why would you even bother telling someone your secrets before killing them

[self_composed]

By the end of Bio, the halls are full of people eager to inform Bella and everyone else within earshot that her friend is a murderer. They have entirely the wrong attitude to have formed the impression because he just now murdered someone, and also her father hasn't come looking for her yet, so this is probably nonsense.

Bella goes to gym.

Comments

[self_composed]

"Sometimes I have to remind myself."

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice snorts. "I don't."

[self_composed]

"Yes, well. We're not identical twins."

[edgeofyourseat]

"I noticed."

[self_composed]

She laughs, a little. "Do you happen to know at what point Ms. Finch will be annoyed by us hanging around in her gym?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Not unless we tell her to fuck off when she comes to kick us out," says the voice of experience.

[self_composed]

"How long does that usually take?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"My ride'll probably show up first, actually."

[self_composed]

"Huh, that hadn't occurred to me. Is there some official reason that it doesn't appear as soon as school lets out?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Is 'nobody really gives a shit if I have to wait half an hour in the parking lot' official enough for ya?"

[self_composed]

"It still seems weird. Do your parents value the driver getting to procrastinate for half an hour? Do they unaccountably believe that you will get up to nothing untoward in this context, while they're perfectly prepared to ban you from being in your own basement with me? Does the driver have a lot of other places to go and things to do in the early afternoon that cause delay? Is he spending this time doing something your parents don't know about and you haven't said anything because you don't care if you wait half an hour in the parking lot?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Making sure I go home right on time every day when I don't usually go to more than three of my classes is kind of locking the barn door after the cows fuck off," he points out.

[self_composed]

"Yes, but who is neglecting said door, is the question. Does the driver figure it doesn't matter, or did your parents tell him to not bother?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Dunno. If I had to guess, I'd say it's Theo not bothering to get out here on time and them not bothering to get on his case for it."

[self_composed]

"Makes sense. Should we migrate to the parking lot so we spot him when he comes in?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Sure, why not."

[self_composed]

Bella gets up, grabs her coat, and meanders out. She's careful on the sidewalks; there could still be ice, even though it hasn't snowed for a few days.

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice follows her out, looking thoughtful. And not paying any particular attention to the footing.

[self_composed]

There is one slightly damp bench at the edge of the parking lot. Bella looks at it, and then says, "We can sit in my car."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Deal," says Alice, looking at the bench.

[self_composed]

Bella hops into the driver's seat of her nice warm car. Well, nice dry car. She turns it on to cause warmth.

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice tucks himself quietly into the passenger seat.

[self_composed]

"You look pensive," observes Bella.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Yep," says Alice.

[self_composed]

"You know what's great? How you're so consistently informative and helpful and I spend almost no time in your company uncomfortably curious," says Bella.