Emily's POV:
As we hurry away from school, Spencer stops us in the middle of the road. "Guys," She says. "Look."
I read the text Spencer shows me over her shoulder. "Good." Hanna says.
"Good?" I reply, then suddenly understanding what she means.
A is on to us, that way she'll see us fight and follow one of us when we split up. I just hope to god it's not me.
We walk in silence to the Rosewood park and all sit down on the bench, completely out in the open. People are milling by, some walking dogs, some running, others just bunking off school like we are. I feel bad for doing this. What if my mum finds out? She'll be so upset. But I can't tell her about A, so there's nothing else I can say that will make her believe me. I'll just have to take it. "So," I say, in barely a whisper. "How are we going to do this?"
"It has to look believable." Spencer says and I nod.
"But we need to decide where we're going to go first." Hanna says. "Once we split up."
I'd forgotten about that. "Good idea."
"I'll head to the mall." Hanna says and I can't help but smile. She's always been addictive to shopping and it would fit well if she was to go there.
"I'll hang around here," Spencer says. "That way we've put some distance between us."
Hanna looks at me. "What about you, Em?" She asks. I can't think of anywhere to go where there will be people around, but not so many that it will make it difficult for A to follow us.
"I don't know." I say, "I can't think of anywhere."
We sit in silence for a minute, thinking. Hannah opens up a smoothie and takes a sip. "How about the cemetery?"
I frown. "What?" I don't want to go there.
"There will just be a few people around, crying and mourning, you know." She says casually, shrugging her shoulders.
I sigh, already hating this idea. "Fine." I say. "But keep in touch, okay?"
They nod and Hanna smiles. "Time for a bit of drama." She pauses, sucking in a breath.
She stands up and her expression changes. "How could you say that, Spencer?" She shouts. "You're a liar! A liar and a cheat!"
"I can say that because it's true!" Spencer yells back and without a moment's hesitation, Hanna throws her smoothie over Spencer.
Her facial expression is of genuine shock. "What is wrong with you?" Spencer yells back at Hanna storms off.
I get up and run after Hanna, who turns around and shoves me in the chest. "Get away from me, Emily!" I shove her back, feeling bad about doing so.
"What were you thinking, Hanna?" I yell back and she rolls her eyes and storms off.
"I'm done," She calls, chucking the empty bottle onto the ground. "I'm done with you guys."
"Well so am I!" Spencer calls from behind me. I walk back to her, digging a tissue out of my pocket.
"Here, let me help you." I say, but Spencer pushes my hand away. Her eyes tell me she's sorry but we have to keep acting.
"Get away from me!" She shouts. "You could have defended me, you know!"
"I tried!" I say. Thinking on the spot makes me nervous and I start to feel butterflies building up in my stomach.
"Obviously not hard enough." Spencer replies. "Just get out, Emily. We're done too."
"Fine!" I say, turning and storming off in the direction of the graveyard.
My nails are digging into my palms as I walk. That went pretty well, I think. But now comes the scary bit. It's not dark or cold, but the thought of being in a graveyard alone scares me. I hurry through the gates to the cemetery and don't see anyone. Damn it. This was a bad idea.
My phone beeps and I freeze, my heart racing. I take it out and open the text, shaking. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.
Looking for my grave, are we? –A
I find Ezra's number and send him a text. I just hope he gets it in time. I'm in the cemetery. A is here. Hurry.
I shove the phone back in to my pocket and keep walking. My heart is pounding so fast I'm having trouble breathing. Don't look back, Emily, I tell myself, then suddenly decide that that's not the best idea. If there's someone behind me, it's worth that I know.
I whip my head around, expecting to see someone behind me, but there's no one. I hear something snap to my right and turn my head, though there's no one in sight. But there's no doubt in my mind that A is here. I just hope Ezra gets to me before A does.