What Remains of Elizabeth Clove | COMPLETED & IN EDITING

Chapter 11

Fiona blinked. "Secrets? What do you mean, secrets?" She asked, backing away from me. "They're not bad Fiona." Cam said, grabbing her arm before she could run away. Fiona looked at Cam, as if accepting his explanation. "Seriously though, you've been keeping secrets from everyone too?" She said softly, as if hurt. "I thought it was just Elizabeth." I groaned. This was the reason I didn't like hanging around Fiona. She thought she knew knew everything. "Look, it's been a secret because I was sworn to secrecy." I explained. "Now that Liz is dead, and she's mentioned it, I guess I sorta have to tell." I kicked at some gravel that was below me.  "I never intended on actually telling anybody this, I just wanted it to fade away like Liz eventually would do." I sighed. "But I guess there's no way out of it now."

The memories of that night, that single night that changed everything, came flooding into my mind, and I let myself drown in them.

October 10th, 2016, Homecoming

"Oh Maxine, Sweetheart, you look so cute!" My mother snapped picture after picture of me as I walked down the steps. I had chosen a short maroon, because apparently black wasn't a homecoming color, according to my mother. "Geez mom it's just homecoming, not my wedding day." I muttered, rolling my eyes as the camera clicked even more. "Oh you and Cameron will look so cute!" She practically squealed. "We're not going together, he's just my ride Mom." And the only friend I would actually be hanging out with that night, and at that time, might I add. Outside, I heard a car horn, saving me from my torture. "I'll see you later." I said to my mom, who kissed me softly on the cheek. "Have fun, alright?" She smiled at me. "I will." I assured her, lying. I knew I would probably wouldn't have any fun anyway. It'd just be me alone in the corner, as usual.  Back then, I hardly knew Liz. We were friends, sure, we did things together, but we weren't close. The only time we actually felt like best friends was during our school trip to an amusement park, and she had sat next to Cam and I ever since she had met me. She had seemed to think that we were the best of friends, but I didn't think so.

Squished in the back seat of Mr. Guchal's car, Cam grinned at me. "This is going to be great." He whispered to me. "Liz is meeting us at the entrance, by the way." He added quickly. I nodded, counting the minutes until I could go home again.

Sure enough, Liz was standing at the entrance, and I was immediately smothered by a hug I was not expecting. "Max!" I'm so glad to see you!" She said, grinning like I had made her night. . "C'mon, Let's dance!" she cried, pulling me into the building. I actually me into the building. I actually smiled. Maybe the night would actually go well.

Yeah, It would go well.

Filled to the brim with fake positivity, I let her drag me into the mass of jumping and dancing people, which I quickly escaped from.

The bleachers were my paradise for a measly 15 minutes  when Liz came rushing out of the crowd, smiling and out of breath. "Have you been here the whole time?" She asked me. "You're missing out Maximum." I raised an eyebrow. "Maximum?" I hissed, annoyed. "Yeah! That's your new nickname. You like it?" I stood up, groaning. "That's it." I said sharply, going toward the door. "Wait what?!" Liz ran after me, confused. I slammed the door, hugging myself in the empty hallway. "This." I said angrily. "I'm not your best friend Liz, don't you get it?" Words flowed out of my mouth like lava. "I don't deserve you and your perfect grades, your perfect, life and your-" my voice broke , but I didn't care- I kept going, even though my brain was telling me to stop. "And your perfect goddamn body!"

My face lit up like a fire. "There. I said it. That's what's up." I looked down at my bare feet. I had dropped off my shoes at my school's storage they had set up. Liz stood, gaping. Slowly, she walked over, saying nothing. She stood there, in front of me, and I feared the worst. Liz was one of the most popular kids in school, and I just insulted her. What was she going to do to me?

Her lips grazed mine, and I melted into the kiss she had began.

Just then, as our lips touched, Panic! At the Disco's House of Memories began playing in the dance behind us. Later on, this would become our song, but for that moment, that small moment, we kissed to the beat of alternative punk rock. Told you I'd get back to it.
"Dance with me and pretend the world doesn't exist." She whispered, almost pleadingly. I nodded, not hesitant, and I knew there was no going back.

***

Fiona was gaping at me. "I had no clue!" She whisper-squealed. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" She asked me, alarmed. "Because, my mom." I muttered, and that was a good enough explanation for Fiona. "Well I should get going." She said, rushed. "Good luck." She said, patting me on my shoulder. "I'll see you at the dance." Cam said, walking off as well. Wishing them farewell, I was left to freely cry and grief for the loss of Elizabeth Clove, something I hadn't done in a long time.

•••

Hey guys! Author here!
I'm glad you decided to take the time and read this, so if you liked this chapter, please leave a vote if you enjoyed this part!

It means a lot to me to see that people are actively reading! Thanks!!