Diana
The fateful night

When Leonard stops the car, the noise of the campfire party can already be heard. Although we are not late, others seem to have arrived long before us. I unbuckle and get out with the others. Surprisingly, the ground is not as uneven and muddy as on some other days.

"Which way is it?" asks Juniper uncertainly. Normally she doesn't go to parties like this, although she's the oldest of us. The conclusion that she is only here for Leonard is therefore quite obvious. At the thought that something might finally happen between the two today, a grin creeps on my lips.

"This way", says Leo and points him in a certain direction before he takes the lead and leaves. We follow him straight in the hope that he really knows where to go.

On our way we don't speak a word with each other, we just continue our way quietly. Juniper has arrived at the side of the redhead, while Kira and Bryan are behind me, who knows what.

A few seconds later the other students are already visible and the glow of the fire flashes through the trees. Arriving at the clearing, our group separates with a few words and we decide to meet again at Leonard's car at midnight. After all, we all have no desire for stress with our parents.

Kira and Bryan drop onto one of the seats, while Juniper and I position ourselves near the fire. Leo fetches drinks for both of us, which allows me to hook up with my cousin again. "Will you take your chance today?" I give her an amused grin. "I don't know what you mean", she crosses her arms in front of her chest and avoids me again.

Why did I try it at all? It was clear that she wouldn't say anything about it. The way she avoids me, however, shows me that there must be more behind it. Nevertheless I know that I won't get out of him if she doesn't want me to. One of Juniper's qualities is that she can be really closed when it comes to a subject she doesn't like to talk about.

"Good, then not," I roll my eyes and notice Leonard returning with three cups in his hands. At his side is a boy whom I have seen several times in the school corridors. However, my attitude towards him is not particularly good. After all, he's on the football team and, like most members of the team, thinks he's better than the rest of us or the other boys at school.

"Hey, ladies," Leo, each of us hands him a cup and then puts an arm around the black-haired boy's shoulders: "I didn't know you were coming today." "Well, the fact that we're here clearly speaks against it," I reply a little snappishly. I don't like all this North Sider. I live on this side myself, but I think both parts of the city are equal. However, this attitude is not very present in all of Riverdale. Unfortunately, the dispute between the two sides has been going on for years and I won't be able to do anything about it. But that doesn't mean that I have to represent the most widespread opinion.

My best friend gives me a warning look, but says nothing about it: "I would like to introduce you to my best friend". The redhead looks expectantly into the group and gives us all a friendly smile. For his love, I suppress my eye rolls. Although I know that they are friends, I have never shown much interest in this best friend. After all, we have nothing in common - except that we are friends with the same person - and so I have no reason at all to exchange a word with him.

"I am Blake. Blake Lodge," he introduces himself and gives us a charming grin: "And you must be the Cooper sisters then." "Almost right," I fold my arms in front of my chest: "Only we're not sisters." "That explains a lot," he says with a smug grin, but doesn't tell us exactly what he means by that.

In order not to have to hear any more from him, I turn around: "Is there anything else? If not, I'll get something to drink now." In the meantime I've already drunk my cup during the conversation.

"No, no, it's okay," says Juniper quickly, waving at me timidly as I move away from the group. Leonard just shrugs his shoulders while I look out of the corner of his eye and see Blake following me. I sigh and decide to ignore him. Right now I really have more important things to do and I really don't feel like being stopped by anyone else. The way it is right now, it can't go on. I have to sort this out today, otherwise I'll probably go crazy.