Trouble in Tiltown

Welcome to Tiltown

I picked up my book bag, slipping it around my shoulder and leaving the open space of chairs. Following the concrete trail up to the outdoor benches, I squeezed out a Tupperware that held a delicious sandwich inside and began enjoying it until Jerrick and Kat jumped up on the bench beside me.
"Yo, yo, yo!" Jerrick exclaimed with a big, goofy grin on his face. Kat giggled at his childlike behavior. The ends of her hair now curled at the ends as her hair only reached her shoulders now. Jerrick smiled at me, though his teeth were nearly hidden by his thickening stubble.
"Hey guys. How's college been going for you lovebirds?" I asked as I sipped on the water I kept in my bag, though I twisted my face at how warm the water had became.
Jerrick pretended to swoon as he tossed his head back, "oh, It's been quite the journey." Kat continued giggling as she laid her hand on his chest. I took out my binder that held tons of photographs and other evidence.
"How's your day been?" Kat asked me once he finished up with his dramatic act. I leaned in, Attempting to cover up the pages.
"Oh, same as usual. Learn, starve all day, come back to the dorm and pig out, then to bed I go." I laughed. Kat frowned but Jerrick chuckled in response.
"I know the feels, dude."
"Since we're all bored, why don't we go to the party tonight? I'm hosting along with my friend." Kat offered.
"Of course I'm coming, but are you?" Jerrick asked me as he held his head up from Kat to look at me. Glancing down to my binder, I quickly slammed it closed before shoving it into my bag before standing.
"Uhm, I don't know. I'm studying really hard tonight." I lied but with much perfection, as I had been telling this exact lie for months now. Jerrick frowned at me.
"You study so hard." Kat said with a pout. One of these days though, they're going to find me out. Hopefully I'll be able to tell them the truth before they find it out for themselves.
"Yeah." Jerrick added, his eyes squinting slightly at me as they stood together.
"I'll try to make it, really." I say as the guilt started to build up inside of me. Kat nodded with a weak smirk before walking away with Jerrick, hand in hand. I sighed before turning around and making my way back to my dorm.

My twin size bed sat in the corner as my desk took the spot in front of my one and only window. Taking in my quiet dorm room that was all to myself, I took in the condition of my room of how I left it this morning. My green flannel blanket which was smushed up at the edge of my bed. The notes I left on my computer desk which helped me with my search. Tossing my backpack off and throwing it to my bed, I kept myself busy on my computer while I would, every now and again, scribble notes to myself on a piece of paper. I stood up to look at the cork board on my wall and stared at it.
"Where are you?" I whispered to myself aloud, holding my hand over my thin stubble that tried it's hardest to grow on my face. A sudden knock on my door causes me to flinch and bring me back out of my thoughts. I rushed towards the door, only allowing for my face to be seen.
"Hi Jerrick, Kat." I greeted them with a smile. I looked them up and down as I realized they were heading to the party Kat spoke of earlier. She was dressed in a black dress with matching heels, as Jerrick himself looked like a preppy rich boy. In no way, was I insulting my best friend, it was just not him rather.
"Hey, I just came to pick up Jerrick and thought I'd stop by and see if you were coming along." Kat said. I glanced back at my room that began soaking in the darkness of the night, excluding the dim light that came from my computer.
I looked back at them, "I'm sorry. I don't think I can-
Jerrick scoffed sharply, "Right. Let's just go Kat." He took her arm and walked down the hall. I closed the door with a frown. I wanted so badly to be in their lives more, but I couldn't let him down. I placed myself back in the chair and began with the research, drowning the rest of my night in research.

My eyes shot opened suddenly, unbeknownst to me, I had fallen asleep. Drool spread across the desk as papers were scattered along with. A knocking continued pounding at my door. Maybe that's why I woke up instead. I yanked the door opened in a grumpy mood, not realizing it could've been Jerrick.
"What are you hiding?" Jerrick interrogated me with his arms crossed. His biceps bulked out as he stood at my door.
"I was sleeping." I snapped at him.
"Fine, then I'll find out myself." He huffed, walking past me and into my room. Before I could stop him, he flicked the light switch on. Revealing the secrets I've been hiding so well the past couple of months from everyone, especially him and Kat.
"Jerrick?" I said aloud, but he kept his intrigued eyes on the cork board, binders and the notes scattered across the desk.
"You're obsessed." He shook his head in disbelief, finally, his eyes meeting mine.
"No I'm not. I just want to help." I defended myself.
He pointed back at the desk, "You have photos of Tiltown, Diego, the police station and so much more, and you're saying that you're not obsessed?" He argued back.
"Diego saved us and now he's just gone!" I barked at him. His eyes widened at me, before relaxing again. Before we could continue arguing, another knock on the door stopped us. I glared at him for a moment before answering it.
"West?" He stood there with shorter hair, cleaned and shaven face. He appeared much younger than the last time I had seen him.
"We have an issue, a very big issue." He informed me before pulling me along. Behind me, Jerrick rushes up behind us before he closed my door. We finally make it out to his car in the huge parking lot.
"Get in." He tells us as Jerrick and I both obey. As he drives, he doesn't say a word as he puts all his focus on the road ahead of us.
"Would you just tell us the problem already?" Jerrick finally snapped at West from the backseat.
My eyes rolled, "Jerrick-
"I'm sorry if I'm a little grouchy, I just found out that my best friend is obsessed and now I'm in a car going who knows-"
We come to an abrupt stop, knocking us forward and then back.
"Here." West cuts Jerrick's rant off as he looks ahead at something. I follow his eyes and my eyes widen at it. A big, green sign with white lettering.

                                                      Welcome to Tiltown
Population, 3,980

"You have got to be kidding me right now." Jerrick growled.
"I thought Diego burned this place to a crisp." I shook my head in disbelief before looking to West for an answer.
"He did. And now, he's the reason Tiltown is back." West looks at me.