(A.N.) Hey everybody! I hope you all had/are still havinga good holiday, I tried really hard to get this chapter up asap but with xmas i've been a bit busy so I hope its okay now! Thanks for the reviews and here's chapter 6- ava strikes again!

R/Rif you can!

Thanks

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Prerogative

"Ava? Are you listening to a word I'm saying?" The tall middle aged tutor glared at Ava who was staring blankly at the wall. She slowly made eye contact with the woman and simply stared at her in silence.

"Well, do you have something to say?" the tutor said huffily.

"No, I do not. Should I?" Ava replied in her calm, flat voice. The tutor stared at her, disbelieving the girls actions before taking a deep breath.

"Okay then, I think that's enough for today. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Good bye." The tutor paused for a reaction from Ava but gave up as she turned to stare at the wall again. The woman gathered her things and stormed out of the room. She tried not to lose her cool but it was hard with that girl.

She was so clearly messed up but she tried to work with her. She'd soon realised that it was virtually impossible to do anything with Ava. As she headed for the door, Mr Walker emerged from the kitchen and greeted the woman.

"Hello there Ms Collins, how's Ava doing?" Ms Collins wondered what to say but she took the easy way out.

"Oh she's doing fine, making huge strides," she smiled widely.

"Ok then, see you tomorrow."

"Bye now."

Ms Collins headed for the door quickly. Emerging from that house and being able to get in her car and drive as far away as possible was easily the best part of her day.

Things had been somewhat subdued in the community since the death of Beth Jones. At school, an honorary assembly was held to remember Beth and all the work she'd done for her school and to mourn her tragic death. But most importantly the whole town was baffled as to who may have committed this crime. After two months the investigation had been abandoned under the grounds of lack of sufficient evidence. Understandably her parents were outraged but there really was nothing that the police could do. This was the biggest blow struck to her family.

Summer had tried to take her mind off of the whole situation and was trying to get on with her life. They four had met with college counsellors and Seth and Summer were planning to go off to Brown and Marissa and Ryan wanted to try Berkeley. It was a decision that pleased everyone so there was nothing else to do but enjoy the remainder of senior year and Summer was happy with that.

Before they knew it, it was Christmukkah. So naturally Seth was in his element. Summer was happy as it would be the first Christmukkah where her and Seth were a proper couple. In junior year she was still battling with Anna and last year she was with Zach. So this year had to be perfect. Summer and Marissa had shopped for weeks, hunting for the perfect seasonal dress to wear to the Newpsie party. After three weeks of avid searching and rifting both emerged from South Coast with the perfect dress. And both knew that their boyfriend would be blown away, it was their prerogative.

Only a couple of days later, Seth was stood in the foyer of Summer's house waiting for her to come down. She'd been getting ready for nearly 4 hours now, perfecting every aspect of her attire. No hair was out of place, no blemish was present on her complexion. It was perfect. She dashed out of the bathroom and hid at the top of the stairs.

"Close you eyes Cohen!" she called.

"What, why?"

"Just do it!"

"Fine but if you give me a wedgie like those water polo players in 5th grade I'm not gonna be happy." Summer smiled to herself and slowly ascended the marble staircase, her feet gliding gracefully and her hair gently swaying. She was only inches from Seth when she told him that he could look.

When he did he nearly fell over. Summer looked like she never had before, so beautiful in a way that only she could look. She always looked pretty but never like this. Her eyes sparkled in the hazy light and her face was flawless. Dark shimmery eye shadow was painted on her lids and made her eyes smoulder. Her deep mahogany hair tumbled down her back in loose curls. An ornamental silver flower was clipped to one side of her hair. The diamonds that sparkled in the centre indicated that it must have cost a lot. A knee length vintage dress clung to her slender figure, just clinging in the right places. It was a deep black with intricate silver beading and detail. It was strapless but held up perfectly.

"Wow," Seth breathed, unable to find any other words. Summer smiled.

"Thanks Cohen, not so bad yourself." Seth just gawped at Summer, still struggling to speak.

"Come on then, we can't be late." Summer linked her arm through his and led him out to his car. He silently opened the door for her and she gracefully climbed in. Seth shut the door and leant against the back of the car, trying to regain some sort of mindset.

"This is going to be some party," he breathed. Seth climbed in the car and the two set off into the inky night.

Tonight was the night. The night in which Ava would strike again. After patiently waiting for a couple of months and the fuss to die down about Beth, Ava planned to take down her next victim. After spending the day following members of Natalie Harrison's family, Ava had all the info she needed.

Tonight was just too perfect. All of Newport would be at the Newpsie party at the club so the town would be empty. Every one would be there all except Natalie, because she was ill. Ava was smiling ear to ear, it was just that perfect. Almost as if she was meant to kill Natalie tonight. It was fate. So poor little Natalie would be in bed, all alone with only a box of tissues to accompany her. Ava did exactly the same as last time, waited out of sight but so she could see her parents leave.

But today, Ava had managed to swipe some keys to the house. They were just lying on the counter when her Mom went to get her brother from soccer practise so now they were Ava's ticket to Natalie. Ava waited until her parents had been gone for an hour and then she leapt into action. She was soon in the darkened house, the only sound was of Natalie's heavy breathing in her sleep. She entered the kitchen and quietly pulled out a large knife. Ava crept up the stairs, her menacing shadow mirrored on the wall. She followed the sound of Natalie's breathing and her hand slowly twisted the brass doorknob, the blade clutched in her tightening grasp…

Soft classical music floated through the air of the Annual Newport Christmas Gala. The club was full of people and the guest list read like a who's-who. As ever Seth, Summer, Ryan and Marissa stood in a corner, trying to get away from the Newpsies, but strangely all were enjoying themselves.

Sandy and Kirsten had had a little argument because the Nana had called that day saying that she'd be visiting soon which Kirsten wasn't really ecstatic about given the lack of notice. So Sandy had drifted over to the kids with his one piece of advice, 'Don't ever get married.' This caused all four to laugh when he'd drifted back to his wife. Of course they'd shortly made up. Seth made many gagging noises while they danced so Summer placed her hand over his mouth. Hours passed and the four decided to take a walk on the beach, always a calming event.

"So, Christmukkah's over for another year huh?" Ryan sighed, his arms wrapped around Marissa. They sat on the cool sand, staring at the calm ocean.

"Yeah, I guess. I hate when Christmukkah ends…" Seth said, looking sad. Summer smiled sympathetically and leaned closer to him.

"Hey just think, this is our last Christmukkah living in Newport," Marissa said, her eyebrows raised. All nodded before sighing silently.

No matter how much each of them moaned about the town, neither could imagine life not in Newport. It was their home where they'd met each other and lived for years, it was definitely going to be weird to leave.

"Newport isn't all evil," Ryan said grinning slightly.

"Yeah, its definitely gonna be strange, at least we'll be together," Summer looked up at Seth who kissed her happily. Summer's decision to come with Seth had been one of the best things that had happened this year, it showed that the amount of love for each other was equal on both sides.

All looked out at the ocean, the waters coming in and then back out again and they just thought, silently thought. All were eager to go to college but none were really ready to untie the bonds that connected them to Newport.

"Happy Christmukkah everyone," Summer finally smiled.

"Happy Christmukkah," the other three replied in unison.

Back at the party, the guests milled around happily. The four were still down at the beach which meant that they didn't witness what happened next. Through the glimmering white lights, blue and red ones entered the room through the open doorway as a police car pulled up outside. The Newpsies all glanced at each other, gossip was beckoning. Julie nudged Kirsten in the back and raised her eyebrows, a small grin on her face as if to say, 'ooh what's happening!". Kirsten just looked worried, police turning up at an event usually didn't end well.

Shortly two large police officers entered the room, their presence sapping out all the laughter and happiness that was there before. Everyone in the room waited with baited breath for what was going to happen. Taryn Wallis, one of the head Newpsies who put together the event hurried over to them, looking a little too eager. The largest officer cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your event here Miss but we need to talk to someone who should be here."

"Oh no problem at all officer, who can I get for you?" Kirsten sighed, Taryn was actually hitting on the police officer, so predictable.

"Uh, a Mr and Mrs Harrison," he replied, looking uncomfortable at Taryn's advances.

"Sure thing," Taryn turned to face the crowd, her eyes scanning for the couple.

"Oh there they are! Betsy, Nick! Over here!" Taryn waved at the couple. Both looked worried as they made their way over to the cops.

"What's the problem officer?" Nick asked, the look of sheer panic on his features.

"Um, this isn't easy Sir, Madam but I have some very bad news, about your daughter Natalie…"