TWISTED GAMES

BLAKELY WATCHED as the teachers slowly left the auditorium, one by one, wrapping up their own discussion. She was about to lean back into her seat when she caught sight of Ms. Li walking toward them.

Xinmei noticed too and looked at her. “Is she coming to us?”

Blakely narrowed her eyes slightly, watching the teacher’s unsure steps. “I don’t know…”

Ms. Li finally reached them, shifting on her feet like she was debating something in her head. “Muss Torres, can I see you outside for a minute?”

She raised a brow but nodded, and glanced at Xinmei, who gave her a questioning look but didn’t say anything. With that, she stood and followed Ms. Li out of the auditorium, walking alongside her back toward the main school building.

The silence between them stretched on and Ms. Li seemed hesitant, her fingers fidgeting slightly as they walked.

Blakely frowned. “Okay, what’s this about?”

Ms. Li sighed, rubbing her forehead like she had a headache. “I, uh… I got a call—well, more like a message—from Ms. Evangeline from Eden.” She cleared her throat. “She said a piece of jewelry, a family heirloom, went missing during our stay there.”

Blakely stopped walking. “Okay?”

Ms. Li exhaled deeply, turning to face her. “Of course, I told her my students aren’t thieves, but…” She hesitated. “She said she saw you take it.”

Blakely blinked. Once. Twice.

“I’m sorry—you lost me at she saw me.”

Ms. Li looked even more uncomfortable now, taking one of Blakely’s hands in hers and glancing around as if making sure no one was listening. “Look, I know you come from a really wealthy family, and you’re probably thinking of suing for slander or whatever rich folks sue for.” She sighed again, this time more dramatically, letting go of one of Blakely’s hands to pinch the bridge of her nose. “But I’m close to retirement, and I really don’t want to leave with a bang. I need this settled today. Ms. Evangeline said it was a valuable piece, and she saw you put it in your bag.”

Blakely let out a short, humorless laugh before her expression returned back to a frown. “Tell me you’re drunk,” she said flatly. “What the fuck would I do with a *family heirloom?* First of all, I have jewelry I don’t even wear sitting in boxes at home. Second, I don’t wear nameless brands, so please call that Victorian bitch and tell her to find where she kept her shit. She saw me take it but didn’t care to stop me? Does that sound normal to you?”

She knew that woman was up to something. Evangeline wasn't as nice as she looked. Blakely had suspected she was hiding something, but she hadn’t expected this to be the thing.

Ms. Li sighed, looking exhausted. “I know, okay? It sounded unbelievable, like she was lying through her teeth.” She looked away for a second, lost in thought. “Honestly, it makes me think she just wants someone to blame for the fire. Maybe that’s why she refused to let us visit with a condolence gift.”

Blakely’s frown deepened. “Ms. Li, are you gossiping with me right now?”

The teacher quickly shook her head. “Oh, no, no! I was just wondering.” She sighed again. “I know you’re probably pissed, but can you just check your bags? I’m not saying you stole it, but someone might have put it there to frame you. I don't know in a personal level but I know you're someone who values your reputation and dignity.“

Ms. Li continued, her voice practically pleading now. “I don’t want this to escalate. I don’t want to prolong my stay here or delay my paycheck. Just check, and we can end this today.”

Blakely looked at her for a second. “Fine. Now let go.” She glanced down at Ms. Li’s hand still gripping hers with disgust.

Ms. Li quickly let go like she had touched something hot.

———

Blakely stood beside her car, waiting. She leaned against the side, arms crossed, tapping her fingers against her elbow as she stared off into the distance. She could still feel the frustration simmering under her skin.

She hated being accused of things she didn’t do. Everyone hated that.

A few moments later, Xinmei finally walked out of the auditorium, her purse slung over her shoulder. She spotted Blakely and jogged over. “Hey, What did Ms. Li want?”

She exhaled through her nose. “Nothing serious,” she muttered.

Xinmei gave her a side glance, clearly not buying it.

She debated telling her for a second, then shrugged. Someone might or might not have framed me for stealing some probably rusty old jewelry. And she's not about to talk about it. "Fucking bitch”

Xinmei’s raised a confused brow. “What?”

Blakely shook her head. “Forget it. I’ll take care of it.” She opened her car door. “I’m dropping you home, I have somewhere to be.”

She studied her for a moment before nodding. She took the hint—Blakely didn’t want to talk about it.

“Alright,” she said, opening the passenger door. “Let’s go.”

As soon as they were settled in the car, Xinmei pulled out her phone and quickly typed her address into the car’s built-in navigation system. The map loaded instantly, and the robotic voice instructed them to take the next left.

Blakely barely acknowledged it, her hands tightening on the wheel as she focused on the road ahead. Her mind was still tangled in frustration over Ms. Li’s words. The whole thing was so stupid—so obviously a lie. And she seriously wanted to know where this was heading.

After about minutes of driving, they pulled up in front of Xinmei’s house. It was a sleek, modern two-story home with large windows and a neatly maintained lawn, but she didn't drive in to see it

Xinmei unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed her bag. “You sure you’re good?” she asked, watching Blakely.

“Yeah.” she gave a sharp nod

Xinmei hesitated for a second but then let out a small sigh. “Alright. Call me if you want to talk.”

Blakely hummed in response, barely waiting for Xinmei to close the car door or disappear into the gate before she pressed down on the gas.

She didn’t waste time. As soon as she was back on the road, she sped up, weaving through traffic with ease.

If someone had actually put that damn jewelry in her bag, she needed to find it before anyone else did.

Because if there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that she wasn’t about to let herself get dragged into whatever this was about.