CHAPTER ONE

UNLIKE THE REST OF Centennial Secondary School, Kate Rodriguez discovered Venus Wilson had passed away the actual night she died. Everyone at school who hadn't been invited to the Halloween Bash — or were too wasted to figure out that there was a dead body in the pool outside, got informed the day after, during the morning announcements.

It was after everyone had stood in silence while the national anthem played after the menu for lunch was announced, even after the weekly chess club meeting announcement. An abrupt ending that left everyone speechless.

It was like Venus' death was less important than what was being served for lunch that day. As if the school hadn't lost their biggest sponsor's daughter.

     Although, it was true that everyone at school had a mutual disliking towards the rich, little white girl. It still hurt Kate to hear the indifference in Principal Foster's tone.

Perhaps, it was because of the rumors about the two that had been floating around from locker to locker about their 'relationship'. Perhaps, Principal Foster was hiding what he actually felt. Hiding away from people, only to break down alone, whilst he slept beside his wife.

At least that was what people said.

People here loved to twist everything so it could pleasure their deranged minds. Maybe, this was a deranged illusion Centennial Secondary School had created about Venus Wilson and Principal Foster.

Students that had Venus for homeroom had just brushed off the fact that she didn't show up. Venus didn't have good attendance, to begin with. She never had, to be frank. Her not showing up for homeroom wasn't out of the ordinary.

"Maybe she fucked her way to an STI," one sophomore commented.

Others laughed along to his harsh words, excluding Kate.

They didn't know that Venus wouldn't be showing up forever when they had made that comment. Right before the three high-pitched bells rang through the speaker and into the room, commanding attention.

That was when that sophomore shut up.

A closed mouth catches no flies. A lesson the little sophomore had learned.

Some students, including Venus' longtime boyfriend, Tyler laughed wickedly at the announcement. Claiming it was an elaborate prank she had cooked up.

Venus loves pranks... Loved.

Many claimed that she was probably the only non-senior who was allowed to take part in 'Senior Prank Day'. Although that would be because her mother was the one that paid for damage repair. So why not include the little, rich white girl to do some damage too? Then Malia Wilson would have to pay.

"Pranking people is almost as thrilling as the carnival Tyler took me to last night!"

Venus had spluttered out as she shook her can of spray-paint. Kate nodded and asked how Tyler was as if it didn't hurt her.

As if Venus hadn't stolen Kate's boyfriend from right under her nose. Venus got whatever she wanted. Even if it just so happened to be her best friend's boyfriend. So be it, if Venus broke everything — everyone to get to what she wanted.

After realizing that Venus wasn't playing a sick joke on him, Tyler broke down and was escorted to the nurse's office. No one knew what happened to Tyler after that day. He disappeared for days and reappeared with bags under his eyes and hollowed cheeks. He didn't look like the captain of the school's hockey team anymore. Just a mere shadow of the Tyler Meyers everyone loved.

The one Venus Wilson loved.

+ + +

     That night, at the Halloween Bash, Venus had wanted nothing more than to just drink her way into someone's bed. To get as high as the Empire State Building. Though, Kate knew that wasn't out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary was when a little skull shaped card slipped out of her locker with Venus' name signed on it.

After everything the two had been through, Venus still had the nerve to invite her to a party. Why—so she could watch as she gave her ex-boyfriend a lap dance?

The only reason half the people that got invited to the party that night, was so they could take in what it felt like to be rich.

Venus loved showing off. She was the Gatsby of Bruinville, and all she was searching for was her Daisy.

The Halloween Bash was another excuse for Venus to show off her fame and fortune. To show off her man candy. Another night where she would taunt Kate. The girl who stole the best thing that had ever happened in Kate's life.

Her hate for Venus stemmed from the fact that she thought so highly of herself and treated those lower than her like dirt. Kate knew she was an exception, she used to treat it as a privilege. Though, she soon figured out why. Perhaps, that was why she had already ripped the invitation in half.

Although, Kate did go that night. Dressed in a black hoodie and matching jeans. Blood boiled in her veins as she heard Tyler's moans from the staircase she stood on. Her hands were blood red when she had gained enough composure to remain collected, as the moans died down and the loud music drowned her ears.

Kate remembered everything at that moment. How she had dressed to seem 'inconspicuous' enough to slip into Venus' room and plant some drugs, only to call the police a few days later.

She remembered how she felt knowing the little freshmen who were probably smoking their first joint ever, laughed at the phone that proudly displayed her nude body. She didn't know whether to vomit right there, as she imagined those boys masturbating to her nudes. Or, to bash Venus' head in for betraying her like that.

She went for the latter.

Kate found herself storming into Venus' room only to freeze in her tracks. Suddenly, the raging fire in her veins froze over. She was cold now, almost as pale as Venus, who looked so beautiful on her bed higher than ever.

So peaceful.

The packet of drugs slipped from Kate's hands as she tried to breathe in the musty air, laced with smoke.

Then, she stopped.

Kate stared at Venus, a small, evil smile making its way to her face. Shocking even herself at her reaction. This time she was the cat and Venus was the mouse. One step towards the bed was enough before someone cracked open the door. The smile, the haughtiness, the adrenaline, gone. There was someone else there that night, someone who shouldn't have been, just like her. But both shared a sole purpose.

End Venus Wilson.

     That day was the only day she had prayed she could forget. That day that had managed to seep its way into her worst nightmares. Venus was taunting her, even when she was dead. Kate realized something after she woke from the third nightmare, one night. She could never run away from Venus Wilson.

Not after what she had heard as she hid behind Venus' designer coats. Praying to whoever listened to her, that she wouldn't have the same fate as Venus; had the person found out someone was in the closet.

Kate didn't even dare to breathe at that moment.

"Little Venus dug herself a grave, caught in her own web of lies with only enemies to bury her name..."

The voice, it was so familiar, but she didn't know who it belonged to. It was slurred and muffled due to a mask, or something of the sort she assumed. But she didn't care about that. All she knew was that she couldn't recognize who had done that to Venus and she wondered after every terrible thing she had done to others along with Venus would she be next? Just at the thought of that she suddenly couldn't breathe. She wanted to shout, to scream, she even begged to whisper but nothing came out. She didn't utter what happened that night. Not because she had no choice, but because she didn't have a voice anymore. No one would trust a girl who threw herself at any available guy at parties. Just like they didn't trust her when she tried to tell someone what Dominic Bilyk did to her at Venus' party on Valentine's Day.

Poor little Kate. Her boyfriend left her for the richer, prettier version of herself. When she went for revenge, someone had already done the job. Venus' voice echoed in her mind.

  There's a reason a closed mouth never catches any flies. All Kate had to do was stay quiet until everything died down. Then she would be able to breathe the air she so desperately needed.

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