When she was confident they were distracted by a movie, Lia crawled out her bedroom window. She hated biking, but it would have to do. The school was a thirty-minute ride away, and Lia could wait for someone to leave through that back door, and she could slip in when they did. She was chilled with sweat by the time she got there. Her leggings and hoodie stuck to her skin.

Across the street, Mr. Jackson was sitting on his porch smoking, and he waved at Lia. Lia raised one hand in return.

Her plan worked; the moment the door opened, a few kids shoved a rock against the door so they could slip back in. Lia darted up the stairs once the group left. Devon was still in his chair, a bottle of water between his knees and his head thrown back. The people around him were talking amongst themselves in a group a ways off. Lia crept out of the stairwell.

“Devon?” she half whispered.

He jerked up. “What?”

Lia waved and nodded to the stairs.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, glancing around.

“Gem said you wanted to talk.” Lia backed up till she was against the door. “I can leave if you want.”

Devon glanced at the stage where the instructor and security guards were talking. “Okay, sure, yeah. That’s fine.”

It would’ve been better if he didn’t sound so unsure.

“Great,” she said, and made her way to the stairwell. “I should probably leave before break is over, but I wanted to talk to you.”

“Please tell me you didn’t walk here or something equally as dangerous?” he asked, leaning back against the railing.

They stopped a story above the door, far enough from either to hear it open but not be in the way of anyone coming or going.

“Does that mean you don’t think I’m a murderer?” she asked.

“Of course I don’t think you’re a murderer,” Devon said, shaking his head. His hair fell over his eyes. “The emails are still bizarre, but no offense, in no world can I picture you fighting Ben or Cassidy and winning.”

She could hardly take offense at being called not a killer.

“Full offense taken at you not believing me about the emails.” Lia leaned against the opposite wall. “I told the cops about them, which was probably a bad move if someone is framing me.”

“Is someone framing you?” he asked. “Is that not a leap?”

“If not, it’s the deadliest string of coincidences ever.” She knocked his knee with hers. “You looked scared when I left your house, and you didn’t say anything after that.”

He scowled. “Detective James called my parents and asked me tons of questions about you. They are panicked.”

“I’ve made an excellent first impression, then.” Lia sighed. “I should’ve stuck to science fair.” She had never won science fair either, but at least no one died during it.

“I always liked watching you do science fair.”

Lia shook her head. “Why? It’s so boring.”