𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍

𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟

 Songbirds twittered overhead in the branches of the willow tree you were currently lounging under. It was a surprisingly nice day out, considering the recent run in cold weather, and it seemed that you weren't the only one who realized they should make the most of it. Several small groups of students dotted the courtyard and sprinkles of conversation carried on in the breeze, sweeping through the pleasantly warm air.

You jolted in place, brought back into the moment by the piercing loud tone of your mobile phone going off. You rarely carried it around outside of your dorm room, but you figured it would make you feel safer to have it on you in case something happened and you couldn't get in touch with the authorities in time.

"I see you, little miss popular," Randy shook his head with a smile, gesturing to your phone that was sitting on the grass between you. He and Dewey agreed to accompany you to lunch that afternoon. Or more accurately, you begged Randy to skip his third period and for Dewey to take a long break from the investigation so that you could be outside without having to look behind your back every five seconds.

You thought about asking Hallie, but thought better of it considering how much hell you've put her through these past few nights. As far as you knew, she wanted to spend as much time away from you as possible. And you didn't blame her one bit. 

"It's probably just my professor," you sighed, looking down at the miniature studded pink brick-shaped device with a certain level of disdain. As you talked, you shook another small pile of M&Ms into your hand before dumping them into Randy's outstretched palm. "I've skipped his class like three times this week and he's bitching cause I was his best student."

"So tell him that you're part of the murder investigation," Dewey chided from your right, fanning his face with the brim of his brown sheriff's hat. "And quit hogging the candy that I paid for."

You beamed and reached over to empty the rest of the package into his hat, laughing as he sat up and began picking them out one by one. It was by far the most fun you've been able to sift from the rubble of your social life since this all began. It was the best kind of fun too; casual, natural, with people you loved and who loved you right back tenfold. "I would, but that man scares the shit out of me."

The incessant beeping broke away into a comfortable silence and you were once again able to hear the birds perched high above you. You hummed in satisfaction and leaned backward until your head was cushioned directly against the soft ground. Closing your eyes, you silently entrusted the boys on either side of you to keep you safe from harm. It was a nice feeling, knowing that you were protected.

"Alright," Randy clapped. You smiled without opening your eyes, wanting to revel in the feeling just a little bit longer. "Who would win in a fight: Chucky, the Blair Witch, or Jason Vorhees?"

"Meeks," you clicked your tongue, imagining the look on his face that always magically appeared when he got on the topic of horror movies. "Do you really think that the Blair Witch qualifies in this race?"

"(Y/N), answer the question."

"Vorhees. He's immortal, Chucky is plastic, and the Blair Witch is a concept at best. Boom. Brawl wouldn't even last five minutes."

It fell suspiciously quiet aside from Dewey's quiet M&M chewing. He'd bought the candy for you at one of the vending machines littered within the police station. As soon as he drew them from his pocket, you made grabby hands at the package and decided to abandon the nutritional lunch you'd brought over from the cafe.

After a good number of seconds passed, your eyes fluttered open just to see Randy peering down at you with both disappointment and wonder evident in his cobalt blue eyes. "There are...so many things wrong with what you just said."