I crouched beside number twenty-one's locker, trying the combination lock. 2012 worked, and the lock clicked open.
Inside, I found a playbook. The sound of footsteps and voices drifted down the hall. I shoved the playbook back and scrambled to hide.
In the small room, I overheard Kai and Hayden's conversation. Kai mentioned a feeling of déjà vu and being from the future, but Hayden was skeptical.
I bit my lip. Was Kai reborn too? My stomach churned at the thought. In the last life, when he slipped, I was sure he hadn't died; at least, not then.
Something had changed. If he really remembered everything like me, then fate was already unraveling.
"... Hold up a sec." Hayden's voice disrupted my thoughts.
"What?" Kai asked.
"Who... Who cracked my locker combination?"
I froze.
Kai snorted. "Dude, I told you 2012 was so obvious. You've got it tattooed on your back."
Hayden's tone darkened. "No one's supposed to know what it means. And no one's seen it."
He rifled through his locker, the sound of items shifting made my chest tighten. I squeezed further into the dark room, praying he'd let it go.
"It's not like you to leave your locker wide open before a game."
"I didn't." Hayden's words were clipped, suspicious. "I was the last one out."
My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I remained utterly silent in the dark room. I didn't have to see it to know. I could feel it.
He wasn't stupid, he'd figure it out. I dared to peek. His eyes were locked straight on me.