Heart thumping and sound rushing in my ears, I open a slew of text files from the other folders. They’re carefully annotated, session after session, a catalog of everyone’s innermost thoughts and juiciest secrets.

Save everything, my brain screams.

I scan Natalie’s desk, try the top drawer, but there are no stray USB drives or anything I could use to save this treasure trove. A click on the email icon prompts a message to set up Natalie’s account. She must have used this desktop only for her spying. No opportunity to email myself things, I snap a quick photo of the screen, then tiptoe to the door, listen. There’s a low hum of chatter, but no one is shouting my name. I have a few more minutes, I hope.

Back at the desk, I open each of my friend’s files, and a few random ones that catch my eye, for good measure. I take a picture of the notes inside.

A. Morrow: Stress over dad doing something shady at work that she can’t talk about but has to keep secret from Bronte? Need more, but could be useful to have something on the sheriff. Daddy might like it, too.

B. Escano: Stole AP Chem final answer key for Addison Harper sophomore year. Racked with guilt. Get her to do same for me? Or use it to make sure she doesn’t run against me for homecoming queen? (YES!)

B. Vann: His mom caught him jerking off to some anime shit—omg, DYING. Lots of low-self-esteem garbage about his dad leaving. Shit. Stopped seeing Mom after I teased him. Need to be more careful.

M. Quinn: Goes on and on to my OWN MOTHER about how stressed she is by “a certain friend.” Met someone new who makes her feel pretty and special and good enough—WHY HASN’T SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS?! Told her ALLLL about the dress she’s sewing for homecoming :D Find out who and, if they’re embarrassing enough, get free food and drinks at Quinn’s!

G. Escano: Has some side hustle he’s conflicted about. Never reveals what. Make him regret dumping me. But need to find out what he’s hiding…

M. Harper: Raging eating disorder. Huge discount on my Audi :D

G. Sawyer: SO ANGRY about her brother Joe. Jesus, lady, give it up. Thinks Principal Morris is a moron. LOL, yes. Get on her good side and leave campus whenever I want!

In the margins, Natalie noted exactly how best to use her friends’ secrets against them. What she could get if she were to turn the screw, ever so slightly.

Suddenly, I know exactly who Natalie was:

A fucking snake.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO