Janet had never felt more conflicted in her life. After coming clean to Lily and deciding to stay away from Vanessa's world, she was determined to focus on school and her true friends. But the mysterious message from the unknown number still lingered in her mind, an unsettling reminder that her decision might not be the end of things.
The following week, Janet found herself alone in the classroom during lunch. She often used this time to catch up on her homework or read a book. The quiet was comforting, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions she had been navigating recently.
As she sat, lost in thought, the door creaked open. Janet looked up, her heart sinking when she saw Vanessa standing in the doorway. Her usual confident demeanor was replaced by something more sinister, her eyes hard and cold.
"Janet," Vanessa said, her voice low and threatening, "we need to talk."
Janet's heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm. "What do you want, Vanessa?"
Vanessa stepped closer, her expression unwavering. "I don't appreciate being ditched, Janet. You think you can just walk away from us?"
Janet felt a shiver run down her spine. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just—"
Vanessa cut her off, her tone sharp. "It doesn't matter what you meant. You're either with us, or you're against us. And trust me, you don't want to be against us."
Janet swallowed hard, her mind racing. She wanted to stand up to Vanessa, but fear kept her rooted to her seat. "I don't want any trouble."
Vanessa leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then you better start playing nice, or else."
"Or else what?" Janet asked, her voice trembling.
"Or else you might find yourself in a situation you can't handle," Vanessa replied. "People like you, who think they're too good for us? They don't last long on their own. And if you tell anyone about this… well, let's just say accidents happen."
Janet's heart dropped. She knew Vanessa was capable of cruelty, but this was more than she had anticipated. She nodded slowly, hoping to appease Vanessa for the moment.
"Good," Vanessa said, straightening up. "Remember, Janet. We can be your best friends or your worst enemies."
With that, Vanessa turned and left the room, leaving Janet feeling more isolated than ever. She sat there, frozen in fear, unsure of what to do next. Who could she talk to? Her parents would never understand, and she didn't want to drag Lily into this mess.