14 Reasons During A Vampire Council Visit

Chapter II - Jessica's Tape

After the first tape stopped. Tony got up and moved to flip so they could listen to tape two, which was on the other side. Then he moved back to where he was sitting. As before there was a pause then came Hannah's voice.

"Welcome back. So glad you're still listening. Are you having fun? You must be wonering who's next, and why. Is it you. What did you do? How did you end up on these tapes. Maybe you did something cruel. Or maybe you just watched it happen. Maybe you didn't even realize you were being cruel. Maybe you didn't do anything at all. And maybe you should have. Too late. I think you know exactly what you did. And after these tapes, you'll never forget it. I know I won't. Oh, and, uh, by the way...I'm still dead."

"Friendship. It's complicated. But don't worry. You won't go through this alone. That's not fun. Trust me. I've been there. Now it won't always be easy. It might even hurt a bit. Or a bit more than a bit. That depends on you. But fear not, we'll get through this. Step by step, tape by tape. You and me. Together. And don't forget...there are others."

"See, I can guarantee that one of the reasons you're still listening is that you really want to know...who are the others? Who else is responsible for my death? Well, you're going to learn soon enough. And, of course, they're going to learn about you, too. If they haven't already. What? Feeling paranoid? On edge? Yeah. High school does that to a person. You never really know who you can trust. And who you can't."

"So keep your wits about you. It's all part of the game. But, remember, it's not a game. Not at all. Okay. Enough with the small talk. It's time to meet the star of Tape One, Side B. So, without further ado, let me introduce my former friend. Step up Jessica Davis. You're next."

"I met Jessica a couple of weeks into sophomore year. Apparently, we needed to be counseled. Do adults understand how friendships work?"

"Mr. Porter was the replacement for Mrs. Antilly, who moved to another school district. Which, as it turns out, was very unfortunate. That's for another tape. Thus began the story of Monet's, the story of a friendship."

"It was a hot chocolate friendship, good for cold months, but maybe not perfect for all seasons. For a while we were the kind of friends you wish you had. We did disgusting things like...shop together. And compare what we bought. And talk about boys. And just like that...two became three. And, like, before you know it, you're best friends. There was nothing two hot chocolates and Alex's coffee drink du jour couldn't fix."

"You need friends. Even just hot chocolate friends. Especially when your life goes to shit. Day after day, drink after drink, we lifted our mugs, and we lifted each other. In spite of our differences, we were what we each needed at that moment in time. Three drinks against the world. Two hot chocolates, and whatever the hell Alex was drinking."

"I'm not great at math, but here's one thing I learned for sure: one plus one plus one...is not a simple equation. Alex was the first to stop coming. He found some other friends. He traded up. We were still friendly in the halls, but that's it. Then it was down to Jessica and me. But then, Jessica stopped coming, too. We all went our separate ways. Or so I thought. It was fine Jess. It was. You're the kind of girl that boys like to like, not spread rumors about. You're the nice girl, the kind that becomes a cheerleader."

"When Jessica has something on her mind, she lets you know. And I knew what she wanted to talk about. Alex's list."

"You see, that's just how it works in high school. Boys talk, girls listen...and everything gets messed up. Or at least that's how it was with us. Right Jess?"

"You needed it to be my fault...so it was my fault. Friendship. It's complicated. Losing a good friend is never easy...especially when you don't understand why you lost them in the first place. Like I said...it's complicated."

That's where the second tape ended popping out the first tape.

"Two down...thirteen more to go." Brittany muttered softly as Tony got the next tape that held two other people.