11 Stay away from Aiden What the heck Why Who wants me out of Aiden’s life so badly that they’d throw a rock through my window Then I notice there’s something else written on the paper Hands shaking I pull it out from behind the rubber band and unfold it He’s not who he says he is is written on the back I slide along the wall until I’m next to the window and quickly slam it shut I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing me though because the street is completely deserted It should be comforting but it’s just creepy I collapse onto my bed wondering who sent this warning I’ve only met like three people in this town so there aren’t a lot of options Could be Jessica who wants the average 1
slacker next door out of her kid’s life But if she wanted me gone she’d just forbid Aiden to see me He’s such a rule follower he’d be back hiding behind that gate in a second A better guess is CK Not only is he clearly a weirdo who thinks it’s fine to spy on other kids from a fondue fountain but he’d also probably do anything to get his friend back I definitely got the impression that he was still hurt Could be nope that’s it They’re the only people I’ve met besides Aiden himself And strange as he seems I don’t think he’s the type to refer to himself in the third person My head’s a little clearer so I sit up slowly and take a closer look at the rock It’s a good thing I wasn’t playing video games when it came through the window or it could have hit me in the head Welcome to Innovation here’s your complimentary concussion I start to laugh which makes me realize how close I am to crying I remember when I got bullied in fifth grade a kid slammed me against a locker and got in my face day after day But I knew who he was and he got in big trouble because other kids saw it happen Who’s going to stand up for me here especially without any witnesses Everybody I’ve met 2
is a suspect and my parents will just say the video games I’ve been playing have given me an overactive imagination On the other hand a rock through my window feels like a real threat so maybe I don’t have a choice I need to ask for help I head downstairs with the note and the rock I’m almost at the bottom of the steps when I hear a familiar cackle that can only mean one thing She’s in my house 3
