite my lip hard.

After school, I went straight home and locked myself in my room, my laptop open on the bed. I searched Easton's old social media posts, scrolling fast through pictures from last year. One photo popped up, it was him and Blake at a party, both holding the same phone case with a weird pattern. I zoomed in, my heart throbbing as I compared it to the burner number's carrier info I looked up earlier. The pattern matched, same case, same scratch. My stomach dropped.

"Was it Blake that sent the threat message?" I whispered, looking through more photos. The pieces fit too well and it became hard for me to breathe. I saved the photo quickly, my mind spinning with a lot of questions.

Lila knocked on my door, bringing me back from my thoughts. She peeked in with a smile. "Riley, can you play with me?" she asked sweetly, holding up her toy.

I nodded, closing the laptop fast. "Sure, sweetie, let's go downstairs."

We sat on the living room floor, she laughed as I made the toys talk. But I kept thinking about the picture of Blake and Easton.

Soon it was time for dinner time but Easton was not home yet from school. Lila ate her pasta happily, talking about her school. I smiled and listened, but inside I felt uneasy, waiting for Easton to come home.

The door finally opened and Easton walked in sweaty and tired. "Hey, squirt," he said to Lila, ruffling her hair before giving me a cold look. "Can I have my food?" I nodded, serving him a plate without a word.

We ate quietly, Lila filling the silence with stories. Easton nodded along, but his eyes kept coming back to me like he knew something was off. I avoided his eyes, picking at my food.

Soon Lila was done eating and I carried her to her room. "Good night, Lila," I said, helping her to bed. She hugged me tight and said. "Goodnight Riley, you're the best." Her words warmed me a bit and took away some of the pain of the day.

I went back to my room and opened my laptop again, staring at the saved photo. "One of them must be the sender of the message," I said softly, zooming in the picture closer again. Then an idea hit me, maybe the threats came from Blake, using Easton's old number.

But my guesses were not enough, I needed more proof, something solid. Easton's room was just down the hall. "His laptop might have more," I thought, standing up slowly.

The house was quiet now that Lila was asleep, Easton was inside the pool, I could hear water splashing from outside. I slipped out of my room, heart pounding as I walked towards his room.

Getting to his room door, I turned his doorknob gently and it opened easily.

His room smelled like a usual boy room, it was sweaty, filled with cologne. His laptop sat on the desk, its screen dark.

I moved closer and clicked on it. It was unlocked with folders popping up.

"Old Stuff," I whispered, reading the folder title.

I opened and found some screenshots and notes. My fingers moved quickly, searching for burners or texts. A chat log with Cass appeared after searching for a while. It was a mean joke about me from months ago.

"He kept this?" I said softly, getting hurt again.

There are more files, including pictures of phones, one of which has the same scratch as Blake's. A document labeled Team Pranks full of ideas for messing with kids at school popped up.

My breath caught. "This is it," I said, about to click print so I can have proof to confront him better this time.

I was about to click the print button when footsteps came up on the stairs, and the door opened wide.

Easton stood there,his face dark when he saw me at his desk.

"What the fuck are you doin

g in my room?" he snarled, his voice low and dangerous as he stepped inside and slammed the door shut behind him