A murderous summer

Chapter 1

She replaced her brown hair to hide the scar that was now near her right eye since the accident. Her dark complexion allowed seeing it quickly. Joelle hated what that scar represented. So she preferred to hide it under her hair. She approached the mirror to ensure that the trick holds the little time left to the school year. Her dark eyes scrutinized carefully for a moment. She heard someone flush. Seconds later, her friend Christine came out of a stall and approached the sink.

"A few more minutes and we are free!" she said, cleaning her hands.

"I'm already free!" a voice replied in another stall. "Don't care about the speech!"

A toilet was flush again and a third girl went out. Peggy also washed her hands in a deep sigh. Joelle was between her two friends, exceeding them by about half a head.

"You really are staying for this?" she asked them.

"I think his speech makes the start of vacation even real," Christine said, wiping her hands. "Not you?"

"It's the same every year," Joelle retorted. "You could recite it yourself!"

The door of the girls' bathroom swung open to let in another of their friends. Laurie seemed excited.

"It's almost done, girls!"

Her friends laughed.

"And you know what?"

"That we are on vacation soon?" Christine replied, a small smile on her lips.

Laurie gave her a grin before telling them she organized a small party at her house that evening. She had just received the official permission from her parents. Christine happily clapped her hands while Joelle just smiled. Peggy faintly smiled, but there was something strange. Joelle noticed, but passed no comment. The four girls left the bathroom to go to the auditorium where the great director's speech took place.

The annual gathering always took place in the same way: the principal announced over the intercom that the classes were now over and all students were invited into the auditorium. Teenagers emptied their classrooms as quickly as possible. Teachers met in the staff room, anxiously awaiting the official end of the school year to celebrate. Then everyone went to the same place. The principal really believed himself as important while reciting the same speech from year to year.

"The holidays have good sides," he said, raising his hands to get their attention. "No more homework and no exam..."

Joelle winced slightly when there was distortion with the microphone. She felt that the noise came to pierce her brain. Since the accident, she suffered from very severe headaches. It didn't happen very often, but this kind of event wasn't really helping. And seeing the expression on the teenagers' faces around her, she wasn't the only one to find it assaulting. Not to mention the principal's voice... She suppressed a smile, hoping to be elsewhere. She thought for a moment about the party organized by Laurie. Celebrating the beginning of the holidays? The idea was very interesting.

"... and now," the director continued, "I wish you much fun. Be very careful and we meet again in September."

The frowned, thinking about something for a moment. The director acted as if he was on a political campaign. Nobody will vote for you. A wave of applause filled the amphitheater. It was the signal that everyone – students and teachers – were waiting impatiently. They rose as the applause faded quietly. The girl started up and she went out with her friends. Laurie insisted to see them all at her party. But Joelle was still uncertain to go. Peggy greeted them suddenly and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

"What's up with her?" Christine asked, crossing her arms.

"No idea," Laurie said, "but she's very strange lately."