The Academy of Darkness

Chapter 3 - Murder Mystery

3. Murder Mystery

We got up about half past twelve in the afternoon. It was a grey overcast day. I was supposed to do something today but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Crap! I was supposed to meet Harley for lunch! So I hurriedly hopped in Abbey's shower and let all the bad memories of last night wash out of me and down the drain, but no matter how hard I tried, the vision still lingered, an imprinted memory.

I changed back into the clothes I had worn to the party since I hadn't brought anything with me. I brushed my teeth with the spare toothbrush I kept at Abbey's for times like these. My hair, which was more waves than straight today, fell obediently over my shoulders and I quickly applied some make up.

"Wait! Here put this on instead, you can't wear the exact same thing he saw you in last night! You need to spice it up a little" Abbey purred.

I laughed and went to change into the cute black lacey top with the zipper down the middle. I borrowed her dark grey pullover to go with it.

"Wait, wait - you can't wear those shoes with it! Here wear my Docs! and it's too much black put my smokey grey skinnies on!" so I just took her advice and slipped both on, changing my whole outfit in the end. Before I could leave she held me back, then sprayed perfume in front of me, ushering me to walk through and started fixing my hair a little.

"Do a spin" she ordered.

I spun.

"Yes, yes that's way cute!" she smiled with self satisfaction. "Hayley why are you so flawlessly beautiful!?" Abbey moaned.

"Am I done now or did you want to curl my hair and do my nails too?" I asked sarcastically.

"Well... if you insist" began Abbey.

"Bye Abbey" I said in a no-nonsense tone.

"Have fun" she teased and winked.

And so I set out, off to Laurence's Café, for lunch with a hottie and my saviour of last night.

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I was five minutes late when I arrived at the café. As I opened the door and the bell chimed Harley turned to my direction. He looked at me with admiration. I felt really pretty and silently thanked Abbey for her fussing. Things felt different when I was around Harley. I felt comfortable, safe and confident - if not a little carefree. He smiled a friendly greeting and my mouth shaped to answer his back.

"I almost didn't think you were going to show" he declared.

"I didn't think so either, sorry about my lateness, I slept in" I apologised.

" Don't worry you're forgiven" he teased.

The waitress walked up to us and I ordered a chicken salad while Harley ordered a gourmet burger and two Sprites. The waitress came back sooner than expected and we dug into our lunches.

We talked a bit more, about the party last night, about trivial things like having to go back to school so soon and the weather. It almost seemed as if we were avoiding the big issues. Which is exactly what we were doing, but it was still nice.

He sounded strained like he was worried about something. Something had happened and I think I knew what that something was. So I had to play dumb.

"When I walked in you looked anxious" I mused.

He didn't answer. He was pondering something.

"Anything happen after I left the party?" I pushed.