59 - Eva.

I'm thankful that the next five days pass by without incident, even though Oak's contact hasn't been able to unmask the mystery blackmailer. He apparently will need longer to find the culprit since they used a burner phone. It was silly to think they didn't know what they were doing. This school is full of criminals.

We've kept our distance from each other, even if it felt impossible at times. As I stand in the school's main hall, waiting to see off my three friends for the winter break, my heart is pounding frantically. Oak and I will be alone here in his cottage for two weeks within hours.

Natalya appears and rushes over to me. "I am going to miss you," she says, hugging me tightly.

I laugh, shaking my head. "It is only two weeks."

"Still, we must text every day," she says, squeezing my hand. "I can't believe you are staying here on your own for Christmas."

I shrug. "I've got a lot of studying to catch up on for the SATs next year."

"Boring." She rolls her eyes. "If you get bored, g