"So..." Jane nudged her friend on the shoulder. "What did she want?"
"You mean Mrs. Belcwood?" Beth questioned. She took a bite of her sandwich, by sliding it under her scarf.
It was a typical lunch period. Beth and Jane took a seat on the Hollow side of the cafeteria.
"Who else?" Jane teased. She pushed her sunglasses up on her face.
"She wanted to see my mouth." Beth said. "Or, what should be my mouth."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Beth said. "It was really weird." her expression changed.
"Weird how?" Jane looked concerned for her friend.
"Right before I left, Mrs. Belcwood looked at me and said 'Do you know why Hollows are segregated, Elizabeth?'"
"What did you say?" Jane leaned in closer. She looked curious.
"I said 'My name's Beth.' Then I walked away."
.:*:*:.
After class Beth retrieved her belongings from her locker and continued along to the library. She was supposedly meeting Jane at 2:30, as soon as class got out.
Beth took a seat in front of a computer. She was staying after school with Jane to work on a group project. She pulled her phone out and scrolled through social media. Minutes passed and no Jane.
"Beth!" Jane took her seat. Beth clicked her phone on to check the time. 2:39. Jane was always late.
"What?" Jane punched her username and password into the computer.
"Google 'Hollow Incidents Lakeside Middle School.'"
"Why?"
"Do it."
Beth typed the words Hollow Incidents Lakeside Middle School into the search engine.
"First link," Jane urged.
HOLLOWED STUDENT INJURES FELLOW ORDINARY STUDENTS-HOLLOWS CONSIDERED THREATS
"What the fuck..." Beth breathed.
"Keep reading!" Jane nearly yelled.
KYLIE BELCWOOD, A HOLLOWED STUDENT AT LAKESIDE, A LOCAL MISSOURI MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCATED IN PARK HOLLOW, BREAKS DOWN AND IGNITES ANOTHER STUDENT.
"Jesus." Beth read on in awe.
APPARENTLY THE OTHER STUDENTS WERE EGGING HER ON, AND IT TRIGGERD HER MUTANT ABILITIES. HER PALMS IGNITED WITH FLAME. THE FLAME CAUGHT HER DRESS ON FIRE, AND THE SHIRT OF ANOTHER STUDENT. THE OTHER STUDENT WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL, WHERE HE SUFFERED THIRD DEGREE BURNS. SOME ONLOOKERS SAY IT WAS COMPLETELY PROVOKED, WHILE MOST SAY IT COMPLETELY IRRATIONAL.
"I-I.."
"Spit it out," Jane exclaimed.
"Her last name."
"Who's?" Jane asked.
"Belcwood. The girl who caught fire. Her last name is Belcwood."
