But about half an hour before the start of classes, Priti sends me a text that she just spotted Flávia and Chyna making their way over. I jump up and begin to dig into my messy locker full of books. Everyone else has decked their lockers out already; I know Chaewon has pictures of her favorite K-drama stars, along with her favorite boy bands. Jess has pictures of her favorite video game characters. But I’ve yet to put anything up in mine. Not because I don’t want to, but because it feels too much like exposing myself to my classmates. It’s announcing allegiance to something, or someone. It’s putting your identity on display for everyone to see—and judge.

I make a show of pulling my books out of my locker and stuffing them into my bag as Flávia strolls up and starts jiggling open her locker. I watch her heavy black lock out of the corner of my eye.

“53 … 2 … 12,” she whispers. I have to stop myself from grinning. She’s making this way too easy.

53. 2. 12.

It’s like Flávia wants me to break into her locker. She’s basically inviting me to do it.

“Do you have a problem?” When I tear my eyes away from Flávia, I notice Chyna standing right behind her. She has her arms folded over her chest and is glaring at me like I’m no better than the dirt beneath her shoes.

Yesterday, this would have made me burst into a fit of anger. But today, with Flávia’s locker combination in my head, I only feel a quiet glee.

“Nope.” I swing my door shut, shoot her the sweetest smile I can, and slip away to my first class.

By the time lunchtime rolls around, I’ve memorized the numbers.

53. 2. 12. I’ve been repeating it inside my head all morning, afraid to write it down in case it could somehow be used as evidence.

I spot Chyna, her posse, and Flávia sitting in one corner of the lunchroom. They’re sitting in a circle, all eyes on Chyna as she talks about something or other. Flávia is picking at her lunch—a dry-looking sandwich, cut up into triangles—and seems to be more interested in the graffiti on the desk in front of her than whatever Chyna is saying.

Jess and Chaewon are at the front of the lunchroom. They wave me over, but I just give them a quick wave back before slipping out the door.

“You know, you’ve made me miss sleep and food today,” Priti grumbles to me when she meets me outside the room. “This better be worth it.”

“Just keep a lookout, okay?” I say. “The sooner we get this done, the sooner you can go eat your lunch.”

“Okay, Apujan.” She sighs heavily, like this is a very stressful thing for her.