How to survive Middle School (Sanders Sides Middle School AU)

Chapter 5: The Demon Queen of Middle School

Wednesday morning. Two days since the incident. Nothing heard from Roman. His parents are rarely home and haven't realized anything yet, but Logan and Patton have. They told me they plan to talk to his parents tonight.

I hardly remember anything from that night, which is strange considering I wasn't tired and I usually have a clear memory. Which doesn't help sometimes.

I pack up my stuff, put on my old eyeshadow and pale foundation because Roman's not going to be there to say no. I pack my lunch and head out.

"Bye Mom!" I call as I leave.

"Have a good day sweetie!" She says.

I don't like being called 'sweetie'. I'm not that innocent.

---

At lunchtime, Logan, Patton, and I go to our usual table. They're both a lot quite than normal today, which I can understand. And less talking from them means less talking for me which is good.

We find three girls sitting at our table. The one I recognize as the leader of their group is a redhead girl. I didn't bother to remember her name.

"Move along boys, this is our spot now," She says.

"I'm afraid you're wrong. No one has given any indication that you three are allowed to sit here," Logan says.

"Well, Prince is gone, so you two don't rule anymore. With no leader, I had no choice but to fill in. So move along boys," She says, shooing us away.

Patton looks like his whole life is about to come crashing down, so I step in.

"Unfortunately for you, Roman cannot be replaced. Especially not by someone that," I purposely trail off, "Bad looking,"

I smirk. She looks so offended.

"Well, I don't think Prince will be back anytime soon, and I doubt an emo freak like you could be half the man he was,"

That whole sentence reeked of suspicion.

"C'mon guys, we don't need a table to signify where we stand. The school should be able to figure out that they are simply posers," Logan says.

I nod. We find a different table and sit down. I guess Logan is kinda our new leader. Let's hope he's not like Duke.

I spot Remus and J-Dee trying to sneak out of the cafeteria, so I excuse myself to go follow them. I need a break from the Lights anyway.

I'm just about to turn the corner and greet them when I pause. I don't know why, but I decide to listen in on what they're saying.

"He wasn't supposed to know! Remus, why'd you tell him!" J-Dee says, "Now it's gonna be a lot harder to make things work,"

"Sorry J, but he already saw the post by the time I realized he had his phone. It was a little too late,"

"Ugh. I would be mad but it's my fault we let him keep his phone,"

"On the plus side, he seems to be becoming the leader. He'll finally put Roman in his place, or become the better Roman if we decide to let him back,"

"Yeah. But we should spend more time with him. We don't want him too far gone to the Lights, not like last time. You saw how Grace turned out,"

"Yeah, but it was funny seeing her try to stick it to the Lights a few minutes ago,"

"True,"

I walk away from them and their conversation. I don't know what to make of that. There were a lot of mixed messages. A lot. I'm still sure they're my friends, but also want my help taking down the Light Sides. I have no idea what to make of their comments about Roman.

---

The next day, after Logan and Patton talk to Roman's parents, the police show up. I have a brief moment of panic before I remember why they're likely here. Still, my panic doesn't fade until they announce why they're here. Logan, Patton, a few other students, and I are all pulled aside to get interviewed. I can practically hear my heart pumping in my ears.

One of the officers calls me over and my hands are shaking so bad that I hide them in my pockets. I'm not guilty of anything here but I'm still scared.

"It's ok, kid. We'll find your friend, don't worry," The officer says, noticing how shaky I am.

I just nod.

"So when did you first meet Roman?" She asks.

"Second week of school. Logan and Patton invited me to sit with them and him," I say.

"Mk. Were you and Roman close?"

"Kinda. I mean, we haven't known each other for very long but we could be considered friends,"

I mean, I guess we could. It feels more like we're acquaintances at a job.

"Do you know of anyone that might wish ill on him?"

I do, but I doubt they'd go to this level of extreme.

"Not to this level. I know some people don't really like him, but he's popular so that's expected,"

"Ok. Last question," She says, "Do you know where he was the night he went missing?"

"Yes," I say, "We were coming back from the mall. We were walking through the park when a guy jumped us. Everything gets so blurry, I can't remember what happened. But I went unconscious and a few of my friends found me later, without a trace of Roman,"

"Thank you, that is going to help. Do you recall the time of the attack?"

"Around 7 PM,"

"Ok. It's going to be ok, we can find anyone, including your friend," She says, giving me a smile as I leave.

I walk straight into the redhead girl from before, who I think is Grace. I really don't care what her name is.

"Um, eXcUsE mE," She says in a whiny, high-pitched voice. 

"Sorry," I mumble.

"Yeah, you should be! Ugh, Roman was just like that. He was probably taken for being so annoying all the time. Thank god,"

Not that I'm disagreeing that he was annoying, but it was very rude of her to say that in front of Logan and Patton. Especially Patton, who I notice bursts into tears.

Seeing that, I would normally punch that girl right then and there, but I choose not to. I don't want a repeat of my third school. So I decide to play the long game. And I know just who to help me with that.

20 points if you sang the title. I don't know what the points are for but now you have points. So this Grace girl may or may not hold significance in the story, I haven't decided yet. I hope you enjoyed reading and thought and feedback in the comments is welcome. Have a prodigious day/night you magnificent peep!