Dear Vera,

I was quite shocked when you walked into school today with that short plaid skirt and fake confident smile plastered to your lips.

The blood red lipstick was a nice touch. It reminded me of what Jason looked like as he took his last breath.

-Secret Keeper

I hate funerals.

They're the best place for family drama, secrets, lies, and heart attacks.

After I read the note a couple dozen times I shoved it under a sea of books and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours before drifting off to a restless sleep. It was my brother who woke me up the next morning.

He jumped on to the bed and pretended to sleep on top of me until I woke up from his weight.

"Vincent," I complained as he refused to get off. His blue-brown mismatched eyes looked back with a smile indicating that he wasn't going to leave anytime soon.

"Get off, Vince."

"No."

"Now."

"No."

"I'll tell the Grinch to steal all of your Christmas presents next month if you don't."

"I'm not six! I'm nine."

"You're right. You know what gets a nine year old to do what you want?"

He looked up at me, the curiosity spiking in the eyes I had grown so accustomed to. "What?"

"The tickle monster!" I flipped him over and jabbed my fingers into his stomach. He squirmed as uncontrollable laughter filled the room. He finally broke free and ran out of the room.

Two minutes later his head popped back in.

"Mommy says to get ready for the funeral," he said and left.

So, there I was, getting ready for my cousin's stepfather's funeral as I thought about how I killed one of my best friends.

Life is pretty fucked up.

I was wearing a knee length black dress with black lace around my arms. The ends of the sleeves had a hole so that I could put my thumb through it. My dark brown hair was placed into a messy bun and I applied a little mascara to my long eyelashes. I was about to wear some dark red lipstick and stopped. My mind flickered back to the note from yesterday.

The blood red lipstick was a nice touch.

I shoved the cap back on and threw the lipstick back into the drawer, settling for a lighter red lip gloss. The look was completed with a black hat. It had a black bow around the side and black netting cascading down the front.

I shoved on black two inch heels, grabbed a black and gold purse and made my way down the stairs. My mother was waiting by the door in a black full length dress that articulated her eyes.

"Is dad coming?" I asked her.

She nodded, "Alex's coming a bit later."

"Yay! Daddy's coming home!" Vincent squealed and ran out the door.

Mom laughed, "We should go make sure he didn't run the driver over."

We walked out to the driveway where a sleek black car was waiting. Aunt Odella decided to send a driver to pick us up. Vincent was already in the car. I climbed in next to him as my mother briefly talked to the driver before following.

Vincent sat quietly in his black suit and stared out the window. The kid was a freaking genius. He starting playing Beethoven by the age that most people were still singing the ABC's. He could dribble a ball around high schoolers on the basketball court like they were ants. But yet, none of that mattered. The other kids his age would still run away or tease him repeatedly until he cried. All because of his eyes.

One eye was turquoise blue like my mother's while the other was a dark brown. They were both beautiful, but yet none of the other kids seemed to be able to stand them. After mom and dad sued dozens of families for their kids bullying Vincent he stopped telling us about it. I think the worst hit was when one of his friends joined in on the teasing. Mom and Dad eventually assumed the kids stopped because they were scared. But whenever Vincent came home with droopy eyes or bruises, I knew the truth.

The driver dropped us off at the gates of the cemetery and we walked in. Vincent looked around and tensed at the open space. I immediately knew what he was thinking.

There's no where to hide.

I placed a hand around his shoulder and he eased as we walked towards the base of a hill where a small crowd was gathering. Standing next to the slick black coffin was Aunt Odella. She was wearing a beautiful black dress and hat with dark lipstick and heels. Even after all these years of knowing her I felt the need to hide away from her intimidating beauty. There was a reason she was a model.

She looked so similar to my mother with her long dark brown hair. Her turquoise blue eyes were an exact replica of my mother's. It seemed to be a trait all the woman in my family inherited besides me.

"Olivia!" she called to my mother.

"Ella," she called back and pulled the other woman into a hug. Aunt Odella's eyes watered but she quickly hardened them once more.

"Children," she called us and wrapped her arms around Vincent and I.

"I'm so sorry about Jason," Aunt Odella told us. "He was good boy."

I know.

I didn't kill him.

"Where's Alyssa?" I asked her, desperately changing the subject.

"She's not here yet. Said she would come a bit later."

"Oh, well I should-"

"Vera! Vinny!" a voice called out. Someone assaulted the two of us with yet another hug.

"Grandma!" Vincent squealed as the older woman ruffled his brown hair. My mom and Aunt Odella left us as they started talking off to the side.

"How are you two?"

"We're good," Vincent replied with a skip in his step and she led us farther into the rows of chairs.

"I heard what happened to that poor boy. Nobody deserved to die so young. May he rest in peace."

I nodded along, employing the movie tactic again.

"You know, Vera, I wanted to talk to you."

"Me?" I asked, nervous. Why would she want to talk to me after just talking about Jason? Could she have known?

"It's about Alyssa."

"Alyssa?"

God, you're so paranoid.

I didn't kill him. 

"Jason and Alyssa were pretty close," Grandma started and I recalled how close they were. "I'm scared now that he's gone, she won't take it well. You know how she is when she's upset: stupid and reckless. You're the only other person that she held so close to her heart. I want you to help her. Keep an eye on her and make sure that she doesn't do anything she'll regret. Can you do that for me?"

I nodded, "Of course."

"Good. Now-" She was interrupted by the sound of screeching tires.

All around them people were gasping and staring at the sight before them. Even the waiters stopped in their tracks. A bright red Bugatti had parked itself inside the cemetery. The car door swung open and a pair of white laced Louboutin heels stepped out.

Speak of the devil.

"Where's the damn valet?" Alyssa demanded and slammed the car door shut. A waiter set down his tray and shakily caught the keys she threw to him.

Alyssa walked towards us, the crowd parting like the Red Sea. No one spoke as the sleeveless scarlet red dress swam through the sea of somber black garments. The V-neck stooped dangerously low exposing her father's wedding ring, hung on a chain of pure gold.

Alyssa grabbed a champagne glass from a waiter's tray, her stride never slowing, and downed it before making a sour face and throwing the empty glass over her shoulder. Another waiter barely caught it before it shattered on the ground.

She had captured everyone's attention, and judging from the everlasting pink glossed smirk that was on her lips, she loved it.

There was one lesson I was reminded of time and time again.

Don't mess with Alyssa Adler.

Alyssa finally stopped in front us. She gave Vincent a small smile before turning to our shell shocked grandmother.

"The champagne tastes like shit."

Grandma snapped out of her shock and fumed, "It's your step-father's funeral and you're wearing a bright red dress and your father's wedding ring?!"

Alyssa rolled her eyes and said, "Don't act surprised. I always wear Dad's ring and this dress is simply stunning. I couldn't think of a more appropriate time to wear it."

"Show some respect," she scolded. "Your stepfather just died in a car crash."

Alyssa scoffed, "Please. If that car didn't kill him the meth he overdosed on would've."

Grandma opened her mouth but no words came out.

"He was a money-vacuuming junkie, Grandma. I didn't need him bringing Mom down."

Alyssa intertwined her arm in mine and steered me away, leaving our shell shocked Grandmother with Vincent who was talking lividly and desperately trying to get her attention.

"What did you do with your hair?" Alyssa questioned.

"I put it into a messy bun."

"I know. I have eyes. It's looks nice, but you can loosen up a little."

I shrugged, "It doesn't hurt yet. Maybe in another hour..."

Alyssa stopped walking and turned to face me, "You should let it down. Your hair is probably one of the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen and it's all natural. I mean, you don't even use conditioner."

"I use conditioner!"

"No you don't."

"It's a two-in-one."

Alyssa threw me a skeptical look, "You mean the Suave Kids 2-in-1 coconut shampoo?"

"I-well- yeah."

She sighed and took my hat off before undoing the pins in my hair.

"You don't even use real shampoo and it somehow manages to have those perfect waves. Your hair is stunning, darling. Use it."

The hair fell back onto my shoulders and the weight was lifted. I had to admit, it did feel much better.

"And this netting is awful," Alyssa continued as she ripped the net off of the hat and tossed it to the side. "It covers up the natural beauty of your face."

"Um... thanks?" I said. Even after all these years I was still not used to Alyssa's vigorous hidden compliments.

"The only reason I'm letting you keep your hat is because it looks cute," she plopped the hat back on my head and admired her work. "Much better."

I smiled and looked around, my eyes immediately landing on Vincent. He left our Grandmother's side as she talked to avidly to one of her friends and was going through my mother's purse which was left at our chair. He pulled out his tablet and looked around before hiding under the chair.

The overprotective sister in me started acting up immediately.

"Hey, Alyssa," I told her. "I'm just gonna-"

"Hey guys," a girl's voice interrupted and my heart dropped. All thoughts of my brother fled as I turned to face Julia Kleizmick.

Julia stood in a plain black dress, brown hair slightly messy as it sat in two braids, her innocent emerald green eyes puffy and red with dark circles underneath them. My brain couldn't seem to process anything as I stared at her.

"Julia! Oh my god, come here," Alyssa said and wrapped her arms tightly around Julia. "I'm so sorry about Jason."

"It's alright."

The two pulled away and Julia's eyes were glistening with water but she quickly wiped it away. God, her eyes looked so much Jason's. Jason's as they fell straight down the bridge.

No. It was a movie. I didn't kill Jason. It never happened. It was a movie. Just a movie. Nothing else.

I had to get a grip. I could've came out earlier. I could've confessed. I could've told them that it was an accident. But I didn't. Now I had to live with that.

I took a deep breath and looked back at Julia, "I'm sorry, too. Jason was a brother to us as well."

Julia nodded, "I just miss him so much. He didn't deserve to die so early, so insignificantly. It was a simple accident that killed. Just one small accident. That- it's hard to believe. Couldn't it have been something more? Something bigger? At least if he had died of something else it would've made an impact. He could've become a campaigner against leukemia. Or maybe he would've been the most unsolved murder in history. I just- I don't know. It doesn't make any sense."

Julia stared off in deep thought for a minute before adding, "Sometimes I almost wish he had been murdered. Maybe then I would have someone to blame, you know? Just someone other than him. God, that's so selfish."

My mind spun, the world around me suddenly becoming very dizzy as the guilt crushed me down. Why didn't I just say something?

No. We can't do this. Not here.

I didn't kill him.

Just as quickly as it started, it went away. The world steadied as Alyssa stepped towards Julia and squeezed her hand.

"It's not selfish," the blonde told her. "You're allowed to think that, to feel that. You just lost your brother."

Not me, one side of my mind whispered.

But Alyssa's right. Jason was like a brother to me. I should be allowed to feel remorse.

No, you shouldn't. You killed him. And then, you didn't tell anyone about. You didn't own up to your actions and now you have to live with that decisions. You made a mistake, a big mistake, and there are always consequences. Deal with it.

No. I didn't kill him.

Julia nodded back to Alyssa, "Thank you."

A hint of a frown flickered on Alyssa's lips, but it was soon replaced by her signature smile.

"What are sisters for?" she said before looking behind Julia. "Look, it's the boys."

Alyssa grabbed the two of us by the arm and led us toward them as I internally hyperventilated.

You'll be fine, by brain told me. Just remember the movie trick.

I didn't kill him.

I steadied my breathing and looked back up to actually face the boys. Jordan and Tyler were finishing up a conversation towards the back of the crowd. Both of them were wearing black suits that, no doubt, could've given a homeless family enough money each to last years of a steady living.

The two of them turned towards us and that's when I noticed it. Jordan's fist was wrapped up in a small bandage indicating that there were multiple artistic holes in his bedroom walls. Tyler's nose, on the other hand, also looked very broken indicating that he had gotten in the way during this renovating process.

Stupid idiots.

Jordan's green eyes locked into mine and I instantly wanted to go hide under a chair like my brother.

My brother!

God, I was a horrible sister.

I probably would've immediately turned around and ran to find my brother but Jordan's eyes made me stop. They were always a little intimidating. He had inherited his father's ability to make you feel small and weak. But the thing about Jordan was that even when he wasn't trying, it was almost like he could read your mind. He seemed to be able to pick up on ever small thing a human ever did and how to read them instantly. His eyes portrayed that. He could give you a look and you knew that he was reading your soul.

Jordan was looking at me like that right now.

Still, I channeled my inner Alyssa and walked up to him with confidence I never knew I could fake. We neared and his eyes immediately softened as I pulled him into a hug. He still smelled like after-rain air. His hands wrapped around me, pulling me closer as he placed his hands tightly around my back, spreading warmth through my body, warmth that I never thought I needed. It felt safe.

God, I missed his hugs.

We pulled away and the cool breeze felt like ice against my skin. Alyssa took her turn to hug him and Tyler gave me a small smile and nod after he gave Julia a quick peck on the cheek.

Before any of us could speak, Aunt Odella cleared out her throat and clapped her hands.

"Can we all please be seated? Thank you."

The five of us made our way to the front row.

We trudged up the wide stairs, ignoring the looks of sympathy and confusion the other people gave us.

After the funeral had ended, all the attendees went back to Alyssa's house, bringing piles of food for her family. We were supposed to mingle downstairs, but of course Alyssa had her own plans. She led us to her bedroom, claiming that her stepfather's people were there and that she didn't want to be around gold diggers and poor middle class idiots. I personally didn't find them all that bad, but I was never one to argue with Alyssa.

"I thought they were never gonna let us go," Julia mumbled as she flopped onto Alyssa's king bed. Jordan simply nodded and sat at the edge of the bed.

Alyssa crossed her legs as she sat in a small half-back chair and I took my usual perch on the far windowsill. Tyler leaned against the wall in the corner near the bed. All of us tried to avoid looking at the bean bag where our absent sixth member usually sat.

"So," Tyler started. "We're in your room now. I suppose you want to start trading secrets and braiding each other's hair?"

"You wish," Alyssa told him. "I would never let you touch this preciousness."

"He has a point," Jordan said. "What are we gonna do? As much as I love staring at your room, I don't wanna just sit around doing nothing."

"Truth or Dare," Alyssa suggested.

"No," Jordan said. "We go crazy with Truth or Dare and there are people downstairs."

"Twenty Questions."

"Not in the mood," Tyler said.

"Two truths and a lie."

It was my turn to speak, "No."

Alyssa threw her arms into the air, "Guys! We need to do something."

As if on cue, Julia's phone started buzzing.

"Hey mom," she said. "We're in Alyssa's bedr-"

She stopped as she sat up in the bed. "What?! That- What do you mean? There's no way..."

Jordan looked at her as her voice trailed off, "What's wrong?"

She tore the phone away from her ear and said, "Turn on the TV."

Tyler tossed Jordan the remote from the dresser and he turned it on. Immediately, a loud bang filled the room. On the screen, the characters started rapidly cursing as an aquarium exploded in front of them in some action movie.

Jordan turned to Alyssa.

"What?" she said. "This isn't a movie where the TV is automatically on the right channel."

"Fax," Tyler mused and then gave a sour face. "I'm not doing that again."

Jordan sighed and flicked the channel to the news and sure enough, Jason's face was on the screen. The room held a breath as we all slowly stood in unison, staring at the screen.

"As most of you know," the reporter began, "Jason Kleizmick, who went by the name Jason Hargrove, died on Thursday after falling to his death from a bridge in the Riverside Woods. However, just earlier today police had found evidence of another person on the scene."

My breath hitched in my throat and my hands started shaking.

"Wait," Tyler started, "then that means-"

"Officials are speculating that it was a homicide."

The TV remote fell to the floor.

I hate funerals.

Alyssa: Vote if you love me.