"Ms. Daniels, glad you could join us. I'm Detective Harold and I assume you know Brett."

The lady who accompanied me closed the door behind me and left.

"Have a seat," Detective Harold continued.

"Um, yes, I do know Brett," I said, sitting down.

Brett was handcuffed and he sat quietly in his seat. I looked over at him but his head was down and he didn't look up once.

"What would you say about your relationship with Brett?" the detective asked.

"Umm, I'm sorry. I still have no idea why I'm here."

"Your friend Brett here has been dealing with drugs in and out of the bar he's been working in. I hear you go there often."

"And this has something to do with me?"

"According to him, it has everything to do with you."

"Excuse me?"

"You know the name of the drug dealer Brett's been getting from. You're know his contact, where he lives and you even went out with him."

"Are you accusing me?"

"Are you trying to avoid my questions?"

"Questions? They were more like statements. Look, I didn't know that Brett has been dealing with drugs are whatever nonsense. So what?"

"So what? The drug dealer he's been dealing with has been raping and murdering girls all over Europe and now he's in my town. I will not rest my head until he is caught."

I turned to look at Brett. His head was still down.

"Give me a few moments with him," I said, nodding towards Brett.

"Fine." He sighed and left the room. I went over to Brett.

"Drugs Brett? You couldn't keep it more secretive?"

Okay, yes I knew that Brett has been dealing with drugs in and out of the bar. Yes, I know the dealer. Yes, I know his contact and where he lives. Yes, I went out with him ONCE. But that was a long time ago. Okay maybe not that long, it was late last year. But how was I supposed to know he was rapist and a murderer?! Yes, he's a drug dealer. Okay, I was stupid before.

"Brett come on! Why am I involved in this shit?!"

He finally looked up.

"Damn it because you're the cause!"

"Oh so I'm the cause now. Tell me, what did I do?"

"You introduced him to me."

"I introduced him not drugs to you! You did that on your own."

"Just tell him the damn name of the dealer."

"Don't you know it?"

Brett kept silent.

"You want me in trouble don't you?"

"If I get into trouble, you bloody hell should too!"

"I'm not who I was before."

"You're no different. I see you now and I still see the bitchy slut I know."

"I want out. You figure some way, I am not involved in any kind and you know it. All I did was introduce you my date that night. I knew he was a drug dealer but that was my problem."

"You got drugs from him too, that part makes you as involved as I am."

"Find a way out yourself. Don't you dare put me in. You know I have connections."

"You'd rather me go to jail?"

I ignored him and walked out of the room.

"Detective Harold? I'm sorry I don't have that kind of information you want from me. You're gonna have to push Brett to find out. I am not who you're looking for."

"So you're telling me you don't know this dealer?"

"No."

I smiled and left the station. God okay I know, I lied! But that was in my past. New Casey remember? I don't want in on anything. That was my past and it's forgotten. Starting now.

First things first, I have to find Billy! I went to the workshop he works and fortunately, he was
there. I'm just gonna come right out and say what I feel. I stepped in front of him.

"Do want this baby or not? I want it, I really do. I don't care about anything else."

Before I knew it, he kissed me. Passionately. And I liked it all the more.

****


The next morning was a whole new day. I decided to go back to school. I would go see Mrs. Goy and ask her to take me back. Okay, the proper term is beg. I know she wouldn't take me back after all the troubles I caused but I'm hoping she would.

Billy and I walked to school together this morning. I couldn't stop myself from turning and smiling at him every single second. We would occasionally stop walking and kiss. I kinda think we're a couple. Well, it's not official or anything.

"Hey, good luck."

"Oh, we're here. Yeah, thanks, I'll need it."

He gave one last peck and left. I gathered all the courage I had left in me and continued my way to the principal's office.

"Excuse me, Ms. Daniels? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Mrs. Goy. Could you arrange an appointment for me?"

"Oh, err, oh...okay."

"Thanks."

"You could actually go in now."

"Oh, that's great. Yeah."

I followed the secretary into Mrs. Goy's office.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Goy, Casey Daniels is here to see you."

"Hi." She shut the door behind me and left me to explain myself.

"Ms. Daniels. A surprise."

"Yes." I just kept standing there.

"You can sit, you know." And so I sat.

"What brings you here? I'm proud to say that after I expelled you, things have been going well."

Bitch, I thought.

"So here's the thing. I want back in Sunny Dale High. I promise you, I've changed."

"And what makes me believe you that you've changed?"

"Put me back in, then you'll see."

"Why should I take that risk?"


***

I'M BACK IN SUNNY DALE HIGH! Somehow or rather I managed to convince Mrs. Goy to let me back in. I can't wait to tell Mims and Sophie and Billy about this! They're going to be so thrilled! I was so deep in my thoughts that I accidently hit someone.

"Oh, sorry!"

"Casey?"

"Eric!"

"Minnie."

"Huh.. Is that, is that you Ashton?" i asked in disbelief.

He walked closer towards me and held my hand. It was him.

"You're failing Algebra?"

"Yea- How did you know about it?"

"Minnie, you never fail. You're good in Math." he smiled.

"I didn't bother to concentrate during classes. I just couldn't.. I kept thinking of you. You were in my thoughts, all this while. Nothing else really matters now anyway.." i held his hand tighter but i could feel his fingers, trying to separate from mine. And the next thing i knew, he disappeared.

"Ashton?"

"I know you can do better than this. Make me proud, dear." a voice from nowhere could be heard.

Fuck. It's all a dream.

I woke up in the middle of the night and turned the lights on. It was only 5 in the morning and i knew i couldn't doze off to sleep that easily anymore. I walked to my dressing table and looked at my reflection on the mirror. I gasped. My hair's in a total mess and my make-up wasn't removed. I must have been really tired after the party.

I walked to my bathroom and turned the tap on. I washed my face and i felt all clean and fresh again. That's more like it! I took a towel and walked down the stairs, to the kitchen. I could see, it was drizzling outside. Ah, coldness. I've always hated cold weather. Like, winter for example. I hate it. I hate snowballs. I hate it when someone throws it at me. Bottom line, i hate snow.

I made myself a sandwich and was about to walk to the living room when mum showed up in the kitchen too. And, she looked terrible.

"Mum, are you alright?" i questioned.

She walked past me as if i was invisible. What was that about?

I left mum alone in the kitchen and sat down on the sofa in the living room. I was happily munching on my sandwich when suddenly, i could hear water dripping. I rushed to the kitchen in panic and come to think of it now, i thought my mother was peeing. But no, instead i was shocked to find mum, continuously pouring low-fat milk into her mug and she didn't stop pouring. She looked lost, as though, she was in another world.

"Mum, you can stop pouring now. We'll run out of milk soon." i teased and grabbed her hand. Ouch. It was way colder than ice.

"Mum, why is your hand cold?" i asked in a serious tone.

"What? No no, i'm fine." she looked blur. I guess she really did was thinking of something else.

"Is there something wrong?" i waved my hand in front of her like some dummy. "Do you need to see the doctor? You look really pale and sick.."

"I'm OK, darling. Now, if you'll excuse me." she pushed my hand away and walked back into her room with her cup of milk.

That was really weird.

****

I'm starting to hate school now.

History class has never fail to bore me ever since the day i stepped into Sunny Dale High. Back then, sure, i had friends to talk to, i had someone to pass notes with, i had someone.. to think of. But now, look at me. All i see is anti-social Minnie. No one's talking to me now. Max and the rest had officially ignored me. They've forgotten all about me and they're not even looking at me.

I'm friendless.

Er, though, i did try to make conversation with this girl next to me. She looked nice.

"Hi," i said.

She looked at me in disguise then dragged her table further away from me. To make things even worse, i could hear a group of people from the back, laughing silently.

God, am i really that bad?

"Minnie, stop talking." Mr Gabe warned.

"But i wasn't.."

"I'm not deaf, Minnie. We all know, your voice's the loudest among all these students around here. So keep that mouth shut and do your work." he said firmly.

"It was-"

"Ab-tat-tat-tat-ta. Say another word and i'll send you to detention."

The students started laughing again as soon as he turned his back to us. The noises of the chatter went on and on, from the back of the class. I turned back just so i could ask them to keep their voices low and that's when..

"Minnie!" Mr Gabe yelled and took off his reading glasses, "How many times must i say-"

"It wasn't me, fucker!" i raised my voice and stood up.

Harsh move, Minnie. Now, everyone's looking at you. Even, Sarah the nerd geek, has stopped playing with her hair. I must admit, that was really annoying. I felt like pulling her hair off so she can just be bald instead. Esh.

The class was pin-drop silent and the situation was really tensed up. I felt like throwing up anytime now. According to my instincts, i knew exactly what to do at that time. Besides, i can't just sit back down and pretended nothing has just happen right?

"Don't even say it. I know where i'll have to go."

"Detention plus a visit to the principal's office." he wrote me a slip and i stared at it, palms sweating. I've never been sent to a principal's office before. Weakly, i took my bag and walked out of class.

"No, Mr Gabe. You can't do that." a guy voice said.

I stopped walking and looked back to see Max, standing up to fight for my rights. I smiled at him to thank him but he didn't smile back.

"Well well well, what do we have here? A friend trying to help. Now you both will go detention. Out of my class!" he pointed to the door and we had no choice but to walk out.

While walking down the hallway, i could feel my heart beating really fast. I was sweating too. At the corner of my eye, i could see Max, walking like a normal human being. What the hell. Why was i even thinking that he's going to forgive me anyway? I knew he wouldn't. Of course i knew.

"I'll accompany you to the office." he said without looking at me.

"You don't have to if you-"

"No, i want to."

"Okay.. if you insist." i mumbled.

I knocked on the door and Mrs Goy said, "Come in."

As i was about to open the door, Max grabbed my arm and said coolly, "Hey, don't be too nervous alright?"

I smiled awkwardly back and closed the door behind me. As usual, Mrs Goy gave her little lecture and i nodded my head obediently like every 1 minute. But what she didn't know was, my mind was too busy replaying that scene over and over again.

That scene when Max had just talk to me. Fine, he didn't really talk to me but he did say something to me! So it must mean something, no?

"Minnie, do you understand what i've just said?"

I nodded my head.

"Okay, you can go now. You and your friend can skip this detention. I'll inform the teachers. But, i'm warning you. The next time, i see you here, i'll have to call your parents."

I nodded my head again and opened the door widely. Max was still waiting for me outside the office while messaging someone with his iPhone. He didn't even realize i was standing in front of him for the past 5 minutes. It's nice staring at him sometimes.

Finally, i cleared my throat and he stopped playing with his gadget.

"Erm, no detentions for us so we can go now."

"Okay then." He walked off without a smile and i was left, standing alone in the hallway.

Am i going to save this friendship? Am i going to be the one who's going to make the first move? Wait, i don't even know what i did wrong to deserve being treated this way. There must be some misunderstandings. I know it. We just have to talk. But how? Am i really going to say it?

Say it, Minnie.

"Hey, look!" i said before he made that turn at the end of the hallway, "Can we talk? Please?"

He stopped walking and turned back to look at me.

"What for?"

"If you refuse to, i don't think i'll ever forgive myself for losing a friend like you without knowing the reason for it."

There was a brief silence before he finally agreed and said, "8 o'clock, my place." And as soon as he was gone, i can't help but to have my hopes a little higher than before. I'm going to sort things out. Tonight.

"BRRRIIINNNNNNNGGG ! "

Shit . The alarm . Damn it . It's time for school . Alyssa woke up and turned off the alarm , and went back to sleep . I woke up , and went to the toilet . Yeah , messy look . I washed my face , and take a look at the mirror . I brushed my teeth , and combed my hair .

" Alyssa ! It's time for schoooollll ! " I shouted inside the toilet .

I heard no reply , but I didn't care . I just went to bath , and started humming to the favourite song of mine .

When I was done , Alyssa was still sleeping . I went to her , and pulled her blanket away .

" ALYSSA ! It's time for school ! " I swear i shouted on the top of my lungs .

" Hm ? " Alyssa replied with a soft tone . Her face was all red , and plenty of red dots were on her face .

" OMG ! Alyssa , what's wrong ? Your face ! "

" What ?! What ?! My face ? What's wrong ? " She grab a mirror , next to her , and took a look .

" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ! " Alyssa screamt .

Aunty Christine , Mum and Dad rushed up , and opened the door .

" What happen ? " Aunty Christine asked .

" MUM ! MY FACE !! " Alyssa shouted .

Four of us , were just plain shocked on what's going on with her face . Obviously , Alyssa , herself , was plain shocked as well . All of us started to worry and panic . We had no idea on what to do , or any thing that could help Alyssa .

" Why not .. I get you some ice ? That will help right ? " Mum said . Trying to help around .

" MUM ! She didn't injure herself , the dots just popped out . So , ice wouldn't help . "

" Right . Oh , Christine , why not bring her to the doctor ? Quick ! "

" Good idea. Come , let's go to the doctor , hun . " Aunty Christine carried Alyssa up from the bed , but Alyssa was to weak to walk .

" But mum ! I want to go to school ! " Alyssa dragged her feets to the closet , and picked some clothes out .

" No , you can't . How are you going to go to school with the red dots ? Soph , tell your teacher that Alyssa's not feeling well . "

" Err , Alright . I'm going to go now , or i'll be late . Bye Al , take care , love all of you . "

I ran out of the room , and i could hear dad speaking to me , but I just ignored him and went straight to the door . I bet he'll ask if Trace's downstairs or whatever . Gosh , when will he ever stop . Right , speaking of Trace . Why isn't he here to pick me up ? Is he like mad that I didn't accept him ? Oh dear .

I walked to school , and .. I'm obviously late . Shit . I quickly ran to the locker , grab my books and head for English class .

" Soorry I'm late . "

Apparently , teacher isn't here , and the whole class stopped what they're doing and looked at me . All of them were busy talking , some were even throwing balls . Thank god , i'm not that late . Serene waved at me , and i went to her .

" Hi guys . " I sat in between Serene and Johnny .

I just love Serene and Johnny because they always save me a seat no matter what . This is what I call true friends . Sometimes , I do feel bad , as I seldom hangout with them .

" Why are you so late ? " Johnny asked .

" Alyssa is sick , so yeah . We had to figure what's wrong with her . By the way , have you seen Trace ? "

" No . Oh , did you hear that Trace is together with Catherine ? "

" Wwwwwhhat ?! Trace is together with HER ?! " I shouted , and pointed at Catherine who's 5 tables away from us .

" Yeah , okay Sophie . Lower down your voice . " Johnny pat my shoulder , he sure know how i'm feeling .

" No wait , this can't be . "

I quickly took out my phone and text Trace .

To Trace

: You're together with Catherine ? Tell me , this ain't true . Please .

From Sophie .

I was feeling so stressed out . It feels like , I just got ripped off . Trace just said he like me , not long ago , and now he's together with Catherine ? The point is , his girlfriend is Catherine . If it was other girls , I wouldn't mind . But , hey , is that bitch .

Suddenly , the headmaster came in and all of us kept quite . It was pin drop silence .

" Your English teacher is ill today . She's not coming , so it's a free period now . "

After leaving the message , she walked out , and continue to walk around the school . Everyone packed their bag and leave the class .

" Urgh , this can't be happening . Trace is not together with Catherine . " I mumbled to myself .

As I was walking out from the class , I felt as though my head is so heavy that I could hardly walk . My sight is all blurred out , and all i can see , is my vision spinning round and round . Then I just passed out . Before I fainted , I could here a voice next to my ear , shouting for my name . That voice was very familiar .