To Kill a Mocking Girl
"Whose idea was this, again?" Hanna said with some annoyance in her voice.
"Emily's mom," Spencer said
The shed was me. My mom just said we should do something for us," Emily said
All of the girls were currently walking through the forest, some having an easier time than others.
"Well, couldn't we do something without mosquitoes?" Hanna asked
"They're not mosquitoes, they're gnats," Aria
"Whatever! They're small and annoying, and they're flying up my nose," Hanna said swatting at her face.
"Well, they're attracted to your perfume," Spencer said
"And your hair product. And your lip gloss," Nyx added
"So, what are you saying, I attract flies?" Hanna asked
"Gnats," Aria corrected
"Why do I feel like this is the wrong way?" Emily
"No, this is it. I remember that tree. It's the halfway point. There's 136 steps left to the shed," Spencer explained
"Have you been out here since... Alison?" Emily asked hesitantly
"Me? No. No way," Spencer said
"But you remember that tree," Aria said
"How could you forget. This is the tree where Nyx broke her arm in the eighth grade trying to put a baby bird back into a nest," Spencer said
"Oh yeah," Nyx said looking up at the tree.
"We came out here in eighth grade like, every day... even after," Hanna said
"I think this is totally the wrong place to do this. Whatever you call it.. Shrine," Spencer said
"It's not a shrine. It's just a place to remember Alison. What's wrong with that?" Emily said "Doing it way out here makes it look like we have something to hide," Spencer said
"You're worried what other people think?" Emily asked
"Well, aren't you?" Spencer questioned
"Especially with my creepy uncle detective on our asses," Nyx said
"Hanna, why are you so quiet?" Emily asked
"I'm trying to keep the bugs in my nose and out of my mouth," Hanna said
"You're allowed to have an opinion on this," Emily said
"You want my opinion? I say we hold off and not remember her 'til we know for sure she's not still here," Hanna said
"What?" Everyone said
"What are you talking about?" Aria asked
"You think she's still alive?" Emily asked
"Even if she was where would she have been this whole time?" Nyx asked
"Hanna, they found her body," Spencer said
"Stop. I'm officially scared. Can we just not…" Aria said
"You know, you asked for my opinion. I don't believe she's really gone," Hanna explained
"We went to her funeral!" Spencer said raising her voice.
"Yeah, and when we left we all got a text from her," Aria said
"It wasn't her. Someone is messing with us," Emily said
"How do you know? And what about all those nasty messages? I mean, how does this 'A' person know stuff only Ali knew?" Hanna said
"Okay, this conversation is giving me hives," Aria said
"That's a bite. Mosquito," Hanna said pointing.
"Nyx, have you gotten any more messages?" Emily asked
"Haven't you?" Nyx asked
Emily was about to answer when she heard a rustle in the bushes near them. All of the girls turn around quickly, huddling together.
"What was that? Did you hear that?" Emily asked with a slightly scared tone.
"Yes, I heard that. I'm standing right next to you," Aria said
"Hello? Is anybody out there?" Hanna questioned out to the open space.
"It's probably a rabbit," Spencer said
"Hello?" Hanna questioned again slightly louder.
"It's a rabbit, Hanna. It's not gonna answer you," Nyx said
"Can we just get to the shed?" Emily said
Suddenly the same rustling sound came again but this time louder.
"Okay, that is definitely not a rabbit. Someone's out there," Hanna said
"Let's turn around," Emily said
The girls all turn around about to leave when all of their cell phones go off. They all pull out their cellphones with worried looks.
Heads up BFF's. It's open season on liars and I'm hunting - A
They all look at each other with troubled expressions before they quickly put their phones away and start to make a hasty retreat out of the woods.
Before they leave the clearing Nyx stops by the tree and pulls off a medium size low hanging branch. The other four girls stare at her with a strange expression.
"What? If someone's gonna hunt me, I'm gonna have a weapon," Nyx said before she took the lead out of the woods.
? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ? ﾟﾌﾲ
Nyx had gotten up early before school so she could use this time for her creative process. The teen was currently messing with an old DJ turntable her dad had found in some old junk. If there was one thing that this girl loved more than mechanics it was music.
"Ohhh with some modifications I'll be able to mix and create a whole lot of new music," Nyx said giddily.
She went over to her computer to open up her sound programs when her phone started to ring.
"Hello," she said answering.
"Hey Nyx, could you drive me to school?" Spencer asked over the phone.
Nyx could hear the sound of Spencer sniffling.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there quickly," Nyx said in a comforting tone.
"Thank you," Spencer said before she hung up.
Nyx looks down at her phone worried. Good thing Cypress was out of town so she could borrow his car. She quickly grabbed her keys and left the house, but she was met with a surprise in her driveway.
Garrett was parked on the curb leaving on his car with a smile.
"Heeyyy, what are you doing here?" Nyx asked walking up to him.
"I heard your dad was on one of his business trips so I thought you might like a ride," Garrett said
"Haha well, news spreads fast. Buuut I've got his car keys," Nyx held up the keys," Annnd I already promised someone else that I'd give them a ride."
Garrett looks a little disappointed but puts on a smile.
"I just thought since we haven't seen each other in a while we could catch up. We didn't get to take all that much the last drive I gave you," Garrett said
"How about, you meet me at the Grille tomorrow night and we could catch up all you want," Nyx said with a smile.
Garrett's smile brightness and he nods, "Sounds good. How's 6?"
Nyx opens the car door, "Sounds good. See ya later." Nyx gets in and pulls out of the driveway giggling when she see's Garrett wave at her.
Nyx pulled up Spencer's driveway and the said girl came flying out of her house and into Nyx's car.
Without questioning the girl Nyx started to drive off.
"Wanna talk about it?" Nyx asked
"I just need coffee," Spencer answered
"Okay," Nyx said driving to the nearest coffee shop.
? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ? ﾟﾍﾵ?
Nyx and Spencer made it to school with freshly brewed coffee in their hands. They went to Spencer's locker which so happened to be conveniently located next to Nyx's. As they were digging searching for what they needed for classes Aria showed up.
Spencer was rummaging through her locker taking out multiple large books.
"Russian history?" Aria questioned
"Yeah," Spencer replied
"How many AP classes does it take until your brain explodes?" Aria said
"I'm already drowning in there," Spencer said
"Why, what's drowning for you, B+?" Aria jousted
"First paper's due Monday, and I've written two words. My name," Spencer said
Nyx wrapped an arm around Spencer's shoulders, "Haha unlike you I decided to lighten my load."
"Why do you have a wrench in your hand?" Spencer asked focusing her attention on the tool in her friend's hand.
"Autoshop. Brought my own tools," Nyx said gesturing to her locker. They all looked inside and saw a tool box.
"I've also got Metal shop, Art, Advanced Music, and Graphic Design. The only real classes I have are Math, Science, and English," Nyx said with a smirk
"Of course you do," Aria said
"Well if I plan on owning my own auto body shop I gotta start early," Nyx said with the smirk still prominent on her face.
Spencer sighs and rolls her eyes still in a bad mood. She starts to walk away but Aria and Nyx follow her.
"Hey, you're not still freaked out about what happened in the woods yesterday, are you? Look, we do not have to do this thing for Ali until we figure…" Aria started to say.
"No, it's not just that. It's... It's everything. Is there any chance your family wants to adopt me?" Spencer asked with a glum expression.
The three stop walking when they hear the tapping of a cane and turn their attention to the source of the sound. Around the corner came Jenna but holding her arm was none other than Toby. They both walked down the hallway, Toby helping Jenna to her locker. Next to them stood Emily and Maya the first having a scared expression on her face. Emily and Maya started to make their way to where Spencer, Aria, and Nyx who were joined by Hanna. Emily split away from Mya and joined her friends.
"He's back, too? When did that happen?" Aria questioned grabbing Emily's arm.
"Maybe she needs help sending radioactive emails," Hanna said
"Yeah, or he may be sending a few of his own-wait where's Nyx?" Spencer said finally noticing that their friend was missing.
All of the girls started to look around them but saw no sign of the leather clad girl.
"She was just here," Aria said
The four girls hear a knocking sound and turn around to see Nyx slightly crouched down behind a closed classroom door, tapping on the window.
Hanna rolls her eyes and goes to open the door.
"Seriously?" Hanna asked looking down at Nyx who was still in the crouched position.
"You can never be too careful, and I was right Toby was with her," Nyx said
"When did you move?" Spencer asked
"Oh, I ran as soon as I heard the tapping," Nyx said standing up.
Hanna was about to make another comment when a hand landed on her shoulder making the girls jump.
"Oh great. As if my day couldn't get any better," Nyx said sarcastically.
"Hanna," Willden said
"Cops on campus too," Aira said
"I just spoke with your principal, asked him if we could have a chat," Wilden said
"No, I have to get to class," Hanna said
"Don't worry. You've been excused. Let's go," Wilden said leading Hanna away.
Nyx lifted up her arm which still had the wrench in it and aimed it at Wilden's head, but it's quickly pulled down by Aria.
"Really?!" Aria said
"What. It's a small wrench I was just planning on giving him a concussion," Nyx said
"Let's save that for plan B. What is going on? Why just her?" Aria asked
"Probably thinks she's the easiest to crack," Emily said
"She is," Spencer said
"Whisper, whisper, whisper. Almost feels like Alison's still here," Jenna said walking
Nyx decided to put this morning's events behind her and enjoy her first class which was art.
She walked in with a happy smile but that was quickly wiped off when she spotted Toby on the other end of the class. Nyx feezed up on the spot when she made eye contact with him. They stared at each other for a few minutes before the teacher walked in.
Nyx quickly found a seat the furthest from Toby and faced forward. As the teacher took down attendance she could feel eyes staring at the back of her head, and peaked behind her. She quickly turned back around when she saw Toby staring at her.
"This is gonna be a long day," Nyx thought.
? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ? ﾟﾖﾌ
As soon as the bell rung Nyx sprinted out of the class and into the hallway where she saw Aria, Spencer, and Emily.
"What are you doing? Is that a new phone?" Spencer asked Aria
"Yeah, I'm checking my Kin. I'll just write on Hanna's wall from here," Aria explained
"If she's not answering texts, what makes you think she's checking Facebook?" Emily asked
"It's worth a try," Aria said
Nyx up to the group looking rather winded.
"Whats wrong with you?" Spencer asked noticing her friend's disheveled look.
"Toby is," Nyx said
"Did you run into him?" Spencer asked
"Worse, he's in my art class," Nyx said
"What's going on?" Hanna asked showing up.
"Oh the fact that the world just hates me," Nyx said
"And we've been trying to get ahold of you. What happened in there?" Aria asked
"Nothing, just the same old stupid questions," Hanna said
"You were in there for an hour, Hanna. What else did he ask?" Spencer asked
"Nothing. He just took a couple calls, and I just sat there, waiting for him to shut up," Hanna said, "Well, is he gonna question all of us alone now?" Aria asked
"Who knows? Look, let's do this at lunch, okay? I have to hit the ladies' before my next class," Hanna said before walking away.
"Is she being weird?" Spencer questioned
"She's being weird," Emily said
"Definitely weird," Nyx said
? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ? ﾟﾔﾧ?
As the day came to an end Nyx's endless bad luck seemed to get worst. Not only was Toby in her first class, but he was also in her last class, autobody. Her favorite class and she couldn't even enjoy it, with the boys constant stares. The day was finally over but Nyx had stayed a little after so she could actually enjoy her time in the school's auto shop. She was now heading to the girls locker to wash off all the dirt and grime before heading home. As she pushed the door open she heard what sounded like a yelp and then a banging sound.
"STOP!"
Nyx's eye's widened when she heard Emily's voice scream out. She ran into the locker room to see Ben holding Emily against a locker.
"HEY! RAAAGHHH!"
The next thing anyone knew Nyx had dropped her stuff and jumped onto Ben's back making him let go of Emily.
"What the hell!" Ben yelled
Nyx just kept a tight hold on Ben and attempted to hit him in the face. She couldn't get any good hits in while on his back. After a few seconds of struggling Ben threw Nyx into one of the lockers, making the girl scream out in pain and fall to the ground.
Before Ben could make his next move a fist comes out of nowhere and hits Ben square in the jaw. The person who had punched Ben was none other than Toby. The two boys were soon in a fist fight with Toby having the upper hand. Emily helped Nyx sit up who hissed in pain as she grabbed her back.
"That's enough! Okay? Stop," Emily said trying to break up the fight.
"Is this creep a friend of yours? Is he the reason you're acting like this?" Ben asked who was pushed up against a wall with blood dripping out of his mouth.
"Ben, get over yourself, okay?" Emily said helping Nyx stand up and supporting some of her weight.
"Get over myself?" Ben asked
"It's done. We're over," Emily said turning away to walk out with Nyx.
Nyx pulled away from Emily and made her way over to Ben.
"What the fuc-!"
*BAM*
Nyx punched Ben right in the face and knocked him right onto his ass. She walked out with Emily holding her sore back, with Toby's eyes following them the whole way.
"I think you need to go to the nurse," Emily said
"Yeah me too," Nyx said
"Nice hit by the way," Emily said with a smile.
"Thanks."
Nyx made her way home with an ice pack strapped to the back, luckily for her the hit to the back only left a bruise, a big nasty bruise.
"Nyx how was-what happened?!" Max exclaimed spotting the ice bag on her back.
"An asshole is what happened," Nyx said
"Meaning….?" Max questioned
"Someone thought they could handsy with Emily so I came to her rescue," Nyx said
"Let me see," Max said walking over.
Max lifts up Nyx's shirt and gasps.
"Nyx! That looks terrible," Max said
"Ahhh barely even hurts anymore," Nyx said
"It's already turning purple," Max said
"Yeah, bruises do that. Look I'm fine," Nyx pulled her shirt back down, "I've already taken some painkillers and it's been on ice for a while."
Max looks at her skeptically.
Nyx just smiles and starts to make her way upstairs, "Stop worrying. I've got a party I need to get ready for."
"Party? Nyx you need rest. You shouldn't be going to some party," Max said with concern in his voice.
"Sorry No can do I'm the DJ," Nyx said before she ran upstairs.
"Woooo keep it going!" Nyx said as she started a new song.
Noel had personally asked Nyx to DJ for his party and she happily obliged. She showed up early to set everything up. Good thing Noel's family was rolling around in plenty of money because that meant Nyx got to work with some high tech DJ equipment.
Nyx smiled and waved to her friends when she saw them all together in the crowd. Aria waved over to her to signal for her to come over. Nyx put up a finger telling her she'd be there in a second.
"Okay everyone I'm gonna take a short break," Groans from the crowd could be heard, "Haha don't be bitches. I'll be back," Nyx put on a set and made her way outside with her friends, minus Hanna.
"What's up?" Nyx asked her friends.
"You attacked Ben?" Aria asked
"Hey, he started it!" Nyx said
"That's not the point you could've gotten hurt," Aria said
"She did," Emily said
"Emily," Nyx said sharply.
"Let me see it," Spencer said
"Look its fin-,"
"Let me see it," Spencer said again with a more authoritative tone.
Nyx just sighs and turns around. She lifts up her shirt and the girls all gasp and jump back.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Nyx said
"Not as bad as it looks. Nyx your back is purple," Spencer said
"It barely even hurts," Nyx turns back around, "Besides I got the final punch in."
"Because Toby tackled him. What was Toby even doing in the girls' locker room?" Aria asked "Why are you shocked? Toby's a perv. We caught him peeping through the windows, watching us undress," Spencer said
"Alison's the one who saw him do that. We never did. Maybe he was following Nyx, " Emily said
"Oh yeah cause that's so much better," Nyx said
"What's up?" Hanna asked walking up to the group
"Toby Cavanaugh got into a fight with Ben after he attacked Nyx," Aria said
"Hey, he didn't attack me. If anything the fight was over Emily," Nyx sadi
"It wasn't over me. God. Look, he just... saved me along with Nyx," Emily explained
"For what, so Nyx would take him back?" Spencer said
"Ew," Hanna said imagining the two of them together.
"If we hadn't asked you about Ben, would you have told us about this?" Aria asked
"Uh, I was there. I would have told you," Nyx said
"Toby is not a good guy. He could be seriously dangerous. Especially since one of us broke up with him," Spencer said eyeing Nyx.
"Come on seriously, blame me for everything why dontcha," Nyx said pouting and crossing her arms
"If he's such a bad guy, why'd he take the fall for us?" Emily asked
Spencer gets this surprised worried look on her face.
"Is this another secret? Do you know something that we don't?" Aria asked
"Guys, why don't we just, like chill, and talk about this somewhere else? When we're alone," Hanna said looking around.
"I... don't even know what 'just us' means anymore," Aria said
"Yeah, uh... Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay? Are we still meeting up at the shed?" Hanna asked
Before anyone could answer Hanna was already leaving.
"Yeah. Yeah, sure. Why not?" Aria said with sarcasm
Aria throws away her drink and puts her purse on, "Where are you going?" Emily asked
"The gallery. I promised my mom," Aria said before she walked away.
As soon as she leaves Maya walks up with two cups in her hands, "Have you checked out the photobooth they've got in there?"
"No. Show me the booth," Emily said with a smile taking the cup from Maya as they both walk away.
All that was left was Nyx and Spencer.
"Look the set I left on is going to end soon, so tell me what's wrong," Nyx said
"Nothing-"
"Spencer we've known each other since we were kids. I know when something is bothering you," Nyx said
Spencer looks at hesitantly.
"Look I gotta get back to the music but we aren't done," Nyx said before leaving.
? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ? ﾟﾎﾧ
After an hour or two Nyx was deciding what next song to play when she see's Hanna run through the room with tears streaming down her face.
"Hanna?" Nyx questioned lowering her headphones.
She spots Mona chasing after her and follows as well. She runs out of the house to see Hanna getting into Sean's car.
"Hanna!" Nyx yells coming up behind Mona.
"Hanna! Hanna, what's up? Hanna! Wait, why are you taking Sean's car? Hanna!" Mona yelled
Hanna doesn't listen and just speeds down the road.
"What's happening?" Nyx asked worriedly
"I don't know?!" Moan said freaking out.
"Mona calm down. Look you just try to call Hanna and calm her down. I-I'll think of something," Nyx said
Yesterday was pretty rocky for everyone. The girls met up in the woods the next day like they said. Spencer was finally telling them what was bothering her last night.
"Alison wanted us across the street so she could have it out with Toby. Ali had something on him," Spencer explained
"Besides being a total perv who peeped in our windows?" Hanna asked
"Yeah, something way bigger, and she was threatening to tell everybody. That's why he took the fall for us. Nyx do you know anything. You were with him a lot," Spencer asked
"No, we were broken up by then, and I never knew any secrets then," Nyx said
"Why are you waiting until now to tell us?" Aria asked
"I don't know. Ali made me promise, and... I guess I was scared. I thought if we never talked about that night again, it would just go away," Spencer said
All of the girls started to make their way out of the forest.
"Well, it's not going away. Not unless we toss our phones and join the Navy," Hanna said
Nyx lifted her hand about to speak, "No," Hanna said
Nyx shut her mouth.
"Look, there's five of us and one freak sending messages. If we just talk to each other like this, I feel like it makes it easier to deal with everything," Emily
"I think Emily's right. There's way too many secrets. We shouldn't do this in the middle of nowhere. We should do it where we can see it every day," Aria said
"You mean, like, somewhere in school?" Hanna asked
"No. In town. We should ask if we can put a bench somewhere. Wait, and you know what? Whoever did this to her, if they're still in Rosewood, we should make them look at it every day, too," Aria said
"Yeah, make them feel guilty," Nyx said
Hanna had a troubled look on her face catching Spencer's attention.
"What, you hate the idea?" Spencer asked
"No. No, I just... I had a rough night," Hanna said
The girls all jump and stop walking when they hear a rustle in the bushes near them.
"Not this time," Nyx said before running after the sound followed by the girls.
The girls all stop at a clearing and see nothing.
"Look," Hanna said pointing down.
"Is that yours?" Spencer asked
"Alison's," Aria said
On the ground laid a purple bracelet with Alison's name on it.