Homeroom 23

Chapter Eleven: Interviewing

A threat isn't usually the best start to an investigation, but I didn't let it get me down. Sure, I maybe would have preferred a hint to the accomplices, or maybe exact coordinates of where the murder weapons were buried, but I could work with a threat too. I didn't show the note to anyone, not Samantha or Daniel. I tucked it safely into one of the drawers of my desk under a mess of failed Newspaper articles. It was probably just a prank from someone, that's what I kept telling myself. Samantha probably thought it would be funny, or maybe it wasn't Samantha, and I had just forgotten to lock our backdoor and someone snuck into a random room to put the note in. There were countless possibilities, none of which included me being in any real danger. That was what I told myself as I walked down the hall to Ariel Heath and Briella James's room.

I didn't know much about either of them. Briella was this—how do I put it nicely—empty-headed blonde girl who always seemed to be talking, even when she had nothing to say. I was a little glad Daniel decided to take her himself, because I was a little scared about trying to have a conversation with her. In all fairness, she seemed to be a nice enough girl, it wasn't her fault she wasn't very blessed IQ wise.

Briellas best friend Ariel was her polar opposite. She had brown skin and brown hair, and didn't mind blending into the background on occasion. Their differences made the fact that no matter what they always seemed to be joined at the hip even more odd. Unlike Briella though, Ariel had a bit of wits to her, and I had no doubt she would stop me before I was able to extract any real helpful information. Despite that, I still went up to their room and knocked on the door.

Briella answered the door with a wide grin on her face. "Madison!" She exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "What a nice surprise!" I must admit, I was a little caught off guard by her over the top display of affection, though a little disheartened by her use of the wrong name. I politely patted her on the back as I tried to squirm away from the hug.

"Hey Briella," I tried, scratching my neck. "My names actually Melissa though, haha. Is Ariel here?" In response, Briella nodded, staring at me intently with her piercing blue eyes.

"I'll go get her immediately," she promised.

"Thanks!" I offered, but she had slammed the door before she was able to hear it. About thirty seconds later the door opened again, and this time along with Briella, Ariel was standing in the doorway.

"So McKenzie, what do you need to talk to Ariel for?" Briella said, craning her neck sideways.

"Yeah, what do you need to talk to me for?" Ariel echoed, disinterest very apparent in her tone.

"It will be very quick just...come to the common area with me." Ariel looked back and forth between me and Briella, considering the offer.

"Can Brie come with?"

"I'd prefer if she didn't..."

"Alright," she finally agreed. "Brie, let's go to the common area." I just stood there shaking my head as they walked past me towards the library.

One thing I realized I subconsciously do while interviewing people is that I judge them based on how they first reacted to George's death. I remember Briellas reaction because she had begun crying and breaking down in the hallway, but I had to think a little to remember Ariels. She had been standing next to Briella, and silently held her hand as she cried, I don't even think she had been aware that there were tears falling down her own cheeks as well. Looking at them from across the table we were now sitting at, I felt I had a good idea of their personalities, however small said idea may be.

"Marylin, if this is about Avas death, I promise you we had nothing to do with it. At all." Briella assured, reaching her hand across the table towards me.