a hangin' is what is deservin' :: Open

Tara was sitting at lunch. They were finally back in school, and she was glad. Though, she wasn't quite as glad about the coffee incident. She was angry with her mother for even being there. But, she would deal with it. She was just frustrated and annoyed and she didn't know what to do. She sat down, distractedly eating her pizza. When the girl spoke up, though, she looked up. She was trying to place the face, but couldn't. She really hoped that she didn't know her, otherwise she was going to feel ridiculous.

Wall flower. That was the best way to describe her. If anyone really paid attention, they would know who Question Mark was. She didn't change her writing style. She didn't change anything at all when she wrote out an article for her underground paper, except her name. But, nobody knew. She was just that good at being invisible, she supposed. Not even the clique knew it was her. She liked it, of course. Erica had real talent, but she never showed it to anyone. She was just another kid in line, another kid with a tray. She sat down at a table next to Shayne, who of course didn't see her. Maybe she really was invisible. Hayleigh was yelling, which wasn't like her. Erica might have been unnoticed, but she, in turn, knew quite a bit about everyone else. She could probably write a synopsis of the life story of everyone. So, she knew that Hayleigh was usually quiet. Curious, she looked around before pulling out a small camera, taking a picture. Oh, this was promising already to be a good topic for her next article. She would wait and see.

His eyes were on Hananh. Matt was easier, because he told him that he had to protect the entire family. But Hannah? She didn't care. At least, she didn't act like it. And her words and actions that morning scared him. Was she really going to tell? He couldn't tell. But, he didn't want to risk it, either. Fucking cunt. He would kill her if he had to. He had been keeping an eye on her all day. So far, so good. But, he was watching. If she slipped up once, she would regret it. His thoughts were cut into by Hayleigh, though. He looked up at her, and then back over at Hannah. Oh, she better not have told.

I don't remember. I wish I did. I remember his mask getting burned, but then he took it off, and my mind goes blank. There's nothing after that. It was what she told everyone. The detectives. Her parents. Her siblings. Everyone. But, what nobody knew was that it wasn't entirely true.

It was true, her mind was blank. But, it didn't mean that she didn't know who it was that did it. Jack made sure she knew, before the dance. She wondered if the dance was her fault. She could have gotten him arrested, couldn't she? Instead, she kept quiet. Even now, after everything that had happened, she kept completely quiet. But apparently, she was the only one who was. Hannah watched her sister. What was she doing? She looked across the cafeteria, managing to get a look from Jack. It creeped her out, but not enough to keep her at her table. Slowly, she stood up and approached her cousin and sister. "What are you doing?"

A wolf whistle could be heard from across the cafeteria as Mark eyed Gabriella. He was over Hannah. Especially after what happened between them over spring fling week. Instead, he focused on the hottie beside Hayleigh. Hey, he'd listen to anything they had to say. Mark wasn't a school spirity kind of guy. But, he didn't take Gabriella for that type, either. He approached her, and as he did, he noticed the rope. "Hey. Who are we tying up?" whatever it was, he was in. It could be fun.

"I think we should hold a fundraiser. So we can get something nice for the kids in the hospital. Maybe even hold a vigil for the ones who died. I think I could get the scholastic decathalon team in on it. Maybe even the spirit squad. I mean, Natasha's the captain now" Mike was talking Matt's ear off as they went into the cafeteria. He just wanted to get right to work and bury himself in his activities. It wasn't easy, having the past two weeks school-free. Matt, though, could really not have cared less, and just ignored his cousin as Mike rambled on without noticing that he was, in affect, talking to himself.

"Did someone say the spirit squad?" Natasha popped up behind him with a giggle. "Hi, Matt!" she exclaimed, turning back to Mike. "I was thinking. We really need to get some more people signed up! This is important" As she jumped up to the table, the cousins looked up. Natasha looked to Mike "I never knew she did speeches! Maybe we can get her to sign up!" She looked to Matt "do you think she will?"

Matt, though, was too focused on his sister to pay much attention to Natasha. "sure." he said, though, he had no idea what she had just said. He could have agreed to dance around naked in a pink, sparkly tutu for all he knew. Watching Hayleigh, he folded his arms. "what is she doing?"

This was going to be a good day. That much, he was sure of. Shayne was back in school, and Megan was out of the hospital. And, he had just gotten a raise. Maybe he'd take the paycheck he just got, and he'd treat her to dinner. No, too boring. She had been in the hospital. He had to think of something great, something above and beyond. Because, he wanted that girl. Shayne never wanted anything as badly as he wanted to date Megan. He would do anything in the world for her. Just as he had created the spring fling dance for her. And one of these days, he would prove it to her.

Horseback riding under the stars. A picnic in a wide, open space. Using a telescope to find some of the constellations. Yeah, that was more like it. He would show her that he was worth dating. He wouldn't have just dumped her when she got hurt. Damn Jack. He pulled out his packed lunch as he sat down, musing about his plans. He'd even sing to her, under those stars.

Hayleigh's voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up, curious about what she had to say. He hoped it would be good news. Maybe he could get her to help him get Megan in his car. He could make the whole night a surprise. Yeah, that sounded great. He'd wait until she was done, then ask her.