Lies of Livingston

Fresh faces. Old habits.

Synopsis: When Nathaniel Eldridge mysteriously disappears over summer vacation, everyone becomes a suspect. Underneath this perfect town lies misery, scandal, and secrets. Everyone has something to hide and as memories of this night slowly unravel, so will the town of Livingston.

ANDREW:

The first day of school.

Students crowd the halls like grizzly bears coming out of hibernation after a long and strenuous winter. New book bags glimmer against the hot sun and the welcome back banner hangs high above everyone as some sort of validation that this year will be better than the last. The smell of fake tan and sunscreen still lingers as people kiss and hug like they haven't seen each other in decades. Behind those fabricated smiles and phony laughs lies a darkness that can be seen ever so slightly. Whispers and prying looks were distinctively noticeable throughout the crowd as everyone's mind was wandering to the same thought: What happened to Nate Eldridge?

The summer is a time for students to unwind and release stress that has built up throughout the long school year. Like any other teenager, Nate spent his days off with his girlfriend, Lillian and locked away in his room. Two weeks before school began, Lillian Summers held an intimate back to school mixer in which Nate Eldridge attended. He never returned home that night and two weeks later, his body still has not been found.

The fascination with Nate was one that could never be broken. The students of Livingston academy needed answers as much as an addict needed his daily fix. In a town like this, everyone had something to hide, including myself.

I pulled my pitch black hoodie slightly over my face as I took my seat in the dull auditorium, avoiding eye contact with anyone in sight. While the rest of the school engaged in awkward glances and put on concerned smiles regarding Nate, I sat perfectly still with a blank look on my face. I, for one, did not care about what happened or if he was even still breathing. Students might give their condolences, but I guarantee everyone is secretly popping the champagne and cheering to Nate Eldridge being gone. Our only hope now was that he wouldn't come back.

More people crowded into the auditorium and the seats began to slowly fill up. This assembly would be held today in Nate's honor and would mimic a type of memorial service for him. I didn't personally understand this as there was no body and no hardcore evidence that he was, in fact, dead. But I sat there, minding my own business and studying everyone's faces as they walked by me, completely ignoring my presence. I didn't mind not being acknowledged and not being in the spotlight. It wasn't my style and nobody at this school was worth any of my time.

My eyes glanced over to see the auditorium doors swing open and Lillian Summers emerged in a whole ensemble. Her bright blond locks were pinned straight and tucked behind her ears and deep midnight eyeliner was swept over her piercing blue eyes while her lips popped with dark red gloss. She took subtle yet powerful steps as she made her way slowly into the auditorium. All eyes glanced in her direction as she captivated the audience more and more with every step she took. Lillian wore a silk lace black dress that reached just above the knee with a matching veil attached to her head. The veil swept down just above the eyebrows, leaving room for her eyes to stare you down in her desperate attempt for attention. My eyes began to roll to the back of my head as she continued making her way into the crowd, hugging kids as she passed them with the same unconcerned smile. In a town full of stuck up snobs, Lillian meets the requirements to be crowned the biggest.

She was one who craved attention and it seemed like Nate's disappearance was the perfect opportunity for just that. Nate and Lily have been a couple since freshman year. If you get five seconds alone with her, Nate is all that leaves her mouth. The girl was obsessed with him and now that he's gone, a part of her is too. From the outfit to the mascara streaming down her face, it was clear that she was milking this disappearance from her party for as long as she could.