𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐗 . . . 
❝first time talking.❞

᪤

𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀
𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 – episode one

𖡡        grocery store
4:30 pm 

Phoenix sat at the edge of her bed. The Bell house was quiet. It always was. Especially after Andie died. All the light in the house faded away.

Phoenix didn't talk to her family much - even though they lived under the same roof. Becca would talk sometimes. Atticus was never home and when he was, he would spend all his time with Phoenix. While her parents were complete strangers.

Phoenix was the second youngest and still managing to fend for herself. She learned how to drive a couple months ago and was now capable of making herself full course meals, with the money her parents would leave on the counter.

Life wasn't the same in the Bell Manor and it never would be, and Phoenix wouldn't be the same either. Not now. Not ever. Sometimes it felt like she was responsible for what happened, even though she didn't play a part in the situation.

It was four in the afternoon, which meant it was time to go to the store for dinner ingredients. Phoenix grabbed her purse and walked down the stairs. It seemed like no one was home but everyone was shut inside their rooms. Phoenix let out a sigh as she walked out the front door.

The sky was still blue with the sun shining brightly. Phoenix put on her airpods and shoved her hands in her pockets. She didn't pay attention to the weird looks and stared she received from people. That's what happens when your sister dies and everyone knows who you are now.

People would come up to her all the time asking her questions, but Phoenix refused to open her mouth. It was best if she kept shut, no one deserved to know the truth and everything she has been through.

Phoenix nodded at the cashier as she walked into the grocery store. Phoenix kept her head down as she walked to one of the aisles. She spotted one of the ingredients, spaghetti noddles. Phoenix picked it up and placed it into the basket.

She felt weary like if someone was watching her, she shrugged it off thinking it was someone who recognized her. Phoenix went over and got tomatoe sauce. She turned around and noticed a girl who was obviously looking but turned around once Phoenix looked her away.

Phoenix rolled her eyes walking from the aisle, she could hear footsteps following. Everytime she stopped in her tracks the mystery person did to. Phoenix took out her airpods casually and kept walking. Until she turned around unannounced with a stern look shocking the person behind her.

"Just gonna keep following me? or are you gonna speak and tell me what you want" Phoenix had an attitude clearly not in the mood for this. "Im just trying to get-" The girl looked over at one of the shelfs "Bread! Im just trying to get a loaf of bread"

Phoenix furrowed her brows at the girl's appearance as she carried a box. "With muffins." The girl smiled nervously "You a girl scout or something?" Phoenix shook her head and continued walking with her basket "I just enjoy baking fresh goods" Phoenix hummed clearly not convinced

"You look familiar" Phoenix took note of the girl and knew she recognized her from somewhere. "Arent you Cara's friend?"

"Yeah? Im Pip Fitz-Amobi" The girl introduced "Im Phoenix Bell, but you probably know that" The brunette nodded "I remember you tho, you and Cara would always laugh loudly during lunch" Phoenix scoffed at the memory mumbling something under her breath. "Not a bad thing" Phoenix clarified, Pip followed her.

Phoenix walked towards the counter "You still going to follow me and not even give me a muffin?" Pip looked like she hated herself in that moment "Yeah, sorry, here" Pippa opened the container and passed her one. Phoenix bit into it as the muffin filled her mouth. "It's chocolate" Pip clarified as Phoenix swallowed it "Yeah, i can taste it"

"Since you can taste it, did i use cheap or expensive candy" Pip joked "You used Hershey's but i dont know where it falls in the rankings of expensiveness." Phoenix placed all her items on the conveyor belt as the cashier scanned them.

Pip stood next to her awkwardly as Phoenix payed and got her items bagged up. "So Pip, are you gonna go home or keep me company till i get home?" Phoenix seemed genuinely nice for one, No one knew if that was a good or bad thing.

"Might keep you company" Phoenix didn't say anything just continued walking. "This way, it's a shortcut." Phoenix walked into the dirt trail between two fences, it wasn't a shortcut. She just enjoyed walking there as it brought back good memories. Sometimes she hoped he would show up and everything would be normal. But Phoenix quickly shoved those thoughts down.

"Another muffin?" Pip offered holding up the container "No im fine" Phoenix turned down the offer "Im gonna think your trying to poison me if you keep asking."

"Im not, and i'll prove to you that im not my admin that stranger there" Pippa ran up to the tall figure and tapped his shoulder. He took off his headphones and turned to look at Pippa then at Phoenix.

Instantly Phoenix regretted even walking in that path. She knew it was possibility that her thoughts could actually come true but she didn't expect it to be today or ever. Phoenix and Ravi stared at eachother before he looked at Pippa. "One bite couldn't hurt" He took one from her, it was clear he was ignoring the blonde girl.

"Im Pippa" The brunette introduced herself and Phoenix rolled her eyes not happy with it. "And that's Phoenix" Ravi swallowed the muffin and nodded "Yeah clearly, im Ravi" He was dodging her omce again. "Im familiar with you" Ravi looked at Phoenix wondering if she was playing a part in this.

"Im also familiar with Phoenix" Pip was now standing between the ex-bestfriends. "Oh wow" Phoenix shock her head in disbelief. She should've known better and not have let her guard down. "Wait, wait, don't leave, i just wanted to talk about you guys about something and this is the only way i could get you two together"

"Well there's a reason we aren't always hanging around eachother anymore." Phoenix tone was cold as she prepared to walk away. "Ive been wanting to talk to you guys about to EPQ" Pippa revealed, as Phoenix got intrested "These were bribery muffins then"

"Pip, enough small talk and tell us what you want" Ravi finally spoke again "I was brainstorming and i thought about something that matters"

"The case of your sister Andie Bell and your brother Sal"

"So that's what im doing" Phoenix rolled her eyes and walked away "Never come up to us again!" They both shouted and walked in different directions.

                                    ______

Phoenix was eating her dinner in her bedroom. Her television playing in the background. She could feel the vibrations of her phone on the bed but payed no attention. She heard something outside but knew it was probably the tree moving against the window.

That was until she looked and saw a figure. It scared Phoenix. She thought it was one of those stalkers since her and her family had many. Phoenix approached the window and the figured face seemed more clearer.

She saw them wave so she opened her window. "Hello?" She called out "Hey, I need to talk to you about something" It was Ravi. Phoenix had no clue why he was outside her window and what he wanted. "Climb in" Ravi climbed up the ladder and over the window stumbling on the bedroom floor. He took in the appearance of her room noticing every single picture was still up.

"Make it quick" Phoenix went back to eating. "I'll take my time since all your doing is eating" Phoenix flipped him off. "Nice one, asshole" Ravi pretended to be wounded

"But seriously tell me what you want before i kicked you out." Ravi sighed and sat on her bench making sure not to get it dirty, knowing she would freak out if it did. "Something came up" Phoenix motioned for him to continue.

"That Pippa girl came to visit me, she came to my house. Did she come to yours?" Phoenix shook her head. "No one has come by as far as i know, what did she tell you?"

"She apologized and said it wasn't a school project, she wanted to get to the bottom of what happened to your sister and she believed Sal was innocent"

"I know he is, it's still all fucked up Ravi. We have so many unanswered questions."

"That's why im here, she told me something and it had me thinking. We need to work together with Pippa"

"Ravi, this is the only time youve had a full conversation with me in years and this is what your asking?" Phoenix scoffed "I know, but please Phoenix. We both want to know what happened."

"I'll think about it"

vivi - speaks
ekekkke im so excited, rory helped with the introduction of the chap btw :))