lies my family kept from me

8/2/2019 Lies My Family Kept From Me

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Iamonehundredpercentsureididnotkillher,butmywordhavenovaluewhenmyownfamily"admits"idid.ThereissomethingbehindthemurderofEdaTannerthatdoesntfitotherthatmebeing,"supposedly"themurderer,butiwillmakesuretofindoutwhatreallyhappenedthatnight,thenightshewaskilledwhileiwaswatchingT.V,thenighti"accordingtothem"killedher.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+Chapter1DidireallyhateEdaTanner?Yes.Uptothepointofwantingtokillher?No.Didibecomethemurderer?Yes.Wasitheonewhokilledher?No.EdaTannerwasoneofthoserichgirlsthatsomeonelikemewouldneverbeabletobefriendswith,butwewere,orusedto.Westoppedbeingfriendsevenbackbeforeshewasmurdered,andirememberperfectlythereasonwhy.IknewmanymanysecretsaboutEdathatinever,everthoughtofspillingout,becausethatswhatafriendissupposedtodoright?1-Shehadtwotattoos.2-Shewasdatingherotherbestfriend'sboyfriend.3-Shestolemoneyfromhermother(Eventhoughidontknowwhy,shehadmorethanenoughmoneyinherhands.)4-ShewastheonewhocutLilly'shairwhilesheslept.5-Shesmokedpot.Andthelistgoesonandontillforever,butwithsecretnumber5wasthatshe

crossedtheline.Onenight,whilecleaningEda'sroom,hermotherfoundenoughevidencetosaythatherdaughterwassmoking,butaftershetalkedtoheraboutwhyshewasdoingit,Edasaidthatitdidntbelongtoher,buttome.Shesaidthaticametoherhousealmosteverydaytosmokesothatiwouldntbeseenbymyparentsoranyone,andthati"threatened"herofkillingherifsheevertoldanyone.Aftersheliedaboutthatigotintoamillionproblems;meandherneversaidawordtoeachotheragainuntilwehadto,foraclassproject,butthatwasit.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+Icouldhearthephoneringingacrossmyroom,butFINNANDRACHELWEREABOUTTOKISS!IcouldntgoawayfromtheT.Vinamomentlikethis!Itwasntuntilthesencondtimethatitrangagainthatidecidedtopickitup,withoutkeepingmyeyesawayfromthetelevisionthough.

"Lauren?"ItwasDean,myformerbestfrienduptodate,hesoundedshocked,breathless,gasping."What?!"Iasked"IssomethingwrongDean?""YOUKILLEDEDA!"heyelledsohardibetitcouldbeheardafairdistanceawayfromthephone."Wait,What?"itoldhim,"Ididn-,Icouldn-Wait......What?""Channel4,PutTHENEWS!"Ijumpedovermybedandtookthecontrollerchangingaseasonfinaleihavebeenwaitingforsomuchforastupidnewsbroadcast."Thisshouldnotbeabadjokeorelse.."itoldDeanthroughthephone.AmaninablacksuitstoodinfrontofwhatlookedlikeEda'syard,surroundedby2ambulancesandsomepolicecars."EdaTanner"hesaid"wasfounddeadinheryardminutesago,themurdererhasa

lreadybeenfoundandturnedinbyamanoverhere,Mr.AlbertDecker,letsseewhathehastosayaboutwhathappened."Myheartstartedbeatingrapidlyinsidemychest"Whatisdaddoingthere?"iaskedDean."Keepwatching!"hesaid,"ThisisnotlivenewsLauren,iwatchedthissomeminutesago."Dadtookthemicrophoneinhishandsandclearedhisthroat"Ineverthoughtshewouldhavetheintentionsofdoingsomethinglikethistosomeonethatwasherfriend"-"HEISNTTALKINGABOUTMERIGHT?!"iyelledatDean.


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"Keepwatching!"IlookedbackattheT.V."Mydaughter,wasnotthetypeofpersonyouwouldthinkofasamurderer,shewasalwayspeacefulandhappy,butsometimeswedontknowwhatisgoingthroughapersonshead,sometimeswedontknoweachothertowell.""ISUREDONTKNOWHIMWELLDEAN"Iwasfuriousatdad,howcouldhesayshuchthingaboutmewheniwas,IAMRIGHTHERE!""IknowyoudidntkillherLauren,imsureofit""Youbetterbe..."Ithreatenedhimsarcastically"Buthowcoulddadsaythat?!""Idontknow!Butwhattwokidshavetosaywontcounterbackthestoryhejustsaidabouthowyoudidit,heevenusedfakeevidencelikethingsfromyourroom"Ilookedatmyshelfandmysoftballtrophywasntthere,eitherwerentmyschoolpencils,pens,andscissorsonmytable."Icantbelieveit!Illtellmomwhatdadjustdid!She'lltellthepoliceididntkillhe-""WaitLauren"Deaninterruptedme"Keepwatching!"Dadwasstillwiththemiconhishand,nowholdingthebloodsmearedtrophyshowingitasevidence,"Iknowitstherightthingtodo,asparentsandcitizens,totellthetruthaboutwhathashappened,andmeandmywifehavebeentalking-""MYWIFEDEAN,MYWIFE?!?!?!DONTTELLMEMOMISINTHISTOO"Iwasfeelingterrible,myheadhurtandmyheartfeltlikeifitwasgoingtojumpoutofmychestatanyminute."Andwehavedecided"mydadcontinued,"thatforthebestofourdaughtersbein

g,wewillputherintherapyandwewilltreather,butwewillalsohaveatalkwithherrightJennifer?"andthecameramovedontomom,whosefacewasfilledwithtearsthatkeptpouringfromhereyes,"Right"shesaid,anditurnedtheT.V.off."Lauren,areyouthere?"IheardDeanaskthroughthephone,butrightnowididntfeellikeanswering.Ifeltdirty,threatening,broken,ifeltlikethemurdererthatiwasnt.Chapter2Mypillowwasalmostsoakingwetofallthetearsi'vespilledoverit.Everytimei'vestoppedcrying,justtheimageofmyparentsonT.V.claimingiwasamurderer,betrayingmewithpurelies,putmetocrydesperatelyagain.Howcoulditrustthemnow?HowcoulditrustANYONEnowwhentheoneswhoaresupposedtobethemosttrustablecompletelybreakthatchainofconfidence?Itwasntpossib

le.Butthesamequestionkeptbouncinginsidemyhead,tormentingme,WhydidmyparentsblameEda'smurderonME,whentheyperfectlyknowiwasnttheonewhodidit?WhydidtheyevenbothertodothatiftheyhadnorelationtoEdaotherthanEdabeingoncetheirdaughter'sbestfriend?TherewereathousandthingsthatdidntfitATALLaboutwhathadjusthappened.Itseemedlikeinjustamatterofminutesmylifehasbeenturnedcompletelyupsidedown,tornapart,brokenintoamillionpiecesandscatteredlikeapuzzleimpossibletoputtogether;Butonethingwasveryclearforme,Iwas100%surethatI,LaurenDecker,didn'tkillEdaTanner.Ihadtotalktosomeone,soitookthephoneandredialedDean'snumber."Hello?"hepickeditup,"Lauren,isthatyou?""Yes,Imsorryfornotansweringbefore,ijustfeltlikenottalkingtoanyone."

"Itsok,"hesighed,"Ithoughtsomethingwronghadhappenedtoyou.""Andwhywoulditmattertoyouifitdid?""ITWOULD!"hesaidrapidly"Imean..youknow..youaremybestfriend....Iwouldn'twantsomething...wrongeverhappeningtoyou.""Awwwwwwwww"Igiggled;EvenontheworstofmytimesDeancouldalwaysmakemesmile."Hey,andIgotinformedthatuntiltheyhavemoreproofaboutifitwasyouornot,theywontdoanythingtoyou,butyouarelikethenumberonepersonofinterestrightnow""Thanksforremindingmethat,"mysarcasmwasnotorious"Butmoreproof?IsntM


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Ytrophy,withMYfingerprints,andEda'sbloodinitenoughproofalready?""ButtheremustbeawaytoprovethatyouwerentthemurdererLauren!Andwhytheheckwouldyourparentswanttodosuchathingtoyou?"Ididn'tasnwer,thatquestionhadalreadymademynightmiserable,andprobablytherestofmylifetoo."Oh...sorry"heapologized,"Ishouldn'thaveaskedthatquestion...right?""No.""Sorry,iwontaskthatagain,ipromise."Theconversationfadedintoanawkwardsilencebetweenthetwoofus;AbouttwominuteslatericouldhearvoicescomingfromDean'sphone,itwashismother.Thevoicessoundedfaraway,buticouldmanagetohearenoughofwhatyouwouldexpect:"YoucantbefriendswithamurdererDean!""Butmom,LaurendidntkillEda,shejust-""YouheardthenewsDean!Therewasevenproofthatsheusedhertennisorbasketballtrophy""SOFTBALLMOM!SOFT.BALL!"ThenDeanpickedupthephoneagain,"LookLauren,ineedtohangupsoo-""Cometomyhouse,please!"Iinteruptedhimquickly"Comeinthroughthewindow,it'llbeopen,justdontletyourmomseeyou,lockupyourroomorsomethingsoshethinksyouaresleeping""Ok"hesaidandhehungup.WaitingforDeantoarrivebecameeternal;everysecondtickingawayfromtheclockfeltlikeathousandyearsslowlypassing.Ihadtofindawayofkeepingmy

selfentretainedandthatwoulddefinitelynotbewatchingmoreT.V.newsreports,soIheadeddowntothekitchentolookforsomethingtoeat.Lookingatthefamilypicturesasiwentdownstairsfeltweird,ifeltlikeIdidntbelongtothisfamilyanymore,myfatherastrangerandmymotheralier,beingleftwithjustme,thegirlwhobelievedwhatthistwohadtosay.Notanymore.Igrabbedanapplefromthecounterandlookedattheblackkitchenclocknoticingithadalreadybeen15minutessinceiaskedDeantocome;Iguesshismothercaughthimintheactofsneakingout,butwouldn'thecallmetotellme?Ohwell.Iknew"mom"and"dad"wouldcomehomesoon,soiheadedbackupstairswithabagofchipsjustincaseigothungryagain.Thistimeididn'tbotherlookatthehangingpicturesonthewalls,neithertheonethathungfromanailinmydoor

."Lauren,wherewereyou?"itwasDeaninsidegoingthroughthepicturesofoneofmyscrapbooks,"Oooh,youbroughtmechips!!"hesaidsnatchingthebagfrommyhand.Igrinned."Whattookyousolong?"Iaskedhimsittingnexttohimonmybed"Iwasstartingtogetworriedthatyourmothercaughtyouorsomething.""You?"hesaid"Worried...about..me?"asmilewasdrawninhisfacefromeartoear."Yeah,"imunchedonapotatochip"we'rebestfriendsremember?We'resupposedtocareforeachother?""Ohyeahyeah.."hechuckled."HeyLauren,canikeepthispicture?Youlookextremelyadorableinit!"Ilookedatthepicturehewasholding,itwastheoneofthedayIwasbornand

myfatherwasholdingme;Iadmitireallylookedadorablebutsincedadwasthereididn'twantitanymore."Yesyoucankeepit"isaid."YES!!!"hesmiledwidelyagain.Ihearddad'scargettingclosetothehousesoistoodupandlockedthedoortotheroom.Ididn'twanttoseethem.Icouldhearmomwasstillcrying,somehowifeellikeshedidn'twanttosaythatonT.V.,buteitherwayshedid."Turnthelightsoff!"itoldDeanfast,"Theycan'tknowimawake,thenthey'lltrytocomeintomyroom!"Deanstoodupandhittheswitchmakingtheroomcompletelydark.


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"Arewesupposedtostaylikethisallnight?"Deanwhispered"Ican'tevenseemyhand,anditsrightinfrontofmyface!""Justuntiltheycomeinside,"iwhisperedback,"thenit'llbesafe."Iheardthefrontdooropenwithaloudthud,andiheardmom'ssobbingbecominglouder,theywerewhispering,orfailingattheattempt,causeicouldperfectlymaketheirwordsout."Ididn't,Ishouldofnever-"momcried."Itsalldone,"dadinterruptedher."Butshe'sour...daughter"momsaidstrugglingattheworddaughter,iguessshealsofeltlikeshedidn'tdeservebeingmymotherafterwhatshedid."Jennifer.."dadsaid"shemustnotknow,shemustnotgetaclue,LIFE.MUST.GOONNORMALLY.ok?""IthasneverbeennormalAlbertandimsickofit!"shestartedcryingagain,louder,"ICANNOTKEEPDOINGTHIS!""Doingwhat?"Deanwhisperedtome."SHHHHHHH!!!!!"iputafingeroverhismouth,"Idontknoweither""YOUHAVETOJENNIFER,ANDTHERE'SNOOTHEROPTIONOK?"Andthendad'sandmom'svoicefadedastheyclosedthedoortotheirroom."Youcanturnthelightbackon"itoldDean,andhedid."Whathadjusthadjusthappened?"Deanaskedme;youcouldseehowhewasn'tgettingtheholdofwhatjusthappened,butbeinghonestneitherdidI."AndwhyisNovember11,1994writteninthebackofyourpicture,isn'tyourbirthdaythe18th?Okimofficiallyconfused!""Yes,"isnatchedthepicturefromhishands,andreadwhatithadwrittenbehin

dit;Somewordswereunreadable,butyoucouldperfectlymakeouttheNovember11,1994."Whytheheck?!?"Deanwasgettingnervous,andhewasmakingMEnervous,morethanialreadywas."Causemaybeiamnottheoneonthepicture"Itoldhim,"maybeimnoteventheirdaughter."Chapter3Deanlookedatmewideeyedforasecond,thenheburstoutlaughing;"YOUSHOULDHAVEHEARDYOURSLEF!"hesaidlaughinguptothepointwherenosoundcameoutofhismouth,"Maybe,I'mnoteventheirdaugter,HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!""ImseriousDean!"Inudgedhim,"yousawwhattheydidtometonight,PLUS,youheardwhattheyweresayingdownstairs,they'veliedtome!Nottellingmeimadoptedisjustsomethingsmallcomparedtowhatthey'vedone.."

"Adopted?"heaskedme,containinghislaughterinsidebutfailingattheattempt,"Lauren,areyoulisteningtoyourself?That'sRIDICULOUSofyoutosay,youarelikethepersonthatiknowthatlooksthemostliketheirparents.""Oooh..."Isaidrealizingitwastrue.Ididreallylooklikemymother...andmyfather."ButhowcomeNovember11iswrittenbehindthepicture?Iwasn'tbornthatday!""IdontknowLauren,"DeansaidpickingupmyIpod"ewww!DoyoulistentoKe$ha?""Deanthisisserious,please!Imtryingtoprovethatimnotamurdererremember?""LookLauren,"hecamecloser,stillwithmyIpodinhishands"ItsobviousthatyoudidntkillEda,peoplewillknowthetruthsoonerorlater,andifyou,orme,orKe$haturnsouttobethemurdererjustrememberthat...WEAREWHOWEAR

EEE!""UGGGHHHHHDean,Ithoughtyouweretalkingseriously!"Iclenchedmyandintoafistandhithimonhisshouldermakinghimalmostfallfromthebed.Helookedatmewithanexpressionofastonishment."Dean...imsooosorry,inevermeanttohityouthathard,ireallyjust-""God...youareSTRONGLauren!"hestartedrubbinghisshoulder,"AreyoulikegoingtothegymorplayingextraSoftball?Watchoutoryou'llstartbecomingtheIncredibleHulkorsomething..""Wasitreallythathard?Hahaha,waittillyourfriendsknowyougothitbyagirl,watchyourlittletonopopularitygodown!"


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"Laurendon'tyoueverthinkofdoingthat!Orelse...""Orelsewhat?You'llfightmebackandLOOSEAGAIN!?""Iwouldntloose,youjust...youknow,caughtmeunprepared..""Likethis?"Ileanedforwardandkissedhimonthecheek,"ThanksforalwaysbeingthereformeDean,evenintheworstmoments,youarethebestfriendamurderercouldeveraskfor.""Hahaha...youarewelcome."Heblushed.Westaredateachotherforwhatlookedlikeanawkwardminute,untilhe,thankgod,interruptedit."Hey,whathappenedtoyouhere?"Hepointedatmyforehead."Idontknow,whatdoIhave?"Itriedfindingtheplacehetoldmewithmyfingers,buticouldn'tseemtofindit."Youhavelikeabruise,oveeeeerrrr..."hedraggedmyfingerstowherethebruisewas"here!""Nowwheredidigetthisfrom?"Ireallycouldn'tremember"Ooh,IthinkIfellfrommybedthismorning,youknowimalwaystrippingonstuff""Yeah...I'venoticed..""Heystopthat!"Iretainedmyimpulseofhittinghimagain."Laurenitsgettinglate,IthinkImustgohomeormomwillfindIsneakedout.""ComeonDean,pleasestay!It'ssummer,it'snotlikewehaveschooltommorow,let'shaveasleepoverorsomething,Ijustdontwanttostayalonewithmyparentshere.""Hmmmm......."

"I'llkissyouagain"igrinned"Iknowyoulikedit,didn'tyou?""I..well....youknow...""IwasjustjokingDean,don'tgonervousonthis!"Ilaughed.IloveddoingjokeslikethistoDean,he'dgetnervousevenifhismomwouldaskhimforakiss."Wait...I'llstay...ok..but....whereyoujokingaboutthekisstoo?"Hesmiledwidely."Yes."Istaredathimexpressionless,justtoseewhathisreactionwouldbe."Yeah,iknewit.""Youdid?"Ileanedforwardtokisshischeek,"Ithinkyouknowtoolittle."Heblushedagain."Lauren?"Ihearddadcomingupthestairs,"AreyouawakeLauren?"IlookedatDeanandmotionedhimtogoundermybed."Fast,gounderneath!""Butmypicture!",hetriedtakingthepictureIgiftedhimawhileago,butitf

ellfromthebed."You'llgetitbackwhendadgoesoutofmyroom,it'snotlikehe'llstayhereforever!"IwhisperedtoDean,pushinghishandunderthebed."Youneverknow..."hejoked."AreyouawakeLauren?"dadsaidthroughthedoorknockingseveraltimes."Yesimhere,"Iheadedtothedoorandunlockedthedoorknob.Dadcameinside;Ididntwanttolookathimontheeyes,butIdid,justsohecouldseethedaughteroncelovedthathe,fornoapparentreason,incrimed."Ithinkit'stimethatyouandmehaveatalk."Dad'svoicesoundedcalm,passive."No,"Isaidfirmly,"IDONOTWANTTOTALKTOYOU;IDONOTEVENWANTTOSEEYOU,HEARYOU,FEELYOUNEARME!GOAWAY!""LookLauren,aboutwhatyouprobablysawonthenewsit's-"

"IALREADYSAIDIDON'TWANTTOKNOW!DOYOUKNOWWHATYOUDIDTOME?!?YOUANDMOM!JUSTGOAWAYALBERT!""IneedrespectLauren,anditsdadforyou,notAlbert,"histonebecamefirmer,louder."Whatever.."DAD",I.Donot.Feel.Like.Talking.To.You.AndIprobably.Never.Will.Feel.Like.It.GETITNOW?!"Butdadwasn'tpayingattentiontome,hisgazewasfixedatapeculiarthingthatlayonmyfloor.Thepicture.Hebenddownandpickedupthephoto."MayIaskwhereyougotthispicturefrom?"dadaskedme."Idon'tknowmister,maaaaayyoooouuu?"


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"LAURENDECKER,IASKED,WHEREDIDYOUGETTHISPICTUREFROM?!""IDONTKNOWALBERTDECKER,IHADNEVERSEENITBEFORE,IJUSTFOUNDITTODAYONONEOFMYSCRAPBOOKS!"Helayfrozenlookingatthepicture,notsayinganything,notmovingasinglemuscleforsomeminutes.Itwasalreadymakingmenervous."Whyareyousocrazyaboutthatpicture?"Iaskedhim"Whoisthatinitanyways?""Thatsnoneofyourbussiness"hesaid.Hewentoutsideandclosedthedoor.Chapter4Myroomfellintoacompletesilence.NowIreallywantedtoknowwhowasthegirlonthepicture,becauseclearlyitwasn'tme.IlookedatthebedbutDeanhadn'tcomeout."Dean?"Noanswer."Dean?!Ugh,don'tmakemegounderthebed!"Therewasstillnoanswer."I'llsooomakeyoupayforthis!"Ibentdownandliftedthesheets;UnderthebedDeanlaidasleeppeacefully."Hmmmm...shouldIwakeyouupornot?"Ithoughtoutloud."Yep...Iwill."Igrabbedhimbyhisarmandpulledhimoutfromunderthebed."WAKEUPMORON!"Iyelledinhisear.Heopenedhiseyesinshockandjumpedback."What?...WhereamI?.........Lauren,whatamIdoinginyourroom?""Whatthe?Youfellasleepwhenyouwereundermybedremember?""Oooohyes.."hesaidrubbinghishead,"Iprobablyfellasleepwhen...OHHOOHHH,WHATDIDYOURFATHERWANTEDTOTELLYOU?!"

"Idontknow...Iliterallyditchedhimoutofmyroom,buttherewassomethingwiththepicture.""Mypicture?!HEY!IWANTITBACK!""Yesyes...you'llhaveitback,buthesaidsomethingreallyweirdaboutit,Imean,hestoodfrozenlookingatit,andwhenIaskedhimwhowastheoneonthepicture,hesaiditwasnotmybuissnes..""Lauren,howmanytimesdoIhavetoremindyouthis?You.AreNot.Adopted.""Iknow,Iknow,but...Itwasjusttoofreaky.""Yeah,whateverpsycho,canwefindoutmoreaboutittommorow?Ireallyneedsomesleep!""Okok.."Iagreed.Somuchhadalreadyhappenedtonight,Imissedmyfavoriteshow'sseasonfinale,myparentsblamedmeofacrimeIdidn'tdo,Ifoundapictureofanewbornbabybeingheldbymyfather,whichapparentlyisn'tme,andno

wimsleepingwithmybestfriend...inanondirtywaythough."Aren'tyougoingtogivemeagoodnightkiss?"Deanaskedme."Ofcoursenot"Iansweredsmiling.Iclosedmyeyesanddriftedintoanendlesssleep.-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+Iwassittingonadesk,IlookedaroundandIappearedtobeinaclasroom.TomyrightDeanwasdrawingadragonwhiletomyleftEdadrewaheartwithmynameinside.4thGrade."LookwhatImadeforyou"Edasaid,handingmeherdrawing."Forthebestestfriendintheworld!"Herfacelookedinnocent,young.Herblacklocksofhairfellonhershoulderswhilehergreeneyesheldmineinplace."Thanks"Itriedsaying,butnosoundcameoutfrommymouth."THANKS!"Irepeated,stillfailing.

Ilookedbackather,bloodstartedcomingoutofhernose,herears,andherexpressionsbecameolder."WhydidyoukillmeLauren?"shesaid,"whenIdidnothingwrongtoyou.""IDIDN'TKILLYOU"Iscreamed,butstillnovoicecameoutfrommymouth."DidIeverdoanythingwrongtoyou?"sheinsisted."YES,YESYOUDID!BUTIDIDNTKILLYOU!IDIDNTKILLEDATURNER!"-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+Iwokeupinshock.MyheartwasbeatingfastandIwassweating."Itwas..."Igaspedforair,"Itwasonlyjustanightmare,"Itoldmyself."Averyhorriblenightmare."


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Thesun'srayswerecominginthroughthewindows,illuminatingtheroom,makingitappearbigger.Ilookedattheclock,10:00A.M.ItwasreallylatecomparedtowhatInormallyslept.IstooduplookingforDean,butexpectinghimtonotbehere.Hewasn't;Probablyleftthismorning.Mystomachwasgrowling,IjustateanapplefordinnerandIdidn'treallyeatalotduringtheday.Iwasabsolutelystarving,soIheadeddownstairsforbreakfast.Hmmm..whatcouldIeat?Eggs,toast,cereal?Yeah,cerealwasit.ItookouttheboxofFrootLoops,andheadedtothefridgeforthemilk.AsIopenedthefriedge'sdoorIcaughtsightofapostitnoteonit.Itread:"Lauren,I'mofftowork,yourpillsareonthecountersodontforgettodrinkthem,Ireally,reallydoloveyounomatterwhat,justrememberthat."-MomOhmom,alwaystryingtolookforthehappyjoyfullwayofworkingthisout.SomehowIdidn'thateherasmuchasIhateddad,butIstilldid,andIwouldn'tchangemymindaboutthat.ItookthemilkoutandfilledmybowlwhileIdrankthepills.Thedoorbellrang."COMEIN!"Iyelled."How'smylittleserialkiller?"Deancameinside."Sheis....stilltired,atwhattimedidyouleavetoday?""Lastnightyoumean,assoonasyoufellasleep.""Ohnoyoudidn't,"Isaid"Itoldyounottoleavemealone!""I'dneverleaveyoualone,butIhadtoleave,itwaswaaaaytosuspiciousifmomwouldwakeupandstillseethedoorlocked.Bytheway,youlooksocutewhi

leyouaresleeping""Haha,notfunny,IknowIsnore.""Yes...youdo."Helookedatthecounter,"areyousick?"heasked."Why?Thepills?"Henodded."Ohnothat'sformyheadaches,imsupposedtodrinktwoeachday,buti'vemissedafew.""Oohright,thatexplainsit.""Explainswhat?""Yourconstant,DEANSHUTUP!MYHEADFREAKINHURTS!!""Hey,it'snotmyfault,momgetsthemtoo,it'scalledlikemigraineorsomethingandit'shereditary,soblameitonmomforhavingme.""NevereverinmylifeI'dblameyourparentsforhavingyou,Imean...youare...likemyonlyfriend."Heblushed."Look,imsickofseeingyouinside,whydontwegototheparkforawalk?Youknow,inhalethefreshair,hearthesingin

gofthebirdsand-""Andsteppingondogpoo.""Andsteppingondogpoo,"heagreed."Fine,I'llgetdressed,"andIwentupstairintomyroom.-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+Ohthepark,thelovely,decaying,uglypark.Isurelovedthesmellofit."It'sreallyhotoutside,Ishouldofcomenaked,"Deansaid."Iknowyouwouldn'tdareto,"Ilookedathim."Noooppee,Iwouldn't."Deanlookedlikehewasgoingtofaintatanyminute."LookwhosethereLauren....Lilly!"Lilly,perfectlytheonegirlIhadtotalkto.ShecouldgivememanyanswersaboutEda,consideringshebecameherbestfriendunconsciousofthefactthatEdaisthereasonshestillhasreallyshorthair.

"Ifonlymybestfriendwouldbenexttomesothathecouldbuymesomeyummydeliciousicecream"IlookedatDean."Flavor?""Umm...mintychocolate?""Mintywhat?Ohwhatever,Illjustaskfortheweirdestflavortheyhave."Andhewentintotheicecreamshop.TimetospeakwithLilly.Alone."Lilly!"Icalledher,motioninghertowardsmewithmyhands.Shecametomejoggingwithafaceofdisgust,probablybecausethebadsmellandtheheatdidnotmixupreallywell.


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"HeyLauren,canyoupleasenotcallmeeveragaininpublic?""What,why?"Iasked;IknewshewasfriendswithEda,butIdidn'tknowsheactedlikeEdatoo."Haveyoulookedaroundyourself?Noonewantstogetclosetoyou,youmurderedEdaremember?"Hervoicecrackedupandhereyesgotteary.Ireallyhadn'tlookedaround,butwhenIdid,Inoticedshewassayingthetruth.Therewasnoonenearme,andthefewpeoplethathadtocrossbymysidelookedatmelikeifIwereamurdererorsomething.Ohwait,nowIwas."LookLilly,ididn'tkill-"Idon'tbelieveyouLaurenok?Iknowwhathappenedperfectly."Shewipedupatearthatstartedrunningdownhercheek."YouHAVEtobelieveme,myparent'smadethisupand-""YOUTHINKI'LLBELIEVEYOU?"Shestartedscreaming"AFTERYOULEFTMELIKETHIS?!....LAUREN,EDATOLDMEEVERYTHING!HOWYOUMADEHERGOTOMYHOUSEWITHYOUJUSTSOYOUCOULDCUTMYHAIR,ANDONLYBECAUSEYOUWEREJELOUSOFIT!""EDATOLDYOUTHAT?THATSALIE,SHEWASTHE-""YesLauren,Edatoldmethatandsomuchmore,everyonethoughtyouweredifferentwiththosepuffycheeksandthoseamazingblueeyes,but....it'struethatabookcantbejudgedbyitscover,butbyit'sawfulcontent.ANDYOUAREONEOFTHOSEFILTHYBOOKSLAURENDECKER!""Iseverythingokhere?"Deanaskedwhilehandingmewhatlookedlikeapurple-redishicecream."EverythingexceptLauren"Lillysaid,andshewalkedaway."IwannagohomeDean,Idon'tfeellikebeinghererightnow,canwedothisto

mmorow?""Butwejust-""Isaid.""Ok,butyou'llhavetoeatyourChocolateCherryGumBallSpecialicecreamatleast...""Fine.Waitwhat?!"-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+WegottomyhousedoorandisaidgoodbyetoDean."Comebacktommorow!"Isaidasheturnedaway.Icameinsidetofindmomatthekitchenpreparingdinner."YouwerewithDean?"sheaskedme."Whydoyouwanttoknow,toincrimemeevenmore?""Ooh,yesyouwerewithDean..."shesaid.

"Howdoyouknow?""Theicecream.""Riiiiiiighht.""LookLauren,Iknowyoudontwantto-""Canwetalkaboutthisnever?"Iinterruptedher.Shesighed."We'llhavetodothissometime,"thephonestartedringing."Lauren,canyoutakethatfolderuptoyourdad'soffice?""Yeahwhatever.."Ipickedupthefolderandheadedintodad'soffice.Theroomwascold,freezingcold,nowondertheelectricitybillsgetheresoexpensive;Imean,theywontbecheapwhenyouneverturnoftheairconditioner.AsIwenttoleavethefolderatdad'stableIslippedwithsomethingonthefloorandfellonmyback.Deanwasright,imalwaystripping.Ilookedatthefloortofindoutitwasdad'sp

honethatmademefall."Great"Ithoughtoutloud,pickingupthephone.Thetextmessagesscreenpoppedupandtheirwassomethingthatcaughtmyattention.Itwasonethatwassenttohim2hoursbeforeEdawasfounddead.Iclickeditopenandreaditslowly:"Ineedtotalktoyou...aboutEda,ItsIMPORTANT"~DanniaTannerIclosedthephone.Therewassomethinggoingoninhere,andotherthanmydadbeinginvolvedinit,iknewEda'smomwastoo.Chapter5Isatonthedinnertablewhilemomfinishedcooking.Icouldn'tstopthinkingaboutwhatjusthappened;DadandMrs.DaniaTanner?Whywouldshetexthim?Abou


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tEda?Beingit...Important?"Wouldyouhelpmeoverhere?"Momlookedatmeandpointedattheplates.Inodded."Justpickuptwoplates,"shetoldme"Albertisn'tcomingtonight,heisstayinglateforwork."Ipickeduptwoplates,twoforks,twospoons,twocupsandtwonapkins.Yeahright,Itoldmyself.DadwasprobablywithMrs.Tannertryingtofindawaytocleantheircrime.Istillcouldn'tbelievetheyblameditonme."What'sfordinner?"Iaskedmom,alreadyknowingitwasspaghettiandmeatballs."Spaghettiandmeatballs.""Ewwww!"Isaid."ButyoulovespaghettiandmeatballsLauren..ThatswhyImadethis.""Idolovespaghettiandmeatballs,butnotwhenyou'retheonewhomakesit;Ithinki'llpass.""Ohnoyouwon'tLauren,Iwon'ttalktoyouifyoudon'twantto,Iwon'tmakeeyecontactwithyouifyoudontwantto,butyouwon'tstopeatingbecauseyoujustwantto!""Fine,"Isaid,"buti'lleatupstairs."Momlookedatmeindisbelief,shenodded.Iliftedmythingsandheadedupstairs.Iwasreallyreallyhungry,soIgobbledmyspaghettisdowninamatterofminutes.Jumpingtomybed,IpickedupthephoneanddialedDean's.Hepickeditup."HeyLauren"hesaidimmidiately."Howdidyouknowitwasme?"Iasked."You'retheonlyonewhocallsme.."

"Right.""Hey,didyouliketheicecream?Itwasthespecialflavoroftheday!""Itwas......different."Ichuckled."Youdidn'tlikeit.""Nope.Butseriously,chocolatecherygumball?What'snext,chickenstrawberrybanana?""Thatsoundsdelicious!"Helaughed."Nobutseriously,IneedtotellyousomethingDean.""FINALLY!Itwasabouttime...Iwasalreadystartingtothinkyoudidn'tlovemeback.""What?"Iwasconfused."Ohwait.."hesoundedembarassed,"nevermindthat.""Ooooook,well,Iwasgoingupstairstoleaveafolderinmydad'sofficeright?

WhenIgotinside,Islippedwithsomethingonthefloor,""Typical"heinterruptedme."SHHHHUUUTTTUPPPPPPP!"Iscreamed,"Letmecontinue...""Ok.""Ugh,theonlyonepersonwhobelievesmehastobethemostannoyingoneinALLEarth!""Weren'tyougoingtocontinue?"Deanasked."Yes.So,asIwassaying,Islippedwithhisphone,andwhenIpickeditup,themessagescreenwasopened.TherewasonehegotfromMrs.Tanner,Eda'smom,beforeshewasfounddead.So...I..readit.ItsaidshehadtotalktodadaboutEda,andthatitwasimportant."Iwaitedforhimtoreply."Youmean,shetextedyourdad,aboutEda?Youaren'tthinkingthatshe...""ShehelpedhimmurderEda,"webothsaidconcurrently.

"ThisisreallygettingcreepyLauren,yetwedon'tknowifourassumptionsarecorrect.""True,buttheyactuallyfitdontyouthink?""Well..."Deansaid,"theydofittowhatshappeningrightnow,Imean,thetextmessage,andyourdadblamingyou,butwhywouldEda'smotherwanttokillher?""That'sexactlywhatweneedtofindout,butthequestionis,how?""Look,we'lltalkaboutthattommorowok?Mom'shereandyouknowwhatshethinksaboutyounow.""Okay...goodbyeDean..take..care."


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"GoodbyeLauren,youtootakecare."Andweendedthecall.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-"Lauren,isthatforme?Awwwwwwthankyou!"Eda'shandssnatchedthepieceofpaperthatwasonmyhands.Ididn'tlookather;Ididn'twanttoseewhatIsawyesterday,soIsimplynodded."Itdoesmakemefeelbetter,"shesaid,"butstill..""Stillwhat?"Iaskedher."IneedREVENGE,"thewordlingeredintheair."Whatdoyoumean,"Ilookedather,hergreeneyeswerefilledwithfury,pureevilbehindafaceofanangel."ShestoleStevenAlvaradofrommeremember?"IrememberedSteven,hewasalwaysserious,dangerouslooking.HehatedEdasincethedayhemether.Ithink"IhateEda"wastheonlythinghetoldmedirectly,otherthanthat,Ijustheardhimanswerquestionstheteachersaskedhim.Ididn'treallyknowwhyEdawassoinlovewithhim."Iremember"itoldher,eventhoughtIdidn't."SoyouandI,aregoingtogotoherhouse,andIwillcutherhair."Theneverythingfadedintowhite,andIwastransportedintoLilly'sfrontporch."Youbroughtthescissors?"Edaaskedme."Idid,"Ilookedathernervously."Thenlet'sdothis.""Idon'tthinkitsagoodideaEda,whydontwejustgohomenow?""Ohyoudon'tthinkitsagoodidea?"shesoundedthreatening.

WewerenownexttoLilly'sbed.ShewassleepingpeacefullyIhereyesclosed,hermouthopen."Thenyougoaheadandcutthefirststrand"shehandedmethescissors."I-I..Ican't-"Istuddered.Shegotnearmyearandthenwhispered,"orI'llcutitmyselfandthenblameitonyou."+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Iwokeup.ThistimeIexpectedmyheartbeatwouldfastpacedandthatIwouldbesoakedinsweat,soitwasn'tmuchofasurprise.Iwasstartingtohatethisflashbacknightmares,alltheydidwereremembermeofmyawfullifewhenEdawasmyfriend.Someoneknockedatmydoor."ComeIn!"Iyelled.Deancamein.

"Hey...umsorrytocomelikethisintoyourroom,butyoureallysleepuptolate!Iwasexpectingyoutobealreadydressedup.""Itsok.."Itoldhim."HeyLauren,Ihavetotellyousomething,"hesatnexttome."What?"Iasked."Well...I...havea...girlfriend,andsheum..."Myheartstartedbeatingfast.Ididn'tknowhowifelt,happy,sad,nervous?Ididn'tknowwhattodo,butIleanedforwardandkissedhim.Hislipsweresoft,myheartbeatraced.Thenweslowlypartedaway.Iwasshocked."Iwas...joking...aboutthegirlfriend"hesaid"butI...dontregretjokingaboutit."Ilookedathim,confused.Ishouldofgottenmad,butIdidn't.SomehowIfeltlikeI...lovedhim.

"Youknowwhat?"Iaskedhim,"Stayhere."Iwentdownstairsrushing,thiskisswaswhatIneededtogetthebraveryofdoingwhatIcouldn't.Iheadedtothekitchenwheredadwaseatinghisbreakfast.Ilookedathimdirectlyintheeyesandthewordscamefluentlyoutmymouth."WhatisyourrelationshipwithEda'smother?"Hestoodfrozen.Chapter6"WhatisyourrelationshipwithEda'smother?"Irepeated."Umm...youknow,she..."Iknewhewaslying,allhisexpressionsgavehimaway;"Sheworkswithme,sothat'sthat."Hegotnervous,"Whydoyouaskthatanyw


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ays?""Becauseeeeee,"IwasabouttogiveoutthatIsawthemessage,aboutEda,butthatwouldclearlygiveawaythatIsupposedhewasthemurderer,soIjustcameupwithalie"becauseIsawyoutwotogethertheotherday."Hisgreeneyesshowedastonishment,"Youdid,butIthoughtnoonewas...Imean...youdid?"Perfect,Ithought.Sotheywere...actuallytogetheroneofthisdays."YesIdid.""Wewerejust,youknow....planningthe...youknow...thework..that'sall"hestartedsweating."Areyouhidingsomethingfromme?"Iknewhewas."NoLauren,nowgobacktoyourroomorsomething,Ihavetogotowork."Hestoodupandasheliftedhissuitcaseitfell.Somethingheavymadeasoundinside."GoodbyeLauren"hesaidashewentoutthedoor.Ughh,Ineededtofindoutmore,butmeanwhileIheadedupstairstotalktoDean,itwasalreadyprettymeanofmetokisshimandleavehimthere."HeyDean,"Isaid.Hewasonthephonetalkingtosomeone.Hisfacelookedsuspicious,different."WaittillIfinish,"Ireadhislips."Yeah....yeah....Iknow.....butaren'tyoutheonesupposedtobedoingthis?.....ok....at6:00?...Iknow,IneversaidIwon'tdoit...yousure?Ok...ok..bye."Heclosedthephone."Whowasthatyouweretalkingto?"Iasked."Ummm..nooneasimportantasyou,"hesmiledsheepishly."LookI'msorryaboutmeleavingandthen-"

"It'sok,I'mtheonewhoissupposedtobesorryforlyingtoyouandmakingyoudothat.""Youshouldn'tbesorry,I...kissed...you...becauseIwanted.""DoesthatmeanyouwouldofkissedmeevenifIdidn'tlieabouthavinggirlfriend?""Ineversaidthat,but...""Buuuuuuut..?"Deanasked."Ithinkweshouldtalk,"Ianswered."AboutyouNOTbeingthemurder?""No,aboutus,whatwefeel,whatIfeel.""Andthatis?..."Ilookedathim,hisblueeyeslookingatmine,expectingfortherightanswer,Iloveyou;ButIremainedsilent.AsmuchasItried,pushed,thewordsdidn't

comeoutofmymouth."Look,whenyouaresure,"hesaid"you'lltellme,Iknowyouwill,butwecantalkaboutthislater,tommorowmaybe?IhavetohelponsomethingsoIneedto...leave."Leave?Sincewhendidhepreferdoingsomethingotherthanbeingwithme?Andthephonecall,henevertoldmewhothiswas;IknowthissoundedwrongknowingDeanistheonlyonewhohasbelievedmeandhelpedmethroughthis,butmaybeheisn'tthatinoccentafterall."Ok,I'llletyouknow,seeyou...later?"Iwashopeful."We'llseeaboutthat.."Hesmiled,huggedme,andleft.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Whattodo?Whattodowhenyouarehomealone?Whattodowhenyouarehomealoneandyoudon'tevenhaveafriendtotalkto.Well,Ineededtolookformore

evidenceaboutdad,asingletextmessageisn'tgoingtogetthepoliceconvincedthathekilledEda,buthowcouldIfindmoreevidence?Hissuitcasewasn'there,theirroomwaslocked,andhisoffice...HISOFFICE!Thatwasit.Ihurrieddownthehallwayandslowlyturnedthedoorknob.Theroomwasstillfreezing,it'salmostasiftheywantedtoconserveadeadbodyinside.Onlythethoughtofitgavemegoosebumps."Wherewouldamurdererhidehisproof?"Ithoughtoutloud.Acloset...underashelf....drawers?Ireallydidn'tknow.Sittingonthecouch,Ilookedupatthewalls.Hangingbyanail,wasoneofthepresentsEdagavemeonmy10thbirthday.


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~^~^~^~^~^~Itwasoneofthoseyearswhereyourbirthdaymeantalltoyou.OneofthoseyearswhereyouwouldwakeupbeforeeveryoneelsebutstayinbedutiltheywokeyouupwithaHAPPYBIRTHDAY!song.10yearsold,Ithoughtomyself,nowIamnotababyanymore."YouarefinallyTEN!"Edacongratulatedme,"FINALLYTENLAUREN!Nowyougettohaveboyfriends,andwecanputmakeupon,and..and...gotoparties,andkissourboyfriends,andohsoomuch!""YESSS!Iamsoooexcited!"Itoldher,"Youaregoingtomypartyright?""OFCOURSEIWILL!"Herarmwentovermyneck,"YouinvitedStevenright?""Yes,"Itoldher"Iinvitedthewholeclass!It'sgoingtobesoomuch-""THEWHOLECLASSLAUREN?AREYOUKIDDINGME?!Thisroadwontmakeyoupopular.""WhatdoyoumeanEda?Iwanttoinviteeveryone.""Thispartyhastobeexclusive,youneedtouninvitesomepeople,like...""Likewho?"Iaskedher."LikeDean."~^~^~^~^~^~^~IwasbroughtbacktorealitywiththeTHUD!ofthefrontdoor.Iduckedunderdad'sdeskjustincaseitwashimcomingearlyfromwork,butthatwouldbeprettyunusual."IMHOMELAUREN!"Momyelled.Asighofreliefescapedfromme."I'MINMYROOM!"Iyelledbackather,lying.Somethingfromthetrashcannexttomewasreallysmelly,itwasalreadygivingmeaheadache.Icameoutfromunderthebedpullingoutthetrashcanwithme;I

twasagainstmyvaluestobehelpingdadnowadays,butthissmellwasreallygettingonmynerves.LookingthroughthetrashInoticedthatthesourceofthesmellwasacupofcoffee.Ipulleditout.Lattewascheckedontheoptions,andaredlipstickwasmarkedonthecup.Thedoortotheofficeopened,andIquicklytossedthecoffeecupbackonthetrashcan."Oh....hereyouareLauren,i'velookedeveywhereforyou,whatareyoudoinghere?""Nothing,justcoolingmyselfabit,"ilied,"thissummerhasbeenreallyhot!""Iagree...um,anyways,canyoutellDeanyourfatherwantstoseehim?"sheasked.Dad,wantingtotalktoDean?Theybarelyevensaweachother'sfaces.Thiswas

gettingreallysuspicious."Ok,I'lllethimknow,"Isaid,"bytheway,haveyourecentlydrankany...um..lattesmom?""EWWW,NO,Lauren,youperfectlyknowIhatemilkofanysort,yuck,no..Whytherandomquestionanyways?""Nahh,justasking...well,IhavetogodeliverthemessagetoDean,talktoyou..um...whenyouaskmesomething,someday.""Ok,atleastthat'saprogress,"shelookedatmeandsmiled.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Redlipstickandalatte?IthoughtasIopenedthefrontdoorandheadedintothestreet.Ifitwasn'tmom,thenIwasabsolutelycertainthatitbelongedtoDanniaTanner.ButwhywouldDadandherbegettingtogether?ANDWHYINTHEWORLDDOESDADWANTTOMEETUPWITHDEAN?

"HeyLauren,"Iheardafamiliarvoicecallme.Ilookedtomyleft.AttheothersideoftheroadStevenAlvaradostoodlookingatme.Hisblondhairshonewiththesunlight,andhishazeleyesmatchedhisclothes."Haven'tseenyouaroundheresincewefinishedschool.."Iwalkedtowardshim."Aren'tyougoingtorunawayorsomething?"Iaskedhim."No,whywouldI?""Because...youknow...IsupposedlykilledEda.""Oh...that...look,imnotintojudgingpeople,butI'dneverseeyouasamurderer,plus,thepolicehasn'tprovedtheevidenceyet."


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"HeyDean."Myheartwasbeatingfast,Icouldn'tbelievehowmeanIwasabouttobecome,butwhatEdasaid,hadtobedone."HeyLauren,BIRTHDAYGIRL!""Hahaha,well....Ineedtotellyousomething..""Sure,whatisit?Ohwait,beforeyoutellme,IneedtotellyouIboughtyouthebestpresentever!Imsooooexcitedforthis,onceagain,thanksforinvitingme!"Ilookedathiseyes,theywerehappy,filledwithjoy,excited."Youdon'thavetothankmeforthis.."Ipaused,"youhavetohatemeforit."Helookedconfused."Areyoucrazy,I'vebeenwaitingforyourpartysincelastweek,whydoyousaythis?""Becauseimuninvitingyou."~^Ifeltmybodycollidewithsomething.Someone."Thereyougoagaaain."Stevenlookedatme."Im....soooooo.....SORRY!...AGAIN!Areyourdrawingssafethistime?"Hechuckled."Yes,they'reinside,"hepointedathishousebehindhim,"I'mluckyIdontbringthemoutsidetotakeoutthetrash,otherwisethey'dbeontheflooragain.""Sohowwasyourmom'sbirthday?"Iasked."Boring,"hesighed,"wewatchedTitanicforthe6,708,453rdtime,andthenweateahorribletastingcake,theusual."Ilaughed."I'tssimilartowhatwedoatmyparent'sbirthday.Hey,Ididn'tknowyoudrew,andbeautifully"

"Hahaha,don'texagerate,theyarenotevengood.."Ilookedathimwithasarcasticexpression,"Yousay?""Okok...theyAREgood,butnotthaaaatgood.""Look,betweenusSteven,didyoureallyhateEda?""Yes,andbelieveme,Idon'tgettohatesomeonesoeasily.""Butwhy?Didsheeverdoanythingwrongtoyou?""Athousandthingsyouwouldntimagine,because,sheliedtoeveryone,especiallytoyou."Tome?Ithoughttomyself;AndIthoughtshetoldmeallhersecrets,IthoughtIwastheoneshetrustedthemost."Whatdoyoumean,shelovedyoudidn'tshe?"Iasked."Yousee,that'soneofthebiggestliessheeversaidtoanyone,shedidn'tloveme.Shelovedsomeoneelse,butshewaswaytoashamedofittoeveradmitit

toanyone,sosheusedmeasawaytorelieveherpain.Shemademylifemiserable,justasshedidtoanyoneelsewhocouldhavewhatshedidn't."Ilookedathimwaitingformore."OhEda,shewassooooo....there'snotevenwordstodescribeher.""AndallthistimeithoughI-""Thatyoukneweverythingabouther?Well,youdontevenknowhalfofhalf.""Andyoudo?""Notall,butalot,sheusedtotellmealotabouther,Idontknowwhyme,butshewouldcometomyhousethosedaysshetoldyoushewasgoingtohergrandma'sandjustopenherselfup."Wow.NowIdidn'texpectthat."LookLauren,Ihavetogobackinsideormomwillreplaythemovieagain,talktoyoutommorowlikewesaid?"

"Sure,seeyoutommorow,"Isaidashewentinside.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-"Mom?Dad?Areyouhome?"IyelledasIgotinsidemyhouse.WhatIexpect,noanswer.Iknewtheyweregoingouttodayfordinner,butIjusthadtocheck."DEAAAN?YOUHOMEYET?""Upstairs!"Iheardhimscream."Beforeyoucomeup,canyougrabsomechips?""OKKKKK!"Iheadedtothekitchenandgrabbedtwobagsofpotatochipsfromthepantry."Thiswilldo"Ithoughtoutloud.AsIheadedupstairs,Icaughtsightofdad'ssuitcase.Perfect,onemorecluet


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ofindingwhothemurdererreallywas.Ilifteditupandcarrieditupstairs.Deanwaswaitingformesittingonthebed."Catch"Isaidasithrewthebagofchipstohim."ThanksLauren,"helookedatthesuitcaseinmyhand,"what'sthatfor?"heasked."Toprovemydadwasreallythemurderer,IheardsomethingloudonitthismorningandIthoughtitmightbeacluetoprovingthat.""Hmm...haveyoualreadyopenedit?"heasked,takingthesuitcasefrommyhands."Nope,"Ianswered."ThenIwill."Hedetatchedthesecuritylocketsfromthesidesandopenedthesuitcase.Hiseyesgrewwideandhisfaceturnedpalewhenhesawwhatwasinside."Whatisit?"Iasked,ididn'trecognizethefigurefromthepositionIwasin.Heliftedtheobjectup.Mytrophy.Mysoftballtrophy.SmearedandcoveredinEda'sblood.Stolenfromthecrimescene.Ilookedatitinshock,"Iknewhewasit,IKNEWIT!""Thisissocreepy,waycreepierthanwhatMrs.Tannertoldmetoday!But,eitherway,Lauren,youcantgomakingaclearassumptionofwhomurderedEda,westillneedwaaaaymoreproof.""Truethat,"Iagreed"It'sreallyreallystartingtomakesensethough.""Buthey,whatdoyoumean....abouttheMrs.Tannersthing?Youowemesomeexplanations.""YesIknow,butthereisn'treallymuchit.IdeliveredanIMSORRYgiftthatm

ymomsenttoher,that'sall.""Oooh,but...what'screepyaboutthat?""WhileIwasinthecar,Eda'smothertoldmethat.....Edalovedme."Chapter8IstaredatDeaninshock."Shesaid...Eda..lovedyou?""Yes,"Hestaredbackatme."SoyouaretheoneStevenwastalkingabout.""StevenAlvarado?""Yes,Ibumpedwithhimtwicetoday,"Isaid,"hetoldmeEdaliedtoeveryone.""Thatisn'tnew,"hegiggled."Butthatperfectlymakessenseyouknow?""Edalovingme?""Yes,Imean..shealwayswantedmeawayfromyou,andthat's...becauseshewant

edyoutoherself.Yourememberthebirthday,whereI-""Yeah,Iperfectlyremember,anddon'tgosayingI'msorryforthebillionthtime,I'vealreadyforgivenyoulongtimeago.""I'msorry."Isaid.Ilookedathim.Helookedatme.Oureyesmet,andthenourlipsdid.Ididn'trecognizeitbeforeasmuchasIdidnow,andIregretit,butIlovedhim.Ilovedhim.Ilovedhim.Hewasalwaysthereforme,inthegoodtimesaswellasinthebad.Heneverdidanythingwrongtome,eventhoughIdidtohim,buthealwaysforgavemeandIhatehimforthat;ButIlovedhim.Hishandswereentangledinmyhair;myhandsweretightlycrossedaroundhisneck."Lauren,"hesaidasweslowlypartedaway,"areyousureyouwantthis?"Ilookedathim,thiswassocheesybutIdid,Ididwantthis,soIgrabbedhimcloserandwhisperedinhisearbeforewestartedkissingagain"onehundredpe

rcentsure."+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Thekissmademeforgetabouteverything,themurder,thebetrayal,thetextmessage,thecoffeecup,thetrophy.AllIthoughtaboutinthemomentwastheboythatwashuggingmerightnow,tightunderhisgrip.Helookeddownatme,"Ineverthoughtthiswasgoingtohappen,butincrediblyithas.""Imsorryfornotnoticingyou...Inthisway..Ialwayssawyouasthekidwho,well,wasmybestfriend.""Doyoustillseemelikethat?"heasked.


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"Wellyes,you'llneverstopbeingmybestfriend,butnowIseeyouasmore.."Hesmiled,"So,doesthismeanIwon'thavetoconstantlybegforgoodnightkisses?""We'llseeaboutthat"Isaid,andclosedmyeyes,fallingintoadeepsleep.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-IsatinacarIdidn'trecognize.NexttomesatMrs.Tanner.Shelookedatme,hatredfilledhereyes."Whydidyou?"sheaskedme."YoukilledherbecauseyouwantedDeanforyourselfright?"Ilookedather,butdidn'tanswerherquestion."Shewouldcomehomefromschoolandlockherselfinherroomtocry;AllIcouldevermanagetohearwerewordslikeDean,love,why,Lauren.Butthatwasenoughtoknowhowyoureallywerelike.AMONSTER.NowDeanisallyours,congratulations.''+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Iwokeuppanting."AreyouokLauren?"IheardDeanask.Ilookedupathim,Iwasstillunderhisfirmgrip."Yeah,itwas..justanightmare.Um,Dean,didyoustaythenightorsomething?"Hechuckled,"No,It'sonlybeenlike30minutessinceyoufellasleep,IjustfeltlikeIcouldn'tleaveyoualonewithoutyourparentshere.""Oh,"Isaidlookingattheclock,realizingthatwhathesaidwastrue."Doyouwantmetoleave?"heasked.

"Don't,please.""Youknow,"hesaid,"Idon'tknowwhypeoplewouldeverthinkofyouasamurderer?""Huh?Whatdoyoumeanwiththat?""Youfreakoutevensleeping,Imaginehowyouwouldbeifyouwereactuallykillingsomeone."Ilookedathimfrowning,"OhreallyMr.Oh-So-Brave?IwanttoseeYOUmurderingsomeone.""IneversaidIwasn'tafraidofdoingso.."Dad'scarengineroaredasheparkeditonthegarage."Ibettergetgoing"Deansaid,"I'llseeyoutomorrowright?""Duh!Youwouldseemetomorrowevenifthiswasn'thappening.""Hahahahaha,well,seeyoutomorrowthen,"heleanedforward,kissedme,andthe

nleft.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-ThismorningIwokeupextremelyearlycomparedtothetimeInormallywokeupat.Igotdressedup,wentdownstairs,hadbreakfast,andwasoutthedoorby9:00A.M."HeyLauren,"Iheardafamiliarvoicecallmyname,asIgotnearDean'shouse.Steven.Ihadtotallyforgottenwewouldgettogethertoday!Iturnedaround."HeySteven!Goodmorning.""Goodmorning,"hegrinned,"Heyum,Iwaswonderingiftoday'sthingisstillup?""Um...sure.."Isaid,"Steven,canyougivemeaminute?Ineedtocallsomeone."Henodded.IgrabbedmycellphoneanddialedDean'snumber.

"IsthisLauren?"Hesaidimmediatelyafterhepickeditup."Yes,whythequestion?""Because,It'swaytoearlyforyoutobeup!""Itactuallyis,buthey,um...I'llseeyouattheparklater?""Later?"hecomplained"whynotnow?""BecauseIhadalreadytoldStevenI'dmeetwithhimtoday,youwon'tgetmadwillyou?"Iknewhewouldn't."Ofcoursenot,so...atthepark?Time?Oh..and..ChocolateCherryGumball?"Helaughed."Yes,atthepark,um...4:00,and...EWNO!Justamintychocolateplease."


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"Ok,gotit.Talktoyoulater?""GoodbyeDean."Isaidandhungup.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Steven'sroomwashugecomparedtomine.Thewallswereallcoveredinhisbeautifuldrawings,andtheceilinghaddoodlesalloverit."Areallthisyours?"Iaskedgettingclosertothedrawings."Yup,"hesaid,sittingdownonhisbed."Ohwow,theyarebeautiful."Theyreallywere,hehadadrawingofalmosteverythingcoveringuphiswall,womendancing,agrizzlybear,guitars.IrememberedhisdrawingofEdawithfinallydeadwrittenalloverit;Hedidn'tactuallymeanit,Isaidtomyselftocalmmyawfulthoughtsdown,hecouldn't."Thanks,"hegrinned,"youcansitthere,"hepointedtohisbed.Isatdown,"So..tellmeaboutyourself,Ireallydon'tknowanythingaboutyou.""Well,mynameisStevenAlvarado,andI'mwaymoreboringthanyou,sogoaheadandtellmeaboutyourselffirst.""Canweskiptheintroductions?I'mreallyboringtoo."Helaughed,"Ok...so,whatdoyouwanttodo?""Canyouteachmehowtodraw?"Iasked."I'manawfulteacherImustadmit,but,ifeitherwayyouwantmetoteachyou,thenyoucancomeonTuesdays.""That'sawesome,thanks!""Butlet'sleavethefirstclassforTuesday,let'sdosomethingmore...um..entertainingtoday."

"Like?""Likekissing.""What?!""IwasjustjokingLauren...Iknowyouhaveaboyfriend."MymouthwantedtosayIdidn't,butIactuallyfeltlikeIdid,soiremainedsilent."ImsorryIshouldn'tofhavesaidthat.""It'sok,really,"Ismiled.Iheardsomethingvibratingonmypocket,myphone.Itookitoutandreadthescreen,Ihadamessage,fromanunknownnumber.Probablysomeonemustofmistakenmynumberwithdad's,Ithought,consideringthenumberswerereallysimilar.ThenIrealizedthatwhatIthoughtwastrue,becausethemessagecamefromEda'smother.

"Edaknewtoomuchandyouknowit,I'tsbeenreallyhardkeepingthisasecret,Idon'tthinkIcankeepitanymore,Ineedtotalktoyou."-DanniaTanner.

Chapter9Ireadthemessageagain.Dannia,dad,asecretshecan'tkeepitanymore?Edaknewtoomuch?What?Ididn'treallywasn'tgettingagriponwhatwashappening."Iseverythingok?"Stevenaskedme."Yeah,yeah,Ijust...gotatextfrommom,shesaidIneededtoum...takemypillswhenIgothome,that'sit,yeah..that'sit."Iwasreallyterribleatlying."Oh,ok...Doesthismeanyoudon'thavetoleave?Imean...youcanstay...right?"Iwantedtosayno,IreallywantedtoseeDean,andtalktohim,andtellhima

boutthemessageand..and.."Right?"heaskedagain."Yeah,Icanstay.""Ok,so...doyouwanttoeatsomething?""I'mnotreallyhungry,Imean...I'mnotlikestarving.""Isee...hmmm...doyoulike...um...Idon'treallyknowwhatwehavehere..""ItsokSteven,I'mreallynothungry,but..Iwouldn'tminddrinkingsomething..."Ismiled.Helaughed,"I'llgogetthecoke,youwaituphere,youcanlookatmydrawingifyou'dlike,orjustusethecomputer,It'syourchoice."Hehandedmehisske


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tchbookandheadeddownstairs.Islowlyopenedthenotebook,makingsurenoneofhisdrawingsflewoff.Ireallyreallylikedhowhedrew,Idon'tevenknowwhyhewasstillhereinhishouseandnotinlikeamuseumorsomething.FlippingoverthepagesIcameacrosssomethingthatcaughtmyattention.Itwasn'ttheEdadrawing,butsomethingdifferent,somethingfreaky,somethinglike...apictureofme.Itlookedlikemyfacewascarefullydrawnwitheverysinglefeaturecloselycalculatedtomakethisadrawingofexcellence.Butwhywashedrawingme?~^~^~^~^~Icouldseethesadnessinhereyes,atearbrushedhercheek.Shedidn'tknowIwasthere,watchingher,butIcarefullyanalyzedwhatwashappening."It'slikeshegetseverythingshewants,"EdatoldLilly,"andIcan'tgetthat,why?""Life'slikethatEda,weallwantsomethingwecan'thave,andthenthere'sotherpeoplewhoactuallygetwhattheywant,buttheydon'tdeserveit.""She'sabitchLilly,whowouldhaveeverthoughtwecouldhavebeenfriendssometime.""Wellnowyouaren't,andIpromisethingswillgetbetter,youwillgethim,hewillabsolutelyfallforyou.""Youthinkhewill?"Edaaskedher."Ofcoursehewill...Imean...whywouldn'the?""BecauseI'mugly,I'mnotaPicasso'sartpiece,I'mjustthisgirlhewillneverthinkofbeingwith,hewillalwaysthinkabouther,andnomatterhowmuchItrytoputthemapart,theywillalwaysgetbacktogether."Tearsstartingpour

ingdownfromhereyes,butshewipedthemoff.Furygrewinhereyes.Sheclenchedherfistsassheopeneduphermouthandsaid"Iwantherdead."~^~^~^~^~IcamebacktorealitywithSteven'sfootstepsashecameupthestairs.NowthatIthinkofit,Edawasn'ttalkingaboutanothergirlwhowaswithSteven,shewastalkingaboutme,andDean;Shewantedmedead."Ibroughtthecoke,"Stevensaidashecameintotheroom.HelookedatthedrawingIwasholding,MYdrawing,"Ooh,Ididn'tremovethatdrawingfromthenotebookbeforeactuallygivingyouthenotebookdidI?"Ilookedathim,hewasblushing"Ohnoyoudidn't..."Helookedatme,andtookadeepbreath"LookLauren,firstoff,I,StevenAlvarado,amNOT,astalker."Ilaughed,"Ohyesyouare.."

"Secondoff,IdrewyoubecauseIlikedrawingwomanand-""AndI'mtheonlywomanonplanetEarth,soyouhadtodrawmeright?""No,Idon'tjustlikedrawinganykindofwoman,Ilikedrawingbeautifulwoman..Imean..like..youare-""Enoughsaid,youjustdrewmebecauseyouwanted...um....amuffin,endoftalk.""Right.."hechuckled.."Amuffin.""Hey,justwondering.."Iasked,"haveyourecentlytalkedtoLilly?""Lilly?Like,ourclassLillyHayes,or10thgradeLillySimmons?""DoesitappeartoyouthatI'dbeaskingaboutLillySimmons?""Wellyoucouldof-""OFCOURSEI'MTALKINGABOUTOURCLASSLILLYHAYES!""Ok..ok..I'msorry..Yes,I'vetalkedtoher,whythequestion?"

"Howhasshebeen...abouttheEdathing?Imetwithhertheotherdayandshejustinsultedtheheckoutofme.""Typical,shehasbeenreally...what'stheword...sad,depressed,DYING!""Ohwow..""Yup,"henodded."Um,Steven,canIcomebytommorowagain?Ireallyneedtoleavenow,Ihavetoum...talktosomeone.""Sure,I'llbewaiting,eitherway..youwerecoming,tommorowwehavedrawingclassesremember?""Right..Well,I'llseeyoutommorow!"


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"I'llseeyoutommorow.."Hehuggedme."Goodbye.."Isaid,headeddownstairsandoutside.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+IwasonlyafewhousesawayfromDean's,soIgottoitreallyfast.Irangthedoorbell.ThedooropenedswiftlyandDeancrushedintome,kissingme."That...was...unexpected,"Igiggled."Sorry...Iwasjustalreadymissingyou..""Don'tyouthinkthisisgoingwaaaaaytofastDean?Imean,yesterdaymorningyoucouldwaitlongtimeforme,todayyoucan'tevenwait3hours?""It'snotgoingfastATALL,"hesaid,"It'stheopposite,It'sgoingreallyslow.""SLOW!?!""Ofcourse....rightnowyoushouldhavealreadybeenpregnant."Myeyesgrewwide,"DEANPORTER,WHATDIDYOUJUSTSAY!?""IwasjustjokingLauren...gosh!""ICANTBELIEVETHAT...Iknewyouwerejoking..""Yeahright,youshouldhaveseenyourface.""Ohwellwhatever...IneedtotalktoLilly,like,NOW,shewalksattheparkclosetothistime,canwegothere?""MintyChocolateright?""Yup,"Ichuckled.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+Lillywasrightthere,justwereIexpectedhertobe,sittingonabench,nexttotheoldoaktree.AsIcamecloserInoticedherfacegettingredwithanger,

shequicklystoodup,andstartedwalkingaway."LILLY!"Iscreamed,"WAITUP!INEEDTOTALKTOYOU!!"Sheturnedaround,andwaitedformeasIfinallyreachedher."IthinkImadeitclearthatIDONOT,wanttotalktoyou,seeyou,feelyounearmeanymore..""Iknowbut...""Butwhat!?""Ineedtoaskyou...DidEdatellyoushewantedmedead,Imean..didshereallymeanit?"Sheclenchedherhandsintofists,"AREYOUHEARINGYOURSELF?!YOUWERETHEONEWHOKILLEDEDA!!ANDYOUDONTKNOWHOWMUCHITHURTS!"Shegaspedforair,"What,areyougoingtotellthepolicenowthatyoukilledherbecausesheDIDwanttokillyou?"

"LookLilly,stoptalkingtomelikethis,Imean,whtyareyousodefensiveoverher?SHE.WASTHEONE.WHOCUT.YOURHAIR.Shetalkedmeanaboutyoubehindyourback,WHYDOYOUCAREFORHERSOOOMUCH!?"Lillystaredatmeforaminute,thenshestartedcrying,"Because...""BECAUSEWHAT?!""BECAUSEILOVEDEDATANNEROK?"Hercryingbecamelouder,andsheranaway.Chapter10Ihadtoreanalyzewhathappenedtoactuallysoakitin.Thisreallycaughtmeunprepared.Lilly,loved...Eda?Oh.God.IhadalwaysthoughtshelikedSteven,nowondershenevergotsointohim.Lilly.Loved.Eda.NomatterhowmuchIrepeatit,itwillstillbeshocking."Here'syourmintychocolateicecream,Ifinallylearnedit,see?"Deansaid.Ididn'tanswer,Iwaswaydeepintomyownthoughtsaboutwhatjusthappened.

"AreyouokLauren?"heasked,"youlooklikeyoujustsawaghost.""IthinkIdid."Ithoughtoutloud.Don'tgetmewrong,Ihavenothingagainstgirlslovinggirls,butwhatactuallyshocksmeisthepartthatthepersonshewasinlovewithisEDA.EDA.EDA."Don'tgotellingmeyousawEdanow,andthatsheisalive,andwhodid"murder"heractuallymurderedsomeonewholookedlikeher."Helaughed,"hey,thatactuallysoundslikeagoodstory.""Dean,"Isaid,"thatdidn'thappen."Hechuckled"ofcourseitdidn't.Hey,IsawyoutalkingtoLillywhileIwasontheIceCreamline,which,bytheway,youareeatingthistime."


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"Ohyeah,I...um,foundherhereandwetalked,"Deanlookedatmesarcastically,"ok..screamedateachother,aboutstuffthatneededtobeclearedout.""Like?..."Deanasked."ShelovedEda.""Weallknowthat,"Deansaid,"theywerebestfriends..""Like...morethanafriend."Hisicecreamfellfromhishands."Lilly,lovedEda?"heasked."Yup,"Inodded.Deanstoodfrozen."Takeyourtime,"Isaid,"Iknowitsshockingtohear,Ittookmeabout20minutestosoakitin.""Thatexplainsit..."Deansaid."Explainswhat?""YourememberEda'sparty?Theoneinthepool?"~^~^~^~"Justsoyouknow,"Edasaid,"IinvitedyoujustbecauseDeanbeggedmeto,hesaidhewouldtellpeoplenottocomeifIdidn'ttellyouaboutitsooo,that'sthatok?Don'tgothinkingIwantedtoinviteyou...Capiche?"Inodded."Thepartyisthatway,"shepointedtothehallwaythatgottothepool."Don'tgoscrewingituplikeyoudotoeverything."AswewalkedthroughthehallwayLillyandDeanarrivedtotheparty,theyreachedus."HeyLauren,"bothLillyandDeansaidatthesametime.Deancameclosetome,butLillystoodtherewatchingEdainastrangeway,almostlikeshewantedto..

kissher."OhmyGOD!Edayoulookbeautifulinthatbikini!"Lilly'seyescheckedEdaupanddown."Umm...thanksIguess.."Edasaid,andwemovedforwardintothepool.~^~^~^~^~^~"We'resodumbwenevernoticed.."Deansaid."Well,her"love"forStevenwasreallycrediblesoo..""True..true..Hey,IthinkImightneedtobuyyouanothericecream,sinceyour'sisonthe-""Onthefloor,yes,Inoticed..awhileago..andno,It'sok,I'mnotso-""OhcomeonLauren,atleastlet'ssharethisone,pleaseeeee.""Fine..""That'swhyIloveyou.."Hesaid.

"That'swhyyouMUSTloveme..orelse..""Orelsewhat?""Justorelse..."+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+"Seeyoutomorrow?"Deansaidasheleanedandkissedmegoodbye."Tomorrow,sametime,NOTthesameplace...please..I'msickofthepark.""Hahahaha,sodoesthismeanIwonthaveto-""Nope,youwon'thavetobuyicecreamanymore..""YESSS!-""UnlessIwanticecream.."Isaid."Ok..ok..well,seeyoutomorrowthen."Helookedatmyhouse,"whycan'tIjustlivewithyou?"hesaidasheturnedaroundandheadedaway."Becausewearenotmarriedyet!"Iscreamed.

"YousaiditLauren...yet..."Ismiled.AsIturnedthedoorknobIimmediatelyheardvoicescomingfromthekitchen.Twomen,talking,Icouldrecognizedad'svoice,butIdidn'trecognizetheotherone.Igotclosetotheplacetheywerein,andpeekedin.Itwasdadtalkingtoapoliceman.Thepolicemanlookedtallerthanhim,afaceofsuspicionwasinhisface."Mymistake,"IheardDadsay."It'sok,It'salreadytakencareof.."thepoliceanswered.


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"AndIthoughtthatIhadtherightone,Itwasn'ttillIopenedit..prettycreepy.."Dadsaid.Thepolicemanlaughed,"Itmusthavebeen."Wait,werethepolicehelpingdadorsomething?Whyweretheysohappywhenhewas"supposed"tobethefatherofthemurderer?"Hey,Albert,isyourdaughterhere?Wemightwanttoaskhersomequestionstoseeifwecangetenoughevidence..""Idon'tthinkshemightwanttoanswertoquestionsrightnow,because-"Iwalkedintowheretheyfoundthemselves,"yes,I'llbeabletoanswersomequestions."Dadlookedatme,eyeswide,"Lauren,Idon'tthinkthismightbethemostwonderfulidearightnow..""Youthinkthis,youthinkthat,buteverythingyouthinkaboutisWRONG,getit?Now...mayIbeasked?MaybethiswillmakeclearthatIdidn'tkillEdaTanner."Dadlookedatmewithafaceofworry."Isanyroomavailableforthequestionnaire?"thepolicemanasked."Yes,myroomisavaila-""Youcanusemyoffice,"dadinterruptedme."Yoursupersecret,noentranceallowedoffice?"Iaskedhim.Henodded."Okthen,let'sheadupstairs.."thepolicemansaid,wewentupthestaircaseandintotheoffice."Lauren...Deckerright?"heasked.

Inodded."Ok,so..tellme,howwasyourrelationshipwithEdaTanner?""Well,wewere...friends..atfirst..reallyclosefriends.."Ismiled."Atfirst?Doesthismeanyoustoppedbeingfriendssometime?"IrememberedallofthewordsEdausedtorefertomeafterthe"break-up",beingbitchthemainone."Yes,wewentthrough..someissues,thatmadeusstopbeing..well..friends."Henodded,andscribbleddownsomethinginhisnotepad."Wasthis"break-up"likeyousay,closetothemurder?""Hmmm...kindoflike,3weeksbeforethat?1month?1monthandtwoweeks?Imnotreallysure..""CanIknowwhyyoustoppedbeingfriends?"heasked."Teenagerstuff,shedidsomething,blameditonme,gotmeintoamillionprobl

ems..well,shestillhasmeinamillionproblems..""Whatdoyoumean?""Well,beforeshewas...youknow..killed..shedidsomereallymeanthingstome,andnow,aftersheisdead,I'mstillinproblemsbecauseI,"supposedly"killedher.""Isee...um...doyourememberwhatyouweredoingthedayshewasmurdered?"Ididn'trememberreallywell,Itreallyseemedfaraway,lotsofthinghavehappenedafterit,andmymindhasdonenothingbuttrytoblockthenegativestuff,eitherwayItoldhimallIcouldmanagetoremember."Iwas,running,Iwassweating,andI...fell,oh,andalso,IwaswatchingmyseasonfinalewhenIgothome,butgotinterruptedwithnewsthatIkilledher.""Running?"heasked."Yes,Inormallyruneveryday,Ilikeexercising,soIjustgooutandrunthrough

theneighborhood,eitherthat,orIjustwalkinthepark..""Oh,thatkindofrunning.."Ilookedathimquizzically."Well,that'senoughfortoday,ImaybecomingsometimetomorroworWednesday,isthatok?""Perfectlyfine.."Ianswered."Ok,thanksforeverything,goodbyeLauren.."hesaid,andwalkedoutthedoor.Ifollowedhim.Downstairsdadwaseatingsomecereal,apparentlywaitingforus."Howdiditgo?"heaskednervously.


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"Itwentoutprettywell..."thepolicemansaid,"ItoldherIwouldeithercometomorrow,orWednesdayforsomemorequestionsandshewasperfectlyfinewithit,soo...I'llseeyouthen.."Heopenedthedoorandleft.Dadstoodupaswell."Areyouleavingtoo?"Iaskedhim.Henodded,"Ihavetodosomethingveryimportant..workrelated..""Ooook..."Iknewhewaslying."Oh,haveyoutoldDeanIwanttoseehim?Causehehasn'tcometome...""Nope,I'veforgotten..eitherway,whydoyouwanttotalktohim?""Ihaven'ttalkedtohiminawhileLauren,Iwanttoknowmoreaboutmydaughter'sboyfriend.."Hewinked.Iwasabouttomadscreamingwhenheadded.."Boybestfriend..Isthatbetter?"Hisphonerang,andhewentoutsidetopickitup.,"Seeyoutonightortomorrowhoney..goodbye.."Igotclosetothedoor.AndIcouldmanagetohearenoughtoknowwhatwasgoingon.."Dannia?"hesaid.."I'llbethereinacoupleofminutes."Therewassomethingforsuregoingonbetweenthem,andIneededtofindoutwhatitwas.Chapter11Iwasabsolutelysurethattheywerehidingsomething.AllofthethingsI'vefound,messagesI'vereceived,and"strange"occurrings,pointtothemactuallyhidingsomething.But,what?MaybethefactthattheyactuallymurderedEda,butwhywouldthey?Ineededtofindthatout,fast.Momwasstillnothome,anddadhadrecentlygoneoutsidewithDannia,todowho

knowswhat,whichjustleavesme,LaurenDecker,aloneinthehouse,ONCEAGAIN.Thereisn'treallymuchtodointhishouse.Imean,allthereistoit,isakitchen,alivingroom,tworoomsthathaveneverbeenusedandarestuffedwithuselessobjects,myroom,myparentsroom,andmydad'soffice.Goingtothetwo"useless"roomsoundedlikethemostexcitingofthemall;whoknows?MaybeIcouldevenfindmorehiddenevidenceofthecrimescene,oratleastfindoutwhatwasgoingonbetweenDanniaanddad.Thedoorknobtothedoorwasreallydustyitself,soIexpectedtheairtobeunbreathableinside;Turnsout,itwas.EverystepItookmadeadustcloudbehindme.Howlonghasthisroombeeninhabitted?Boxeswerepiledeverywhere,bookscoveredtheoldfurnitureandthefloor.Therewasliterallynowayofmakingmywaythroughallthis...withoutgettingdirt

y.IstartedlookinginsidethefirstboxIcouldgetmyhandson.Itwasfullofmom'soldcookingbooks,HowToMake101Cakes,FatFreeRecipes,OneThousandAndOneRecipes,andmuchmore;Therewasreallynothinginterestingonthisone.Thesecondboxwasfilledwithmyolddrawings,ofwhenIwasakid."IfStevenseesthis.."Ithoughtoutloud,"hewouldn'tstoplaughing."Myprincesslookedlikeahorse.Literally.Idrewreallyreallybad.Ilookedatthenextdrawing,aflashofmemorywentthroughmymind.~^~^~^~^~^~Ilaythetestontheteacer'sdeskandthensatdowntowaitfortheotherstudentstofinish.Edawasstaringatme."Whatsanswernumberone?"shewhispered.Ilookedattheteacher,thenlookedbackatEda,"1492"Iwhisperedback.

Shedidathumbsupwithherhands,"thanks,"shemovedherlips."LaurenPatriciaDecker,"theteachersvoicewasloud,"areyoucheating!?""Noimjust..Iwansn't..""Youbetternotbe,"herstarewasfixedonme.Thenshestoodup,"GeorgeWayne,pickupthetestsplease,timeisup,youcannowgotolunch."Istoodup,andEdacameclosetome."Thatwasclose!"shesaid,"thanksfortheanswerthough..""Yeahyouarewelcome..Anyways,areyoucomingtomysleepovertonight?""OfcourseIamLauren...Oh,andlookwhatImadeforyou"shehandedmeadrawing.


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Itwasme,andher.IpromiseIwillalwaysbethereforyou,waswrittenonthetop."Awwww....."Isaid,stuffingthedrawinginmybackpack,"youwillalwaysbethereforme?"Shenodded,"OfcourseLauren,unlessyoukillme..thenIcan'tbethereforyou.."~^~^~^~^Ashiverranthroughmybody."Unlessyoukillme"keptbouncingupanddowninmyhead.It'salmostlikesheknewthiswasgoingtohappen.Ishookthefeelingoff,reachingforanotherbox.Therewasabookinside."For:AlbertDecker"waswrittenonthecover.Iopeneditandsomepapersfelldown.Ipickedthemup,theylookedlikeletters,really,really,oldletters.Iopenedthefirstone.HeyAlbert,SorryIhaven'twrittentoyouinalongtime,butIhavetodoabunchofthingstoactuallygettosendyouoneletter.Well,how'severything?ImissyouSOOOOOmuch!Iwanttoseeyoureallybad!Thisvacationshavebeenreallyboringwithoutyou!I'vebeentotheEiffelTower,andItookapictureofitforyou,I'llseeifIcansendthepicturetoyou,butidoubtit,momisalmostalwaysnearme,IMSICKOFIT!How'sitgoingoverthere?WasthissenttotherightAlbert!?Like,mydadAlbert?Becausemom'snameisnotwithD!?IwentthroughthenamesinmyheadthatstartedwithDthatcouldb

etheclosestwithdad's,andDanniainstantlycameintomymind.Notwastingmoretime,Iopenedthenextone.DearAlbert,Ithasbeenreallyhardtodothis!Andithasbeenharderwithallthishappeningnow.Thereisn'tenoughmoneygoingaroundbetweenustosustainthis,andwehaven'tseeneachotherinpersoninlike1month!Canwemeet?Youtellmethedate,butpleasetellme.Ihurriedlyopenedthenextletter,andthenextletter,andthenextletter,theywereallmakingmereallyconfused!HelloAlbert,It'salmosttime!Wehavebeenwaitingforthisforsoooolong!Oratleastitl

ookslikeit!IneedtotellyouthatIwannaseeyousooobadrightnow,Iwantyoutobenexttome,huggingme,andkissingmelikeyoukissme.Let'smeettomorrow!Howaboutit?DearAlbert,Idon'tthinkwecandothisanymore,thetimeisreallyclosenow,andwearen'tmeetingasmuchaswedidbefore.Momisalsosuspectingaboutthis...To:AlbertIhaveit,thereallyimportantthing,Ifyouwannaseeit,I'lltellyouwereitalwayswillbe.Ithinkitsthebestdecisionwehaveevermade.

ItwillbeattheAbunchofthoughts,camerushingtomyhead.Dannia,IKNEWIT!Butwhatwasgoingon?Iabsolutelywassureabouttheirlove,butIneededtoknowwhattheimportantthingwas.IneededtogointoEda'shouse.Now.Chapter12Igotoutofthedustyroom,coughingmorethanever.Momwasstillnothome,dadwasoutsidewithDannia,hisdirtylittlesecret.NowwastheperfecttimetobreakintoEda'shouseandfindoutwhat'ssoimportantthatitneededtobehidden.Itwastheperfecttimetofindevidence,enoughevidencetoputthembothbehi


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ndbars...but..wouldIwan'tthatformyfather?Ithoughtaboutwhathedidtome.Yes,Iwould.Iheadedovertomyroomandpickedupthephone.IdialedDean'snumber.Hepickeditupwithoutitevenringingonce."HeeeyyyLauren!""Dean,Ineedyoutohelpmeinsomething,"mytonewasserious."Notaheyforme?""Okok,hey,butreally,thisisurgent..""Itlookslikeit...""Okso,wheredoIstartfrom?""Isuggest...fromthebeginning..""YOUALREADYKNOWTHEBEGINNINGDEAN!"Iscreamedathim."Youknowwhat?Imsorry,ImtalittleTOOtenserightnow...""Oh,thisisEdarelated...""Yup.""Ok,goon...tellmewhatyoufoundthistime..""Letters-""Like,postcards,mailbox,lettersright?"Deaninterruptedme."YesDean,postcards,mailbox,letters."Itookadeepbreath,"doyoupromisenottointerrupt?""Ipromise,"hesaid."Ok,thenIwillgoon..Iwentintotheroom,theonethatisneverused,andIfoundallsortsofthings.Ifoundmom'soldkitchenbooks,Ifoundmyolddrawings,andIfoundabook."

"Abookofwhat?"Deanasked."Dean..."Isaid."Sorry,Iwilljust...lockmymouthup,ifItalk,youkillmelikeyoukilledEdaok?"helaughed."IDIDN'TKILLEDADEAN!!!Ugh,thisisgoingtobeimpossible!!!!""SorryLauren,really,Iwasjustjokingaround..""Inoticed...""Goahead,tellme.."Deansaid."Ok,so...InsidethebookIfoundthisletters,andtheywerewrittentomydad,fromDannia.Theywereaboutastrange"impossiblelove"relationship,andtheywerehidingsomething,which,accordingtothelastletter,isstillinthesecretdrawerontheTanner'shouse..""Dannia,yourdad?"Deansoundedshocked."Now,letmeguess...youwanttobrea

kintoEda'shouseright?""Right!Ilovehowyouknowmesoowell!"Itoldhim."Idon'tthinkthismightbeawonderfulideaLauren..."hesoundednervous,likehereallydidn'twanttodothis."Whynot?!"Iaskedhim."Becauseyourdad-""He'soutside,withDannia,mymotherisatherbookclub,andEda'sdadis..probablyinthehouse,butwhatever,wearegoinginsideanyways...""WhatifEda'sdadcatchesusgoinginside?ThenItwillbereallyobvioustohimthatyou"murdered"Eda,andtheywillhaveenoughevidencetobackitup.""YeahDean,butmaybethatimportantthingthattheyarehidinggivesmeenoughevidencethatthey,DanniaandAlbert,killedEda."Deansighed,"OhwhatIdoforyouMs.LaurenPatriciaDecker..."

"Doesthismeanyouwilldoitwithme?!"Isoundedexcited.Hetookadeepbreath,"Yes,Iwill,but...""Yes,I'llkissyouathousandtimesifyouwantto,THANKSSOMUCHDEAN!""Iwasn'tgoingtoaskforthat...but...ok!"Ilaughed,"themeetingpointishere,bringaflashlight,ifyouhaveone,Idon'tthinkIhaveonemyself..""So..yourhouse,now,aflashlight..anythingelse?""Yeah,bringsomefood,whoknowswhatmighthappen.."Itoldhim."Truetrue,ayetimighttakeustoalostforestandthenwewon'tbeabletogetbackhome,sootherthanyouripodwithKe$ha,thefoodwillhelpusalot.."


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"Don'tbringthefoodthen...""Iwill...andyouknowit..""Bye,come,now,Ifyouarenotherein10minutes,I'llchopyourheadoff..believeit..""WhatifIdon'tgo?ThenIwontbethereforyoutochopmyhead-""JUSTCOME!"andIhungup.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Ichangedintoblackclothes;Iwasreallystartingtofeellikeacriminalnow.IwentdownstairsandgrabbedacupofjuiceandsomeofthepotatochipsthatDeanlikedsoomuch.ThenIheardhisknocksonthedoor."I'TSOPEN!!!..."Iyelled.Momcameinside.Shelookedatmeupanddownforseveralseconds,"IsDeanmakingyouplayspywithhimagain?""Whatdoyouthink?"Itoldher.Shelaughed."Well,dontbesoeasyonhimthistimeok?Havefun!"Inodded,"Iwill.""Imallsetanddoneforthebreakin,"Deansaidashecameinside.Momlookedathim,"OhDean,"shelaughed."HiMrs.Decker"hesaid."HasLaurentoldyouAlbertwantstotalktoyou?""Ohyesshedid.."DeanlookedatmelikesayingWHYDIDN'TYOUTELLME?IlookedatDean"Timetoplayspies!"Iwinked."Laurenwon'tbesoeasythistime!"momtoldDean.

"Spies?"Deanasked,helookedatmeconfused."OhDean,youarealreadygettingintoyourcharacter...comeoutside,letsstart!"OutsideDeanlookedatmewithapuzzledexpression."Spies?"heasked,"Whatwasthatallabout?""MomDIDN'Tneedtoknowwewerewearingallblackclothesbecauseweweregoingtotryandbreakintoahouse...sothe"spiesgame"coveredthatupok?""Okok...now...whydidn'tyoutellmeyourdadwantedtotalktome?""Because...Iforgotok?Iwasactuallygoingtotellyou..""Yeahright...when?""WhenIfoundyouwithDanniaonthecar,remember?""Ohh...right.."Deansaid."NowletsgetgoingbeforeIt'stoolate.."Itoldhim,andweheadedintoEda's

house.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Thefrontporchcreakedaswesteppedonit."Istilldon'tthinkthisisagoodideaLauren.."Deanwhispered.Ileanedforwardandslowlykissedhissoftlips,"Itwillbeok,I'llalwaysbehereforyou..Ipromise."Thephrasegavemegoosebumps."Howarewegoingtogetinside?"Deanasked."Iknowaway.."Isaid,asIledhimbehindthehouse.Wereachedthefencethatdividedthegardenfromthepoolandtheinsideofthehouse."Youseethosebushesoverthere?"IwhisperedtoDean.Henodded,"whatwiththem?"

"Gounderthem,thereisaholeonthebottomofthefence,wefitthroughitso...goahead.."Ipushedhimforward.Whenhegottotheothersideofthefence,Icrouched,wentunderthebushes,andwentthroughunderthefence."Howdoyouknowaboutthis?"Deanaskedme,whispering."Ijustdo..ok?Edatoldmeaboutthiswhenwewerefriends..""Ok,soo....what'snext?"Deanasked."Goinginside,checkingifsomeoneisalreadyhere,andgettingtheimportantstuffhiddeninthesecretdrawer.""Soundsgood.."hewhispered.Andwewentinsidethehouse.


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Thehousewaspaintedblueinside,thewallswerefilledwithpicturesofEda.Everythinglookedperfectlyset,asifthishousewasjusta...displayhouse."Look,I'tsEda'sroom"ItoldDeanasIpointedtoaroomtoourleft."Shouldwegoin?"hewhispered."I'llgoinside,yougolookforthesecretdrawer,topfloor,onherdesk,I'llmeetyouthereinaminute..""Ok.."Deanwhispered,andheheadedupstairs.IlookedatthedoortoEda'sroom,itwasreallyweirdgoinginsidenow,knowingsheis...dead.Slowly,Iturnedthedoorhandle,andopenedupthedoor."LAURREEEEEEEN!"IheardDeanscreamingfromthetopfloor,"THEREISNOONEHOME,SOITWON'TMATTERIFYOUDOLOUDSOUNDS!""OK!"Iscreamedback,goingdeeperintoEda'sroom.Irememberedthisroom;Irememberedallthethingsthathappenedhere,thegoodonesaswellasthebadones.Ileftatearescapefromme.Sheactuallyusedtobemyfriend.Ilookedatthepinkmirroronthewall,theoneweusedsomuchtoputourmakeuponforthatspecialguy,Deaninhercase.Ilookedatherbed,theonewewouldhavesleepoversin,andtheonethat,underneath,wasfilledwithsecretsofus,andmemories.Icrouchedandwentunderit.Pastedtothetopwasadrawing,theoneshegavemelongagoin4thgrade,andIpasteditthere.;Itwastheoneweremynamewasinsideaheart,andbestfriendforeverwaswrittenoverit."Shenevertookitoff,"Ithoughttomyself."LAUREEEEN!"Deanscreamedagain,"ITHINKIFOUNDSOMETHING!COMEUPSTAIRS!"

IcameoutfromunderthebedandranupstairsasfastasIcould.WhenIgotthere,IsawDean'sface,itwaspale."Didyoufindit?"Iaskedhim."YesIdid..."Hesaidashehandedapieceofpapertome.Itread:EdaRebeccaTanner'sDNAresultshavebeenfullyanalyzedandwecameupwiththefollowingresults:AlbertAugustDecker-100%DanniaVeronicaTanner-100%Istoodfrozen,shocked."WhatdoesthismeanDean?"Iaskedhim.Helookedatme,withaworriedface."Itmeansthatitwasn'tyouinthepicturewefoundLauren,ItwasEda,EdaTanner"Ilookedatthepaper,andthenbackathim."She'syoursister,"hesaid.Chapter13

Myheartsankinthatsameinstant.Istartedtrembling.Iscreamed.IlookedatDean,lookedatthepaperinmyhands,backatDean,thenatapictureofEdathathungonthewall."I'm...I'm...I'm...I'm..."wordsdidn'tcomeoutofmymouth."Eda'ssisterLauren.."Deanwasstillfrozen,buthecouldatlleasttomanagetospeakafewmorewordsthanme.Iwasstartingtofeeldizzy,allthisquestions,bouncinginmyhead,somewithnewanswers,somequestionsthatwerejust...new."ItallmakesperfectsensenowLauren,itdoes...it..it...does.."Deansaid.IlookedatthepictureofEdaonthewall,myfather'sgreeneyesonher,hersmile,hereverything,somehowalsobelongedtomy...father."Youthink...Edaknew?"Deanaskedme.Theimageofthetextmessagewentthroughmyhead"ofcourseshenew,"Itoldh

im,"thetextmessageDanniasenttodadsaidEdaknewtoomuch..""Anddoyouthinkthat'sthereason...?""Theykilledher?"Iasked."Becausesheknewtoomuch,andthiscouldruintheirpresentrelationships..Albertwithyourmother,andDanniawithMr.Tanner..."Iopenedmymouthinshock"Itmakesperfectsense...butyoumustreallylovesomeonetokillyourowndaughterinordertostaywiththem,dontyouthink?"Deannodded,"butwhatiftheyweren'ttheoneswhodirectlykilledher?""Youmean...thattheycouldofsentsomeoneelsetokillher?""Yup,Imean,thatway...itwouldn'tbesopainful..tothem..."Deansaid.


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"Butstill,therestheremorse.."Isaid."Nothereisn't...Imean...theycheatedontheirwifeandhusband!TheyblamedtheircrimeonYOU!...andthenthere'sremorse...yeahright""Well..you'vegotapoint..alittlelittlesmallpoint..""UGH!"Deansaid,"youaretheonemakingassumptionsoutofthelittlethings..butwhenthingsactuallyFITTOGETHER!Yousayitmaaaaaaaaaaay,Iquote,littlelittlesmallpoint,betrue..Imean..WHATTHEHECKLAUREN!THEYAREBOTHFRICKINMURDERERS!"Isighed,"there'sstillsooomuchthatweneedtofindout..""Likeforexample...?"Deanasked."Ifthey,asyousay,"sent"someonetokillher,whothispersonis,and...whydiddidtheyblameitonme,and..weneedevidence...asinglepaperwon'tmakethepolicebelieveus,andworse...WESTOLETHEPAPER...FROMEDA'SHOUSE!ThenIwillforsurebethemurderertothem..""That's,right,inallthewrongways..."Deansighed."BUTEDAISFRICKINMYSISTER!ISTILLCANNOTGETOVERIT!""ShouldIbuildabridge,foryouto..getoverit?""It'snotthemomentforjokesDean.."Isaid.HewasabouttotalkwhenIinterruptedhim"neitherforkisses...""HowarewegoingtofindmoreevidenceLauren?Arewestealingthepapereitherway?""Yesweare,andlook...Itookpicturesofmytrophyondad'ssuitcase,Ihavethecoffeecupwiththeredlipstickinit,andthetextmessagethatwassenttome"accidentally"wejustneedsomemoreevidencetoputitalltogether.."

"Youonlyansweredhalfofmyquestion..How,arewe,going,to,find,more,evidence?""Spyingonthem?Checkingtheirstuff?Oooh,Ialsohavetheletters!""Theloveletters?"heasked."Theloveletters"Ianswered."Oh,that'sgood,atleastweareontherighttrack.."Inodded.Thenweheardacarengine.Myeyesgrewwide,sodidDean's."Someone'shere!"Iwhisperedtohim."Dannia?"heasked."I'mnotsure,butwedon'thaveenoughtimetoleaveunnoticed.""So..."hesaid,"weshouldhideandwaituntiltheyfindus,right?,sotheyhavemorereasontoblameyou,andnowME,intoEda'smurder.""Ok,ok,"Isaid,"wewillleave,butfirst,letmelookthroughthewindowtos

eewho'shere."Iwalkedoutoftheroomandpeekedthroughthebigwindowonthewall.ItwasMr.Tanner,hewascomingoutofhiscar,andhelookedtipsy."Dean!"Iwhispered"Mr.Tannerishere!Whatshouldwedo?"Damecamenearmeandpeekedatthewindow,"Helooksdrunk,Imean...hecan'tevenputthekeythroughthekeyhole.""So...shouldweworry?"Iasked."Look,thisiswhatwe'lldo,wegodownthestairsNOW,gooutunderthebush,andactlikewearecasuallywalkingbythehouseandofferhelp.""Likehelptoopenthedoor...?""YESLAUREN!Now....let'sgo.."Werusheddownstairs,almosttrippingwitheachstep,thenwentoutthroughthebackdoor,aroundthepool,underthefence,underthebush,andwewerefinally

nexttothefrontporch.Mr.Tannerlookedatus"Hey...Larissa...Laura...Lauren,yeah,itsLauren!""Hey...Mr.Tanner,youneed...anyhelpwiththat?"Iasked.Heactuallylookeddrunk."CallmeCameron,andno...imfinewiththis..."helaughedashisattemptsoftryingtoinsertthekeykeptfailing."Mr..Imean...Cameron,here,"Iwalkedovertohim,Deanfollowedme,"I'llhelpyou..youlookto...tiredtodothis.."Itookthekeysfromhishandsandunlockedthedoor."ThanksLaris-,Lauren.."hesmiled."Hey,whydon'tyoutwocomeinforawhile


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inside?""Sure,Isaid,Ineedtoaskyousomethingeitherwayifitsokwithyou..""Yeah,It'sok...I'vehadwaaaaaaytoomanyquestionslately...fromthecops.."Deanlookedatmeinconfusion,thenhelookedatCameron,"fromthecops,why?""Ohyouknow,Eda'sthing...Youguyswantsomejuice?"Cameronaskedashetookthecupsout."Nothanks,"webothsaid.IcameclosetoDean,closeenoughsothatwhatIsaycouldnotbeheardbyCameron."YouthinkhewastheoneDanniaandAlbertsenttokillEda?""Noway,Imean,iftheywouldofsenthim,itwouldbebecausehewouldalreadyknowabouttheEdabeingAlbert'sdaughterthing,andthat'swhattheydidn'twanthimtoknow..""True,but...hecouldalsokilledher,withnorelationtothedaughterthing...andthatcouldhavetakenEdaoffAlbert'sandDannia'swaywithoutthemeventhinkingofkillingher,whichwouldhavemoresense.."Isaid."Yes,but-""Whatareyouwhisperingaboutkiddos?"CameroninterruptedDean."Nothing,wewerejust-"Deansaid."Wewerewondering,ifyouknewthatEda,iskinda...well...notreally-"Igotinterrupted."Mydaughter.."Cameronsaid,"Yeah,I'vebeensuspectingthat,andwellononewayoranother,I...gottoknowthetruth...""Youknew!?"DeanandIsaidatthesametime.

"Andyoudidn'tgetmadwithDannia?Imean...Mrs.Tanner..?Iasked."Yeah,well,Igotmad,butyouknow...Igotevenwithher..."Cameronanswered."Whatdoyoumeaneven?"Deanasked."Well,Ididsomethingbacktoher,somethingwayworse,"heanswered.Myheartstartedtobeatreallyfast.ItmaybeEda'skiller,whoIwasrightinfrontof.Chapter14Cameronlookedatbothofus,asmilegrewonhisface.Webothlookedbackathim,notsayinganything.Hesatdown,almosttripping;Hisshirtwaswetofthejuicehespilledwhiletryingtoaimatthecup."NowthatIrealize.."Cameronlookedatme,carefullyexaminingeveryinchofmybody,"youreallylooklikeEda!"

"I,do...?"Iasked,"youarethefirstpersonwho'severtoldmethat."~^~^~^~^~^~^ThroughthecornerofmyeyeIcouldseeEdascribblingsomethingreallyfastonapieceofpaper.ShegiggledasshepassedittoLilly,whopassedittoGeorge,whopassedittoDylan,whopassedittoAmber,whopassedittoAllison,whopassedittoKatherine,whopassedittoTrevor,whopassedittoCamille,whopassedittoJenna,whopassedittoJason,andsoon.Theywereallgigglingaboutit.IinstantlyknewItwassomethingaboutme."Whatareyoualllaughingabout?"Ms.Rothsaid,asshepickedupthepaperfromEmily'shands.Shelookedatit,andyoucouldseeshewantedtolaugh,butshehelditinside.Ifelteveryone'seyesonme,eventheteacher's.Edaclearedherthroat,thewayshealwaysdidwhenshefeltlikesheaccomplish

edsomething.Thistime,humiliatingme,withoutknowinghowIwashumiliated.Thishadhappenedover20times,thisyear,differentteachers,differentstuff,inapaper.Apaperwho'scontentInevergottosee.~^~^~^~^~^~Deanyawned."Someoneissleepy,"Cameronsaid."Notreally,I'mjustbored..."Deansaid.IlookedatDean,thiswastheperfectsituationtoescapefromhere,"yesDean,"Isaid,"youarereallytired,It'salreadythreehourspastyoursleeptime.."Ilied.


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Helookedatme.Iwinked.Hewinkedback."Well,lookslikewegottogo..."Deanfakedasigh."Yup,ourparentsareprobablyworriedaboutus.."Iadded."Well,thanksforcoming..."Cameronsaid."No,no,thankstoyouforinvitingusinside.."Isaid.WestoodupandCameronwalkedwithustothefrontdoor."ThanksforallMr.Tanner"Deansmiledandshookhishand."I'mCamerontoyou.."hesmiled,"onceagain,thanksforcominginside."+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Deanwalkedmeovertomyhouse,andthenlefttohis.WithhimIalwaysfeltprotected,andnowthatourlovewasactuallyhappening,Ifeltmuchmoresecure.Hestillneededtoimprovemoreonkissing,buttheyweren'tthatbad.Ontheotherhandhishugsaredelightful.Mybedwascomfiertoday,andtheroomlookedsmallertonight,Itfeltperfectforamoment.ThemomentbeforeIdirftedintoasoundlesssleep.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-Drawingclasses.Today.Theexcitementforitmademewakeupreallyfast.Ihurrieddownstairs,drankmypillsandhadbreakfast.SomeminutesafterthatIwasallreadytogohavesomeclasses.Idon'tknowifStevenwasreadythough,Itwasreallyearly.Ipickedupmycellphoneandgavehimacall.Therewasnoanswer."Imightaswellsearchformy"horseprincess"totakeittoStevensohelaugh

salittlebit,thatwillalsosavemesometime..."Eventually,afterIlookedforthedrawing,hepickedupthephone."GoodmorningLauren,"hesaid."MorningSteven,"Ianswered."Youcomingtodayright?"heasked."Yup,reallylookingforwardtoit.""Hahahah,great!I'mallset,soifyouwanttocomenow,it'dbeawesome..""Good!CauseI'llbeheadingoverthereassoonasIhangup,oh,andIhaveadrawingImadewhenIwasmuchyounger,Ibetyou'llcrackuplaughingatit..""OhLauren,IbetIt'sbetterthanallmydrawings.."helaughed."Don'tyoudare...comparesuchahorriblethingtosuchabeauty..."Helaughed,"Well,don'tmakemewait,I'mstillwaitingoverhere...""You'retheonemakingmewaitSteven!"

"Huh?Whatdoyoumean?""ImeanthatIMOUTSIDE!""Youare!?""No,bye."Ihungup.OneortwominuteslaterIwaspushingthedoorbell,andhewaswelcomingmeinside."HeyLauren,"hesaid,huggingme."Hello,"Ismiled,thefrontdoorclosingbehindus.Wewalkedupstairs,andwentintohisroom,whereeverythingwasset.Thereweretwostacksofpapersontwodesks,colors,rulers,sharpeners,erasers,everything!"WowSteven!"Isaid,"you'rereallypreparedforthis!""Well,thisiswhatyougetwhenyoureallywantsomeonetoshowup,andyouwan

teverythingtocomeoutperfectly.."Iblushed,butIshouldn'tof,Itfeltwrong."So,wheredowestart?"Iaskedhim."Todaywearejustfreedrawing,seeingyourskillsandthatstuff,onceagain,I'mnotreallyagoodteacher.....Ibetyouareagreatstudentthough..."Hesatclosetome,butImovedawayandsatonthechair."Hey,didn'tyouhaveanmasterpiecetoshowme?"Irolledmyeyes,handinghimthepaper.Asheopeneditupyoucouldseehimtryingtoholdbacjhislaughter."ThisisadorableLauren!"hesaid,"canikeepit!?"


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"Ofcourse...butinexchange....youhavetotellmesomething...""Hmm...bribery....Iloveit!Tellme,whatdoIneedtotellyoutohavetherighttostaywiththedrawing?""WhatdoyouknowabouttherelationshipbetweenEdaandherum...dad?"Theworddadfeltfakeinthissentence,knowingCameronwasn'treallyit."Oh,aboutEda..."hescratchedhishead.."shedidn'thaveagoodrelationshipwithhim,shedescribeditasafakerelationship,infrontofDanniatheywerehappydaughterandfather,behindher,theywerejusthatred...""That'sit?..Iexpectedmore...""Ohright,shetoldme..WhenDanniawasn'thome,hewouldbringheavystuffonblackbags,sheneverknewwhatitwas,buthewouldhidethemonthebasement,andthreatenedEdatoneversayanything..."Itwasallfittingnow.Everythingwasfallinginthecorrectplace.

Chapter15"Wow,that'screepy!"ItoldSteven."Yup,Eda'swholelifehasbeenreallycreepy,itendedcreepyenough!"Isighed,"lookSteven,youreallydon'tbelieveIwasthemurdererright?"Hechuckled,"lookatyouLauren,youcan'tevenhurta-""Afly,Iknow,Iknow..""Nope,fliesarewaytoofastforyou,youcan'tevenhurtapencil!""AreyoudaringmeMr.Alvarado?"IsaidpickingupthepencilIwassketchingwith."OhyesIam....Ms.Decker!"

"Mhmmm...well,takealookatthis,"Iheldthepencilupandbrokeit,heldupthetwopiecesandbrokeitagain."Youactuallydidbreak...the..pen?!"Hefakedasurprisedlookonhisface.Webothlaughed,butthenadeepsilencecutitout,westaredateachother,mystarewasbeingheldbyhis."I'm..I'm.."butIcouldn'tmanagetocompletethesentence,Icouldn'tmanagetosayanything,IfeltlikeIwasbeinghypnotizedbythoseeyes.Stevenshookhishead,"So,"hesaid,"youareabletobreakapencil,great,now...canyoudrawwiththoselittlepencilpieces?""Nope,youwillneedtofindmeanotherpencil.."Ismiled.Hepickeduphispencilcaseandtookoutanewsharpenedpencil,"trynottobreakthisonetoughgirl,"hesaidashehandedittome.Istartedsketching."Youknow,IalwaysthoughtEdatoldmethetruth...Andit'

sweirdknowingthat,shedidn't,butinsteadshetoldthetruthtotheguyshefakedloving...you...youknowwhatImean?"Iliftedmygazeuptohim,butkeptdrawingatevenstrokes.Stevennodded,"shewas...complicated,lifeatherhousewasharsh,andatschoolitwasevenworse,shejust..hidherfeelings..""Shehidthemreallywell,"Iintervened."Yeah,well,asyoumayhavenoticed,herrelationshipwithherdadwasn'tthatBESTDADEVERrelationship,Instead,Itwasfullof...distance,theybarelytalkedtoeachother."Stevenpaused,andlikehewasnowrealizingsomethingheadded"thatmanwasreally,reallymysterious."Mydrawingwascomingoutreally,well,plainlyhorrible.Ididn'tevenknowwhatIwasdrawing,butIjustkeptgoingatit,asourconversationflewby."Doyouthinkhewastheonewhokilledher?"

Hesighed,"I'mnotsure,Imean,heisoneofmymainsuspects,butthere'ssomeoneelse...""Someoneelse?"Iaskedhim."Hayes,"hesaid."Lilly?LillyHayes?"Iasked."She..well,Ijustgetastrangevibefromher,youknowwhatImean?MymindtellsmeshekilledEda,Idon'tknowwhy..""Well,LillyisdefinitelyNOToneofmysuspects,shelovedEda,enough,waytoomuch!""ButsheknewthattherewasnowayEdawouldendupbeinginarelationshipwit


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hher,shesufferedwaytoomuchLauren,takingEdaoutofherlifeisawaytoendupwithallthatsuffering.."Iheldthatthoughtforamoment,takingEdaoutofherlifeisawaytoendupwithallthatsuffering..,IscribbledCameron'snameonmypaper.Thatperfectlymakessense,CameronknewEdawasn'thisdaughter,plus,hekeptthingsfromDanniathatEdaknew,andatanymomentEdacouldtellDanniaaboutit,takingEdaoutofhiswayisjustawaytoendupwithallthatsuffering!"You'reagenius!"ItoldSteven,"YESYOUARE!!!THAT'SJUSTWHATINEEDED!""What!?YouagreewithmethatmaybeLillykilledEda?"heasked."HELLNOSTEVEN!I'malmost100%percentsureofwhokilledEda,Ijustneedmoreevidence,youknow,Imstartingtothinkthiswasnotjustoneperson,Imean,itwas,butformanylinkedreasons,yougetme?""Nope...IunderstandmanypeoplewantedEdadead,but,you'resayingthatabunchofpeoplekilledher?""Nope,look,I'msayingmanypeoplewantedherdead,sotheyworkedtogetherwiththeirreasonsand...""Killedher?""YES!""Ok,I'mofficiallyconfused.""Fornow,youdon'thavetounderstandok?Butwhenyou'llhaveto,I'llexplain,meanwhile,let's....draw.""Ok..."Aweirdsmilegrewonhisface,butIknowitwasbecausehewasn'treallygettingaholdofwhatwashappening.Myphonebuzzed,Ipickeditup.

"Hello,Lauren?Areyou..OK?Whereareyou?Issomethingwrong?Pleasedon'ttellmeyouaredead...wait..IsthisLauren?"Ichuckled,"YesDean,thisisLauren,yesI'mok,I'matSteven'stakingdrawinglessons,there'snothingwrong,andI'mdefinitely,not,dead."Iheardhimtakedeepbreathes,"Ohthanksgod,Iwasstaringtogetworried.""Dean,you'regoingtodiefromaheartattackifyoukeepgoinglikethis..."Isaid."Im,sorry,"Icouldn'tseehim,butIknewhewasblushing."So,what'supmymintylittlechocolate?"Ichuckled."Someone'slookingforyouoverhere,"hesaid."Someone?""Copsmorespecificly,youneedtocomenow,Stevenmightwanttocometoo...""I'llbethereinaminute,bye."

"Stevenweneedtogo.."Isaid."What?Where?"heasked."Myhouse,copswantme,andIthinktheywantyoutoo..."Hisfacegotworried,helookedreallynervous."I'm...I..This....Um...""It'sok!It'llallbealright!Weknowwedidn'tkillEda,so,weshouldn'tworry.."Ipulledhimbyhisshirtdownstairsandweheadedoutside.Theskywasreallybright,Itwasstillkindaearly.Aswewalkedthroughthepavement,acop'scarrushedbyus,thesirenon."What'swrong?!"IaskedSteven.Heshrugged.Wequickenedourpace,andgottotheplacethatansweredmyquestion.ItwasLilly'shouse,surroundedbypolicecars;Lillystoodoutside,heldbycopsonbothherhands,herfacewasredwithfury.

Somehow,IfeltlikeIknewwherethiswasgoing.Chapter16IcaughtsightofDeanthroughthecrowdthatwasnowstartingtoformaroundherhouse.Steven'shandgrippedmineasIheldascreaminsideofme.Lilly?Lilly.Itcouldn'tbe.Itisn'ttrue,Itoldmyself,maybethisdoesn'thaveanythingtodowithEda'smurder."Itcantbe!"Iletout,"nother!notLilly!"Stevenlookedatme,puzzled."Iknewit!But..Lauren,aren'tyousupposedtobehappyitwasn'tyou?Imeanyouarefinallyfree!""Iwasfree...conditionally...untiltheyfoundmoreproof.."


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"Andtheyjustdid!"hegrabbedmebytheshoulders,smiling."IDIDN'TDOTHIS!ISWEARIDIDN'T!MOM,TELLTHEMIDIDN'T,YOUHAVETOBELIEVEME!"Lilly'sscreamswereloud,shestruggledtogetfreefromthecops,butshecouldn't.Thecrowdwasgrowingbigger;Whispers,movements,screams,mademeloosesenseofwhereIfoundmyselfrightnow."Lillydidn'tkillEda,"Iheardavoicetomyrightsaying,Iturnedaround,butIcouldn'tmanagetoseewhosaidthat."Imsureofit,"anothervoiceechoedbehindme,makingmedizzy."Thisisallgoingincircles,who,killed,Eda?"Thefamiliarvoicekeptringingaroundme,Iwasgettingsweaty,dizzy,andnowIsaw...Dean?Heheldmebetweenhisarms,justasIwasabouttofall."Areyouok?"hesaid,"youdon'tlooksohealthy..""THELAURENBITCHDIDTHIS!SHEKILLEDEDA,SHEDID,SHEDID!IDIDNOT,KILLEDA!"Lillykeptscreamingherlungsout."WhatIsgoingon?"StevenaskedDean."Um...theyfoundLilly'sfingerprints,onthetrophytheykilledEdawith.."Ifeltastinginmyheart,thetrophydadhadinhissuitcase?Itcouldn'tbe..howcome?"Oh,wow,"Stevensaid."Iknow,thisisreally,um,shocking."Deananswered.Peoplekeptbumpingonus,movingaround,tripping,Isawflashesofcolors,everythingwasmovingfast,Iwasn'tfeelingright."ISANEXCUSEMETOOMUCHTOASKFOR?"Deanscreamed;Ifeltthevibrationonhi

schestwhenhedid.Hisplayedwithmyhair,tryingtocalmmedown.Stevenchuckled,asamanbumpedintohim.Icaughtsightoftheman,Cameron,Eda'sfakedad.Hisexpressionwassuspicious,hehadasmile,acurvedone,malicious."Ineedtotakehertoherhouse,"DeantoldSteven,pointingatme."I'llhelp,"Stevensaid,"shedoesn'tlookokatall.."Iwasn'tok,howcouldIbewhentheyjusttoldmeLillykilledEda?Steven'shandliftedmyarmoverhisneck,myotherhandbeingoverDean's.Iwantedtosaysomething,butIjustcouldn't."Lauren.."Theunknownvoicesaid.Ihadmyeyesclosed,andIcouldn'tmanagetoopenthemenoughtoseewhocalledmyname."Lauren."Thevoicewhispered,"ohdearLauren..."anditfadedaway.Thecrowd'snoisefadedasthebackdoorclosedbehindus.Iwasliftedandlaid

overacouch."TurntheT.V.on,"DeantoldSteven,"I'llgogethersomewater..""CanIhavesometoo?"Stevenasked."Nope.."Stevensighed,"fine..I'llgetitmyself..""Noyouwont,"Deansaid,"notuntilyouturntheT.Von,putthenews,IbetLillyisonitnow..""Where'sthecontrollerremote?"IheardStevensay,farthernow."Underthecouchprobably,UGH,getthewater,I'lllookforthecontroller.."Istillhadmyeyesclosed,butIcouldpictureDean'sfrownperfectly.Hisblackbrowspinchedinandhisfacered,Iactuallyfounditprettyfunny;ButIcouldn'tlaugh,orevensmilenow,notwhenyourexbestfriend'smurdererhasbeenprovednottobeyou,butherlover.

IheardtheT.Vturnon,andamalevoicestarttalking."Aftervarioustests,theyhavefoundLillyHaye'sfingerprintsaroundthesoftballtrophythatwas,asthey'veinvestigated,usedtokillEdaTanner.LaurenDeckerisstillapersonofinterestbutnotasmuchnow,foritmakesmoresensethatthetrophyhasit'sowner'sfingerprints,thansomeoneelsewhoisn'tmuchclosetotheowner-""Turnitoff."Isaid,"now."Themalevoicefaded,andtheroomwasleftwithanawkwardsilence.Stevenclearedhisthroat."IsawCameronoutthere,hewassmiling."


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Deansighed,"Lauren,theyjustfoundLillyisthemurderer,thisiswhatyou'vebeenlookingfor,ALLTHISTIME!WhomurderedEdaTanner..andnowyouhavetheanswer,whyareyounothappy!?"Ididn'treallyknow,Ijustfeltlikeshewasn'ttheone."Cameronyousay?"Steveninterrupted,"who'sthat?""Eda's...father,"Isaid."Oh.""Doesn'tStevenknowalready?"Deansaid."Knowwhat?"Stevenasked."ImEda'ssister."Iinterrupted.Hestartedlaughing,butthenstopped,"you'rewhat?"Itriedopenmyeyes,andgotthemmidway,myheadwasstartingtoachebadly,Ineededmedicine."Dean,canyougetmemypills?"Isaid.Deannodded,"She'sEda'ssister,well,Eda'smomhadEdawithLauren'sdad,andMr.Tanner,Camerondidn'tknow,soCameronthoughtthisgirlwashis,andthenLaurenwasjustinhermother'sbellybeingalsoadaughterofherdadandmommy...""Complicatedmuch?"Stevensaid.DeandroppedtwopillsinmyhandandIswallowedthemupwithsomewater."Welcometomymessylife.."Isaid."So,letmeseeifIgetthisright,AlbertandDanniahadarelationship..""Asecretone,"Iadded."Andtheirpartnersdidn'tknow,soDanniagotpregnantwithEda...whichCamero

nthoughtwashisdaughter,andontheotherhandyourmomLauren,"Stevencontinued."Jennifer.."Iinterrupted."Right,Jennifer,waspregnantwithyou.."Stevenfinished.Deanstartedclapping,"lookslikeyouunderstood!""AndsodidI."Weallpausedandlookedbehindus;Momstoodthere,shelookedolder,andherfacewassoakedintears.Ididn'tsayanything,Icouldn'tthink,Icouldn't..I-Herhairwasmessy,herusualsmileswerenowsadness,thishadprobablytornherlifeapartrightnow,andminetoo,fornottellingher.Tearsstartedpouringdownmyeyes,IwasstillinshockaboutLilly'sandnowthis.Momstaredatme,hereyesheldmine,andherswerefullof...sadness.

"Mrs.Decker,"Deansaid,"Um-""Youcouldn'ttellme,"momwhispered,softly,butIcouldmanagetohear,andittearedmyheartapart.Ifailedher,Ididn'tcareifshesometimefailedme,shewasmymother,andsomehowshewastheoneIdidn'tactuallygetmadwith.Someoneknockedonthedoor.Once,twice,threetimes.Ilookedatthedoor,andthenquicklyatwheremomwasstanding,shewasn'tthereanymore.IlookedatDean,"shewenttoherroom,"hesaid,thenwipedthestillflowingtearswithhishands.Thedooropened,copscamein,newsreporters,photographers.Stevenstoodup,tryingtoblocktheirpathtome,failingattheattempt."Hey,LaurenDecker,howareyoufeelingwithLillyHayesbeingthemurde-""SHEWASNOT,OK?!"Stevenstoodup.ThecopsturnedovertoSteven,andIdidtoo,confused.Minutesago,Steventol

dmehethoughtitwasher."Howdoyouknowmister..?"acopasked."Steven,StevenAlvarado,"Stevensaidinafirmvoice."WhydoyousayLillyHayesdidn'tkillEdaTanner?"areporterasked."Because.."hepaused,"Iwasthere,the...the...nightofthemurder."Stevenanswered.Ascreamescapedfromme.Chapter17Everyonewasshocked.Deanshandgrippedmine,asanotherscreamescapedfromme.


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Reportersweregoingcrazy,

lies my family kept from me

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