The Trouble

The next morning, the atmosphere at Maplewood was tense. Whispers filled the halls, and teachers kept a closer eye on students. But Lemon and her friends weren't backing down.

"Alright," Lemon said as they reached an empty corner near the library. "We need to find out more about Luna. Who she was, who she hung out with… maybe that will lead us somewhere."

Hazel nodded. "The problem is, people are scared. No one wants to talk."

Evelyn smirked. "Then we just have to ask the right way."

Their first stop was the senior dorms. As they entered the area, they spotted a group of senior girls sitting together, whispering amongst themselves. Hazel nudged Lemon, who straightened her posture and approached them.

"Excuse me," Lemon said, offering a polite but firm smile. "We wanted to ask a few things about Luna."

One of the girls, a tall brunette with piercing eyes, looked up. "Why? What's it to you?"

Evelyn crossed her arms. "We're just trying to understand what's happening. Don't you think it's weird that three girls have been murdered, and no one's talking about it?"

The girls exchanged nervous glances. Finally, another one, a girl with a short bob, sighed. "Luna was… different. She kept to herself after she cutted her connection with her old friends."

Lemon's eyes sharpened. "Cutted her connection?"

The brunette hesitated but nodded. "Yeah. They were inseparable. But something happened, and after that, Luna started avoiding them."

Hazel leaned in. "Who were her friends?"

The girls glanced at each other again, but the brunette quickly shook her head. "Look, we've told you enough. Just… don't get involved."

Evelyn scoffed. "Great. Another half-truth."

Before they could push further, a sharp, familiar voice interrupted them.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Maplewood's little detectives."

Lemon groaned. Turning around, she saw three girls standing with weird expressions—Isla, Brielle, and Tessa. The meanest, most insufferable girls in school.

Isla smirked, flipping her perfectly styled hair. "What are you guys up to now? Solving another 'mystery'?"

Brielle giggled. "I bet they think they're in some kind of detective movie."

Tessa crossed her arms. "You guys are so desperate for attention. Asking people about the murders? Seriously? You'll only get yourselves in trouble."

Evelyn scoffed. "Oh, and you care about us getting in trouble?"

"Not really," Isla said sweetly. "But the teachers will."

Hazel narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing," Isla shrugged dramatically. "We just happened to mention to Mrs. Langford that you guys were running around, spreading rumors."

Lemon's stomach twisted. "You what?"

Brielle smirked. "Oops."

Tessa laughed. "You should probably head back to your dorms. I'm sure the teachers will want to 'have a word' with you soon."

Evelyn took a step forward, but Lemon put a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go."

"Yeah," Hazel muttered, glaring at the girls. "Before we really give them something to gossip about."

As they turned to leave, Isla called out, "Good luck, detectives. You'll need it."

Their laughter followed them down the hall.

Back in their dorm, tension hung in the air.

Evelyn paced back and forth. "I swear, I'm going to—"

"Relax," Lemon sighed, sitting on her bed. "They're just trying to get a reaction."

Hazel sat beside her. "But if they really told the teachers, we're screwed."

Riley, who had been listening quietly, shook her head. "I told you this would happen. Now what?"

Before Lemon could answer, a knock at the door made them all freeze.

Slowly, Evelyn got up and opened it.

Standing there, looking smug, was Isla.

"The teacher's calling you," she said in a sickly-sweet tone. "You're in trouble."

The door slammed shut in her face.

Lemon took a deep breath. "Well… here we go."

"You three have been poking around, asking questions you shouldn't be," the teacher said. "This is not your business. I suggest you stop immediately."

Hazel clenched her fists. "But—"

"No 'buts'," the Mrs. Langford snapped. "There is no need for unnecessary rumors. Focus on your studies and stay out of trouble."

The girls watched in frustration as they walked out, her warning lingering like a threat.

As soon as they came inside their dorm Riley spoke, arms crossed. "I told you guys this was a waste of time."

Evelyn groaned. "Oh, not this again."

"Yes, this again," Riley snapped. "You keep running around like detectives, but what do we have? Nothing! We don't even know if these deaths are connected."

"They are connected," Lemon said firmly. "Luna, Sofia, and Lydia were part of the same friend group. But no one will admit it."

Riley scoffed. "So what? Friend groups fall apart all the time. And you aren't even sure if they were the part of the same group!"

"This isn't normal," Hazel argued. "Something happened to break them apart, and now they're all dead."

Riley rolled her eyes. "And you think we're going to magically figure it out by asking a few questions? Wake up, Lemon! The school wants this buried. The teachers won't help. The seniors won't talk. What makes you think we stand a chance?"

Silence hung between them.

Then Lemon spoke, her voice steady. "Because someone has to."

Riley opened her mouth, then shut it, looking away.

Scarlett, who had been quiet, finally sighed. "Look, fighting won't help. We have to be smart about this. We can't just ask random people. We need to find someone who wants to talk."

Evelyn smirked. "I might have an idea."

Lemon raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Evelyn grinned. "There's one person who loves gossip more than anything—Grace."

Hazel groaned. "Ugh, Grace?"

"Yes, Grace," Evelyn confirmed. "She's annoying, but she knows everything about the school."

Lemon exchanged glances with Hazel before sighing. "Fine. Let's go see what she knows."

As they walked off, the weight of the investigation pressed heavier on their shoulders.

The truth was buried somewhere in Maplewood.

They just had to dig deep enough to find it.