As Easy As Murder

18. watch and learn the wrong thing

I didn't think i'd be able to come back to criminology today after my little incident. But Loretta gave me an extremely hyper pep talk that included pouncing on me and waving her arms around. To her credit, it worked. 

So here I am, back in the classroom, with professor Simon's sing-song voice and Kori's evil smirk. We're all quiet today, even Anthony, and it's peaceful. Just as we're about to leave, Professor Simon's stops us, clearing her throat. 

"Wait a moment everyone. I have an announcement." She jotted down the word announcement on the board, her marking squeaking, her hair flowing down her back like repunzel. She dropped her marker and bent down to pick it up. A guy whistled from the back row, and we all collectively glared at him. 

"I know we may think we're too old for field trips," She smiled, looking over us. What is she getting at? 

"But I was thinking we could visit a local museum that is the holder of real evidence, and educates visitors on real crimes and extreme cases." When met by a groan, professor Simon's chuckles and defends herself. "Most professors would leave field trips back in elementary school, I know, but I warned you guys my teaching is a little abnormal. The field trip will not be mandatory, but seeing these things will be extremely beneficial, and the field trip will add extra credit. It may also help you on your upcoming exam."

Another groan arises, and I look down at Kori. He jots it down on his actual paper calender. Like actual calender that he keeps in his binder. And it's a different element on the periodic table each month. I snort, and everyone wonders why, but then the laughter starts,and I can't stop it. 

By the time I'm walking out of class, I'm clutching a stitch in my side. I catch Loretta outside of the building. "Averen what? What's so funny?" 

"He-" I laugh one of those digusting sounding wheezy laughs. "He has a calender...and it's a new...periodic element..each mon-" another wheeze. "each month." 

We both hysterically laugh our way to Loretta's leased car that she begged her parents to pay for upon recieving her license back. Which I don't support, but oh well. We hop up onto the roof of it and she picks up her phone. We're waiting for Jesse and then we're all going shopping with Jesse's new boyfriends credit card. Don't ask. I don't know. That's just what Loretta told me. 

I start to think about the field trip. "Etti?" 

"Yeah?" 

"My professor wants to take us on a damn field trip on friday." 

She laughs, but when I don't, she realizes I'm serious. "Well it's optional, right?"

"I mean, yeah," I sigh, crossing my arms. The sky is an array of colors, warm pinks and cool blues, mixed into a cotton candy sunset, "But Lord knows I need the extra credit. And it would be a huge boost." 

I contemplate. The pros are not many. The extra credit and the possible knowledge are the only things I can't think of. I can think of plenty of cons. Kori, Anthony, the whole idea, having to walk though a museum in a gaggle of other students like a 5th grader. 

But...my grades are slipping down the drain. 

"Could you come?" 

"What? I'm not a criminal justice student." 

"Yeah, but like...come to the museam. You and Jesse could. It's free." I shrug a shoulder. 

She starts to decline, I interrupt. "Please? I don't want to spend a whole field trip and the only person I know have a periodic table calender."

I hope that museam is ready for Jess and Etti. 

They may add a new crime to the displays. 

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I pull up in my bug, screaming along to the metal blasting out of my speakers. I dressed in a way just to make Kori upset. I wore a black sports bra with a harness top over it, a blank skirt with multiple belts, and lacy tights. 

Part of me says I'm trying to impress him, but I tell it to shut up. I get out of the car, 8am criminology gathered in an oval around the entrance. Professor Simons is explaining how it's going to work as I walk up. Kori is wearing a nice sweater and khakis, and he's actually done something with his hair. It's a miracle.