New Friends


ROSEWOOD OBSERVER

MURDER SOLVED

I read the headline of the paper in my dad's hands as I sat at the table the next morning before school. It was everywhere, the paper, the television, the local news website. You could say that this pretty, blonde murder victim was somewhat of a celebrity. My orange juice was cold as it ran down my dry throat.

"Dad," I said, catching his attention across the table. "What's the story on that murder mystery?" He looked at me over his glasses, folding the paper and brandishing it at me.

"Take a look for yourself, it's quite an interesting read." I gave him a skeptical look as I nabbed the paper from his fingers.

The murder mystery regarding Alison Dilaurentis was officially closed late last night. The local missing person, Ian Thomas, was found outside of town by his fiance and five witnesses, four being only high school students, after committing suicide. The police recovered a note at the scene that was in fact, Thomas' suicide note. The note stated, "I killed Alison." Despite his vague delivery regarding if he was referring to Alison Dilaurentis, his confession and a collection of evidence that tied him to the murder was all the RWPD needed to close the case. Thomas' fiance, Melissa Hastings, has no comment regarding her husband's crimes and does not wish to speak with an interviewer. As per the Dilaurentis family. There is no talk of a funeral service for Ian Thomas.

"Mhm," I hummed. My eyes stopped there. There was no need for me to read past that point since I got all the information I needed to quench my curiosity. I wasn't from this town. Knowing that Alison Dilaurentis is resting at peace does not bring me any kind of ease. I mean, I'm thrilled that her family and friend's have closure, but these answers mean nothing to me.

"You didn't even read the whole thing." Dad pouted, snatching the paper back. I laughed lightly and placed my empty glass in the sink. My eyes floated to the clock on the microwave, 7:23 AM.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" I asked dad while I put my book bag over my left shoulder.

"Nope," He replied apathetically. "I got today off." My eyebrows raised.

"Get out." I said, leaning over to slip my pre-tied converse on my feet. "I thought your boss was a total hard ass."

"The one in New Jersey was, but this one," His eyes gazed off a bit. "Is amazing. And don't say that." He tried reprimanding me but I only shrugged. "I told him that we were a little behind on unpacking and he gladly gave me a day off to catch up." I smiled as I backed out of the kitchen.

"I'm glad you like your new boss." My voice was filled with earnest. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something to do with my life today. Unlike some people." He gave me a look until I was out of the kitchen. I grabbed Ave and hurried her into the car so neither of us were late.

I pulled up to the school shortly after, my car slowing to an eventual stop in the parking lot. The engine died after I yanked out the key and the music blaring from the radio stopped abruptly. There was only one thing on my mind, I need coffee.

My white converse scuffed the ground while I shuffled in line for my coffee at the cart in the court-yard. Waiting in line has always made me feel especially awkward. I never know where to look so I just let my eyes float around. But, that usually leads to eye contact with someone who I probably don't know, that last a few seconds too long. And I never know what to do with my hands. And the skinny jeans I decided to wear today prevent me from putting them in my pockets. I don't like folding my arms, because apparently that makes people think that you're a closed off person and it makes you seem unapproachable. So I just keep them in fists by my sides.

My emerald eyes scoped the outdoor seating area once more, my eyes stopping at Emily and Aria. Since, after all, they were the only people I know in the vicinity. They were sitting together, along with two others. And it seemed like they were having a very in-depth conversation over a device that resembled an iPad. If I was correct, all the girls seated there were in my English class.

"Excuse me," My eyes snapped to the forefront of my vision. "What can I get you?" The impatient cashier asked from behind the kart.

"Oh, sorry." I apologized, then told her my order of a regular coffee with two sugars, cream, and a shot of caramel. I paid and got my drink, taking a greedy sip to get the caffeine running through my veins as fast as possible. Then, feeling an unusual amount of confidence, I started towards the four girls. As I approached, their conversation stopped. Aria smiled at me and Emily noticed me , but the other two gave me strange looks.

"Hey Emma," Aria said, smiling up at me as she took a sip from her cup. I waved shyly at her, like I do when I don't know someone well yet.

"Good morning Aria," I then turned to the long-haired girl to my right. "Emily." She nodded, seeming almost out of it, like she did the night before at my house. Maybe that's just the way Emily is, naturally brooding. I looked at the two others as they gave me questioning looks, knowing I had to shove my nerves away and introduce myself to end this torture. "I'm Emma, I'm pretty sure I'm in your English class." I said, addressing them both.

"Yeah, I remember you." The one with dark hair said, she reached across the table to shake my hand. "I'm Spencer Hastings," Her brown eyes looked to the blonde beside her. She looked like a scolding mother, yelling at her with her eyes to greet me politely. That made me feel more out-of-place than anything. The sour blonde looked up at me and smiled, clearly faking it for Spencer.

"Hanna," I sucked my lips into my mouth, not wanting to say something to anger her more. It was obvious that she was having a bad morning and didn't want to have to deal with the new girl.

"Nice to meet you both." I tried to smile as politely as possible at the pair. From my vantage point, I saw a police officer walking up to the table. "I'll see you guys in English." I said, turning and leaving them to their conversation once more. Aria and Spencer smiled in good-bye, while Hanna looked indifferent and Emily seemed too distracted to have even heard me. I turned and walked into the school to find my way to English.

The day was going by pretty slowly. It felt like my first three classes went by in a long, boring blur, then suddenly I was standing at the head of the cafeteria looking for a seat. Part of me was looking for the girls. That way I could be at least sitting with someone who I actually know somewhat and can maybe even have a conversation. But, the other part, the more shy part, was trying to find an empty table so I could sit alone and eat my lunch in peace.

"Emma!" I heard to my right. "Hey! Emma!" The voice belonged to none other than Noel Kahn himself. Ironic that when a cute boy wants to talk to me, he has to be a closet jerk involved with the scary it-girl. Funny how high school is like the movies sometimes. I sighed to myself, deciding that I wouldn't get away with pretending I didn't hear him. The whole cafeteria could hear him. I looked in his direction and saw his table full of guys who look just like him, as in handsome jocks.

"Hey Noel," I said, sounding defeated. His boyish smile and nearly twinkling eyes were making it really hard for me to be callous towards him.

"Hello Emilia," I scrunched my nose at the name, wondering what would possess him to call me that. "Why don't you sit with us?" He asked, gesturing to the seat across from him, between two large jocks. I looked at them, probably having an expression resembling an injured fawn. "C'mon, we won't bite-"

"Very hard." The jock next to Noel joked, smacking hands with the boy that would be sitting on my right. He looked up at my face and smiled. "I'm only kidding." I nodded, smiling back at him. Even though these attractive boys made me fear for my sanity, not to mention my remaining innocence, maybe befriending them would warrant me a few older brothers.

But, I was jumping ahead of myself. If I was going to befriend them, I needed to sit down.

The table broke out in small cheers and whoops when I plopped down in the blue chair, dropping my bag beside me. I smiled at all the boys around and took in their details. Including Noel, there were five boys.

"Well, we should do introductions." Noel said. "This is Chad Brown," He said, referring to the pale boy on his right. He had brown hair that was styled to a quiff and his eyes were a shiny baby blue. They definitely fell under the Dreamy category. "That's Royce Blandina," This was directed towards the guy sitting on my right, who smacked hands with Chad. He had caramel skin and short black hair styled into a high top. His eyes reminded me of mine, they were a distinct shade of green. "Chase Grey," Noel's eyes landed on the boy on my left, who had about the same shade hair as me, it was cut short into a buzz cut, and his amber eyes were warm and his nose was dusted with freckles. "And this is Damion Coughster." The last boy was seated next to Noel. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed. His hair was tousled and his dark brown eyes drooped with sleep.

"Damion looks tired." I commented, seeing him give me a laggard smile.

"We all know what Damion was doing last night." Royce teased, biting into his burrito. I sat back, ready to observe the way the male adolescent acts in his natural habitat.

"Why don't you call your mom and ask her what I was doing." Damion retorted with a drowsy tint to his words. The other boys ooh'd while I stayed silent.

"Nah man, your mom used up all my minutes." Royce said, looking at his phone. "Picture messages are extra." I mentally gagged at what he was implying. Damion threw a fry at Royce while the other boys cheered.

"So Emma," Chad said after everyone quieted down. I looked up at him. "You single?" He asked, wriggling his brows at me.

"Woah dude," Chase cut in. "Jump right into it why don't you." He chuckled, looking at me and giving me a pitying smile. I looked back at Chad and shook my head.

"Yeah, I'm single." Chad smirked at me from his seat. "But I'm not looking."

"Damn," Royce smiled at me. "You know, I'm starting to like you." I chewed on my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling too big. The last thing I wanted to do was to seem like a desperate mess, but I was glad I was starting to fit in at least somewhere.

"Okay, okay." Noel jumped in beaming at us. "Enough of this, let's talk about something serious. Something that must be discussed before we leave." Chad whooped and did a bro shake with Royce and Chase. I gave them all a look in confusion. Hoping one of them would explain to me what was going on.

"Wait, what is it?" I questioned.

"My party Friday night."

Oi.


Alright. I get it. You all probably hate me. I said I was going to update on Sunday and then totally abandon it for like, almost a month and a half. Not to mention that this chapter was only a filler. But, I can tell you that probably won't happen again. I mean, I won't promise that. I have some tests coming up that are really important and my high school career kind of depend on them. nbd.

So, I wouldn't hold your breath for an update next weekend, but I will get one up as soon as possible.

But I'm thankful to everyone who reads, even if they don't review or fave or follow. Because just by having someone read it, that means my work is being seen. People are reading what I'm doing and some people are even liking it. It's unbelievable.

Reviews and Favorites and Follows always motivate me to write more though so you know, that would be good to have.

Thank you to Miss E Charlotte for the lovely review.

Thanks for the read xoxo