𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄, original story

two, i'll come to regret that, won't i?

If you ask me, the last place I'd want to meet someone who could potentially be a killer is the bike sheds after school. It's a well known fact that no one in Ardsey High biked to school, in fact so few did that the school had plans to renovate the space into a new sports building next year, as opposed to using the hall when it's raining.

Those plans were meant to be complete this year, but due to complications — or rather, drug deals to do with county lines and such — had kept those plans from going forwards.

I stood nervously, fiddling with the strap of my bag as I awaited whoever was HB to come in here with the police, ready to bust me. I only came in hopes I could persuade this person, give them something they wanted to keep their gob shut. That's how it worked in soaps like Eastenders or Hollyoaks.

I had missed the bus (thank god) and would have to walk home, but since my house was in walking distance and i usually missed the bus buying sweets and gum with Lily and the other girls, Mum and Dad won't need to worry about me.

"You showed?" A male voice, one that sounded commanding stated. I didn't dare look in the direction he came from, staring at the patch of black, cracking concrete on the floor instead.

"No shit Sherlock," I fired back, finally looking up to see a boy with blue eyes and grey hair stepping out to face me, "Now, what do you want?"

"I brought you here for a reason, Maddie," I rolled my eyes at his idiocy, he was starting to remind me of Callum. And considering the message, I couldn't do with any slight slip ups. Even if they were minuscule.

"I know that. What's the reason?" he was being vague, which scared me. I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping that my nerves would settle soon.

"I know that you and Lily were the ones who vandalised the Art Block," that was ages ago, and only to send a message that the art program needed more funding, and we'd use all the supplies and wreck the tables to get it. Lily was my best friend, I'd do pretty much anything she asked.

"That was a stand against th—"

"—School? I know, gorgeous," he flirted, before he winked at me. Disgusting man, "But your Mum doesn't, and if she finds out she will be livid,"

"And what do you want in return?" I wasn't stupid, people always want something. Money, alcohol, a vape. It was the passage of secret keeping, and the gateway to blackmail.

"You loved Callum, right?" I nodded, pretending to be the doting girlfriend. Maybe I truly did love him, but that didn't matter right now.

"Yes, why?"

"I want to solve his murder, and since it's obvious you didn't kill him... you might as well help," he was closer to me now, I could see the black bags that formed under his eyes from loss of sleep and smell the lynx body spray he was wearing.

"The police are solving the murder," I told him, eyeing him sceptically. I knew most people in my year, yet I didn't know him. "Who even are you? True crime addict?"

"Harry. Harry Brentwood," Harry said as he swaggered up to me, hands in his pockets as he stroke widely, trying to appear dominant. Cute.

"More like bellend," I said in reply, raising an eyebrow as he stared into my eyes, trying to look deep inside my rotten soul. "How did you even know Callum anyways?"

"Callum was a mate. My best mate," I scoffed at that, sure Callum had some friends I didn't know about but whoever this guy was didn't qualify.

The guy was insecure, he wouldn't have befriended a guy who looked as though he were supposed to be in some romance novel. Or maybe he kept him from me because he was worried I'd get bored, ditch him and run off into the sunset with Mc. Steamy over here. Then again, that made no sense since I put up with his bullshit until the day that I chucked him off the cliffs edge.

"If you won't help me, I could just pin this on you. And I'm not talking about the Art Block," Harry said, snapping me back into the room, then he raised an eyebrow, matching my expression that was now melting from my face.

"Why would they believe you? Hm?" I saw him laugh as he took his hands out of his pockets.

"I'm the lead detectives son. I've helped solve some crimes before. Set Dad on the right trail," Harry moved closer to me, grabbing a lock of my hair and twisting it around his finger, putting all his attention on that as he continued to speak, "He knows that I know what I'm on about, I could find the evidence. I'm sure you've been in a few fights. What's that saying, fake it 'til you make it, I could—"

"—Okay, okay!" I cut him off, letting out a sigh I finally decided to agree, fear overruling my true decisions as it always did, "I'll help you."

I'll come to regret that, won't I?