Blackmail
My heart races as I dump the contents of my backpack onto the hallway floor. Pens, notebooks, and crumpled papers scatter everywhere, but my diary is nowhere to be seen.
“No, no, no,” I mutter, hands shaking as I rifle through the mess. “It has to be here somewhere!”
Students shuffle past, giving me odd looks, but I barely notice. My mind is consumed by panic. That diary contains everything—my deepest secrets, my most private thoughts. If anyone finds it…
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to remember the last time I saw it. “Think, Scarlet, think!”
With a gasp, I scramble to my feet. “My locker!”
I dash down the hallway, heart pounding in my ears. Skidding to a stop in front of my locker, I fumble with the combination lock. It takes three tries before it finally clicks open.
“Please be here,” I whisper, tossing aside textbooks and gym clothes.
But as I reach the back of the locker, my stomach drops. It’s not here either.
Leaning my forehead against the cool metal, I fight back tears. “What am I going to do?”
I can already hear the whispers in my mind, picturing my classmates passing around my most intimate thoughts like some sort of twisted joke.
And worst of all, they might find out about my family.
“This can’t be happening,” I groan, slamming my locker shut. “I have to find it before—”
My words cut off as I spot a familiar figure approaching, a smirk playing on his lips. In his hand is a small, leather-bound book that makes my blood run cold.
Valentine.
My heart skips a beat as Valentine saunters towards me, his grey eyes gleaming with mischief. He holds my diary aloft like a trophy, his confident stride matching the cocky grin on his face.
“Looking for something, princess?” Valentine drawls, stopping just inches from me.
My cheeks flush. “Valentine! Give that back right now!” I lunge for the diary, but he easily lifts it out of my reach.
“Ah, ah, ah,” he tuts, wagging a finger. “Finders keepers, you know the rules.”
Frustration wells up inside me as I make another grab. “This isn’t funny, Valentine. That’s private!”
He dances away, laughing. “Oh, I think it’s hilarious. Who knew little Miss Perfect had so many juicy secrets?”
“You… you read it?” My stomach churns, and I feel dizzy, like the ground is tilting beneath me.
Valentine’s eyebrows wiggle suggestively. “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. Wanna find out?”
My hands ball into fists at my sides. “Stop it! Just give it back, please!”
“Come on, Scar,” Valentine teases, holding the diary just out of reach again. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Valentine, please,” I say, softer now. “That diary means a lot to me. Can’t we just forget this happened?”
Valentine’s eyes glint dangerously. “Oh, I don’t think so. Not when I’ve got such valuable information right here.” He taps the diary against his chin, pretending to think.
I feel the color drain from my face. “You didn’t actually read it,” I whisper, my heart pounding. Did he read it? How much does he know?
“Didn’t I?” Valentine smirks, leaning in closer. “Here’s the deal, Scar. You go to prom with me, and your secrets stay safe. Otherwise…” He trails off, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
“That’s blackmail!” I hiss, anger flaring in my chest. “You can’t do this!”
Valentine shrugs, completely unfazed. “Call it what you want. But tick-tock, princess. What’s it gonna be?”
I glare at him, my mind whirling with conflicting emotions. How did I end up in this mess? And how do I get out of it without my entire life falling apart?
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.
Valentine raises an eyebrow, that infuriating smirk widening. “Tick-tock, Scar. I don’t have all day.”
I imagine the fallout if my secrets are revealed. If everyone finds out my dad runs one of the most notorious criminal organizations, my life is over. I’d probably have to switch schools in the middle of senior year.
Why didn’t my parents just homeschool me?
“Fine,” I snap, fists clenched. “I’ll go to prom with you. But I won’t be happy about it.”
“You hurt my feelings, princess,” Valentine says, feigning a pout.
“Stop calling me that!” I spit, glaring at him.
Valentine’s eyes widen with fake innocence. “What? Princess? Why not?”
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my composure. “Because it’s demeaning, and you know it,” I snap, my voice low but laced with anger.
Valentine’s smirk doesn’t waver. “I thought it was cute.” He leans closer. “But if it bothers you that much, I’ll stop.”
I know this is the least of my problems right now. “Just… give me my diary,” I mutter, my voice more controlled.
Valentine shakes his head. “Not until after the prom. I’ll keep it safe and sound until then.”
“How do I know you won’t read it?” I accuse.
“I won’t. Cross my heart and hope to die,” he says, crossing his fingers over his chest.
I don’t trust him. Not for a second. But I’m trapped. If he really hasn’t read it yet, maybe it’s still safe. But that slim hope does nothing to ease the knot in my stomach.
“Fine,” I finally mutter, my voice thick with resentment. “But if you mess with me, Valentine… you’ll regret it.”
Valentine raises an eyebrow, amused. “Oh, I’m shaking, princess. Don’t worry, it’ll all be fine. Just show up looking pretty, and your precious secrets will stay safe.”
Disgust churns in my chest as I watch him saunter off, my diary tucked under his arm like a prize. I stand frozen, fists clenched, staring down the hallway. I have to get that diary back. And soon.
As the hallway clears and the bell rings for the next class, I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. One thing’s for sure: I’m not letting Valentine win.
Somehow, I’ll find a way out of this mess. And when I do, Valentine will pay.
