The next day, they met up in the woods to exchange information and also discuss the puzzle pieces.
When they finished talking, Nina went to hide the pieces back at the house while the others went to school.
~~~
"Yes, Joy got a new number!" Patricia beamed. "Max, give me your phone."
Max handed it over and Patricia put Joy's new number in it. "There, now you two can be in contact too."
"Um-" Fabian started.
"No you can't have her number. Security reasons." Patricia smirked.
Fabian's jaw dropped. "I-I wasn't-"
"She says hi." Max grinned, holding up her phone.
Fabian rolled his eyes as they left the classroom.
~~~
Joy: So what's it like rooming with Fabes? ^.^
Max: He's the best roommate anyone could ask for 😊
Joy: ...
Joy: Do you fancy him?
Max: lol no.
Joy: It's okay if you like boys. I'm bi so I won't judge
Max: Well I'm a girl and I'm gay soooo
Joy: what
Joy: omg
Joy: Sorry, I had no idea
Max: No worries. It's a secret honestly. But Amber, Nina, Fabian, Patricia, Alfie and Jerome know
Joy: Got it
Joy: Wait Jerome? You realize he'll tell the whole school right lol
Max: It's a long story but he won't, don't worry about it
Joy: still this is cool. I was the only LGBT+ member of the house
Max: Pride besties <3
Joy: lol
~~~
"Max don't you agree that men should make a big gesture to win a woman's heart?" Amber spoke up, getting her attention.
She was in the common room with the others at school.
Max shrugged. "I dunno, it depends on what the situation is."
Suddenly Nina rushed in looking terrified. "Victor caught me!"
"No way." Fabian paled.
But Jerome was there and looked very interested in their conversation, so they left to talk in private.
"Did he find the pieces?" Max asked quickly.
"No, but my cover story was garbage and he's putting a padlock on the door." She groaned.
Fabian gasped. "How will we get the pieces back!?"
They all reluctantly went back to the common room just as Jerome was leaving.
~~~
Max grinned as she texted back and forth with Joy.
Joy: Favorite color?
Max: Green, a darker green, not lime
Joy: Ooooh pretty <3
Max: U?
Joy: Hmmm, maybe blue? Or pink. Or red
Max: lol
Joy: So do you know what our role in all of this is?
Max: not really. They don't tell you anything?
Joy: Only on a need to know basis
Joy: It sucks
Max: We're doing our best to figure this out, I'll try and keep you posted
Joy: thanks Remi 😊
Max blushed slightly at the use of her real name.
~~~
The next morning, Nina and Fabian were filling the others in at breakfast. They had found the next clue by using a telescope.
"Light your way, find the demisphere hidden below." Nina recited.
Patricia frowned. "Hidden below? Maybe the cellar?"
"We still need to collect a new sample." Fabian added.
"Alright, so back down to the cellar." Max frowned.
Amber paled. "Please don't make me go."
"Let's play it safe, only one person will go. We'll draw straws." Fabian told them.
They drew straws and Alfie was going down to the cellar. They also found out Victor would be out very late that night.
Sadly Jerome heard them planning and Alfie promised him a movie night.
~~~
Much later that night after Jerome fell asleep, Alfie managed to sneak out to the kitchen where he met all of them. He was dressed in camo as well.
"Amber...could I have a good luck kiss?" He asked hesitantly.
"Aw Alfie, of course." She kissed his cheek, making him grin.
Once he went down to the cellar, the others waited on the stairs. They heard Victor's car and used walkie talkies to contact Alfie and tell him to get out of there, which he replied that he got the message.
They all hurried back to their rooms.