Chapter 8

However, this thought never left her mind as she went from class to class. Gabriel Harleigh and his strange red eyes followed her at the back of her mind. To the detriment of her studies for the day.

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The school day was over at the sound of the bell. Streams of students rushed towards the hallways, for either after school clubs or in a hurry to get home. Usually, after school clubs, would be cancelled, but the school was hoping to keep the school year stress free, thus; the students could have club meetings as long as they were home before 8 o'clock.

Many had decided to stay back for club activities if only to take their minds off the situation in town, Gin included. She was a part of the school paper, one of the reporters who kept the student body updated on current affairs, as well as entertained with stories of other students. It was quite popular to enter, though not many people stuck with it after joining as they found it tedious to think of a story angle regularly. Gin, on the other hand, loved it, she hoped to become a reporter in the future. She was hugely excited for investigative journalism; she had dreamt of being a detective since her parents read her 'Sherlock Holmes' to culture their daughter. While deduction was still out of her reach, she liked to pretend that she could do so as accurately as possible, often. This hobby had, unfortunately, led her to realise that she had no genuine friends. They were either after her spot on the student paper, for a chance to increase their popularity; or were with her because she was the mayor's daughter. The ending of that chapter was quick, as she pulled back subtly until she was friends with everyone and enemies of none.

As such, she became the average girl that everyone knew.

The average girl, however, bumped into the school's most well known 'nerd', Jeremy. Gin stopped briefly to study him, the boy who had lost his best friend but had the dubious honour of witnessing her last moments without being directly involved in her death. His eyes almost swallowed by bags, his cadaverous arms with bones nearly visible, and his spiritless gait like he had no energy left to spare for other tasks. If it were possible, people would label him as a zombie. He looked as lifeless as usual since her death, but his eyes were filled with mania, as he clutched a massive old tome to his chest.

His eyes aroused her curiosity and need to investigate. It seemed like he had gotten new life breathed into him as he moved with purpose to the club room for the student paper.

Gin followed him, though she had to go the same way, she rationalised as she followed behind him secretly.

As expected, once he got to the club room door, he entered and shut the door. Then after a bit, Gin went closer and heard them. She recognised the two voices immediately. Unexpectedly, he seemed to be arguing with the editor over something to do with Bella, as her name appeared loudly in the conversation. The word 'Bella' had intrigued her further, as she imagined that the editor wished to interview him regarding her death and maybe a biography on the school's bully victim. Her very active imagination had come up with several scenes for the argument by the time the two had finished.

CRACK!

Just as she was deciding on which scene won, Jeremy wrenched the door open and stormed out, as well as he could for someone so lacking in energy over the last few days. She noted that he seemed both angry and afraid. Gin felt lucky that he had not noticed her attempt to eavesdrop; however, the editor did.

The editor was a short teen with rather unfortunate features called Ronda Miller. Ronda had beautiful skin when she wasn't breaking out in pimples or boils; beautifully shaped eyes, though the ghostly colour was unsettling; a rather curvy form, though, her thick waist made her look fat; finally her face would have been pretty, but she got her father's astonishingly square facial shape, giving an otherwise delicate face an unusual look. Her features were said to have been the strangest mix of her parents, as her mom resembled a dainty fairy and her dad a box-shaped boxer.

Gin always felt a little surreal whenever she saw the editor together with her parents as she looked like a clone of them mixed. Then, she opened her mouth, and her personality, very similar to her mom, was revealed.

Ronda's father, contrary to appearance possessed a very mild and sweet personality, being the most loved kindergarten teacher in Harlin. Her mother, on the other hand, was a successful high-ranked professional mixed martial artist rumoured to be capable of breaking a man in half. Most importantly, her personality would not be out of place at a stereotypical Scottish tavern in the middle ages. Ready for a brawl and happy for one. Ironically, that was where her family used to live, specifically the Eastern part of Scotland.

It was a running joke among the friends and family of the Millers that if the two were to switch bodies that Ronald would be the picture-perfect loving wife and Ailith the boorish but loving husband/father.

Though her personality was loud and proud, Ronda like her mum was still quite kind, which is why Gin was so surprised that she argued with Jeremy. Even more so with Bella's name being drawn into such a fierce sounding argument, considering what he had just been through in the last few days. Not to mention his body's current state, it was a pleasant surprise to know he could still run about and shout as he used to when debating with anyone open to the idea. It had gotten to the point that everyone watched over him both covertly and overtly as his current mien scared them.

Walking forward with hands held aloof, she examined Ronda as she practically breathed fire, peripherally noting the papers and wood chips on the floor.

"What's got you so fired up?" Gin said casually, as though the person she was speaking to could not break her arm quickly.

"That little gowk, when I get my hands on him..." Ronda said as she moved to clean up the broken pieces of the desk, explaining what scared Jeremy.

"You've already gotten your hands on the furniture, so I don't think you should do the same to Jeremy. He is not as sturdy as the table you know?" Gin said going for humour to calm the raging Mt Ronda.

Sadly, the humour failed as another chunk of the desk flew over her head, and impaled the wall.

"Ok, this is serious. What did Jeremy do or say?" Gin said, going from casual to serious in seconds.

"He tried to get me to publish his research proving that Gabriel Harleigh is the Killer." Ronda said, Scottish brogue appearing, on the verge of another eruption.

"I'm sorry, what?" Gin said, "you went all scots on me again."

"He tried to get me to publish his research proving that Gabriel Harleigh is the Killer." she said once more,

"What?!" said Gin, shock dripping from her tone.