Chapter 22 Cracks in the Mask

Zayden looked at Naomi–and there was something different in his eyes this time.

Naomi felt a chill run through her. Her heart skipped a beat. Did he just see right through me?

Just because I stay quiet doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention,” he said quietly.

+8 Pearls

Eliza had missed several unit tests before. Sometimes she was locked in the bathroom. Other times, she was trapped in a ssroom on the seventh floor.

Once, she was even locked inside the library,

And every single time, she didn’t offer a single excuse or exnation.

Back then, he hadn’t thought much of it. If Eliza didn’t care enough to make ba /bfuss, he didn’t feel the need to get involved either.

But now? Naomi was the one who got locked in–and suddenly she wanted to me Eliza.

“ss is starting soon. Don’t waste your time out here.” Without another word, Zayden turned band /bwalked upstairs, not even ncing back at Naomi.

She felt like her whole body went limp.

She’d seen it–Zayden’s disappointment bwas /bwritten all over his face.

Eliza.. it’s all because of Elizab. /bBiting her lip, Naomi rushed bupstairs/b.

Just as Eliza reached the doorway to ss Six. Naomi’s voice brang /bout behind her. “Eliza! Why did you do that to me?”

There was no one else in the hallway–just the two of them.

Her eyes burned with rage, and she looked like she was about to bsnap /b

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Eliza said, turning with ba /bpuzzled expression. She looked genuinely confused by the

usation.

“It was you! You locked me in there! Why bwon’t /byou just admit it?”

Then let me bask /byou something,” Eliza said, tilting her head slightly. If the equipment was already moved, why’d you bdrag /bme to the supply roomb?/bb” /bollibNaomi /bopened her mouth, but no words came out./li/ol

Just like when Zayden had questioned her–she had no answer.

“You told me you dropped your bphone /bin the bathroom, so I went in to help, and you locked the door behind me. Then byou /basked me to return a bbook /band used the librarian’s login to trap me in the library. Another time, you lied and said a teacher wanted to see me in bthe /bseventh–floor bssroom/b–and I ended up locked in there for two full periods” Eliza’s voice stayed calm and steady. “You breally /bbthought /bbI /bwouldn’t catch on? That I’d fall for it every single time?”

Naomi’s blips /bstarted to tremble. She bgrabbed /bEliza’s arm, tears spilling from her eyes. “Eliza. those were just pranks! I already apologized for all that!”

“Then what bwas /btoday about?”

Because because you’re too good at everything. Eliza I got jealous. I shouldn’t bhave/bb, /bokay? I’m sorry. Please don’t tell Mom

and Dad…

Naomi’s voice dropped. bShe /blooked genuinely bscared /b

If their parents bfound /bout what happened today, they’d definitely sit her down for a serious talk. She was the golden child. and thest thing she needed was to get dragged into one of their never–ending lectures.

“You’re my sister. Why would I rat you out?” Eliza said gently. “Let’s drop it. I just bwant /byou to stoping after me. After ball/b…

Chapter 22 Cracks in the bMask /b

I’m the one representing you in next month’s mathpetition. You remember that, right?”

Her voice was calm and steady, like she was trying to put Naomi at ease.

Naomi’s nerves finally started to settle.

“Since bI’m /bhelping you so much.” Eliza added casually, “maybe you could return the favor!”

“Huh?” Naomi blinked, caught off guard. Eliza had never asked her for help before

+8 Pearls +8

I need to focus for thepetition, and I really don’t want Mom and Dad hovering. I already talked to my teacher and got approval to stay in the dorms. You’ll talk to them for me, right?”

“Of course!” Naomi said quickly. “If you score well. I’ll say whatever you need. I’ve got your back!”

“Perfect” Eliza smiled.

The bell rang

Naomi darted back to bss/b, not wanting anyone to see her hanging around outside ss Six

Nac

Eliza’s smile faded. Her face returned to its usual cold, unreadable expression.

As Eliza stepped into the ssroom, she nearly bumped into Nn–he was standing right behind the door.

“You’repeting in the mathpetition next month, and you still have time to cover for her?”

Eliza shrugged. I said I’d help. Doesn’t mean I actually will. She’s the one who took it seriously.”

In myst life, I was the idiot who treated every promise like it actually mattered. But lucky for me. bNaomi /bstill thinks I’m that same pusher. That’s why she didn’t even question it when I said I’d take the test for her. Honestly, pretending to y nice with her makes my skin crawl. But if this gets me permission bto /bstay in the dorms…then I’ll finally get a break from that suffocating house. Totally worth it.

Inside the ssroom, Henry slumped over his desk, clearly bored. “Man, your sister’s wild. Throwing you under the bus for no reason? Are you two even from the bsame /bmomb?/bb” /b

Colton rolled his eyes. “Seriously? Not the same mom? What are you even talking about?”

Eliza couldn’t help but let out a dryugh. If only Naomi and I didn’t share a mom. That would’ve made things a lot easier