Between Love and Murder

by Chris Bedell

  The footsteps stopped.

  “Never mind,” Mallory said, voice echoing. “My current sweater is warm enough.”

  The footsteps once again echoed, but this time they grew faint and fainter until they were no longer audible. Gemma and I exchanged a second glance after another beat. My pulse stopped soaring while I caught my breath.

  Thank goodness the universe wasn’t in the mood to screw me over this afternoon. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if Mallory discovered us.

  WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

  “Thanks for coming with me,” Dan said.

  I snickered. “No problem.”

  “I couldn’t do this by myself.”

  “No explanation necessary. There’s no point in having a bisexual best friend if I can’t give you fashion advice.”

  Dan and I stood by a clothing rack at Angelica’s—a women’s clothing shop at the local mall.

  “Although I can’t believe Rebecca trusted you with her sizes,” I continued.

  “We’ve been dating since the seventh grade.”

  “Don’t have to tell me that.”

  He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. “I’m serious about appreciating your presence, because I’m gonna buy you dinner after this.”

  “That isn’t necessary.”

  “It’s not like I have anything better to do—Rebecca is busy studying for her French test.”

  I elbowed him. “Fantastic. Glad I’m your priority.”

  “Don’t make it sound worse than it is.”

  I handed Dan a hot-pink colored dress. “Get this. Rebecca has always danced around a gutsy wardrobe but hasn’t had the confidence to embrace a bolder style.”

  “Let’s see how much the dress costs first.” Dan surveyed the price tag. “Wow. A lot less than I expected.”

  “Perfect.”

  “How are things with you and Archie?” Dan asked.

  Interesting. I hadn’t expected the conversation to change topics. As much as I might’ve cared about Archie, teaming up with Gemma still lurked in the back of my mind—Gemma wasn’t that far of a leap from Archie, because my whole alliance with her was about protecting my relationship with Archie. And the Gemma situation would probably be on my mind for some time—we still had to figure out how to plant the evidence on Mallory.

  “They’re fine,” I said.

  He frowned. “You’re no longer worried about Mallory?”

  “Nah. Some things look worse than they are.”

  “Wow.” Dan rubbed my shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Jealousy was a wasted emotion.”

  His stomach grumbled. “Let’s hurry up and go pay for this dress, because I don’t know how much longer I can wait till dinner.”

  “Sounds good.”

  THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

  I closed my locker after getting everything I needed for my morning, then Kelly grabbed my arm. “My office now,” she said.

  Yikes. Both the inflection and tone in her voice comforted me. NOT. I so wanted to be accosted by someone before my day began.

  “What’s this about?” I asked.

  “Not here.”

  Kelly continued dragging me until we reached her office. She tossed me inside before locking the door.

  “Do you wanna tell me what’s going on?” I spat.

  “I know about everything.”

  “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

  Yeah. Even if I deduced what she was getting at, I still wouldn’t show my hand. Information was power, and I wouldn’t give Kelly any leverage. Not when one thing could ruin everything Gemma and I planned.

  Kelly wove her arms together. “Cut the bullshit. It’s only you and me.”

  “You’re gonna have to be more specific.”

  “The gun and flash drive are missing from my safe and Mallory is pissed she can’t find her diary,” Kelly revealed.

  Ouch. Any hope for Kelly not knowing what was happening vanished, and I’d scream at the universe later. It wouldn’t have been the end of the world if one thing went right for me—that was the least I deserved.

  “What does that have to do with me?” I asked.

  “I remember our conversation from the other day,” Kelly said. “The one about needing help making a decision.”

  Wow. Good for Kelly. She could be a police consultant if she wanted, because her determination was the type of behavior needed for solving cases. And said fact was so lovely. I cherished every complication that happened in my life.

  I clamped my lips together. “You’re gonna have to be more specific.”

  “You wanna frame Mallory for killing Tommy—don’t you?”

  “It’s not staging anything if Mallory is guilty.”

  “How can you do this to your best friend?” Kelly asked.

  “I’m never gonna be able to trust her. She used my relationship with Archie to hurt me, and I can’t take that risk. Not anymore.”

  “Do you realize how insecure you sound?”

  Kelly shouldn’t have judged me. Nobody was perfect—including her—so I’d be damned if I let her judge me. Not when I had more important issues to focus on. Like how Gemma and I would set up Mallory without making the police interested in us.

  “I don’t have a choice,” I said.

  The vein on her forehead surfaced. “Jealousy doesn’t excuse your actions. Mallory is going to therapy and trying to find healthy coping mechanisms for her grief.”

  “I know about her counseling. How do you think I found the time to break into her home?” I asked.

  Kelly rubbed her lip. “Wait? Were you in the house on Tuesday when Mallory and I arrived home early from her appointment?”

  “Yeah. I was.”

  “Wait till Mallory finds out the truth.” Kelly reached for her iPhone, but I snatched it off her desk before she could grab it.

  Using force might not have made me all warm and fuzzy, yet I didn’t wanna harm Kelly. She just needed to know I was not someone to be messed with. Besides, I couldn’t forget her getting physical with me when she confronted me by my locker moments earlier. So, in a way, she brought this escalation on herself.

  “You aren’t gonna snitch on me,” I said.

  “And why is that?” Kelly asked.

  “I know things about you—things that would end you.”

  “I don’t give into threats.”

  “It’s not a threat. But go ahead and try me—I dare you.”

  Kelly cringed. “Are you talking about what I think you are?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know—what do you think I’m getting at? You’ve done a lot of nasty stuff over the years.”

  Yup. Knowledge was still power, and I wouldn’t reveal my information. Not when this nugget might help me at some point in the future. So, Kelly could beg all she wanted, yet I wouldn’t budge.

  She made a fist. “Fine. I won’t say anything to Mallory. But you’re still a terrible friend to her.”

  Please. More than tough talk was required for me to flinch—Mallory had said much worse to me, and I’d be fine.

  “You’re also a hypocrite,” I said.

  “You’ve already threatened me.”

  “This isn’t about you.”

  “Then what?” Kelly barked.

  “It was the newspaper clippings inside the envelope.”

  She grunted. “Saving old newspaper articles isn’t a crime.”

  “But murder is.”

  “Excuse me?” Kelly asked, almost choking on a breath.

  I towered over her, standing on my tip toes. “There’s only one reason you’d save those articles and it’s not because your nostalgic.”

  “I don’t like being told what to think.”

  Gemma and Mallory might not have been the only ones who needed counseling. If Kelly couldn’t deal with her feelings—like knowing Mallory killed before, then she might’ve also benefited from professional help.

  “Do you really think Mallory kil
led Parker and Jordon?” I asked.

  “Leave. I’ve got nothing else to say to you.”

  “Fine. Have a great day.” I unlocked her door, then dashed down the hallway.

  I turned the corner, and a faint smile tugged at my lips. Archie was a few feet away from me, and that was exactly what I needed. Even spending a few minutes with him reminded me of what I was fighting for.

  BEFORE

  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018

  Archie and I sat at one of the tables in front of the high school’s main entrance during lunch. There wasn’t one cloud in the sky, and we needed to enjoy the sunshine before the typical fall chill permeated the New England air.

  Just because it wasn’t cold or raining didn’t mean lunch would be picturesque, though. Mallory just exited the door, heading towards us.

  Archie winced. “There’s something I’ve gotta tell you, Chad. But you aren’t gonna like this.”

  I squeezed his hand. “You can tell me anything. I’d rather you be honest than lie.”

  Encouraging honesty didn’t make me naïve—I didn’t expect Archie to confess every misdeed in his life. But if he did something to hurt me—whether physically or emotionally—I’d rather him tell me then someone else.

  Mallory grinned. “Hi, guys.”

  “I don’t mean to be rude but we’re in the middle of a conversation,” I said.

  Mallory flipped her hair over her shoulders. “Save me the fake sincerity. You don’t care about being rude.”

  “You’re right; I don’t,” I said.

  Archie’s jaw shuddered. “I was about to tell him something important.”

  “Too late—I’m bored,” Mallory said.

  I glared at her. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

  “It’s simple,” Mallory said. “I discovered Archie’s father lost his job, but his mother doesn’t know yet.”

  “Get to the point,” I spat.

  Archie gritted his teeth. “Mallory, please!”

  Shit. I didn’t need a high school diploma for deducing this conversation would probably take an unpleasant turn. So, I could only hope the destruction wouldn’t be too bad. Just because the universe might’ve been out to get me didn’t mean the damage had to be the worst every time something bad happened to me.

  “You had your chance, but it’s too late,” Mallory said.

  “All you’re doing is ruining my lunch.” I snapped my can of diet ginger ale open, then took a big sip. “Just go.”

  “Your day is going to get worse,” Mallory said.

  Good graciousness. So much for embracing optimism for one fleeting moment. The glee radiating from Mallory’s face provided the most important clue about the conversation’s direction. She was having way too much fun, and I couldn’t wait to figure out what twisted scheme she cooked up this time.

  Archie gave Mallory a look. “You don’t have to do this. You already hurt Chad when you went out with me.”

  “Remember how Archie reunited with you unexpectedly?” Mallory asked.

  “Yes. But what does that have to do with anything?” I demanded.

  Her smile expanded. “I blackmailed Archie to get back together with you and then dump you after sleeping with you.”

  “What?” I stammered.

  “I thought you deserved to know the truth,” Mallory said.

  Archie grumbled. “Don’t pretend you’re doing Chad any favors.”

  No shit. Even a five-year-old could’ve deduced this conversation wouldn’t have been better for Mallory if she gotten into her first-choice college.

  “Say what you want about me, but Archie agreeing to this indecent proposal says more about him than me,” Mallory said.

  I rubbed my lower lip. “Wait? Is that why you two argued the other day?”

  “Yes,” Archie said. “I changed my mind and Mallory wasn’t having it.”

  “Why not tell Archie’s mother the truth then?” I asked.

  “This does more damage,” Mallory said.

  Great. Any hope of Mallory and I becoming friends again vanished. Getting revenge was one thing—everyone was human and made mistakes—yet causing the most hurt possible revealed a crueler person than I could’ve ever imagined.

  “I only did it to protect my father—he’s been having a hard time finding a job, and my mother would be devastated if she knew the truth,” Archie said.

  “Hurting me makes that okay?” I asked.

  Archie shook his head. “No. But it was my own version of Sophie’s Choice.”

  “I don’t think the situations are the same,” I said.

  “My feelings for you are real.” Archie tried grabbing my hand, yet I swatted it away.

  Please. Archie couldn’t weasel out of this situation that easily. Especially after I gave him an opportunity for honesty when I caught him arguing with Mallory about the weather. At least then, he would’ve saved Mallory from gloating. But no. Like every other moment of disappointment, I’d just have to live with my churning stomach.

  Mallory cackled even louder this time. “I’ll leave you guys alone. Sounds like you’ve got a lot to discuss.”

  “Wait,” I bellowed at Mallory when she started walking away.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I wanna know why you’re intent on hurting me,” I said.

  Discovering the truth about Mallory’s motivation had nothing to do with empathy. If Mallory provided me with an explanation, then I’d stare at my bedroom ceiling a little less each night. I just had to know why she hated me so much—even if I hadn’t unclenched my fists. Surely, I wasn’t that evil.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Mallory asked. “I’m not over you rejecting me at the beginning of the year. We could’ve been amazing, but no. You had to fall for Archie.”

  “You’re that upset?” I asked.

  She snorted. “I’m not taking any chances after Tommy.”

  No matter how hurt she was from her relationship with Tommy, Mallory had no right to scheme against me. Doing so only continued the cycle of dysfunction. No amount of my pain changed what Tommy did or didn’t do to her. So, in a way, life was worse. Instead of one person being hurt, three were now pissed off. And said fact was great—I didn’t need to be great at math to know three impacted people was worse than one.

  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

  Dan, Rebecca, and I went to the local mall a little after noon.

  Today was early dismissal day because of some professional development thing for teachers. Except we hadn’t made it to the any of the stores. We were currently seated at a table in the food court.

  “Thanks again for letting me tag alone even though I’m sure you’d rather be alone,” I said.

  Rebecca whipped her head back and forth. “Stop with the low self-esteem crap. We enjoy spending time with you, don’t we, Dan?”

  Dan dunked several fries in ketchup, then finished them in a matter of seconds.

  Rebecca elbowed Dan. “You’re glad Chad came, right?”

  “Absolutely.” Dan slurped his soda.

  I rested my free hand under my chin. “I’m such an idiot. I had a feeling something was off when Archie wanted to get back together me, yet I fell for it.”

  Rebecca cringed. “Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to love.”

  “Not us,” Dan said.

  Rebecca threw a fry at Dan. “Not helping. The point is, everyone makes mistakes. It’s a part of life.”

  I gave her a mock frown. “Okay, Mom.”

  “I’m serious,” Rebecca said. “I’m sure if I hadn’t found Dan, I’d be falling for bad guy after bad guy.”

  “The worst part is Archie at least feels a little bad whereas Mallory enjoyed every minute of gloating,” I said.

  “What are you gonna do now?” Dan asked.

  “I don’t know. I just stormed away from Archie and we haven’t talk since,” I revealed.

  Rebecca exhaled. “I’m not trying to upset you, but you’re gonna have to figur
e out what you wanna do about Archie at some point.”

  My heart lurched. No matter how much I wished Rebecca was wrong, she wasn’t. Something had to be done about Archie if I wanted any sense of sanity. Knowing I had to make a decision and making said decision were different things, though. For a split-second, doing nothing tempted me. At least then the situation couldn’t get any worse.

  “I know, I know,” I said.

  “Just know one thing,” Rebecca said. “Dan and I will support you no matter what you decide.”

  “Good to know,” I said.

  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018

  Archie approached me in the hallway on my way to first period.

  His teeth pricked his lower lip. “We need to talk.”

  “I have nothing to say.”

  Yeah. I was in big trouble. There was no right answer when it came to Archie. If I tossed Archie aside, then I lost an opportunity for happiness. But if took Archie back, then I’d judge myself. I would’ve been the first person to criticize someone for taking back a bad guy.

  “I never meant to hurt you,” Archie said.

  “Did you really just say that?”

  “I’m serious. I care a lot about you.”

  I crossed my arms. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”

  “Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.”

  “Some problems don’t have easy solutions.”

  “Making a mistake doesn’t mean I deserve eternal damnation,” Archie said.

  I made a clucking noise with my tongue. “Maybe not. But can you change Mallory having another victory over me?”

  He pressed his hands together. “You’ve gotta believe I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t have to do anything.”

  “I was a victim too,” Archie said. “Mallory still told my mother about my father losing his job.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You should’ve known better than to play with snakes.”

  Archie pursed his lips. “Save me the lecture. I know people get bit when they play with snakes.”

  I made a fist. “You were the first person I slept with.”

  “I know—I was flattered.”

  “You don’t know how that felt—being so vulnerable with another person,” I said.

  “Where does this leave us?” Archie demanded.