Forgive and forget?
_Shut up and dance with me!_
The song from the TV screamed at June who sat almost lifeless on the sofa in the living room. She couldn't bring herself to go to school the next day. She had left the house earlier that morning pretending like she was heading for school but stayed out at her late grandfather's farm then sneaked back after she was sure everyone had left.
Joanna wasn't speaking to her anymore. She didn't even budge when June tried to apologize later that night, or when she tried to bring up a conversation at all. It was like she became invisible to her. Never had she felt distant from her sister like she did now.
At the moment she was trying to find solace in music. It has always been an escape for her. She had learned that shortly after her grandfather's death. When she was faced with any pain or grief, she would just let herself drown in the beats and rhythm.
But it wasn't working as she had thought it would. Rather than taking away her sorrows, it intensified them. The volume of the sound coming from the television only reduced as her thoughts grew louder.
'It's all your fault. You were selfish and now your twin hates you!'
Just as she burst into tears, someone banged on the front door.
She sat up immediately. Who could have known she was at home.
"June, it's me," Grace yelled.
Although her voice reassured June that she wasn't in trouble, it was still a surprise that Grace knew she would be at home.
"How did you know?" She said immediately after she opened the door.
"I know you," Grace answered quickly. "Can I come in?"
June wiped off the tears that brewed on her face before she moved away from the door, ushering Grace in.
"Why aren't you in school?" June asked as she shut the door behind her.
"I wanted to talk to you... I'm sorry."
'So that's what this is all about?'
"Am not angry at you. I just want my sister back."
Grace felt sad for her. She moved closer to hug her.
"I'm so sorry Ju." She said wrapping her arms around June's shoulder from the side then led her to the couch.
Veronica had planned that the next day they would try the rest of the girls back by asking for forgiveness and telling them about the plan whether they wanted to or not. She figured that it was Joana and Margret that was mad at Grace so she sent Grace to June while she handled the rest at school.
'I guess Veronica was right. She wasn't mad at me. I just hope she has as much luck as I did.'
"But as we speak Veronica is talking to them and there might be a chance."
June looked at her with a frown.
"Please don't get angry," Grace pleaded, taking her hand off June. "I know you are already sick of hearing her name but she is the one with the ideas. We barely know what we are dealing with but it seems like she knows what she is doing."
June still didn't look satisfied.
"She made me come here to apologize while she tried to settle things with Joana and Margret... We need you guys to pull the plan off. I need you, Ju."
June got a bit to relax.
"I don't know. If I could just wish all of these to be a bad dream."
"I know, I wish it was just a crazy dream. But look, we got a shot to pull this off and catch the killer before the worst happens."
June knew Grace was talking about her sister. The rest might have deserved their deaths but not Joana.
"Okay," She said sniffling. "What's the plan?"
* * *
The school library was built in such a way that it could accommodate as many as 50 students all at once; not that the number of students that used it reached that amount anyway. It was spacious, having a set of wooden decks on each row and wooden benches on each opposite side. The shelves filled with books were arranged towards the far end of the room.
The librarian, an old woman who appeared to be in her fifties, sat by the entrance, staring down at her iPad with her earpiece on, paying little attention to whatever was going on.
John sat in between Joana and Margret, pen in his left hand, putting them through the examples that the math teacher had given them during the first period. Veronica walked into the library without a care in the world and dropped her hands on the desk in front of them with a thud to get their attention.
"We need to talk."
Joana hissed away.
"Please continue, John."
'What in the world is going on now.' John thought, staring at Veronica. It had been one drama or the other ever since Joana told him that they talked to Veronica.
He shrugged.
'It's none of my business abeg.' He said within himself returned his face to his book.
"What do you want?" Margret asked.
Veronica's expression brightened. At least someone was willing to hear her.
"John, would you be a darling and excuse us, please?" She said smiling at him.
"Uhm, okay--" John said trying to get confirmation from Joana's eyes but she cut him off immediately.
"No oh. You're not going anywhere." She said with sternness in her eyes as much as her voice.
"Alright, fine. It wouldn't hurt if one more person knows about it, would it." Veronica shrugged as she slid onto the bench. She was about to say something when Margret pleaded with John to leave. She knew Margret wouldn't want anybody to find out about Sylvester's death.
"John please, don't mind Joana. We will catch up with you later."
He looked back at Joana but she looked away as soon as their eyes met.
John sighed.
"We'll see later Jo." He said as packed his book then left the library.
Moments after they watched him leave, Margret brought up the conversation back.
"So what do you want? Why aren't you with your best bud Grace."
Veronica scoffed.
"Okay, so the main reason I came here is I want us to settle our quarrel, right here and right now." Said gesturing with her finger on the table.
She turned to Margret.
"You are mad at me because I stole your best friend? That's a lie and you know it. Something terrible had just happened to you and she was worried it was coming for her next. Cut her some slack."
She turned to Joana.
"You are angry because... Why exactly are you angry again? Oh, I remember. Your sister betrayed you when she called you out in our game that night. If there is anyone you should be mad at, it's me. I pushed her to do it and you wouldn't be in this situation if I hadn't. Although I know you never liked me from the beginning so it shouldn't be hard for you--"
"Abeg Abeg Abeg!" (1)Joana said in a harsh voice. It wasn't enough to draw the librarian's attention who was lost in her YouTube videos. "Wetin dey bring all these one na. (2) Do you think all these will erase all that you have done?"
"At least I'm here trying to make things right. You guys tied me up yesterday calling me a witch after I helped you get rid of Sylvester."
"After you lied to us over and over," Margret murmured.
Veronica sighed.
"Look, I know I haven't been entirely honest from the beginning. I feel bad that I brought this all on you guys. I should have said this a long time ago. I'm sorry."
Joana became stunned. She never expected Veronica to apologize. Not ever.
"Now is the time for us to be together." Veronica continued. "There is a chance for us to catch our killer before he strikes again and we need to work together. Grace and I can't handle this alone. We need you too."
Veronica paused to study their expressions. Her words were sinking in well.
"So, what do you say?"
A wave of silence hit them and the tension between them spiked. The next statement to be uttered would determine the effect of Veronica's apology speech.
"Screw this."
Joana said and with that, packed her books and left.
* * *
Grace had told her that if Veronica succeeded in calming Margret and Joana, they would all meet in her apartment to plan ahead of Friday. They sat waiting impatiently in the middle of the small living room, sending glances to the clock more than often. June soon got to her feet, her patience already stretched to the thinnest it could endure.
"Babe it's been two hours. I don't think they are coming."
Grace had been stopping herself from processing that thought. That would mean expecting the worst. Regardless of Veronica's sweet talk, either Joana or Margret- Probably Joana- could have still refused to let it go. The lesser the people involved on Friday, the lesser the amount of ground that would be covered at the party. She couldn't give up hope just yet.
"Maybe they couldn't find a way to sneak out of school," Grace murmured to reassure herself. "Or maybe--"
With that, the door swung open.
Veronica was the first to step out, followed by Joana.
"Sorry, we're late guys. It wasn't easy leaving school."
June's heart leaped for joy immediately she sighted Joana. Grace sprang up to her feet and watched as the trio walked into view of the room.
"Veronica told me we still have a chance of stopping this before it gets to me," Joana said to June.
"I'm so sorry Jo," June said, her eyes swelling in tears.
"It's okay," Joanna said as she embraced her sister with a hug.
June broke into tears.
"It's okay," Joana said again, patting June's back.
It was after her cry had subsided that Margret spoke.
"For the second time again today, what is our plan?"
_________
Translations:
(1) Abeg- Please
(2) What's the cause of all this rubbish?