CHAPTER 20

Amanda had met up with Melanie as she walked to her locker just before first period. She told her about the visit by detective McKenzie and the offer he had told her about.

"What are you going to do?" Melanie asked in a whisper. 

"Why are we whispering?" Bianca's voice came from behind them.

Melanie spoke first. "The cops offered Amanda a deal." She responded, maintaining the whisper.

"What do you mean? What kind of deal?"

"Turns out Nate is in a lot of shit; they say he is involved in a murder and some abduction. The deal is that I testify against him and I walk away or I go down with him. They can prove I was with him." Amanda explained.

Bianca's eyes widened. "Holy shit!" She exclaimed. "Are you taking the deal?"

"I don't know guys." She sighed shaking her head. "Breanna thinks I should take it. She said one way or another they are going to convict Nate and I'll be next in line; this immunity deal protects me from them coming after me in future." Amanda explained.

"Does Nate know about it?" Melanie inquired.

"No, he doesn't."

"Will you tell him?" She went on.

"I don't know Mel."

"Do you think he did it?" Bianca asked looking at the two girls.

"Did what?" Melanie drawled, hoping Bianca wasn't asking what she thought she was asking.

"The crimes they are charging him with." Bianca responded and there was silence between the girls.

"What does it matter if he did them or not?" Melanie looked at her with a stunned look.

"If he did them then he is guilty and Amanda should take the deal and protect herself." Bianca reasoned. 

"What if he didn't?" Melanie asked.

Amanda leaned her back against her locker with a sigh. "If I take the deal I'll be betraying Nate, and if I don't I might go to jail for something I didn't take part in."

Bianca took a step closer and placed her hand on Amanda's shoulder. "You have to think about your future. If the cops have evidence against Nate then they'll put him behind bars and they'll come for you too."

"I...it's just...fuck!" She cursed in a whisper. Biting her lip. 

"You said the deal expires today at midday, you don't have much time to make up your mind," Melanie reminded her. "Just know that whatever you decide, we're here for you."

The bell rang, signaling the start of first period. 

"Thanks guys," Amanda muttered as they exchanged worried looks. 

They all started walking towards their class but stopped when loud murmurs erupted from the students in the hallway, most of them pointing to far end of the hallway. The three girls turned like every other student. 

Amanda's heart skipped a beat when she saw two men in dark suits, one of the being McKenzie and two policed men walking behind them. McKenzie locked eyes with her as the four men walked towards them. She knew this was it, they were here for her. The four men walked past them and they turned to see where they were headed. Amanda spotted Nate on the other side, she was sure that id it wasn't her they were here for then it was him.

"Nate Connor," McLough called when they neared him. "You are under arrest for the murder of Matthew Lopez!" He announced and there were loud gasps from the students. 

The two police officers held him by the shoulders and pulled both his hands behind him.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney , if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you." McLough finished reciting him the Miranda rights.

Shock and confusion was all over Nate's face. "What the hell are you talking about? I didn't do anything." Nate protested, struggling to free himself from the two police officers. 

Amanda's knee's felt weak as she watched the whole scene unfold. Her two friends on her side had equally horrified looks. Bianca gripped her right hand tightly. "Amanda you need to take the deal. If they are arresting him it means they have indisputable evidence. You can't go down with him."

Amanda didn't say anything, her eyes remained locked on Nate. Deep down, she knew Bianca was right. She needed to take the deal otherwise, she was next to be dragged away in cuffs.

The two detectives led the way and the two cops followed, leading Nate away. The school principal took quick strides towards the detectives. 

"What the hell is going on here detectives?" He asked in a whisper.

"We found the body of Matthew Lopez and his fingerprints are all over it." McKenzie replied in the same whisper. 

The principal was too dumbfounded to ask anything else. The two detectives walked past him and once again, McKenzie locked eyes with Amanda as they walked past. Amanda then looked at Nate who held her by the eyes, a mixture of betrayal and fear was all she saw in him.

After regaining his composure, the principal spoke. "Into your classes. Nothing to see here." His voice echoed and students reluctantly continued walking to their classes. 

"What's happening?" Amanda asked the principal in a shaky voice as he neared them. 

"I don't know miss Hall, they found a body and Nate's fingerprints were all over it. That's why they arrested him." The principal informed them. 

"Oh my God!" Melanie exclaimed, covering her mouth with her palm. 

"You should all get to class. I'll go down there and find out what's going on."

The three girls didn't say anything, just watched as the principal walked down the hallway and took a turn. They exchanged silent look before slowly following the other students to their respective classes. 

No learning took place for the better part of that morning. Almost all students were deep in gossip of the events that had unfolded between their eyes. Some of them started spreading rumors of events leading up to the arrest, others trying to figure out whether he actually did it or not. Amanda stayed silent for most of the morning, trying to figure out what she should do about the deal McKenzie had spoken to her about. She was seriously considering taking it, as much as she had loved Nate, she cared about her future, and if testifying against him would guarantee that she would have a safe future then she was going to take it.

The only dilemma she had was what to testify. She had no memory of the events of that night, so if called upon, what was she going to tell them? She couldn't exactly fabricate a story just to hold her end of the bargain. 

During the first passing period, Bianca and Melanie walked up to Amanda. "Hey," Melanie started softly. "Have you made up your mind?"

"Yeah, I think I'll take the deal. I know I'll be betraying Nate but-"

"Hey," Bianca cut in holding her hand. "Don't think about it like that. You're just protecting yourself."

"Only problem is I don't know what to tell them. I don't remember anything from that night and I don't want to fabricate some story." She explained to them.

Bianca thought for a while then spoke. "I think you should just talk to that detective who offered you the deal. Explain your situation to him, maybe they won't need you to tell the whole story, just corroborate certain details."

"I think that's a good idea." Melanie agreed.

Amanda gave the two girls a nod. She decided to go down to the station before her deal expired at midday. Melanie offered to drive her to the precinct and the three girls started walking towards the exit. Behind them, Jade and Benson quickly followed, they offered to tag along and the five made their way to Melanie's car.