Between Love and Murder

by Chris Bedell

  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019

  I woke up from my nap several hours after arriving home from school, only to scream. Mom was at her yoga class, which meant dealing with the person sitting at the foot of my bed by myself. And it wasn’t like I could call the police. Not when I had no idea what Mallory wanted.

  “Good to see you,” Mallory said.

  “Cut the crap. You must hate me for what I did to you.”

  “I don’t care about hurting you anymore.”

  “Excuse me?” I asked.

  “It’s true.” Mallory flipped her hair over her shoulder, accentuating its greasy texture. She must not have had time to wash her hair while being on the run. “I only want one thing from you.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Money.”

  “You’re out of luck.”

  “Disappointing me isn’t in your best interest. You also don’t know how much money I want,” she said.

  I huffed. “Fine. Tell me how much money you want.”

  “Five hundred thousand dollars.”

  Mallory should’ve skipped the demand and checked herself in at the local sanitarium. She was out of her mind if she hoped I’d come up with all that money. I had savings from occasional guest blog articles, but nothing even close to five hundred thousand dollars.

  “What are you gonna do if I don’t give you the money?” I asked.

  “Kill your mother.”

  “She didn’t do anything to you.”

  “True. But you’d be devastated if she died.”

  “You’d really do that?”

  “I don’t have a choice,” Mallory said.

  Wow. If Mallory could kill Mom without blinking, then I’d never apologize for scheming with Gemma. Mom wasn’t a doll—she was a real person with real feelings. And if Mallory wanted to hurt me, then she could date Archie. She already had plenty of practice with that and using Archie to hurt me would easier than riding a bicycle.

  “Meet me at Wesley Bridge at 5 p.m. on Monday,” Mallory said.

  “Are you forgetting what happened the last time someone demanded money?” I asked.

  “You wouldn’t kill me—you don’t have it in you. Also, what happened to Tommy was an accident.”

  I stared her down. “I’d be careful. Being in cahoots with Gemma proves I’m capable of everything.”

  THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

  I approached Kelly right when she was about to walk into her office during one of my free periods.

  “You’re gonna wanna hear what I have to say,” I said.

  Kelly grunted. “Fine. You have two minutes.”

  I did a quick glance around the hallway. Phew. Nobody was walking by at the moment, so I didn’t have to worry about someone overhearing our conversation.

  “I heard from your sister yesterday,” I revealed.

  Kelly wiggled her eyebrows. “Oh, yeah? What did she want?”

  “Five hundred thousand dollars—she’s gonna leave town if she doesn’t get what she wants.”

  “Good for her.”

  “She threatened to kill my mother if I didn’t give her the money,” I snapped, pulse pounding in my ears.

  “I’m staying out of it.”

  “My mother doesn’t deserve to die.”

  “Maybe not,” Kelly said. “But nothing good comes from you and your friends. Mallory was remanded to my custody, which meant the cops giving me grief when she didn’t turn herself in.”

  “Blame Archie. He opened his big mouth.”

  “I’m done.” Kelly grabbed her key, then it clinked in the lock. She then slammed the door shut behind her, locking it.

  Hating me was understandable, yet Kelly could’ve feigned interest in our conversation. Mallory was still her sister. She also wouldn’t be getting the inheritance if it wasn’t for me, so there was no need for her bitchiness. I also wasn’t someone to mess with as a result of my scheming with Gemma. If Kelly became too much of a problem, then I wouldn’t have given a second thought to dealing with her like I had Mallory.

  FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

  “I can’t believe you aren’t gonna help me,” I said.

  Archie, Rebecca, Dan, and I stood in an empty hallway before first period—although not by their choice. My all capital letters group text was the only reason for them hovering in front of me right now.

  Rebecca’s teeth nipped her lip. “We’ve made up our mind.”

  I looked into Dan’s eyes.

  “I’m with Rebecca,” Dan said.

  “Mallory threatened to kill my mother if I can’t come up with the money,” I said.

  “I’m sorry, but we can’t have anything to do with you. Not after you went behind our backs and schemed with Gemma,” Rebecca said.

  “What would you do if Mallory threatened your relationship with Dan?” I asked.

  “Doesn’t matter. What you did was wrong. What if your scheme blew up in your face?” Rebecca asked. “There could’ve been consequences for Archie, Dan, and me.”

  I stomped my feet. “You’ve got no right to judge me.”

  “I’ll spell it out for you since Rebecca and Dan are too polite,” Archie said. “We don’t want anything to do with you.”

  I fought back tears. Rebecca, Dan, and Archie wouldn’t take away my courage after everything I had been through. So, I’d put on a front. Rebecca, Dan, and Archie needed a serious dose of reality.

  “You’re making a big mistake,” I said.

  “Doesn’t matter—go to the police if you’re that concerned about your mother. Anyway, let’s go,” Rebecca said to Dan and Archie.

  The three of them left without another word and I wailed when they were out of earshot. Kelly’s lack of cooperation was one thing, yet Dan and Rebecca were supposed to be my friends. They were supposed to do anything for me just like I would for them. Judging me was also easier when they weren’t the one forced with making the difficult decisions.

  Fuck. I really was alone, so I might’ve had to go to Detectives Garrison and Jones. I had nothing left to lose, and some help was better than no help. It wasn’t like Mallory said she’d kill Mom if I went to the police.

  MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2019

  The blue grew thinner and thinner in the afternoon sky while I approached Wesley Bridge. Someone sporting a black, hooded sweatshirt sat on a rock by the lake, rising within seconds of my arrival.

  The person yanked their hood off—it was Mallory, like I suspected. Being incognito in this moment was probably the only smart thing she’d ever done in her life.

  She pursed her lips. “I don’t see a briefcase.”

  “Yeah. You’re right.”

  “Did you give me the money in another way—like a secret offshore account?”

  Yeah. Mallory was in greater need of professional help than I realized. Running away with a more than generous nest-egg wasn’t going to happen no matter how much she wished it might’ve.

  “I don’t have the money,” I said.

  She grunted. “Excuse me?”

  “Game over, Mallory.” I whistled and my throat tightened.

  Detectives Garrison and Jones popped out of nearby bushes; guns drawn. “Police! Hands up!” Detective Garrison exclaimed.

  Mallory put her hands up. Then, Detective Garrison shoved her hands behind her back. The handcuffs clinked while Detective Jones’s gun remained drawn.

  “Add attempted murder to the charges since she threatened to kill my mother,” I said.

  “You won’t get away with this,” Mallory said.

  I smirked. “Watch me.”

  Detectives Garrison and Jones dragged Mallory towards the unmarked cop car in the distance while the glee oozing from me increased with each passing moment. Maybe, just maybe, Mallory was finally out of my life for good. I could hope, at least.

  BEFORE

  MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2018

  I sat across from Dan and Rebecca at a booth in back of Café Tomorrow.

  It was a little past noo
n, and we hadn’t stopped surveying the menu. I couldn’t account for Dan and Rebecca, yet I had a good reason for not making eye contact. Somehow, I still prayed my breakup with Archie was a nightmare I’d soon wakeup from. No matter how many times I exaggerated in the past, nothing stunk more than not having control of my life. I deserved more than going through life like a zombie.

  “Anyone know what they wanna order?” Dan asked.

  “Maybe a grilled cheese and tomato soup—it’s a good day for it,” Rebecca said. “Although perhaps I should just be thankful for having the day off.”

  Dan chuckled. “That’s the opposite of my dad. He believes professional development days are a waste of time.”

  My eyes remained on the menu.

  Rebecca snickered. “What? No comment?”

  “I’m thankful you invited me, but I’m a third wheel,” I said.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Dan said. “We have plenty of alone time and are happy to spend the afternoon with you.”

  I rested a hand under my chin. “Please. I’m not oblivious to how I’m a burden.”

  Rebecca gave me a mock frown. “Don’t you dare say that.”

  “It’s true. Archie and Mallory screwed me over again,” I said.

  Rebecca sipped her diet soda before speaking. “My advice from almost three months ago still applies.”

  “And what’s that?” I demanded.

  “If you’re this upset about Archie, then talk to him. Especially if you think he isn’t telling the truth,” Rebecca said.

  Dan nodded. “She’s right. You’ve gotta fight for your happiness—anyone would be lucky to date you.”

  “Thanks,” I croaked.

  “I’m serious,” Rebecca said. “And I wanna hear your plan for dealing with Archie and Mallory before we finish lunch.”

  I chewed on the inside of my lip. Dan and Rebecca were right despite their overbearing personalities. I wouldn’t change my situation with Archie if I sat on my ass. But wanting to do something and actually doing it were two different things. Especially when this wasn’t my first instance of drama with Archie.

  The waitress shuffled to our table. “Do you know what you wanna order?” she asked.

  “Could we have another couple of minutes?” Rebecca asked.

  “Sure.” The waitress dashed to a table on the opposite side of the café.

  “I don’t buy that he still cares about Mallory.” I rolled my eyes. “Please. Does Archie think I’m stupid?”

  Dan flipped to the next page. “All the more reason to chat with him, man.”

  “I’m sorry. I must seem pathetic for always worrying about a guy,” I said.

  Rebecca smacked me with her menu. “I never want you to apologize for anything again. Do you understand me?”

  “It’d just be nice if Mallory would go to boarding school in California or maybe on a cruise to the North Pole,” I said.

  Dan snorted, and soda spilled out of nose. “As if life is that easy.”

  “It’d be nice if it could be,” I said.

  Rebecca picked one of her nails. “This isn’t a Disney movie.”

  “I don’t even know what to say to Archie,” I said.

  “Whatever you do, don’t be confrontational.” Rebecca grabbed a napkin from the metal dispenser to the left of her, then blew her nose. “That’s gonna push him further away, and you’ll get more pissed off.”

  Dan almost smirked yet stopped himself by biting his lip. “Listen to her, Chad. I’d be irritated if I messed up and someone got confrontational with me.”

  Rebecca gave Dan a look. “Is there something I should know?”

  “I was trying to make a point, babe,” Dan said.

  Babe. I couldn’t deny how the word had a nice ring to it—I would’ve given anything for Archie to call me that.

  Whatever. At least Dan and Rebecca were happy, because I wasn’t in denial. If I couldn’t be content, then my best friends enjoying themselves was the next best thing. Dan and Rebecca’s relationship also reinforced the saying about how the more things change, the more they stay the same. In my case, that meant Dan and Rebecca always being there for me. I couldn’t fathom how people dealt with shit all by themselves.

  Outside trees bobbed after a gust of wind swooshed down the block, and my stomach lurched.

  The numerous thoughts swirling in my mind weren’t about the impending cold weather, though. Archie and Mallory just darted by Café Tomorrow. But spending time together wasn’t enough for them. Nope. They were also holding hands.

  And for a split-second, I gave into the negativity and dug my nails into my palms. I should’ve been holding hands with Archie, not Mallory.

  So, yeah. No matter how challenging talking with Archie would be, I didn’t have a choice. Besides, the conversation couldn’t be as bad as our breakup—nothing surpassed how I would’ve rather been gutted like a fish then have my budding romance with Archie end.

  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

  Time to chat with Archie.

  Putting off our conversation yesterday was bad enough—every day I didn’t tell Archie how I felt was another day he grew closer to Mallory. So, I approached him in the school hallway before first period when he was about to open his locker.

  “We need to talk,” I said.

  He averted his gaze. “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “If you’re gonna lie, then you should have more confidence.”

  “I’m not hiding anything.”

  “I know there’s more to the story, and I deserve to know the truth.”

  “I don’t owe you anything,” Archie said.

  I whimpered. “If you ever cared about me, then you’ll be honest.”

  “I don’t have time for this.” Archie tried walking away from me, yet I cut him off. He wasn’t getting away. Not that easily. Not when I wasn’t any closer to finding out the truth about his recent behavior change.

  “If Mallory is in trouble, then tell me,” I said.

  Yup. Just because I knew about Tommy’s empty trust fund, the argument he had with Mallory the day after the Fourth of July, Mallory finding out Gemma and Tommy, and Mallory’s missing tape, didn’t mean I had to reveal everything all at once to Archie. I didn’t know what Archie knew, so I’d take the cautious approach for now.

  “There’s nothing to reveal,” he said. “Mallory is the one I’m interested in, not you.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  His eyes lit up. “I do. You were just something to pass the time, and I’m bored now.”

  “Don’t bullshit me.”

  “It’s not my fault you’re too wrapped up in your own delusions to see reality,” Archie said.

  Deep breaths. I could cry later in the bathroom stall or when I got home. No need for Archie to see me get worked up. No thanks. Preserving my pride was the least I was entitled to—vulnerability was a weakness I couldn’t afford.

  “I thought the indecent proposal was the worst thing that could happen to me, but I was wrong,” I said.

  “Accept the truth. We’re done, and no amount of conversations or gestures will change that,” Archie said.

  The bell rang.

  “And now I’m gonna be late for first period because of you.” Archie smacked his shoulder against mine, then headed to his locker.

  Good to know Archie was Mr. Sensitive. Arriving to first period should’ve been the least of his concerns if he ever loved me. But no. So, the only question was if I had the guts to fight for my happiness or if I’d continue stewing in my contempt.

  THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

  I meandered through the hallway on the way to lunch, only to cross paths with Archie and Mallory. And they weren’t only spending time together or holding hands like on Monday when I was at Café Tomorrow with Dan and Rebecca. They were currently engaged in a PDA, and I almost vomited. Mallory didn’t deserve to be happy—not for a second. Not after everything she did to me.

  I coughed. “We’re at scho
ol.”

  Archie and Mallory pulled back from each other.

  Archie’s cheeks flushed. “We didn’t see you there, Chad.”

  “Yeah, we did,” Mallory said. “We just didn’t care.”

  I scoffed. “We’re you always this cruel?”

  Mallory squeezed Archie’s hand. “It’s not cruel to be with the person I’m meant to be with.”

  “I’m not buying your story, not even for a second,” I said.

  “Doesn’t matter what you think,” Mallory said. “Now that Archie isn’t with you, we can finally be together.”

  I shifted my posture, then a poster on the wall behind me caught my attention from the corner of my eye. But no amount of fancy fonts tempted me into going to the dance. Not when I didn’t have anyone to go with.

  “Tell me something. Are you going to the Snowflake Ball tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Nope,” Mallory interrupted. “We’re gonna go my house right after school tomorrow and have a movie marathon”

  “Sounds fishy. You guys should wanna make your big debut,” I said.

  Mallory grabbed Archie’s hand for the millionth time. “We don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

  “What Mallory said,” Archie murmured.

  “You might wanna give your boyfriend a lesson on public speaking,” I said.

  “We don’t have to stand here and take this.” Mallory gripped Archie by the arm, then darted down the hallway.

  I hollered at them, though. They weren’t getting away that easily. And fortunately for me, they turned around.

  Mallory grunted. “What now?”

  “One way or another, I’m gonna discover what’s going on,” I said. “You might think you’ve won, but you’re wrong. People talk and your personal business isn’t as private as you might think.”

  Yup. I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to twist the knife about Tommy’s disappearance. Sometimes, the best victories were subtle.

  “Whatever,” Mallory said before darting out of sight with Archie.

  I could sob now that Archie and Mallory were out of sight—nobody else happened to be walking down the hallway either. No matter how many times I contemplated everything that happened since the beginning of the school year, I couldn’t fathom how my life became so complicated. And I’d pray my life would return to normal soon—even if that meant confronting Archie and Mallory again tomorrow after school. There was something about Mallory’s response to the Snowflake Ball that left a bitter feeling in my mouth.