Derek Grey looked genuinely taken aback.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Oh come on Derek! Isn’t it a bit convenient that you chose to come into McKinley high immediately after Melanie died?”

Derek shut his eyes and Mac felt a sudden terror overcome her. Sure she was making all this noise about suspecting Derek’s motives and if he was indeed the psychopath behind Melanie’s ill-fate. But still, a part of her didn’t it want it to be him. She would have been okay with it being him if he didn’t have those amazing brown eyes….that perfect smile….the world-crumbling dimple….

“Mac, I know you don’t know me. You’re right to be suspicious but do I really look like someone who could murder an innocent 17 year old girl?” Derek’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“No one can be trusted Derek.” She picked up the diary once more. “What gives? How come you’re with her diary? Give me a reason to believe you’re innocent.”

Derek cleared his throat. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea Mac….”

“Come on! What do you freaking have to hide? She was your girlfriend, you guys had a beef, and you lost your temper and arranged for her murder. Simple.”

A deep chuckle came. “Close…but not close enough. She was my half-sister. Same father, different mothers. I live with our father though and I loved Melanie so so much.” He paused as if being thrown back into a painful memory. Shaking his head, he kept talking. “She gave me that diary. It was as if she knew something bad was going to happen to her.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but then he shut his mouth.

Mac tried to break the sudden tense atmosphere that appeared. “Ha! That wasn’t in anyway close to what I guessed.”

“People aren’t always what they seem, Mac.” Derek got up from the seat with his tray. He looked seriously unhappy. Mac couldn’t help feeling like a total arse for bringing up an obviously disturbing memory. “Catch ya later, Macaulay.” With that he left.

Cambria hurried to fill in where Derek had so recently evacuated. “Well? What did he say? Did he deny it?”

Mac heaved a sigh. “I feel like an arse, Cam. He’s innocent and I’m an idiot. What the hell is wrong with me? He’s Mel’s brother and obviously I’ve brought up a very sad memory all in the name of playing Nancy Drew.”

“He said he was Mel’s brother?” Cambria looked pale. “I didn’t know Melanie had a brother…how come they’re the same age?”

“Same father. Different mothers….anyway what does that matter now? He probably hates me forever because of what I implied.”

Both their phones buzzed at the same time. Macaulay checked hers first. “It’s Jay. Says there’s a meeting today. That’s probably your message as well.”

Cambria checked her message and hurriedly threw her phone into her bag.

“Well?” mac asked expectantly.

“Yeah. Same message.” Cambria said hurriedly.

Macaulay gave her a look. “So I’ll meet you here after school okay? Then we’ll go over to Jay’s”

“Sure!” Cambria said. She was out of breath, like she couldn’t wait to go somewhere.

“Are you alright Cam? You’ve been acting freaky since you received your text message.” Mac looked worried.

Cambria stood up and bobbed her head while edging away from the table. “Later Mac!” she ran out of the cafeteria.

Mac let out a sigh, and then checked her watch. 1pm. She had a lot of free time on her hands today. No classes left for her for the rest of the day. She could go and practice for her math test…or audition for the play coming up soon…

She searched her bag, looking for a math textbook to use and then she saw it. A gift card that Caitlyn had given for her last birthday. How could she have missed this? Sweet Caitlyn!

Macaulay skipped out of the cafeteria to the nearest newlook shop.

The killer stood in the darkness of the alley facing the QA hospital. Fuck! Alison Greene hadn’t died. That wasn’t good news at all. That meant that Alison could testify to the police. And then everyone would know who had murdered Melanie Griffiths. No. That just wouldn’t do. Alison was still unconscious. The killer gambled with two ideas. Going in to kill Alison would be too dangerous. The detectives would come to investigate, find finger prints, DNA and stuff like that. On the other hand, inducing amnesia in her would have to be the best thing. She would forget the past 24 hours as if they’d never happened. The killer moved towards QA hospital and walked to the reception.

“Hi. I’m here to see my sister, Alison Greene? She was stabbed earlier today. I was informed she’s receiving treatment here.”

The receptionist smiled. “Just a minute.” She headed for some files and returned a while later. “I’m sorry. Alison’s family has been here all day with her and we had to tell them to leave. Why weren’t you here with them?”

“I just got in from London when i heard the news. I have to see my sister, please.”

“It’s quite late, unfortunately. You could come back tomorrow. Alison Greene needs her rest right now.”

“okay.” The killer tried to look like the disappointed sibling. Sighting the file that the receptionist had been going through, the killer asked. “Could you direct me to the toilets please? I’ve been travelling all day and well, nature calls.”

!the receptionist had a sweet smile on. “Sure. Right down the hall, last door to your left.”

“Thank you.”

Just then, the receptionist looked away and the killer grabbed the file and walked steadily down the hall. Alison Greene’s room was room 1258. The killer reached for the ‘premedicant’ midazolam loaded injection. It would induce amnesia in Alison, making her forget all that had happened in the past 24 hours. Alison Greene would never know what hit her. This was easier than anticipated.

Cambria McAdams literally dragged herself to school the next morning. She was so tired; she could hardly keep her eyes open. She saw Macaulay staring at Derek Grey as he took his books out of his locker. Poor Macaulay. She had a lot of penance to do for the insult she had given to her. Cambria got out her books and headed for geography class. Just then, she bumped into Derek. It was the opposite of the basic high school crush story where the boy was usually the one to bump into the girl, but the basics were the same...his books fell and she bent down to help him get them.

“Thanks.” He said.

Cambria caught Macaulay’s stare and watched as Macaulay hurriedly looked away. Wasn’t Mac supposed to be in the hospital with her dying friend Alison?

Cambria was the very quiet type of person, but her urge for vengeance got the better of her. She stretched her hand. “Cambria McAdams. I’m sorry for bumping into you like that.”

Derek took her handshake. “Derek Grey. You are most forgiven.” He had a cute smile and lovely dimples, Cambria had to admit. He looked at her skinny arms clutching the heavy geography textbook. “Need any help with that?”

“Sure. Thanks. I just need to go to the girls’ room. I’ll be right back for geography. Save me a seat will you?” Cambria couldn’t believe she was the one having this sort of conversation with a person, let alone a hot guy.

“Sure. See you then.” Derek headed towards the class. Cambria raced for the girls’ bathroom and brought out the book tucked under her shirt. When Derek’s books had fallen, she’d spied a pink fur-covered book, which was odd. It wasn’t everyday that someone saw a boy with a girly book. Curiosity had gotten the better of her and she decided that the best thing to do was to steal the book and check its contents. The first page made her heart skip a beat. In uppercase letters was the name MELANIE GRIFFITHS.

Cambria shut the book abruptly. Her heart beating incessantly. She opened it again. How did Derek Grey end up with Melanie’s diary? Did Melanie write every single thing in her diary? Had he read it? Because only then would he know the truth. The thing she had done to Melanie. Cambria didn’t have the gall to open the diary again. She shoved it into her bag and raced for geography class. Accidentally this time, she bumped into someone again. Cambria saw the shoes first, they obviously cost nothing less than £70. She didn’t need a rock star to tell her who it was.

“You are definitely doing a lot of bumping today, Cambria.” Macaulay said, picking up her books.

Cambria rolled her eyes. She didn’t see Macaulay as the acutely jealous type, but then she had been wrong about a lot of things about Macaulay.

“I was running because i was late for geography.” Cambria retorted.

“figures.” Macaulay said with her landmark sarcasm. “When you’re stalking Derek, well...you expect to be late don’t you?”

“I am not going to even discuss this, Macaulay.” Cambria walked on towards her Geo class and then stopped. “There is something I’d like to discuss with you though. And since your buddy two shoes best friend for life BFF is dying, i guess you would be free to actually have the conversation with me.”

Macaulay wondered why Cambria had to use so many words to describe Alison. It was quite ruthless of her to use the term ‘dying.’ Alison was going to be okay.

Mac nodded and said okay. She would give Cambria a piece of her mind after she heard what she had to say. It was probably important because Cambria hardly said anything.

“Lunch time?” Macaulay asked. Cambria nodded and entered into the classroom.

Macaulay stared at the clock all through geography and chemistry, wishing lunch time would come already. She noticed things she didn’t normally notice about her classmates because she was usually too occupied listening to the teacher. Abby Stevens deliberately opened her legs in class because she wanted to get Ben’s attention. She didn’t know what anyone could possibly see in Ben though. He had a brain the size of a peanut. Ben Trojan’s mission in life was obviously to taunt the nerd patrol guys and he spent all his time throwing papers at them like a ten year old. All the nerd patrol guys always sat at the front row except Kevin. It was quite obvious now because Kevin liked to look at Fanny Bridges boobs and this particular seat at the back gave his the much needed access. Fanny Bridges was painting each of her fingernails a different shade of pink. After that she texted Mohinder, who was devastated to receive a message a class, telling him that he would be doing her homework this weekend. The idiot had agreed.

The bell went. Macaulay raced for the cafeteria. She saw Cambria walking in that her usual sluggish way and felt irritated. Hurry up already. She wanted to shout. She noticed then that Cambria was looking even skinnier than before. The poor thing was losing so much weight. Was Cambria gyming again?

“Hi. You got here fast.” Cambria said, sitting down.

Cambria was so skinny that Macaulay was actually scared that she would snap while sitting down.

“Yeah. I was really curious as to what you had to say.”

Cambria reached for her bag and got out the diary. She handed it to Macaulay.

“A book?” Mac asked.

“Open it.” Cambria said drily as if Mac wouldn’t know what to do with it.

“Melanie Griffiths diary? OMG Cammy how did you get this? If the police find out you’re in possession of this, it can be really incriminating.”

“Me? I’m not the one in possession of it. I found it with Derek.”

Cambria watched blood drain from Macaulay’s face.” Derek’s just new here. How could he be with Melanie’s diary? He doesn’t even know her....” Macaulay’s voice trailed off. She stared at Cambria for what seemed to be the longest time, making Cambria feel uneasy.

“What do you know, Mac?”

“Derek does know Melanie Griffiths, Cambria.” Macaulay sounded so upset by that realization.

“What? That’s impossible. He’s been here only a week. He came after Melanie died.”

“I don’t know how or why. But he does. His first day here, he told me that he had to find who’s responsible for the death of Melanie Griffiths. Don’t you think it’s weird, Cam? Just coming after Melanie died and knowing her name?” Macaulay covered her face with her palms. “I can’t believe i was stupid enough to fall for him.”

“You fell for him?” Cambria acted dumb. Seriously, did Macaulay think it was such a secret? “Do you think....you don’t suppose he’s behind all this do you?”

“I don’t know. All i do know is if he know what happened to Melanie, then he would know what happened to Alison. He would know what happened to my best friend.”

Cambria stared at the table, using her hands to draw circular patterns. She raised her head just in time to see Macaulay turn the pages of the diary.

“No! Don’t read it!” she shrilled.

“Haven’t you read it?” Mac looked taken aback by the sudden order.

“No i haven’t and no you won’t either. This was Melanie’s private thoughts, Mac. If anyone should be reading it, it’s the police. But then, we don’t want to incriminate Derek so just give it to me let me return it to the safe confides of his locker.”

“Come on, Cam! Why are you talking so fast, like your nervous?” Mac asked. “Look, i may like Derek and all, but I’ve known him for what? 1 week? I’ve known Alison all my life. If he’s behind this, i want justice.” Her speech gave her even more motivation. “I’m going to walk over to Derek and ask him how the hell he got Melanie’s diary. Are you coming with me?”

Cambria suddenly looked unsure. “I don’t want him to know I’m the one who stole the book.”

“You didn’t steal it, Cam. You just couldn’t hide the injustice!”

“Mac, spare me the Ghandi speech, okay? I don’t want Derek Grey hating me for finding him out. You want to be a judge, fine. Tell him you found the book.”

“Fine! Coward!” Macaulay snatched the book and marched up to where Derek was seated. Cambria shook her head. Macaulay couldn’t see injustice even though it hit her straight on the head.

“Derek?” she hit his shoulder.

“Mac. Hey. Haven’t been seeing you around lately. What’s up?”

“My best friend Alison Greene was stabbed yesterday.” Mac looked into his brown eyes. He first looked as blank as potato skin, and then a worried line crossed his features.

“I’m so sorry, Mac. Is she okay? Are you okay?” he looked genuinely worried. Macaulay tried not to let herself fall into the beckoning brown pools of his eyes. Think of Alison! She told herself.

“Recognize this?” she dropped the diary on the table.

Derek looked surprised. Not alarmed, just surprised. “Where did you get this from?”

Mac laughed bitterly. “I should be asking you the very same thing. Who the hell are you, Derek Grey? And how did you get Melanie Griffiths diary?”

Jay was sitting by his kitchen counter peeling a banana. It had been such a tiring day for him and all he could think of right now was the freshly laid sheets on his bed and the call of sleep, pulling him stronger than any primal instinct known to man. He headed for the stairs and spotted a knife lying on the floor. Strange. All his knives were always in his knife drawer. He bent to pick it up and suddenly, all signs of sleep disappeared. It was as if this was the strong force pulling at him all this while. He stared at the knife for a while. Doctor Edward’s voice came echoing in his mind. When you see any sharp objects, run. It’s the only way to avoid your addiction. Try Jason....try to fight the urge. Jay felt beads of sweat pop out of his skin. A thin line of sweaty film above his upper lip. It pulled at him so much, it hurt to ignore the feeling. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He headed for the door and went out to the streets. All he needed was someone to help him do this....someone to give him the satisfying feeling.....

He woke up with a start, clinging to his bed sheets as if his very life depended on it. Was he dreaming? He stared at his bed side clock. 4:30 am. Gosh! What a nightmare. He looked around him, his pupils widely dilated, to give him the satisfied feeling that he hadn’t indeed cut something. Why was this happening to him again? He’d thought he’d overcome this silly obsession. Why was this turning up to haunt him now? Why had the nightmares returned? Jay tried to fall asleep again, to no avail. His mind kept showing him images of blood-stained knives, and the shrill human cry that came when the knife sank into the skin. He hadn’t had this feeling in a while. He stared at his blackberry. Should he call Doctor Edwards? Tell him the nightmares were back? No. It would be too embarrassing. Doctor or no doctor. He sent a text to his club members instead.

How’s everyone getting on? Club meeting today at 3. My place. Jay.

Josh Brandon had only stepped out of the boys shower room when Ben Trojan gave him what was meant to be a greeting slap on his back.

“Hey mate. Heard you’re starting nursing work at downs floor today.”

Yeah.” Josh tried to make it seem like he didn’t care. “it’s just kids like us, Ben. No biggie.”

“Ha! It’s a biggie, josh.” Ben imitated josh’s voice when he said biggie. “While you’re playing nurse with a bunch of droolers, Abel Daniels will be trying out for the South High Cup Tournament.”

“So? I mean, dude, its Abel Daniels we’re actually talking about here. Do you actually see him as a threat to me as captain? That’s just absurd.”

Ben laughed a deep throaty laugh. “Come on, mate. Don’t play dumb on me. Of course Abel is a threat to you. Did you know his brother is Michael Daniels? The Michael Daniels? Living high school soccer legend?”

Josh tried not to look surprised. “So what? That’s his brother. Not him.”

“Well, Josh; I’m just being a friend here. Abel Daniels beat you up, man. What could he possibly not be able to do? Besides if coach Sylvester finds out that his brother is Michael Daniels, he will definitely want to give him a shot.”

“Whatever, man. I’ll be back in good time for tournament practice. It’s just a three month thing. And if I’m good enough, i may get off early.” Josh dried his body and put on some deodorant. He put on his jeans and a black T shirt.

Ben looked bewildered. “No way, dude! You’re going to work with Downs people! You can’t go in black. They’ll think you’re like angel of doom or something, i have just the shirt for you.”

Josh rolled his eyes as Ben presented him with an animal rights body hugging T-Shirt. Could today get any worse? He put it on first and then wore his black tee over it, planning to remove it as soon as he was on the Down’s syndrome floor. He headed for the door just as Abel Daniels was coming in.

“Daniels!” some jock shouted from the back of the locker room. “Welcome man. We’re having practice in a bit.”

Some ignorant person asked then. “Who’s Daniels? Is he even on the school team?”

The first jock replied as loudly as possible. “He’s the dude who beat Brandon hands down.”

Josh left the room just as the ohs and ahs filled the room. He had never been so dejected in his life. He got to the Down’s syndrome floor easily and then spent fifteen minutes outside the door. He couldn’t do this. He really couldn’t. He would go and plead for mercy from Serge. Anything else. Even manual labour, though that was illegal punishment for students. Just as he started to leave, a middle- aged round- faced happy-looking woman came out the door.

“Well, i guess you were right Jen! There is someone here to see us today after all.” She said to one of her students who smiled shyly.

What the fuck? Was the first thing that crossed josh’s mind. He should have escaped sooner.

“Come in young man. What’s your name and to what do we owe this pleasant visit? I’m Michelle Shaw by the way.”

“Josh Brandon.” Josh mumbled.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Brandon. Principal Mc.Kinley told us we would be expecting you. This is Jennifer Mayfair. She’s the one who spied you pacing the front door. Didn’t you, Jen?”

Jennifer seemed like the quiet type. She lowered her eyes again. Josh looked round the room and felt his heart sink. Were these people learning how to colour pictures? They all looked happy...like children. No correction. Like babies. Michelle Shaw continued. “Jennifer will introduce you to our way of doing things here Mr. Brandon. Hope your three months with us will be all you hope it to be and much more.” She hadn’t stopped smiling all the while.

Josh fought the urge to smirk. Was this woman for real? Did she really think he would be happy here? When Abel Daniels was about to steal his football career from under him?

Someone tugged at his shirt and he looked at Jennifer in disgust. What did she want?

Jennifer gave him a picture book and crayons.

“Paint into the picture lines, don’t let it spill out of it.” She said. He could hear the eagerness in her voice. This was obviously so much fun for her.

Josh watched as she painted hard at her pictures. A seventeen year old human being was painting pictures? He had to wake up from this nightmare as soon as possible.

Macaulay caught up with Cambria just outside the school gate.

“Cammy. Hey, did you get Jay’s text message? We’re supposed to have a meeting...are you on your way there now?”

Cambria didn’t even act as if Macaulay had just said a word at all. Mac tried not to look too surprised. “Cam, did you hear me?”

Cambria walked on.

“Cambria.” Macaulay pulled at her shirt. “Come on. What’s the snubbing for?”

“Leave me alone! I’m not going for any hypocritical club meeting. I don’t want to add weight or whatever. I like myself like this. Leave me alone Macaulay Morris. You are nothing but a hypocrite.”

Mac looked taken aback. “What did i do...

“Oh come on! Don’t act dumb. You don’t even like me. You’re just hanging out with me cuz Jay said we have to help each other out.”

“No! That’s not true Cam, i like you! A lot.”

“Hypocrite, hypocrite, HYPOCRITE!” Cambria was shouting now. “You’re nothing but a hypocrite. Fine, so I’m puke girl and the girl that you hang out with at club meetings but ditch in front of your best friend. But I’m sincere and open and i don’t toy with people’s feelings. You’ll pay for this Macaulay Morris. Just see if you don’t.” Cambria walked further, and then turned for a last word. “Tell Jay i won’t be coming today.” With that she walked off.

Macaulay’s heart raced as she watched Cambria walk away. The girl could be scary at times. She mounted her bike and rode off to Jay’s place. Abel was already there, but Jay wasn’t.

“Where’s jay?” Mac asked after sitting down.

“He put a sticky note on the door saying we should get his key from the usual place and wait for him inside. I guess he should be here soon. Where’s Cambria?”

“She’s having an attitude.” Macaulay said, not wishing to explain further. She was glad that Abel didn’t prod further either.

“So, how does it feel being the new Josh Brandon?” Mac asked.

Abel rolled his eyes. “I’m not the new him. He was the old me.”

“Pathetic quote, abel. Nice, but pathetic still.”

They both shared a laugh.

Abel added. “Coach Sylvester was quite impressed to learn that my brother is Michael Daniels. And after my try outs today, he said the skills are definitely genetic. I took that as a compliment.”

“Isn’t this too sudden, Abel? I mean, last week you were Abel, recovering drug addict and now you’re Abel, the jock? All because you beat up Josh Brandon?”

“What can i say? It’s my time to shine, Mac.”

“WOW.” Sarcasm dripped from Macaulay’s exclamation.

They fell into a comfortable silence.

Macaulay’s phone vibrated, alerting her of a new message. She opened it.

OMG, Mac, Alison’s been stabbed. She’s being rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital right now. Me and the girls are heading there. Please hurry up and get there. It’s so terrible. The psycho killer has struck again! SASHA.

Macaulay’s breathing was uneven. Alison! She jumped off the chair.

“My best friend has been stabbed, Abel. I don’t know how or why or who could possibly stab my own Alison....” she broke down and tears ran down her cheeks.

“Who would stab Alison?” Abel wondered. He added slowly. “Is she dead?”

“no.” Mac sobbed on. “But she’s being rushed to the QA Hospital. Sweet sweet Alison. What sort of psycho killer is this? I’ve got to get to her. You stay here and tell jay what happened.”

“Sure, sure.” Abel agreed readily. Just then, there was a turning in the door lock. Macaulay screamed with fear.

“The killer’s here for me!”

“What killer? What happened Mac?” jay asked worried. He looked at Macaulay’s tear stained face. She couldn’t move for a while.

“She’s sore with fear, jay. Her best friend was stabbed.” Abel helped.

“Alison is your best friend?”

Abel’s head came up. “How did you know her name is Alison?”

“It’s all over the radio. I’m so sorry Mac. She’s being rushed to a hospital though.” Jay wrapped Macaulay in a warm bear hug.

Macaulay wiped her cheeks. “I’ve got to get there, Jay. Sorry. See you guys later.”

“Give me feedback, okay?” jay said.

“Me too!” Abel added.

Mac walked past Jay and Abel and helped herself out of the house. She rode her bike as fast as she could into Queen Alexandra’s emergency unit. Sasha, Kate and June were seating at the waiting room, wrapped in each other’s arms.

“OMG, Mac, thank God you’re here.” Sasha said.

“Is Ali alright?” Mac asked.

“Yeah, she’s still unconscious but the doctors said she should be fine. They have to stop the bleeding though. Whatever the psycho used to stab her narrowly missed her heart. But i don’t think you’re okay Mac. Your arm is bleeding.” Sasha said.

Macaulay looked down to see a red blood stain on her arm. She rolled up her sleeves. “No I’m not.” Not cut or injury in sight.

“where did the blood come from then?” sasha looked at her warily. “did you touch someone that got injured?”

“I just changed into this shirt before going for my club meeting. The only people I’ve seen so far are Cambria, Abel and jay. OMG! Jay hugged me. Do you guys think he had blood on him?”

Kate and June started crying.

Cambria put her key in the lock and the parlour door squeaked as it opened. She peered in. No sign of her father, which oddly came to Cambria as a relief. She went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. They were out of energy drinks. Again. Her father wasn’t a keen supporter of her quest for fitness and though he tried to make her life as comfortable as possible, he always had this reservation when it came to her losing weight.

“I like you fat, Cam.” He said a few years back when she was as chubby as a pumpkin and complained day in day out of her size. But she hadn’t listened to him, because that was the sort of thing that parents said to make their kids feel all better. Then slowly, she’d started going to the gym and losing weight. Weight loss wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She found a new excuse everyday to skip a different meal of the day. Once, her aunt Sarah, who was a nurse, came over and forced her to eat something disgustingly fattening. Something so fattening and gross, Cambria couldn’t bear to remember its name. That was when she discovered her soft palette. After each forced meal, she would go into the confides of her bathroom and touch her soft palette until all the food came regurgitating. She started looking so gaunt and thin that her father got worried.

“I want to be thin, dad. If you don’t like me for who i am, then i don’t think you like me at all.”

“Honey, you’re perfect to me. I would love you even if you were medusa. Thing is, this isn’t healthy for you, cam. You aren’t getting enough nutrition. You’re body needs a little fat to give you energy. You’re going to be sick.”

“No I’m not. I take approved energy drinks. You know what dad? Forget it. You wouldn’t understand anyway. You’ve been fit all your life! I wish mom was here. She was fat. I bet she wished every day of her life that she could get to a size ten.”

Her father had quietened, as if totally short of what to say. Cambria took that as the approval to stock the icebox from top to bottom with energy drinks and slim tonics.

Shutting the fridge door, Cambria ran up the stairs to drop her school bag and get out her pocket money. She had to get some drinks. She panted for air like a ridiculous dog for five minutes before gaining the courage to move to her room. She felt so weak. On getting to her room, she got out her wallet and collected some money. Just as she was about to put it back, she spied her measuring tape.

Oh good. She thought. Time to see how my dedicated gym hours have paid off. She measured round her waist, hips and bust. Her eyes shot open, all sign of weakness disappearing. She hadn’t lost one kilogram in two weeks! Her mind shot through her week as fast as she could manage. What was she eating wrong? It must be the energy drinks. She would cut down on them. In fact, gym hours would have to increase to after school as well. Cambria took out extra money to pay for her gym sessions and crossed energy drinks off her list of things to buy. Sliming tonics would just have to do.

Macaulay bowed her head as her mother said grace before meals. Her family looked so ideally and religiously happy. Mother and father at two opposite ends of the table, children spread in between. After grace ended, Macaulay hungrily reached for the bowl of pasta and dished it into her plate.

“So Arnold,” her mother began with her legendary wide smile on her face. She was referring to Mr. Morris. “i was by TESCO this evening and guess what? Jenna Curtis was getting some insurance in the adjacent building. I concluded that because it was obviously an insurance firm and well, you know Jenna and David aren’t all that financially stable so i went over as the good friend i am to ask Jenna what was up. She said she was getting some car insurance. That totally surprised me. Considering that Jenna and David sold their 1960 Volkswagen. She said her son Ian had sent them some money. Amazing isn’t it? And rumour has had it for weeks that Ian is into drug dealing. I just smiled when she said so and told her congratulations.” She finally cut into her chicken. Macaulay and her elder sister Caitlyn shared a glance from across their plates. “How was school today girls?”

“Fine.” Caitlyn shot immediately.

“Macaulay?” her mother waited.

“Fine.” She said quickly and pushed her broccoli round her plate.

Her mother looked at her. “By that do you mean school was fine or do you mean you found a sale in some silly top shop.”

Macaulay felt her appetite slipping gradually away. The one day, the very one day she didn’t go shopping was the one that her mother had to choose to taunt her.

“I mean the day was generally alright, mother.”

Her mother shrugged. “Well, I’m just being concerned.”

“Yeah...right.” Macaulay mumbled. She couldn’t keep the irritation out of her voice but it wasn’t her fault she had pre-menstrual syndrome combined with the fact that her mother was being an unbearable pest.

“What did you say, Macaulay Morris?” her mother shot.

Macaulay rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, mother! Don’t go all baby on me. I’m 17 for crying out loud. Fine, i shop. I like shopping. It’s what i do, just like you like knowing everything that goes on in everybody’s life!”

“Macaulay!” her father had been quiet all this time, but now he couldn’t keep it to himself any longer.

“Well, Macaulay, your shopping is my business and you are a baby, because it’s my money you’re spending. When you get out of college or do something responsible like taking a part time job like your sister, Caitlyn, you definitely won’t ever hear me ask about what you do on the high street. Until then it’s my rules, Macaulay. Mine!”

Macaulay swallowed her broccoli in a lump and focused on her meal.

Abel Daniels was watching Naruto 506 when his mother popped her head in.

“Abe? Someone’s here to see you.”

“Not now, mom. In the middle of Naruto.”

“What’s that?” his mother’s face went blank.

“Never mind.”

“You should come and say hello or something, Abe. Jeff says he’s not going until you see him. He won’t drop a message either. Says it’s too confidential. I mean what could 17 year olds have that’s so confidential....”

Abel cut her short. “Jeff is here?” he jumped off his bed, leaving his show still playing and ran down the stairs.

“Hey, mate. Took you a while to get here.” Jeff stated

“You’ve got it?” Abel was panting from his stair flight.

“Yeah. I almost gave it to your mother, because you were taking such a long time...”

“Are you insane? My mother? Do you really hate me that much Jeffery?” Abel gasped.

“...but i didn’t.” Jeffery tried to continue. “Here’s your crack. Fifty pounds worth, just as you asked.” He handed him a polythene bag.

Abel looked left and right as if he was crossing the road before he accepted it. His body felt the familiar tremor when he held the forbidden fruit in his hands. He could smell it already....

“Abel! My fifty quid!” Jeff’s voice dragged him back to reality.

“sure.” He handed him the money as if it was a worthless penny and headed for the stairs.

“You be careful with that, mate. You seem to consume that stuff faster than speed of light.”

“Get going, Jeff. I need some time alone with my fifty quid worth buddy here.” Abel pointed to the bag. He ran up the stairs as soon as Jeff shut the door behind him.

His mother came out of the kitchen. “Abe? Where’s Jeff? I got out some juice and snacks for him.”

Abel Daniels was already absorbed in the powerful claws of cannabis.

Abel’s body shuddered a bit as he finally sniffed in the source of his obsession. He couldn’t explain how it happened really, but all of a sudden his mind became calm and he could think properly. Had he just beaten josh Brandon? He hadn’t known the guy was such a pussy. And he’d been scared of him for years. Imagine that. What else had serge said? That he was in detention, and something about the soccer team. Oh well, whatever. At least he’d shown Brandon who was the boss. He washed his hands and came out of the gents.

“Daniels!” Ben Trojan immediately launched his muscular frame on Abel’s back. “You’re the man! You beat Brandon hands down.”

“I guess.” Abel shrugged.

“OMG! There he is!” Anna shouted.

“Who?” her friend asked.

“The guys who gave Josh the beating of his life.”

“That guy?” another friend chirmed in. “does he even school here?”

“What’s his name?” Abby Stevens asked. “i like strength in a man.”

“Abel Daniels. You needed to see how he beat up josh as if it was nothing.”

Soon, a little crowd had gathered around Abel. Macaulay and Alison were coming out of their class. “Is that abel?” Mac asked, shocked.

“Who’s abel?” Alison looked blank.

Mac rolled her eyes. “He’s also a club 17 member.”

Alison snorted. “how did Cambria ever make it into that club anyway? The club’s full of cool people.”

Mac’s eyes widened. “Don’t be silly, Ali. It’s just me, Cammy and abel. Not to brag or anything but I’m the coolest person in the group. Everyone thinks Cammy has dementia and Abel...well...no one even knows who Abel is.”

“Obviously all the cool kids do. And Ben Trojan is singing his praises.” Alison said.

“Abel Daniels beat up josh Brandon.” Anna turned sharply and offered the info.

Mac choked. “What? Impossible.”

“But obviously true. You don’t happen to have his number now, do you Mac?” Alison was looking at Abel like eye candy.

“I’d like it too.” Abby said. “There are so many people around him that i don’t think I’ll ever get around to meeting him up close....and then, i may get cold feet.”

Mac felt like dying. “Cold feet? This is Abel Daniels we’re talking of. ABEL DANIELS! Gosh!” with that she left to buy herself lunch.

The line to buy snacks was ridiculously short because scales had suddenly fallen off everyone’s eyes and people were noticing Abel for the first time. Macaulay didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. She had always prided herself as the best club 17 member. The one with the least life threatening addiction. Now Abel was suddenly popular. Was he on drugs when he beat up josh? She had a good mind to tell everyone but then she remembered that club 17 members were never supposed to tell on each other.

With two people left before it was her turn, Mac seized the opportunity to choose what she wanted in her head. She was really hungry, and lasagne sounded really good right now. But she had to stop at Marks and Spencers on her way home. Just for window shopping of course. And then if she found something she really really liked and needed, she would get it. So no lasagnes till she got more money. A fajita would just have to do for now. Fajita and sprite.

“Hi. I’m Derek Grey.” He towered well above her tall frame and Mac found herself staring up at him. She had always considered herself a person with a boyish frame because at 17 years of age, she already stood at 5 foot 9 inches. This guy had to be at least 6 foot 4. “I’m kind of new here. I know its weird changing school in my final year, but. It’s sort of complicated. I need your unbiased advice though. Should i take plain fish and chips or should i have hot chicken wings instead? I know not everyone makes good fish and chips and i don’t want anything that’ll get my stomach upset.”

Mac tried not to stutter. If she checked up definition of hot in the dictionary, they would probably have a picture of him there with a tag saying: HERE IT IS. “Definitely hot chicken wings. Someone once found worms in his fish.”

“thanks.” He winked at her. Macaulay immediately noticed his chocolate brown eyes and the long lashes that framed it. Was she having a crush at first sight? She hardly ever crushed on anyone. Now suddenly, this stranger!

“What are you having, by the way?” he was looking down at her! The only other boy who was tall enough to look down at her was josh Brandon, and even him had been certified ‘unmanly’ by the skinners and cheerios. “Just a fajita and a can of sprite.”

She heard him tell the sales lady. “Make that chicken wings and chips, a fajita and a can of sprite.” The lady put them on a tray and told him the price. Derek brought out a credit card. Macaulay’s mouth literally fell open. Pretty, hot and rich!

“I’d like to sit with you if you don’t mind. It’s pretty annoying, not knowing anyone.”

“sure.” Mac hoped she sounded convincing. They found a seat easily since almost everyone was still pinning for Abel's attention.

“So, what’s the name?”

Mac noticed that whenever Derek was talking, he made a point of looking the person in the eye. That made her very uneasy. “Macaulay Morris.”

“Macaulay.” He tested the name first, and then added. “Where is everybody? This has got to be the driest high school cafeteria in history.”

“oh no it isn’t usually this way. They’re all getting to know some kid for the first time. Because he beat up josh Brandon.”

“You know, right now, I’m sorry i asked, because I’m totally in the dark with whatever it is you’re saying.”

“Why did you change school then? To here of all places. You know, one of our school students was murdered last week.”

“Oh, i moved because of family issues and stuff. Has the murderer been found?”

“Not at all.” Mac said. “The police are doing their very best.”

Derek snorted. “That’s what they always say but really, they are like those cartoon cops who do nothing but eat doughnuts all day long. Don’t you guys have like snoop dogs in this college?”

“Snoop dog? Isn’t that a rapper?”

“No, Mac. Not snoop dog. Snoop dogs. That’s the name for people who go about acting like detectives in cases like this.”

“oh.” Mac was truly short of words. Why would anyone want to get involved in police business?

“You sound unimpressed.” Derek smiled slightly. He had a dimple! Mac noted.

“Not exactly. Just surprised. Are you a snoop dog?” she asked.

“Actually, i am. I’m going to get behind what happened to Melanie Griffiths. Nice meeting you Macaulay Morris. I hope i get to see more of you in Cosham high.” He stood up and left the table. Macaulay felt irritated with herself for swooning over him like an overfed puppy. She let herself reminisce how his eyes twitched when he spoke and that hot dimple! Just then, the cafeteria started filling with students who had come out of their Abel trance and decided they needed to eat something. Macaulay stopped short on her way out of the cafeteria. In all her swooning and crushing, she had failed to notice something eerie and important about Derek Grey. How had he known Melanie’s name?

“It just doesn’t make any sense.” Macaulay told Alison as they got out their books from their hallway lockers. “We have a killer on the loose. What if it’s a serial killer, Ali?”

Alison hugged her books to her chest and shivered. “i don’t know what to think anymore. I used to think of Cosham as the safest part of England.”

They turned at a corner and Macaulay spotted Fanny Bridges and her clique of super skinny cheerleaders talking by themselves. Cambria was watching them with the exact kind of gaze you would find a fat kid looking at food with.

“Hey Cammy.” Macaulay said, walking up to her. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m...I’m alright, i guess.”

Cambria had always been the quiet one. Her always melancholic and pale white features made it difficult for anyone to notice that she had the most amazing violet eyes. She couldn’t really be bothered to keep her hair orderly. It had grown into different unbelievable lengths and was so difficult to comb, that she’d given up totally on it. Macaulay wondered what was up with Cambria. How could any mother let her child live this way?

“You want to go talk to Fanny and the skinners?” Alison asked. ‘Skinners’ was the nickname for the Fanny’s puppets that followed her everywhere in pretty short skirts and size 2 tops.

Cambria shook her head. “i have my GCSE revision classes in a bit.”

“Alright. Heard anything from jay or abel yet today?” Mac asked.

Cambria shook her head and hurried along.

Alison had this disgusted look on her face. “The babe smells like puke, Mac.”

“She has bulimia, Alison. Give her a break.”

Alison shivered. “I wonder how you can be friends with such a person. She can’t even get her hair right.”

“She isn’t my friend.” Macaulay shouted back. “Just a club mate that i try to be civil to.”

Just then, Macaulay caught Cambria’s stare from across the hallway and regretted shouting it. Cambria’s face drew up into a scary straight punch as she walked away.

Macaulay tried not to mind and walked into her math class with Alison. Alison pinned herself beside Ben Trojan, a Greek exchange student who had this particularly weird magnetic charm that pulled girls to him. Macaulay rolled her eyes and went to sit at the back of the class. She brought out her blackberry and started texting Alison. At the same time in the gym, Cambria McAdams was running treadmills at 80miles per hour to vent her anger. She would get them for this. Nobody messed with her and walked away with it. She had proof of that already.

Abel Daniels was squinting in the sun, waiting for someone to pick him to join their soccer team. Josh Brandon as, irritatingly as usual, was captain of one team and Keith Andrews was captain of the other. Coach Sylvester was so sure there would be fair picks that he had left to get himself a mocha chino. He watched one by one as they called their friends in to be part of their team. Abel sat down quietly, not minding exactly. It wasn’t as if he usually got picked. Soon, their picks were made and left on the bench with him were the nerd squad. Kevin Bailey, Chris Sharman, Philip Eden, Adam Harris and Mohinder Rai. Abel wasn’t usually the one to start conversation, so he pretended to look forward, stealing occasional glances at the others. He knew Kevin and Adam vaguely because they were in his chemistry class. He couldn’t help imagining how pathetic he must look; sitting with the nerd squad.

“So, um...I’m Adam. These are my friends Chris, Philip, Mohinder and Kevin. What’s your name?”

Abel wanted to roll his eyes. They didn’t know his name? His brother was a legend in this school for Pete’s sake. The first person to score a goal against Peterson highs football team...and this bunch of nerds didn’t know him? Absurd!

“Abel Daniels.” He waited for the recognition to show on Adam’s face to no avail.

“Oh...right.” Adam said, looking as blank as a board.

As silence engulfed the bench, Abel tried to keep his attention on the match going on. How come he never got a shot to try out for this stupid team? It wasn’t as if he liked soccer or anything. It was just that Michael had excelled at it, and Michael was just about his role model in everything. If Michael had done this, he could too. Just then, the cheerleaders came out for their daily practice with fanny bridges leading the way as usual. Abel tried not to look at the enticing display of creamy, white, olive and chocolate coated thighs that scampered across the field. He let himself be sucked into a world where he wasn’t a nobody and he had all the babes stalking him.

“Hi, I’m fanny bridges. I’m sorry to disturb you guys, but can you move over to the other part of the field? The cheerios and I would like to practice our routine for the South High Cup tournament.”

Abel snapped out of his fantasy. Was fanny bridges actually having an actual conversation with him? And what exactly was she saying? He couldn’t stop staring at her cleavage through her cheerleader outfit.

“Excuse me?” fanny was tapping him like he was some retard. “Could you move? Your friends have, so you should too.”

Abel turned a bit and saw Adam and the others waving at him from the other end of the field, beckoning him to come and join them. For some reason, he had turned to stone practically. Fanny looked to be getting irritated. She fanned herself as if telling herself to stay calm.

“You could move now, or when coach Sylvester comes. Either way, you’ll have to go.” Fanny waited for him to move. “For the love of God!”

“I’m..I’m Abel. Abel Daniels.”

Fanny rolled her eyes. “And you’re on cheerios property. Nice introduction. Now could you get going?”

Abel stood up and stretched out his hand. “its a pleasure to meet you fanny bridges.” He was stuttering. He snuck a glance at the other end of the field and saw the nerd patrol watching him like he was a mystery soap opera.

Fanny looked him over and snapped her gum. “whatever.” Then she turned to her team. “Alright girls. Loser’s gone.”

Abel head snapped up. He felt his jitter coming strongly. Who did she think she was? Calling him a loser? He needed something to calm him down. Where were his drugs? Oh God. Oh God! He felt like he was going to die.

“Excuse me? I thought i told you to scamp.” Fanny said poking his back when he still hadn’t left some seconds later.

Abel's eyes were red. He caught fanny’s arm and squeezed it tightly. Fanny cried out in pain.

“Let me go, you freak.”

His voice trembled violently as he tried to make words. “i am not a freak. Or a loser.” He tightened his grip.

The other cheerios members started screaming. Anna ran for the school building in tears. Josh Brandon took a second from his game to look at the commotion. He left immediately to his girlfriend’s side. He pulled fanny free and held Abel by the collar.

“What the hell man?” he said before punching him.

Abel had always been reasonably scared of josh Brandon, who stood 6feet 3inches to Abel's 5 foot 7 stature. But today, he didn’t know where the strength came from. He gave josh a punch back. By this time, Adam, Kevin, Mohinder, Philip and Chris had run back and tried to separate the two young men.

“OMG!” fanny was shouting. “You guys split it right now. You’re acting like a bunch of babies.”

That was when Abel gave Josh another hefty blow. Murmurs scattered round the cheerios, soccer team and nerd patrol. Abel Daniels was beating josh Brandon up?

“Fight! Fight!” Ben Trojan started.

Some minutes later, Mc.Kinley, coach Sylvester and Anna Hunt hurried to the field. Mc.Kinley blew his whistle, abrupt rage showing on his features.

“How dare you!” he began, once they had been separated. Josh Brandon had a black eye that had reddened noticeably. His jaw was swollen and he was holding his obviously broken arm closely to his chest. Abel Daniels just had the cut where josh had scratched at him.

Mc.Kinley looked from one to the other. “Now, i don’t care who started what. This is your last year at Cosham, you two and i expected more! Not this show of immaturity. Scaring your colleagues. Anna Hunt came to me saying that Abel Daniels is the serial killer! I mean, come on. I expect better.” He looked them both over critically before saying. “What classes do you have today, Brandon?”

Josh Brandon had obviously not gotten over the abject humiliation he had been thrown into. “Soccer, gym, and mechanics.”

“How about you, Daniels?”

Abel tried not to jitter too obviously. His body was giving way, telling him that he needed to take his weed as soon as possible. “chem. - istr- i” he managed.

“My decision is final. You both get two hour detention each day of the week for a month and individually, Josh Brandon, you’re working with the Down syndrome students for three months. Abel Daniels, you’re working with the soccer team in that same time limit.”

Josh could have cried that moment. The students around had spluttered into uproars of laughter. Abel really couldn’t be bothered with anything other than the weed calling out to him from his locker.