I think I've found a treasure in the trash bins. First, a bunch of phone numbers. Then, three short messages in code. What next? It's time to dig through the papers, as well as check what's inside the tin box. One thing at a time, though. First, I need to go to the toilet. It's just a matter of minutes.

When I'm back from my short bathroom trip, I decide to focus on the box. It's not very big—it's as large as my diary. I carefully unlid it, expecting to find more papers. Well, there are two envelopes, a postnote, and a beaded necklace. Cute. I wonder who wanted to throw it away.

I read the postnote. Unlike the previous three messages, it isn't in code. 'Watch your back. Anything is possible with The Burden of Breaking Hearts.' I don't know if it sounds mysterious or menacious, or both.

I take the envelopes from the box. One is pink, while the other one is yellow. I start from the latter. I open it with extreme care, paying attention not to tear it, and extract its content: a handwritten letter and a picture. Shockingly enough, it's a photo of me! This means Peri or Brix can be behind the yellow letter, since no-one else has printed pictures of me.

I read the letter. 'I don't know what Rieleigh Colson finds in those two losers. They act all high and mighty, but they're actually two dimwitted bitches. All they think of is hooking up with guys, regardless of context. Their superficial approach might be appreciated within the club, but I have to put an end to it.

'Periann McArthur and Brixtyn Beecher are the opposite of who a good club member should be. They're unreliable, sloppy at keeping secrets. They're extremely forgetful, especially Peri. They hardly ever respect deadlines. Over the last two months, Brix has presented weekly reports late three times. That's enough.

'Therefore, I need to make sure I approach Rieleigh and warn her about her friends and, most importantly, how they consistently throw her under the bus with their unacceptable behavior. She deserves better friends, and I know where to find some.

'My mission won't be easy, but I'm not the kind of person who gives up. I'll make sure to succeed with every means possible. I'll dispose of this letter and try to make sure no-one, especially outside the Club, finds out. If anyone catches me, I'll be toast.

'Wish me luck. Thank you for your trust in me. Ashlea.' Oh, shit, what have I just read? Not even I myself would conceive such a concentration of bullshit when particularly angry at Peri and Brix. This has to be a set-up, a terrible one.

Ashlea is an idiot. I may be angry at Peri and Brix for throwing me under the bus over Lyndall's confession, but she has plotted to try to separate the three of us. I suspect she has already pulled such a stunt before and won't hesitate to try again.

This doesn't mean I'll forgive them for not stopping the bullying I had to endure in the past few weeks, or at least not yet. But now I seem to understand why they're so detached, why they're so hellbent in believing everything that shitass club tells them.

After a second bathroom break, I move on to the pink envelope. I open it to find an invitation to Lillie Shankle's birthday, which was... last month. The invitation is unnamed, leaving me questioning why anyone would throw it in the trash. I check if there are mistakes. No, the form is impeccable.

I take a look at the rear of the invitation, where I read a note written in red. 'This is an extra invitation. There were only supposed to be twenty. Who printed them? Bin this one and make sure no-one finds it.' Whoever threw it away took a lot of time to do so, or simply hid it for a while before managing to bin it. It's also true the paper bins are only emptied when completely full, and not on a daily or weekly basis.

Now that I'm done with the envelopes, I have to take care of the most difficult part of this mission so far: going through this stack of papers. I count thirty. Unfortunately for me, none are empty. This, however, means more extra information for me to use as I watch The Burden of Breaking Hearts crumble. Well, if I succeed in taking it down.

The first five papers are two lists. One of people who were invited to Lillie's party, and one, much longer, of those who were left out. In the second list, among others, I recognize Peri, Brix, Tre, Salinda and Meghan. How can they have so little dignity to accept being left out of events and then being shamed for that?

Yeah, yeah, the "List of the Discarded" (this is how it called) has a clause at the end of the fifth paper. It says, 'Those who don't manage to access events will be penalized according to the Club's decision. To get back in our good grace, they have to perform a task assigned to them by the Club, or get rid of elements considered troublesome.'

Now, I'm certain Peri and Brix first attracted me into the club and then got me removed in record time to be still able to lick the other members' butts, as well as save their own. What the fuck! I don't know what to say... I really need new friends. Someone who won't sell their soul to the Devil to improve their status.

Next, here comes another letter. This time, written by Lillie in person. From a quick scam, it looks like she's thankful to Meghan among others for her role in the club and how they got people they don't like out without too much effort. Scary. No, that's not enough to describe it. I'd rather say bone chilling.

'Thanks to Meghan and Hope, I'm closer to the goal. Marie is out; then, it'll be the boys' turn. I love seeing desperation in their face—it means they know their fate is inevitable.' The Hope the letter mentions is Hope Turpin, a sophomore. She seems to be close to Meghan. I know that for a matter of fact because they spend a lot of time outside of classes together: from recess to lunch, to study sessions in the library.

I remember seeing her at that meeting Tre took me to with deception, but she didn't say a word back then. I don't think it's just for the drama surrounding Jeff. I have reasons to believe her silence was planned. Since I can't get direct confirmation, I'll have to go through the remaining twenty-four papers to see hints at her using silence for personal gain.

Oh, there's a drawing in the bunch. It depicts me hanged in the gym. What the fuck is this? Who really wants me dead here? What have I done to those fuckers? Do they think they can scare me into giving up and letting them get away with their creepy shit?

Oh, no. They're dead wrong. I'll go through everything and then prepare the ultimate exposé with evidence. There's no way they'll be able to escape consequences. The Burden of Breaking Hearts will cease to exist as soon as they realize they've created a monster.