Pretty Girls Make Graves , Niccolò Rossi

one. face the music

IF THERE WAS anything she'd miss about Paris, it'd be the lack of uniform at school. Her only freedom came in the form of brightly stripped tank tops and low rise jeans that she painted on the cuffs of. But there she was, looking at her reflecting in the mirror, in the awful black blazer and shirt, her golden locks in braids as the sun streamed in through the window and reflected off her glass of water. The thought of facing everyone after running away lingered in her mind, which created the worse case scenario every time the idea ravaged through her mind.

She never knew what to do. When things went wrong, she fled, plain and simple. Celeste Lavoux didn't do responsibility, or she didn't used to, at least; Throwing books and flipping tables and smoking weed 'til she was so high that she could talk endlessly about flowers or some shit was much more rewarding — but running away wasn't an option this time. She had to face them all, and that time crept slowly closer as if preparing to attack her from behind. "Celeste! You have to leave for school!" She peeled her eyes away from the mirror as she grabbed her school bag, throwing in her pencil case.

"Dad's giving you a ride, you don't want to be late!" Her mother called as she rounded the corner to reach the kitchen, the smell of strawberry jam instantly hitting her nose. "Here, take a piece of toast, quickly!" She grabbed the piece of toast with jam her mother had extended, running out the door to meet her father.

✧˖*°࿐

She could feel her stomach drop as she stood in front of the school, which loomed over her. It seemed more massive and cold than ever, and in the flurry of people around her, she felt like a tiny bug about to be squashed. "Celeste!" The sound of Fabio's voice was the biggest reliever, making her sigh. His arms immediately wrapped around her, making her smile. His familiar scent, something she couldn't exactly put her finger on, immediately hit her nose.

       "I can't believe you're really back," he said, shoving her lightly after pulling away. She rolled her eyes, a smile on her face. "It's the same old shit, this school didn't change at all." He nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. The blur of black blazers became even faster as the bell rang, the two reunited friends running down the halls.

       "Celeste!" She felt a pair of arms wrap around her, which she identified as Camilla's by her long black hair. She hugged back almost immediately, the sound of chattering students filling the background noise. She pulled away with a small smile, readjusting her backpack straps. "How was Paris?"

        "Boring," she said with a shrug, as the three clumped along the wall. "Where's Chiara? You guys are still friends with her, right?" Almost as if summoning her, a flash of blonde hair coming their way. "Speak of the devil," she joked as the taller girl's jaw dropped. "Celeste!" She exclaimed, wrapping the girl into her third ( but shorter ) hug of the day. "Anything new happen while I was gone?"

"This school never stops, Cel, you could've guessed that," Camilla said jokingly, making her smile. Across the hallway she spotted the infamous couple that was Niccoló and Virginia ( just simply thinking her name made her want to projectile vomit — that girl was wicked ) sucking each other's faces. Her face wrinkled in disgust as she pretended to gag. "Nice to see somethings never change," she scoffed. Fabio laughed, which made the edges of her lips turn up.

        The bell rang, cutting through all the conversations. The four headed to class, giggling as they ran down the halls. "Didn't miss this at all!" Celeste shouted, laughter following. When they reached the classroom, she smoothed out her skirt, pushing back any rogue strands of hair that poked out of her braids. She approached the teachers desk, shifting on the balls of her feet.