A few minutes later, Zoe and Brandy traipsed down the stairs, looking as suspicious as ever.
“You two okay?” Sasha asked quizzically.
Zoe’s eyes darted to Brandy, who nodded.
“We’re fine,” Brandy answered for them both. Nothing new there then.
“Are you sure?” Sasha persisted.
Brandy and Zoe exchanged a dubious look and then nodded.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” Brandy asked.
Before Sasha could say anything, Brandy was walking passed her, and Sasha took it as a clear hint that the discussion was closed, and that she could either change the subject or walk to school without them.
She caught up with them, and linked arms with Zoe, so that she was sandwiched between her and Brandy.
“I’m having a house party on Saturday night,” Sasha told them, “And I’m so hoping that Clint and Aurora finally get it together.”
“Aurora and Clint?” Brandy echoed, “They like each other?”
“Obviously,” Sasha laughed, “They can barely keep their eyes off each other, and I think they’d make a sweet couple.”
“Yeah, real sweet,” Brandy muttered.
* * *
When they arrived at school, Sasha sauntered off to class, leaving Brandy and Zoe alone at the front doors.
“Why does she keep asking us questions?” Zoe asked, her eyes darting around to make sure that nobody they knew were within earshot.
“I don’t know,” Brandy admitted, “It’s probably just her time of the month, or something.”
“Do you think she knows something though?”
“How would she?” Brandy groaned, “She wouldn’t be asking us stupid questions if she knew anything.”
“She might be suspicious of us,” Zoe continued.
“For fuck sake!” Brandy snapped, spinning around to face Zoe and block her path, “The reason she’s so bloody suspicious is because of you. You couldn’t look any shiftier if you fucking tried.”
There was a pause, and Zoe looked at the floor.
“I’m sorry, I can’t hide it like you guys can.”
“It’s alright,” Brandy relented, her voice softening, “Just pull yourself together, and stop drawing attention to yourself.”
Zoe nodded, and they walked into school arm-in-arm.
“I need the toilet,” Zoe stammered a few moments later.
“Be quick then, we’re meeting Troy in a minute.”
Zoe hurried down the corridor and into the toilets.
When the door had closed behind her, Zoe quickly scanned the room and made sure that nobody else was with her. She dumped her back beside the sink, and washed her face with cold water. She always got the sweats when she was nervous, and lately she’d been more nervous than ever before.
She grabbed a handful of toilet roll and dried her hands, and then fumbled in her bag for the card. She found it crumpled at the bottom, but it was still legible.
Although she knew it was wrong of her, she longed to call the number and let this all be over. But nobody would understand her predicament, how miserable her life was quickly becoming.
And anyway, she couldn’t trust the police, could she? She had learnt long ago that the police were the enemy. Even if that policewoman, Serena Patterson, had seemed okay. It was all an act, Zoe reminded herself, and she couldn’t trust her anymore than the rest of the pigs.
The bathroom door opened behind her, and Brandy appeared behind her in the mirror, her face stern. Zoe hastily shoved Patterson’s card back into the depths of her handbag, but she wasn’t quick enough.
“What was that?” Brandy asked, looking suspicious.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t try and play stupid, you’re not clever enough to get away with it,” Brandy snapped, “You know what I’m talking about. The thing in your hand, that you shoved into your bag when I came in.”
“Oh right, that was just some tissue.”
“Looked like a business card to me.”
“Don’t be silly,” Zoe attempted a laugh, but it came out as a strangled gurgle. “We should get going, we’ll be late for class.”
Brandy eyed her suspiciously, but turned on her heel and walked out of the bathroom, and Zoe followed her back out into the corridor.
* * *
In the corridor, Troy watched Brandy lead Zoe out of the bathroom. She had already told him about Zoe and her frequent trips to the bathroom to compose herself. He’d warned Brandy to deal with it, but it seemed she was struggling. He still didn’t understand what was so hard about keeping quiet, everyone else was managing to do it fine.
“Look at the state of that,” Amal laughed, pointing at Zoe.
“Fucking rough,” Tamar agreed.
When the girls neared, Troy grabbed Brandy by the arm and dragged her over to the lockers, out of earshot of the others.
“I thought you were dealing with her?” he inquired, gesturing towards Zoe, who was standing awkwardly with Amal, Tamar and Clint.
“I am,” Brandy said, “She just needs a bit of time to chill out.”
“Time to chill out? Are you serious?”
“She won’t say anything, don’t worry babe.”
“How do you know?” Troy insisted, “The state she’s in, she could say anything.”
“She’s too scared to say anything,” Brandy reassured him, rubbing his arm. “Anyway, it’s not Zoe you should be worrying about.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Clint.”
“What about him?” Troy asked, “He won’t say anything. He’s my best mate, my right hand man.”
“Apparently he’s getting all lovey-dovey with Aurora Curtis.”
“So what? It ain’t any of our business who he shags.”
“Seriously?” Brandy said, her voice rising, “Don’t you think it’ll be a problem, Clint sleeping with the sister of the girl you wasted?”
Troy was silent for a moment, thinking over what Brandy was saying. He didn’t care who Clint slept with, and he trusted him above anyone else, but what Brandy had said was true. If Clint and Aurora did get together, the risk of something slipping out would rise. Shit, Troy thought to himself. First Zoe, with her hormones making her more emotional by the day, and now his best friend was screwing the dead girl’s sister.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” Brandy persisted.
“I’ll sort it,” Troy replied.
“How?”
“I said I’ll fucking sort it, now drop it.”
Brandy gave him a toxic look and stormed off down the corridor, grabbing Zoe on her way. Zoe looked back, caught Troy’s eye, and quickly turned around again. Troy grimaced.
“What’s her problem?” Clint asked as Troy rejoined his crew, eyeing the retreating backs of the girls.
“Nothing, don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure?” Clint asked, looking concerned.
“Yeah mate, it’s all going to be sorted soon.”
“What’s Zoe’s problem?” Amal asked.
“She’s not going to grass us up is she?” Tamar asked, looking at Troy.
“Nah, she ain’t that stupid,” Troy replied. “Anyway, Brandy’s sorting her out. Making sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. Don’t worry about it.”
“So we going to any lessons today?” Clint asked.
“I can’t be arsed anymore,” Troy said, laughing, “Let’s ditch this place and head back home.”
“I’ve got to stay,” Amal sighed, “My mum would go mental if I skive anymore classes.”
“Same here,” Tamar groaned, “She already found weed in my room, last thing I need is more aggro at home.”
“Later then losers,” Clint laughed, and joined Troy as he walked down the corridor towards the front doors.
* * *
Outside as they walked across the yard towards the school gates, Troy decided to broach the subject of Aurora with Clint.
“So yo
u got your eye on anyone at the moment?” he asked, trying to sound inconspicuous.
“Nah not really,” Clint replied, not making eye contact, “Why?”
“Just with Sasha’s party coming up I thought you might be eyeing someone up.”
“I think I’ll just see what happens,” Clint responded, “It’s better that way.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Troy nodded. “So you’re not having a thing with Aurora Curtis?”
“What?” Clint looked surprised, caught off guard by Troy’s remark.
“I heard you and Aurora was getting a bit close, if you know what I mean,” Troy continued.
“Who said that?”
“What does it matter?” Troy asked, “Is it true or not?”
“I don’t know, it’s complicated.”
“Complicated how? Because we killed her sister?”
“Ssshh. What you playing at man, saying that out loud?” Clint’s voice was rising.
“Chill out,” Troy said, keeping his voice level, “I just want to know whether it’s true or not. We’re mates, I’m only asking.”
Clint sighed and lit up a cigarette. Troy rummaged in his pocket and took out a cigarette of his own and lit it, inhaling deeply, watching Clint from the corner of his eye.
“I like her,” Clint finally relented, “She’s cool, you know? Different from the other girls round here.”
“So you’re having a thing with her then?”
“Not exactly,” Clint said, looking uncomfortable. “We ain’t got together yet.”
“Really? You walk home together every day, man, what’s taking so long?”
“I don’t want to ruin things, just in case she doesn’t feel the same. You get me?”
“Maybe it’s best to leave it then,” Troy said quietly, “Forget about her, find someone new.”
“What?” Clint asked, surprised.
“There are plenty of fit girls round here, you can take your pick,” Troy persisted. “Just cut that Aurora girl loose, she’s no good for you.”
Clint eyed him suspiciously for a few moments, and Troy wondered what was going through his mind.
“No good for me?” Clint repeated, frowning slightly, “Or no good for us?”
“What you mean?”
“You said it yourself, we done her sister in,” Clint said, “So you don’t want me hanging round with Aurora because of that. You think I’d grass you up to her?”
“Nah man, of course not, we’re tight. It’s just too risky, you know.”
“How’s it risky?”
“Look, I’ll make it simple for you,” Troy said, his voice hardening, “Stay away from that Aurora girl, right? She’ll just make trouble for us. If she starts hanging round us, Zoe will flip out and grass us all up. Then we’ll all be locked-up and Aurora won’t want to know you anyway. It’s a lose-lose situation.”
“I like her though,” Clint pushed, “She won’t cause any problems.”
“Stay away from her, that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.”
With that, Troy continued down the street, and Clint followed reluctantly, feeling his heart beating faster and his hands getting clammy. He felt frustrated, not knowing what he could do to prove Aurora wouldn’t cause them problems. The thought of not being with her, of keeping his distance from her, was too much for him to contemplate.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Aurora frantically paced her bedroom and thought about the night ahead of her. The thought made her shiver. It was Saturday and just a few hours until Sasha’s party would be in full swing. She wondered if Clint would make a move on her. What if he didn’t? What if he was too nervous? Aurora shuddered and poured herself a vodka and diet coke. It was her second of the evening and although she had hoped the alcohol would calm her nerves, she didn’t think it was working yet.
Her mobile rang loudly and Aurora jumped, startled. She looked at the caller. Sasha. She flipped the phone open.
“Hey Aurora,” Sasha said before Aurora had a chance to speak. “Where are you? I thought you were coming around early? People will be here soon and I need to do your make-up. Get your ass over here.”
“Okay, but I can’t decide what to wear,” Aurora admitted.
“Don’t be silly, I’ll lend you one of my dresses. You’ll look stunning, don’t worry. Just hurry up and get over here, and bring vodka.”
Sasha hung up and Aurora dropped her phone onto her bed and knocked the rest of her drink back in one. She felt her stomach churn but recovered quickly. She grabbed her bag and threw her phone and the bottle of vodka in and left her bedroom.
Her mum was in the lounge, drifting in and out of sleep, the TV set to a documentary about mountain gorillas. Aurora whispered goodbye and left the flat.
The air was crisp outside and Aurora walked briskly to Sasha’s flat. Before she had a chance to knock on the door, the door flew open and Sasha appeared, ushering her inside.
In Sasha’s bedroom, Aurora froze at the huge array of make-up that was scattered across Sasha’s bed and floor.
“Don’t worry you won’t need all of this,” Sasha laughed. “You don’t need much, you’ve got a pretty face anyway. Just a bit of icing is all you need.”
“How can you afford it all?” Aurora asked.
Whenever she had bought make-up, usually just eyeliner and mascara, she had been surprised by the cost. Sasha must have robbed a bank to afford all of this.
“I don’t afford it,” Sasha said casually. “I shoplifted most of it.”
“Oh right,” Aurora replied. “Cool.”
“Yeah, this way I can spend my money on clothes.”
Aurora raised an eyebrow at her, and Sasha laughed.
“Okay, fair enough, I nick most of those too. It’s the thought that counts though, right?”
“Right.”
Aurora sat down on a small part of the bed that wasn’t covered in make-up and took out the vodka. Sasha clapped and disappeared into the kitchen, returning a few moments later with two glasses, a bottle of diet coke, and a bottle of white wine.
“Just in case we finish all the vodka,” Sasha said, gesturing to the wine.
She poured each of them a vodka and filled the cups with the coke. Aurora took a long drink and moaned with the pleasure of it, feeling the vodka finally begin to take effect.
“Let’s get started, then,” Sasha said. She rummaged through some of the make-up and selected a few things, before pushing everything else off the bed and onto the floor.
“You are going to look so stunning when I’ve finished with you,” Sasha said, smiling.
“Thanks for doing this.”
“Don’t worry, it’s what best mates are for.”
* * *
Half an hour later, Aurora stood up and did a twirl and Sasha giggled and smiled.
“I look okay?” Aurora asked.
“You look stunning.”
“Are you sure?”
“Look in the mirror if you don’t believe me,” Sasha said.
Aurora stepped across the room, carefully avoiding not to impale any of the beauty creams on one of her heels, and stood in front of the floor-length mirror. Sasha had done the make-up beautifully, applying mascara and eyeliner, and using blue blusher on her eyelids. Her skin looked flawless. Her hair was in ringlets that fell down her shoulders and back, and Aurora thought of Tudor princesses and movie stars. Aurora surveyed the rest of her body. The white dress fit her like a glove, accentuating her chest and showing off her legs.
“See what I mean?” Sasha said, standing behind her. “Absolutely fucking stunning.”
Aurora laughed. “Thanks.”
“Shit, look at the time,” Sasha said, glancing at the alarm clock on her nightstand. “I need to get changed. Have another drink.”
Aurora poured them each another drink as Sasha stumbled through the mess on the floor and threw open the wardrobe.
“I was thinking of wearing this,” she said. She held up a skin-tight re
d dress that would reach just below her thighs. “I want to look keen, but not too slutty.”
Aurora raised her eyebrow again.
“Okay, screw it. I want to look like a slag.”
* * *
Troy watched the changing expressions on Clint’s face. Ever since he had warned Clint about getting with Aurora, Clint had seemed distant. They were both dressed for Aurora’s party, in jeans and shirts, and Troy had reluctantly agreed with his mum that Clint looked dashing.
The door to the bedroom opened and Brandy appeared, wearing a black semi-transparent dress and had straightened her hair to within an inch of its life.
“How do I look?” she asked, looking at them.
“Great,” Troy said, barely looking. “You look great.”
Clint nodded, without even turning to look at Brandy.
“Well, thanks for that,” Brandy said, her voice rising. “Neither of you even looked.”
“You’ve tried about ten fucking dresses on,” Troy said, “They all looked fine.”
“Do you want me to just wear a bloody tracksuit then?” Brandy asked, hands on hips.
She retreated to the bathroom again and slammed the door.
“What’s up with her?” Clint asked, breaking the silence.
“She’s like this all the time,” Troy sighed. “Always on the rag, especially when she’s getting ready for a party. Fucking annoying, innit.”
“Yeah.”
Troy wanted to broach the topic of Aurora again, but Clint was already acting strangely around him and he didn’t want to widen the rift that had begun to appear between them. Before he could say anything, Clint’s mobile began to ring. His eyes lit up, and Troy wondered if it was Aurora, but then Clint answered and greeted Amal.
“Alright mate? How are you? Yeah, we’re at Troy’s still… Yeah, she’s still getting ready… Fuck, yeah… Okay, see you in a bit.”
Clint hung up and put his mobile back in his jacket pocket.
“What did he want?” Troy asked.
“Just wondering where we at,” Clint replied. “He says people are already getting to the party. Wanted to know if we were still coming.”
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