The days leading up to the arts showcase in Victoria's honor were like stepping into a vortex. There was so much going on yet nothing at all. It was overwhelming yet simplistic. Basically, a week that flew by faster than I could process.

Helen was continuously pestering me about stressful events. One being the date she was preparing for Zac and I. This one, I didn't mind as much since it was helping me fulfill my end of the deal with Hannah. She asked me questions about Zac's taste and preferences as well as mine. She bought a dress she wanted me to try on, and tried five different natural looking makeup tutorials on my face. Other than that, her plans for the date were completely underwraps. Whenever I asked for details she put a finger to my lips and smirked.

The dress she chose was blue. According to an all-knowing color palette chart, this navy blue was the most flattering color for my skin tone. It was longer than I expected- longer than any dress I ever worn. It stopped right above my ankles and the sleeves went to my wrist. The fabric was slimming but didn't cling to my skin and had a small part at the waist with light ruffles at the top. That night when I was standing in front of the mirror in her hallway, Helen explained exactly why she had chosen it.

"It's modest. I've noticed it's what you are most comfortable in. That works in my favor because the last thing you need to do to win over Zac is be flashy. Personally, I think he's into your more innocent side. I mean, he's never mentioned or acknowledged any of the bad things you've done." Her words didn't mean to cut deep and the only reason they did was because they were true. Zac didn't know the real me and he didn't want to.

I assumed Helen would forget about the diner incident. That was dumb to think. How could she forget the cryptic message taped underneath the table, along with the pictures that proved someone else knew about the crime we committed? She kept asking what it was about so I responded the same way she handled my questions. I put my finger to her lips. Of course, this situation wasn't as light as the location of my date but I figured it was better if I treated it that way around her.

Then there was trying to socialize with Zac. I was planning on working my way up to asking him on a date. Slowly, I eased my way into his friend groups and became his lab partner. Originally, I had thought getting closer to him would be a difficult task considering my awkwardness. Turns out I learned some social skills from the group that came in handy.

The closer I got to Zac the more enchanted I felt. Enchanting. The perfect word to describe him. His nature was so refreshing. The way he talked, the way he looked at me, the way my name sounded when he said it, it was all so enchanting. But sometimes the air around us would shift and he would give me this look. His eyes would glint the way your eyes do when you are about to take a risk and his mouth would open to say something. Then as quickly as it appeared it was gone. Zac sure did keep me at the edge of my seat.

Asking Zac out wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. My nerves sure got the best of me leading up to the big question but while I did the actual asking the stomach knots went away. The shy smile on his face gave away the answer even before he said a word.

I thought the day I asked Zac on a date would be more memorable. That I would remember every word and every look. That I would capture the scene in my head like a sculpture in a snow globe. Looking back at it, I struggle to recall how it happened exactly.

On the other side of things, my witch hunt had taken a change of direction after the visit to Eline. She said Hannah was there the day Victoria died and she knew more than she let on. Maybe a major information source was right in front of me this whole time. Hannah was involved in everything. Of course, she found a way to be involved in this too.

I kept my eye on Hannah that week. One could call it creepy the way I observed her. I watched so closely I even knew what her homework was. Still, I couldn't find anything. Confronting her head on wasn't an option either so I went to the person that could keep a better eye on Hannah. The person who regrettably lived with her.

"What do you mean 'keep an eye on her'?" Shelby asked giving me a weird look.

"Just let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary," I said, cramming some books into my locker. "That's all."

She shook her head. Her hair was in a braided crown and she wore a black leather jacket with smokey eyes and dark lipstick. Her outfits were different each day. Apparently she was trying out different styles. "Have you seen Hannah? Her whole life is out of the ordinary."

"Please! This is important to me!" I begged, giving her the best puppy dog eyes I could muster, which was strange considering I was a good four inches taller and looking down at her.

"Fine," she caved. "But I'll need some binoculars because there's no way I'm getting close to her."

Scattered among these occurrences were rehearsals for the arts showcase. We did our full run through on stage where we got to see eachother perform for the first time.

The other group had made a dance. It represented Victoria's personally. It was light and fun but beautiful. None of them were professional dancers but the love they had for Tori made it work.

Then it was our groups turn to rehearse on stage. I hadn't anticipated that I would get nervous. I mean, I was only performing for four other people: Helen, Norah, Pete and Mrs.Pillsbury. Nonetheless. Seeing them sit in the audience with their eyes locked on us made my stomach flip.

Zac switched on the recording track he made and began to snap his fingers to que our singing to start.

I took a deep breath and focused on the image of Victoria. It got me through it.

It was the day of the showcase sooner than I anticipated. I was dressed in formal black attire, standing backstage watching the others dance. My fingers tapped my elbow matching the rhythm of my heart thumping in my chest.

Theo was gazing at Norah lovingly as she leaped through the air, Zac was on his phone, and Hannah was nowhere to be found. She said she'd be here but she wasn't.

That's when I spotted her. She was waltzing down the isles squeezing a small remote in her hand. She carefully eased it into her pocket and by that simple image it was clear she was up to no good. Sliding behind us with a faint look of bliss on her face, she focused her eyes on her victim.

She was staring at Shelby.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, fiercely. Her head snapped in my direction.

"What?"

I turned to face her, squaring my body.

"What are you planning?" The group of dancers were exiting now, as the audience cheered. Pete being the last one off because he took the time to wave at his adoring fans. He gave us a side look as he passed, the only person sensing the tension. His smile faded.

"You guys are next. Don't break each others legs," he said before Hannah could respond.

Then they were announcing us and the backstage crew was shooing us off. I figured whatever Hannah was up to would have to wait until after the performance. I would stop her then.

The music was switched on sooner than imagined it would giving me no time to freeze up as I overlooked the auditorium that was filled to the brim with people. Students, parents, and townsfolk alike.

I followed the guidance teachers advice and focused my gaze at the clock in the far back row. My stage fright left me as we got further into the song. My voice grew stronger and suddenly I was making eye contact with audience members. Soaking up their reactions and soon realizing that I was clearly outshining Theo, Zac, and Hannah. As I hit a high note, I looked to Hannah who wasn't singing her part anymore. I expected her to be bitter about the amount of attention I was getting but she was preoccupied with the gadget in her hand.

It had four buttons and was hidden behind her back. The audience was looking at a seemingly harmless girl with her hands placed shyly behind her. However, from my position I could see her angeling the device in the direction of Shelby who was innocently smiling at me to show support.

The song and my feelings were in harmony now. As our notes became sharp and quick so did my heartbeats.

What is she trying to do? How do I stop it?

Then I saw it. Clear as day.

Shelby was standing in the orchestra with the guidance and the some students who helped out with production since the seats were so limited. Above her were a row of stage lights that weren't being used. One of them was replaced with a bucket. Filled with what - I had no idea- but I didn't want Shelby to find out.

Of course Hannah would take advantage of a huge event like this to pull off something wicked. If I was correct, she would strike at the most climactic moment in the song, which was about now.

I heard the squeak of the bucket turning. It beckoned me to act like a strong wind pulling on a jacket. I sprinted towards the front of the stage and slid off (thanking God that I chose to wear pants). People were gasping as I pushed Shelby away and the substance piled onto the floor. It was sand filled with seashells that clattered onto the ground and shattered too.

The song was just about over and I had missed the ending. Shelby and I exchanged puzzled looks while the crowd cheered and gave a standing ovation. We soon realized that they considered the unplanned chaos part of the show. Shelby grabbed my hand and bowed with me, not missing a beat. We laughed, only having to share a look to communicate that Hannah had did this and was probably enraged that her plan backfired.

We didn't even give her the satisfaction of glancing at her. We just bowed like we were stars.

The moment was victorious - but still I shuddered. Sand and seashells during a performance about Tori?

___________________

"Everyone's talking about you," Helen said. "By everyone, I mean all the kids at school - in a good way!" She was curling my hair with one hand and waving the free hand around like a maniac. I flinched every three seconds fearing she was about to rip my hair out.

"Good things? Are you sure they're talking about me?" I raised an eyebrow at her through the vanity mirror.

"Yes! The students knew what Hannah was trying to pull on Shelby. As expected, they didn't want to get in the way but you did. Bravely, I might add."

"Don't remind me. Hannah is going to have my head served to her on a plate." I rubbed my temples at the thought. "Why is everyone making a big deal about it? Shelby's my friend-"

"And you'd do anything for your friends," she finished with a frown. "That's what makes you so beautiful. I wish I was more like you."

Once she placed the curling wand down, I span in my seat. "Don't say that."

"It's true. You're strong. You left the group which is something Norah and I have wanted to do for so long but never could because we're cowards!" Her narrow eyes filled with tears and her lip quivered. She turned her head to mask them, casting her gaze on the white carpet she kept in her bedroom even though it's been long stained with red fruit punch on the corners.

"Helen, you're probably stronger for staying-"

"No!" I had never heard her speak so loudly. The word radiated through the room, bounced off the walls, and clung onto my skin. "Bravery isn't letting others walk all over you, it isn't putting up with issues you could easily escape. It's taking control of your life!"

My mouth hung open. No words. There were no words I could use to comfort her because her eyes belonged to a warrior looking up at a mountain they couldn't climb. Envious of the moon and how easily it shined at the top, overlooking the large piece of earth with so much ease. Little did she know, that the moon had a dark side. It was so lost it had ended up in an empty void with all its connections lightyears away.

Instead of saying anything I reached out to hug her but she shrugged away.

"Nevermind," she stated, her face contorting into a plastic smile. "You have your special date tonight and you are just about ready to go!" She sashayed her way over to the leather jacket on the bed and helped me into it one arm at a time.

The night had arrived and Zac had confirmed our plans at school. His big eyes were wider than usual and I could tell he was curious to see what I had planned for us. If only he knew it was Helen who did most of the work.

While I walked outside to wait for Zac, my stomach cartwheeled inside me and I fell into my habit of twirling my hair mechanically. It wasn't the normal - butterflies - in - my - stomach feeling. It was more of a my - whole - life - depends - on whether - my - date - kisses - me feeling.

The minutes ticked by in a constant throbbing against my skull. He was 15 minutes late. I reached to text him and then hesitated since he was most likely driving. Just then a text from him popped up on the screen.

Running late :( meet u there?

My heart sunk. The location was a too far to walk to. I would have to take the bus. I tried to tell myself that it wasn't a big deal but I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment.

I knew flats would be a good idea! I thought to myself victoriously.

Helen wanted me to wear these gladder sandals but I wanted to be comfortable. That certainly came in handy now.

The bus ride was quick and soon I found myself at the location my friend had kept secret.

It was a lagoon.

The shallow blue water reflected the moon and the freckled sky in a glorious fashion. The trees and nature around it only adding to the private paradise. A wooden dock laced with pink flower petals see the path to the faded green rowboat fitted with two ores. A picnic basket peeked out of it.

My hands flew to my mouth to keep in a shout of joy. This was way too over the top and cheesy but I loved it!

The only thing that would have made the masterpiece better was if Zac was in it. Yet again, he was nowhere in sight.

I checked my phone again to see no messages or calls. The dock made a good seat so I hung my leg of the edge and skimmed my toes in the water. If only I could have lost track of time while watching the sky and jumping at the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves.

Fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes. An hour.

Three texts from me. Two calls from me.

Another fifteen minutes.

No Zac.