17.

Not long after the discovery of the dead cheerleader, an assembly gathers in the main hall of this other school with which Judy has only recently become a student within. She of course sits next to Ellie. Not so far behind them and to one side, Steve sits with his buddies. A glance between him and Ellie is shared. Judy does not see that glance for her focus is on Queen Bee who is being comforted over by the entrance to this hall.

She actually has a heart. She has emotion, real emotion. Would there really have ever been any doubt to that fact? Queen Bee is in tears and being consoled, this is definitely not something of an attention seeking ploy.

The school principal along with other teachers and a couple of police officers take to the hall stage to reiterate the directive that no one should go anywhere alone. Yeah, it is one murder though motives are unclear, and the possibility very much exists that the perpetrator could strike again. Classes for the day are cancelled and all are welcome to spend the day within the school hall. Students and staff alike are asked not to leave the confines of the school grounds for the time being as for with all that has occurred police have questions to ask.

A murder indeed has taken place and its perpetrator must be found. Little is known to the fact that such a thing is easier said than done, much easier at that too.

Boys being boys, there is no way Steve, and his buddies are going to spend the day within the school hall. They see their day off from class as an opportunity to party somewhat. Before they do go anywhere, Steve moves over to Ellie.

'Hey' he says. 'You gonna spend the day with your roomie?'

'Probably, why, are you planning on going somewhere?'

'The guys are heading outside. Who knows what they'll get up to? Better go with them, someone has to be the sensible one and look out for them.'

'Alright, stay safe, okay?'

'We'll be fine; I'll keep them in check'. The two hug but don't kiss. Now directing his words to both girls, he says 'look after each other.'

'Yeah' speaks Judy.

'Bye' speaks Ellie.

Maybe in this moment Judy is coming round a little to the idea of Ellie and Steve being together. He is not such a bad guy, is he? He doesn't seem to be the typical jock with an attitude, still, she'll be weary for a while longer.

Where it is he heads to with those buddies of his, is to a quiet spot not so far away from the main football field. A number of alcoholic beverages and illegal substances go too. Steve may be a little reluctant to party at the best of times though he does feel like having a 'what the hell?' moment for there is plenty of time between this moment and the next scheduled football game and as well as that, no one is driving anywhere.

'C'mon Steve, let's have ya' speaks Mike, a long-time buddy of Steve, offering a can of beer Steve's way once they have come to that spot of theirs.

'Alright, alright, you've twisted my arm.'

A chant of 'Steve, Steve, Steve ...' begins and he downs that beer in one.

The four friends could be in for a long afternoon. Being who they are, and with what the four friends are a part of, a football has been brought to the party and a kick about soon starts up though not before the four friends have become well intoxicated.

Safe to say that their usual skills are not on display, if anything they are seriously lacking, just as well their team manager sees none of this and especially the moments of wrestling which are thrown into the mix as the day moves on and of course all that messing around comes with plenty of laughter. Risk of causing injury, unnecessary injury would definitely not sit well with the couch as would what is being consumed.

The ball soon gets kicked over a bit of a hill. It is not a particularly large hill though it is big enough, high enough for one to be unable to see over and beyond it.

'I've got it' Mike calls out as he goes after that ball.

'Mike, hold up' Steve calls out with a slight bit of worry.

Surely the guys being who they are, are safe enough especially being in a group together but who really knows? Steve doesn't want anyone taking any chances even so much as to go over a hill to retrieve a ball though it's too late, Mike has gone over that hill, and he has gone out of sight. Steve watches on for a moment from the position he has come to stand in. Seconds pass and there is no sign of Mike's return.

'Yo Mike.'

There is no response.

'Hey Mike, stop acting the maggot ... Mike?' Steve looks towards his other two buddies. 'I am sure he is fine, you know Mike, always the messer.'

Steve moves up on top of that hill and remains in full view of his other friends.

'Well? ...' one of them asks.

'He is not here. I can't see him.'

'You're messing.'

'I wish I was, c'mon up here, see for yourselves.'

Steve is joined by the other two up on that hill. None of them can see Mike anywhere. The three remaining friends look at one another in confusion then soon call out for Mike. With no response coming, a search gets underway, but it is futile. There is no sign of Mike anywhere.

'Where the hell, did he go?' Steve asks himself.

Word quickly spreads and a large-scale search of the school and its grounds gets underway. When that search is exhausted police recommend that they take the search beyond the school grounds, and they do. When the day comes to an end, Mike still has not been found.