Chapter 5
“Jessica,” I said, stepping up.
“You really think this pathetic little performance is fooling anyone?”
I snatched her phone right out of her hand.
“Give it back! What the hell are you doing?”
essica lunged for it, but Taylor moved between us.
With her track-and-field arms and linebacker shoulders, Jessica had no chance.
he could only stand there and watch while the phone landed in my hands.
You think I threatened you? Girl, you lie so easy I’m surprised your tongue hasn’t fallen off.”
opened the phone and flipped through the so-called “evidence.”
nd just like I thought-it was fake.
You seriously trying to sell this? These screenshots? The messages you sent me?”
ssica dropped the fake-cry act instantly.
ow she looked smug, like she thought she had me cornered.
You sent them! You think anyone’s gonna believe otherwise?”
h honey. She really didn’t know who she was playing with.
Girl, this is the oldest trick in the book,” I said, pulling up my own phone.
et me show y’all something.”
opened Instagram, pulled up our DMs, and walked everyone through how easy it was to fake a conversation-type the message yourself, then delete it. Boom.
akes it look like it came from the other side.
ssica suddenly laughed-like straight-up giggled.
What, you’re gonna say someone hacked your phone and sent those texts?” she scoffed.
orry, babe, I haven’t even been in the dorm for days.”
never said it was you.”
gasp ripped through the crowd.
aylor emerged, yanking Megan by the hoodie with one hand, dragging her to the center like a prize catch.
Go ahead. Tell us how you used my phone to send those messages.”
legan-the shy, keep the peace type-looked like a deer in headlights.
f I hadn’t lived through this before, I’d never have guessed she was in on it.
What are you talking about? I don’t even know what’s going on! I was just walking by!”
She tried to wiggle free, but Taylor had her locked down.
Megan avoided my eyes, glancing helplessly toward Jessica, looking for some kind of rescue.
So what, Mia?” Jessica sneered.
“The phone was in your hand. Are you gonna say Megan forced you to do it?”
That turned the crowd right back around.
“She’s seriously trying to drag her own roommate down with her?”
“She just keeps getting worse and worse. This is sick.”
Jessica shot me a smirk, mouthing silently, Told you. No one believes you.
Oh but sweetheart, that’s the fun part.
“Hey, look!” someone shouted.
“Something’s popping up on the projector!”
All heads swiveled to the big screen at the front of the lecture hall.
Jessica’s face went white.
She spun around and bolted for the podium.
No-don’t play it!”
oo late. I grabbed her by the collar and yanked her back so hard she slammed into the desk behind her, nearly knocking over a chair.
No need to rush. Let’s all enjoy this together.”
he screen flickered, then came the footage: Megan, clear as day, sneaking over to my bed, grabbing my phone, and messing with it like she thought no one would ever find out.
ven though you couldn’t see every tap, the intent was crystal clear.
legan dropped to the floor, completely wrecked.
[… I can’t believe this…” she whispered.
essica whipped around like she was the betrayed one.
You-you did this?” she shouted at Megan, like she wasn’t neck-deep in the whole thing.
Why would you do that?!”
efore Megan could even reply, Professor Harris came storming in.
All right, break it up! Show’s over, people, move it! We’ve got a class to get to!”
tudents scattered like roaches under a light.
Vhen I turned back, Jessica was already gone-tail between her legs.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.