Max | After
This wasn't planned. When a message from Darren lit up my phone screen just as Kaci gave the news of Zeph being alright, I didn't give it another thought. I left and met up with Darren and Keely before I could start overthinking and begin to spiral.
"Where are we going?" I ask as we walk, holding the silver flask Darren gave me tight.
"We're going to Thorn Meadow," Keely answers. "And that's for drinking, you know."
I awkwardly twist the cap off the flask and take a sip of whatever is inside. It's oddly sweet. I take another sip and follow them, beginning to enjoy the taste. "It's good."
"Right?" Darren says, taking a sharp turn. "Sit, Maximus."
"Don't call me that." My head feels light already, but I sit anyway. "Why did you call me here? To drink this magical drink, sure, but why else?"
Keely shrugs. "It's
Violet | BeforeDAY ONE"We don't have to do this," Dad tells me, glancing at me from the driver's seat as he stops the car. "We don't have to let Audrey win.""Yes we do," I answer. "It's dangerous for me to be free. I need to stay here until I can be in a room with a candle without causing a fire."It's been two months since my disastrous dinner at Audrey's. In that time, I have had three restraining orders filed against me and almost been taken to court by the Ivies' parents. Audrey's parents were as willing at first, but the girl didn't get into Yale for having pretty hair. She convinced them I'm psycho. I am psycho. Also, I am now officially the girl who killed Cassie George. It's even been spray painted on my locker in blood red."This place gives me the creeps," he says. "I guess we better go in."I grab my duffel bag fille
Max | AfterI've never been so glad to see Zeph in my life. He's right here, arm in a sling, plaster on his forehead and smile on his face. Everyone is fawning over him in the Rec, treating him like a hero. Carlos, Violet and I stand back, watching the scene while Kaci stands next to him protectively."Alright, that's enough!" Kaci yells. "He needs his rest and autograph signing will be tomorrow at five.""Will you sign my leg?" a Year Six boy shouts out, brandishing a dark green Sharpie."Sure," Zeph says with a smile. "Hey, Max! Help me with my bag?""Of course." I grab his overnight bag from Kaci and lead him out of the room, the crowd parting like the Red Sea.Carlos, Violet and Kaci trail after us, arguing that they're Zeph's best friends so they have this right. Zeph seems oblivious to all of us, talking about the cartoons he wat
Violet | After"Who the fuck is this?" Max demands furiously. "Kaci, no offence on your claim, but I'm going to be the one to kill this fucker.""Language," Carlos snaps. "And isn't it obvious? The killer took Grace's phone as a trophy. We need to look for it.""I can search Keely's room," Kaci offers. "Wait, better idea. Violet can search her room while we stall Keely in the dining hall at dinner.""How are we going to distract her?" Zeph asks just as I say, "Why me?""Violet because Keely won't notice her absence. And we'll distract her with something that she'd love to talk about.""Like how I might have an eating disorder?" Max says sarcastically."Exactly. And if that fails, Carlos can say that he's madly in love with her," Kaci replies. "And, dude, eat an doughnut or a pizza or something."
Max | AfterI've known Mr Gilbert and Tristan Fell for years.I first met Tristan when we were seven, when his father came to visit mine. I showed him the pet cemetery Grace and I had started with odd pride, probably traumatising the guy. Then Grace arrived. And I still remember what Tristan whispered in my ear. She's so pretty. And I remember when Grace casually asked me years later what I thought of Tristan now. I remember her reply to my claim of him being fine. She said that she thought he was cute.My meeting with Mr Gilbert was very different. The Year Sixes are always met at the station by their teacher for the year. Mr Gilbert had been leaning against the wall, a bottle of water in one hand and a folder in another. Grace, Carlos and I had been the first kids off the train, dragging our rucksacks behind us."Is that our teacher?" Carlos had whispered, eyes wide."I s
Grace | Before"You think it looks okay?" I ask Mum as she twists part of my hair into a slim plait."It does," she replies. "You're going to steal all the boys' hearts tonight.""Is Max here yet? Or Carlos and Zeph?""Max and Carlos are," she says. "They're helping with the tables. So sweet, those two."I smile. Carlos? Yes. Max? Carlos probably guilted him into pushing tables around. He doesn't like pushing tables around, he prefers to watch with his feet up on one."Your dad's here too," she adds. "He's fixing himself a sandwich before the party since he missed dinner. Did you miss him?"I'm frozen. If Dad is here, he'll want to talk. He knows that I've met the rep from the Raven's Guild. He'll want to ask me what I think of it. He'll ask me how I feel about the sixteenth of July.
Max | After"Excuse me?" My voice is shaky as Tristan gestures for me to sit down next to him. "What do you mean, Rosewood legacy?""Your grandmother's mother was actually one of the first girls to attend this school," Benedict Trudale replies coolly. "One of the first students, in fact. Your grandmother attended this school and then your father and now you. You're a legacy.""And what are you two doing? Did you put those notes all around school?""You're an absolute idiot," I tell him. "You terrified the shit out of most of the school and if Elliot finds out, she will murder you. And then your parents will murder you for it. So you'll be dead twice.""Three times because Vivienne will kill me too.""But you have done very well," Benedict adds. "The Rosewood Alliance has surpassed the Raven's Guild on this occasion." 
Violet | After"How are we going to look through her desk?" Kaci wails, flopping down on her bed.I look up from the email Mom forwarded to me from Everly. It's been almost six months since I've been released to civilisation and they think it'll be good if I talk to someone about how I'm doing. I'm to see Dr Summers next week. How lovely for me, right?"I think my mom just solved the problem," I say. "She wants me to have a session with Dr Summers next week. I can have a look then.""I have an idea to get her out of the room." She picks up her phone. "Tanya and Lexie, they'll do Max a favour, right? They can distract get with something while you look for anything on—"There's a brisk knock on our door, cutting her off."Who is it?" I call."Police!" a female voice responds. "We need to searc
Max | After"Come on, Max!" Carlos sighs. "We need to leave now!"He throws a packet of sweets to me as I look up from my laptop. I have a horror film ready to watch on. Netflix, all I have to do is press play and lose myself in a story that doesn't seem nearly as scary as my own life."Do I have to?" I whine. "Vivienne's going to be there and I haven't really talked to her and—""Max, let me stop you right there," he interjects. "Vivienne is not the only girl in the world and you probably won't have to talk to her all night. You are going to find someone who accepts how insane you are and loves you for it and you can't avoid her for the rest of your life.""Max, let me stop you right there," he interjects. "Vivienne is not the only girl in the world and you probably won't have to talk to her all night. You are going to find someone who accepts how insane