THE UGLY DUCKLING, nate macauley

chapter five: pink and blue

      THE NEXT DAY AT SCHOOL Malia was sitting with her friend Roman in the gym. Roman was probably her second best friend after Amelia of course. The two of them haven't been able to hang out much by themselves so they both used their free period to watch a gym class play dodgeball. Roman had a bet for Vanesa's team to win and Malia bet on the other team, while also studying for the calculus the next week. "Do you think you're gonna go to the wake?" Roman's question stunned her slightly.

      The blonde looked away from the court and tilted her head at the question. Not in confusion, just in thought. "I think I am?" She shook her head slightly. "But I don't know how Simon's parents will feel, you know?" the question of whether or not she was going to show up had been on her mind since the wake was announced. Adaline thought it might've been a good idea but Amelia thought it would be weird considering she was being investigated for Simon's murder.

      Roman nodded thinking that was a valid reason. "I think it would be weird." He told her, causing Malia to furrow her eyebrows at his bluntness. "But that's just my opinion. But I guess you never know until you go." The bluntness made Malia bite the inside of her cheek nodding at his reasonableness. He nudged his shoulders against hers. "And hey I'll be your date. So if it gets too weird or uncomfortable, just tell me and we will get outta there. Okay?"

      Malia looked at him with a grateful smile, nodding once again "Okay." Her voice came out in a soft whisper. The two turned back to face the court. Addy got hit by a ball after looking shocked about something, causing Vanessa to stop and also get hit by a ball. Malia put her hand out in Roman's direction. "Cough it up." the boy groaned pulling out a twenty from his back pocket and slamming it down in the blonde's hand. She let out a little smirk sticking it in the back pocket of her jeans.

・❥・

Malia was at her locker putting her books away and about to meet up with Amelia for lunch when - "Malia?" the blonde turned around to see Mayor Kelleher standing in front of her with an empty box. Malia assumed they were to get stuff from Simon's locker, with the teary-eyed look on the older woman's face. "It's been a very long time since I saw you. How have you been?"

The younger girl didn't know how to respond. Last time she had seen the lady was when she had pigtails in her hair and ribbons around her wrist. Since then she had died her hair blonde and became a murder suspect in her son's death. "Fine. I've been fine." Malia opted to say.

Mrs Kelleher nodded. "I don't believe you did it." Malia's eyes widened at the abruptness of the statement. The older woman picked up on it and gave her a reassuring but sad smile. "One of us had to say it. And I don't believe you had anything to do with it." The blonde stood there shocked. She felt frozen. Malia didn't know what to say to her.

Luck must've been on her side that day because she was saved by none other than Jake Riordan. "Mayor Kelleher?" The mayor turned to Jake and gave him a small smile. "I am so sorry about Simon." Jake initiated a hug and Mrs Kelleher gladly excepted. Malia mouthed a small thank you to the by and he nodded, excepting it.

The two of them pulled apart and the Mayor gave them a sad smile. "Are you two coming to the wake?" The two teenagers looked at each other, both of them not knowing how to respond. Mrs Kelleher looked between them. "You should take something of his. To remember him by."

"Um, okay, yeah." The words left Malia's mouth before she could register what she was saying. "I think can make it." Mrs Kelleher's smile brightened slightly.

The older woman must've thought it was a yes for Jake as well. "Oh thank you." The teenagers gave her small smiles. "I have to go now, but I'll see you two at the wake." Malia gave her a nod and watched as Mrs Kelleher walked away.