One Week Till Prom

Monday Hunt Part 2

The orange-gold stretches far and wide, the color of fire hearths and tangerines. It is but the reflection of the dawn, the promise of the rising sun that comes after the velvety night has had its say and the land has rested once more.

"Looks like you got your story," Beanie said blowing a puff of smoke as he looked at Emma. "You can write about Chrissy's life and what she meant to you."

"No." Emma turned her head to him. "We're not gonna let them get that. What happened to Chrissy was fucking disgusting and turning her into just a story isn't sitting with me," Emma spoke as Amaris nodded. "Real Journalists don't get intimidated!" Emma spoke before standing up and snatching the joint from Beanie's hand and taking a puff. "And real Thomsons never give up." She grinned. "I'm gonna find the person who killed her." Emma grinned. "And I'm gonna bash their head in with your skateboard, Dennis!"

Dennis chuckled. "You don't have a violent bone in your body, Emma."

"Yeah, You're like a big teddy bear," Beanie replied snatching his joint back.

"I know a lot about guns and knives, I got a collection of knives at my place, they're next to my pencils," Emma replied.

Cory smiled. "Why do you know so much bout knives and guns?" She asked.

"Something big is gonna happen in New York, And I wanna take my friend there before it happens. Bernie means a lot to me," Emma said before nodding. "So, Guns, knives, self-defense is amazing for me. Besides, We gotta be good at protecting ourselves, especially in this day and age and during this time." She said before reaching in her bag. "Even got a knife now," She said pulling up a cleaver. "Anything suspicious Amaris?" She asked as Amaris lowered the Binoculars and shook her head. "Damn."

Dennis downed a juice box full of strawberry milk as she stood. "I need to get to work," She said before frowning. "Meet up at Henry's for the student council meeting?" She asked as the group nodded.

Beanie stood. "I can take everyone home." He said before tossing his joint. "I got time before work." The gang loaded into his Van as he started driving everyone home, bringing Dennis to a record store, Emma home, Amaris to a Busterblocker, and Cory to a cafe. He sat in his Van and turned on the radio.

Dennis sat at the counter turning on the radio, as Amaris turned on the tv. Emma didn't and Cory the news, all but Emma tuned into the same thing.

The investigation lead nowhere, and cops gave up. "It was only 3 hours," Emma mumbled.

Amaris gagged. "Fucking Pigs."

Beanie just turned off the radio as he started driving to his and Amaris's work.

The cheerleaders sat around Heather's tv in shock at hearing the cops called off the investigation. All of them hugged eachother, holding one another as they sobbed. All but Ginger. Who slowly broke away and walked outside to the balcony.

The air on that planet had a rainbow swirl as if bright inks were dropped into a current with precision. On the skin it felt like silk on a hot day, cool and smooth. It eddied around fingers as if it were water in some magic wishing well. Ginger watched it, allowing time to stand still just for her, breathing it in. Heather slowly broke away and walked over to her. "Is everything okay?" She asked gently.

"Yeah, I bet that fucking weirdo Emma had something to do with it," Ginger said. "She was always jealous of us,"

Heather frowned. "Do you think it could've been one of us?" She whispered. "I don't know but Holly did have an argument with Chrissy before she was killed."

"Nah, there's not a bone in our body that would kill one of our own." Ginger replied. "And besides, if it was anyone with us, I think Erica would be the one to do it," She said. "She was jealous that everyone was voting for her for prom queen."

"Oh yeah, Prom is this Friday isn't it?" Heather mumbled. I need to hurry up... She took a moment. "I'm gonna try getting some sleep, You guys should get some rest." She said before motioning everyone to leave, opening the door to her apartment as she did. The door shut once everyone left and Heather was left alone.

The breeze played with her hair giving it the same buoyant wave as the sea so far away. The air that had been so still on previous days had gained a slight movement as if it had discovered its direction yet was content to meander at its own pace. She sat on the balcony as she heard the news.

"Strawberry Milk has been recalled after corpses were found in the vat that most are made, the Jacob Spears department of education however claims they cannot recall all of the strawberry milk as it has become a favorite amongst students. Folks around the city are calling Strawberry Milk witchcraft and a drink for the devil."

Heather frowned and heard a knock on her door as it opened Amber stood before it. "I don't wanna walk home alone, I feel anxious....Can I stay here for the night?"

Heather nodded slowly, "Yeah, You can."

The Weed van was the welcome surprise of any summer's day. Always random. Always bringing a sweet rush and a smile. But for now it was broken down with Amaris and Beanie trying to get it fixed. "We're gonna miss the council meeting dumbass!" She shouted at him.

"Look man, it's not my fault!" He mumbled. "My check this week is gonna be so ass." He mumbled before hearing footsteps.

"Uh, You're Beanie, right, the weed dude?" Holly asked. "Can I hang out with you guys tonight? I don't want to be out at night with what happened today." Beanie nodded slowly.

"Sure thing," he slammed the hood of the van shut. "We're stranded here, though," he said. "So, Make yourself comfy, This is Amaris." He motioned to her who simply waved.