Derek Grey looked genuinely taken aback.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Oh come on Derek! Isn’t it a bit convenient that you chose to come into McKinley high immediately after Melanie died?”

Derek shut his eyes and Mac felt a sudden terror overcome her. Sure she was making all this noise about suspecting Derek’s motives and if he was indeed the psychopath behind Melanie’s ill-fate. But still, a part of her didn’t it want it to be him. She would have been okay with it being him if he didn’t have those amazing brown eyes….that perfect smile….the world-crumbling dimple….

“Mac, I know you don’t know me. You’re right to be suspicious but do I really look like someone who could murder an innocent 17 year old girl?” Derek’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“No one can be trusted Derek.” She picked up the diary once more. “What gives? How come you’re with her diary? Give me a reason to believe you’re innocent.”

Derek cleared his throat. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea Mac….”

“Come on! What do you freaking have to hide? She was your girlfriend, you guys had a beef, and you lost your temper and arranged for her murder. Simple.”

A deep chuckle came. “Close…but not close enough. She was my half-sister. Same father, different mothers. I live with our father though and I loved Melanie so so much.” He paused as if being thrown back into a painful memory. Shaking his head, he kept talking. “She gave me that diary. It was as if she knew something bad was going to happen to her.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but then he shut his mouth.

Mac tried to break the sudden tense atmosphere that appeared. “Ha! That wasn’t in anyway close to what I guessed.”

“People aren’t always what they seem, Mac.” Derek got up from the seat with his tray. He looked seriously unhappy. Mac couldn’t help feeling like a total arse for bringing up an obviously disturbing memory. “Catch ya later, Macaulay.” With that he left.

Cambria hurried to fill in where Derek had so recently evacuated. “Well? What did he say? Did he deny it?”

Mac heaved a sigh. “I feel like an arse, Cam. He’s innocent and I’m an idiot. What the hell is wrong with me? He’s Mel’s brother and obviously I’ve brought up a very sad memory all in the name of playing Nancy Drew.”

“He said he was Mel’s brother?” Cambria looked pale. “I didn’t know Melanie had a brother…how come they’re the same age?”

“Same father. Different mothers….anyway what does that matter now? He probably hates me forever because of what I implied.”

Both their phones buzzed at the same time. Macaulay checked hers first. “It’s Jay. Says there’s a meeting today. That’s probably your message as well.”

Cambria checked her message and hurriedly threw her phone into her bag.

“Well?” mac asked expectantly.

“Yeah. Same message.” Cambria said hurriedly.

Macaulay gave her a look. “So I’ll meet you here after school okay? Then we’ll go over to Jay’s”

“Sure!” Cambria said. She was out of breath, like she couldn’t wait to go somewhere.

“Are you alright Cam? You’ve been acting freaky since you received your text message.” Mac looked worried.

Cambria stood up and bobbed her head while edging away from the table. “Later Mac!” she ran out of the cafeteria.

Mac let out a sigh, and then checked her watch. 1pm. She had a lot of free time on her hands today. No classes left for her for the rest of the day. She could go and practice for her math test…or audition for the play coming up soon…

She searched her bag, looking for a math textbook to use and then she saw it. A gift card that Caitlyn had given for her last birthday. How could she have missed this? Sweet Caitlyn!

Macaulay skipped out of the cafeteria to the nearest newlook shop.