The InBESTigators oneshots and other stuff

How long is forever?- (Chapter 1) The Beginning of the End?

Co-writer's Note: Hey guys! Assistant Co-writer Xia here. Let me know how this one is. This is an idea I came up with, and thank you to Ms. Shqrmqine for helping me so much.

They are 17 in the story.

English: 2/10 (I am not very confident in my writing.)

Kinda depressive and intense? I am really sorry.

A Clarification: Co-ed (i.e both girls and boys) schools usually have two Council Presidents, one guy, one girl for fairness.

Maudie POV

"Why?"

Ava was the first to speak up amidst the suffocating silence. In the faint light of the sunset settling through the windows, four of us stood, maintaining a painful distance from each other.

The Council Room was empty, save for the four of us. The "President" Badges on Ezra and I, felt like a heavy burden in a matter of seconds.

"Ezra, do you have no respect, no feeling, no emotion for the group that ties us all? Is all that you think about, work?"

Ava commented, the bitterness evident in her unusually shrill voice. I found myself unable to speak. Unable to defend the boy I wanted so badly.

The boy I had admired and grown to be attracted to, stood speechless, hands clenched into fists. Somehow, I couldn't bring myself to blame her.

We both got so lost in our scholastic duties, we forgot about our real ones. Our friends.

Ezra stood motionless. Ava and Kyle had told me maintain a healthy distance with him. That he was rude, and he didn't like talking to anyone, unless it was work-related.

I am to blame, but I find him misunderstood. He smiles at me, when there is no one in the office but us. Makes sure I am comfortable at all times. Protects me when problems call for it.

Ezra finally spoke up.

"We had nothing to do with this. Maudie and I were busy with the Spring Fest preparations. You two were in charge of handling the Inbestigators Office while we were occupied. And I open my phone to atleast ten missed calls from unanswered clients."

Kyle shot back, his loud tone catching me off guard.

"Don't you dare blame Ava!"

Not like he ever acknowledged the truth. Ezra, about to shoot back, halted, as I placed a firm hand upon his thigh. Ezra had anxiety problems.

I don't know why they would escalate it despite knowing his conditions. Yes, this was serious. But not worth risking his health. His health comes first to me.

Ezra sighed, opening the navy coat of his suit, dropping it hastily onto the office desk. Was he sweating? I couldn't take this anymore. I took a step forward, a hint of defeat in my eyes.

Perhaps it was regret that flooded me, or perhaps it was anger. The two felt awfully similar, as if mixing into a bubbly drink of poison.

"This isn't worth it. You don't get it, we are flooded with work head-to-toe. Sometimes, we have to divide our work. We are a team, not just colleagues. We should not attack each other like this. If something happened to the Inbestigators, it is all our fault. Not just me or him."

Flashback

Ava POV

I entered the Inbestigators Office. Empty, as usual. It has been weeks since we had a proper meeting. Maudie and Ezra, locked in the Council room for what felt like eternity, and Kyle, practising for the upcoming baseball game. Atleast he'll be here in half an hour. I wonder. Is it really work? Or are they skipping out on us?

Whatever it might be, it doesn't settle right. My thoughts were loudly interrupted as Kyle banged the door open. A habit I have given up on treating. He was sweating, a baseball bat on my shoulder, a bag hanging on the other. He looked attractive...

I snapped myself out of it.

"You're early today."

Kyle shrugged.

"Practice ended early. Mrs. Parides called off the last 20 minutes."

Thank God. Atleast I won't be bored now. He came closer, almost towering over me. We were alone. In the Office. So close. And I was already backed against the couch.

"Uh, Kyle... What are you..."

"What?"

That awfully cute grin. He knew what he was doing. Teasing me. I had no time to respond, as the doorbell rung. I huffed, shoving gently at Kyle's chest, who just grinned like an idiot, before composing myself and opening the door. A client, in distress, it seemed.

"M-My daughter! S-She's gone missing! This is the Inbestigators, right?! Please, help me find her!"

Ofcourse we would! The poor dad looked so shaken, and the girl was nowhere to be found. We calmed him down slightly, offering a glass of water, which was hastily chugged down. We noted down the details of the girl's appearance, and by we, I meant me, as Kyle was visibly already zoning out.

However, we couldn't solve the case without Maudie and Ezra! They were the brains of the Inbestigators. We tried calling them, but no response. Busy with their stupid 'work'.

Eventually, we couldn't find the little girl. The Sun was setting, and the father left, disappointed and distressed, running to the nearby police station. I felt bad. We couldn't find her, we couldn't solve the case.

I didn't text Ezra though. I knew he would explode on hearing the news.

Present

Ezra POV

I had received atleast a dozen missed calls from the client of the missing girl. The girl was thankfully found, lost at a nearby park, but it was still dangerous. How could Ava and Kyle be so irresponsible?

And about Maudie and I, the work at school was important. It is not something we can simply skip. We have positions to hold.

Eventually, the fight became tiresome. Denials, truths, lies flooded the air in a heated argument between all of us. Ava left, tears welling up in her eyes, and before leaving, she said,

"Fine, if all you care about is your position, then I quit."

Kyle left as well, probably running after Ava. Maudie and I stood alone in the office, as she leaned against the desk, looking down. I had shouted at her during the arguement. It made something in my heart crack.

Maudie POV

I can't believe this. The fight, yes. I understand. But Ezra? Shouting at me? When I defended him. I felt him reach for my arm, but out of instinct at the time, I slapped his hand.

He pulled back, surprised. That hurt me, but I was upset. The only friends I could get in this school, and they are leaving as well.

"I need some time alone."

I grabbed the blue coat to my suit, leaving the Office in a hurry. Ezra leaned out the door.

"I'm sorry, Mauds."

That nickname made my chest ache. But I simply walked off.