"Ohmigods! Ohmigods!"

The next day at school, I overheard Katherine Sanders repeating the word over and over again, crying into her best friend, Dani's shoulder. (A/N Yes. Katherine is a fangirl.)

"Ohmigods! I was told that Becca was murdered!" Her mascara-tinted tears ran down her face, her dull green eyes red and puffy. I was surprised she'd even shed a tear over Becca. I remembered exactly how Becca felt about her.

The town was full of people, late in the afternoon. I'd only met Becca that morning, but we'd become close friends fast. I didn't know why I liked Becca, really. I think it was the fact she was so daring, and she was kind to me. Most girls like her I'd met just pretended to be bad girls, texting in class and having underage drinking parties. However Becca was different. She was daring because she stood up for herself.

Becca was pointing out people, giving me what she called a 'guide to Hailsbury.'

"Okay, that's Tara James. She is one of my best friends." Becca waved at her, a tall brunette wearing an arm cast. "Don't tell her, but I only really became friends with her because her older brother is cute." (A/N Only wrote this to give a feel to what Becca's like. EW!)

I stared at her shocked. "Becca!"

She'd laughed. "I actually like her now! Well, I like talking about clothes and some things with her. Don't tell her this either, but I just met you and I like you much better."

I think that was another thing I'd liked about her. I think she knew exactly how to make a new girl feel special. It worked. I usually was completely immune to charms like hers, so it was an oddity for it to work, and my guard had slipped.

Then she spotted Katherine, who was wearing a vibrant green coat, which made her also green eyes even duller, and underneath her coat, you could see a red turtleneck sweater. Her slim legs were covered by baggy purple track suit pants, and her lank brunette bob looked sloppy and unbrushed. Altogether equalling fashion disaster.

I didn't really care about what other people wore, I myself didn't really think about my clothes. I wasn't like Katherine, I mean, I did wear matching clothes and all, though I didn't exactly care if it was last season or this season. But Becca and Katherine were polar opposites.

"Oh god! Have you ever seen anything look worse then that!" She waved an immaculate hand at Katherine, who was examining a second-hand bookstore display window. "And who buys books these days? Unless you have a really good reason. Especially from a second-hand store!"

I actually rather liked books, but I decided for once in my life, not to argue.

Becca then turned to me, looking worried. "You're being awfully quiet. Want to have some fun?" The worry in her eyes morphed into a mischievous glint.

"Maybe. Sorta. No. Yes. What kind of fun?" I knew exactly the kind of fun Becca meant. Bullying Katherine. I didn't want to, but I didn't want to lose my only friend. Especially a friend who could make my life hell. Hopefully, I could help Katherine by getting Becca to dial back a bit.

Becca stalked over to Katherine, smiling without humour. "Hello, sweetheart."

Katherine looked surprised, her eyes bewilderedly flicking from side to side as of to confirm Becca was talking to her. "Me?" Katherine asked. Becca nodded, her eyes glinting with anticipation.

"You do know my dear friend, Tara?" Becca asked, seemingly innocent.

But I noticed how Katherine's eyes lit up, the way a small smile creeped onto her face. "I... I know Tara," she said, attempting to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"Good," Becca smiled. She lowered her voice, dramatically. "Now, what if we make a little deal, Kath." I could see the side of Becca that I didn't like, the malicious girl who did things for personal gain, if only to amuse her. She would break someone's heart just for a laugh.

Katherine nodded eagerly, and I shot Becca a look, begging her to explain. She didn't return my look, focusing in Katherine. "So. Dear Tara told me something rather interesting the other day. I will tell you something, in exchange for a little something else."

I could see all the little intricate loopholes Becca had weaved into her sentence, though I could tell from Kath's expression, she didn't detect them. "What do you want, Bec?" she asked.

Becca smiled triumphantly. "Cash."

Katherine sighed, pulled out her wallet and handed a grinning Becca ten notes. "Alright, here's what I know." Becca leaned down slightly, murmuring. "Tara told me that she really liked you, and thought you were way underestimated, and how you would make a really good friend."

Becca leaned back gleefully, whilst Katherine's eyes shone with tears of joy. She turned on her heels, racing through the crowds where we'd seen Tara earlier.

"What was that!" I asked Becca, arms crossed.

"Uh, funny?" Becca laughed. "Oh, really? Did Tara say that? OHMYGOD! I am gonna feint. Tara actually said that!" Her face was twisted into a mocking expression, her voice an exaggerated mimic of Katherine's.

"Why don't you like her?" I asked, praying that Becca had a reason.

"Um. She is a nerdy disaster. Besides, I got paid, and get a laugh." Becca made it sound obvious, like everyone did it all the time. Maybe they did, for all I knew.

"What's funny about it, sorry?"

Becca sighed, twirling a piece of blonde hair around her finger. "The other day, Tara was laughing about Katherine, but stupid Kath thought she was smiling at her kindly, so Katherine has basically become Tara's stalker," Becca laughed, as of the idea was hilarious. "This way, Kath will finally be broken out of her dumb fantasy, sooner rather than later, right? I mean, I am really doing the girl a favour!"

I decided to leave it there, though after that, I'd never liked Becca quite as much as I had before.

I broke out of my reverie, staring at Kath's tear-stained face. But as soon as Dani leaned in to hug he, I caught a glimpse of something else on her face. Relief. And guilt. And fear.

I started to wonder if it was Katherine who'd killed Becca, her tormentor.

But I had to find out, or I would be the one behind bars.