clouds ; l.h/c.h

CHAPTER TEN

A/N: upon reviewing this 5months later i have axed the horrendously embarrassing smut at the end of this chapter. calum hood if you're reading this i do NOT have a creepy stalker-ish parasocial relationship with you it was simply for the plot. ty ily

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"You're one crazy bitch, Kitty Kat," Macey growled. "We invite you to the biggest party of the year and you repay us by spitting this shit in our faces?"

I cock an eyebrow. "That's just it. You invited me, and you know me and Darla were practically joined at the hip."

"What you're insinuating is disgusting, Kitty."

"I'm not insinuating shit, i'm flat out accusing. Did you only invite me that night because you knew Darla would tag along somehow?"

The blonde gawked. "What, you think WE killed her?!"

"Maybe not. But if my theory is correct you knew who would."

A few more stunned gasps and stutters from the girl, until finally she slammed the door square in my face. I had thought that might happen.

"So what?" Calum sighed from beside me. "Dead end?"

"Give it a second," I sung.

3... 2... 1...

The door re-opened, this time with Casey in front of it. She looked ready to cry.

"Kat... are you serious? You really think we would lead her there like a lamb to slaughter?" her voice cracked as she choked out the words. "We've been friends with you since middle school, Kat... how could you think we could do that?"

My heart sunk at her words. I took extra detail in examining her, frail and shaking up against the door frame. Actually, it looked like she'd already been crying. It hit me like a tonne of bricks that I was letting my anger and hurt for Darla and my desire to find her killer cloud my empathy and better judgement. I wanted to believe that everyone was a suspect because that would give me more options, and potentially lead me to our culprit quicker. Instead, I had a friend, a real friend in front of me, brought to tears because I had switched off my empathy to avenge Darla.

"I—" I bit back tears. "I'm sorry... I- I have to go."

And without another word, I fled from the house and leapt into Calum's car parked a few doors down.

Once Calum caught up to me and hopped in the driver's seat, we didn't need to talk, he magically knew exactly where to take me: home.

*  *  *

I invited him in and slumped against the kitchen counter. I had almost lost it on the drive home: spewed out tears at a gross mass, but i managed to keep it in.

Calum followed close behind me and rubbed my shoulders.

Maybe this was hopeless. Maybe I needed to quit while I was ahead and take a break from Darla's case, or at least find some kind of distraction...

A/N: for plot purposes you need to know they fuck on the kitchen counter. for personal dignity purposes i have removed this segment.