Crowds of students flooded the halls the next day. Still, the swarm was remarkably quiet. Somber.

It was no mystery why an assembly was being called.

Camilla sauntered among the other students, eyes drifting about. She observed the gazes of her peers. Fewer than usual landed on her.

It seemed her plan was working.

They filed into the packed auditorium. Although Camilla hadn't expected to find her closest friends in the mass, she soon spotted Meagan's fiery hair in the audience. Standing beside her at their seats, Michelle scanned the area before meeting Camilla’s face.

She was not surprised to see Michelle smile and gesture for Camilla to join them; the two had reconciled shortly after Meagan’s confession of distrust the previous day. However, Meagan, too, smiled with pitying eyes as Camilla approached their seats.

They had not spoken for a full day. Camilla was more shocked that Meagan said nothing once the news broke out about Tiffany last night.

As soon as Camilla reached their seats, Meagan spread her arms, inviting Camilla into a hug. Camilla furrowed her brows—concealing the expression as sadness—and pushed her body into Meagan's embrace.

Michelle joined them at Camilla's side as Meagan said, “I'm sorry, Camilla.” She pulled back to meet each other's blue eyes. “I choose to trust you,” she continued. “I believe you're telling the truth, so I'll continue to support you.”

Camilla swallowed the egotistical replies crawling up her throat. “Thank you,” she said. “I trust it'll stay that way.”

Meagan nodded slowly. Over the speakers, the school counselor's voice rang out, instructing students to quickly take their seats. Without regard for their original placements, Camilla positioned herself between her two friends.

Michelle leaned to Camilla's ear, whispering, “How are you feeling?”

Camilla bit her cheek. Between the previous morning and now, everything was going her way. But, of course, she could not show it. Yesterday's news was devastating for the town of Edwardsville. Certainly, as Tiffany's former close friend, Camilla was obligated to upscale her reaction.

She looked down. “I don't know what to think,” she uttered. “She… she left so quickly—without warning. I just wish she left something behind so we knew her last words.”

“She begged for mercy,” Zach had told her with a laugh that afternoon. “She said she didn't know anything.”

Camilla had chuckled in response. “She heard enough from a trusted friend to be taken out.”

No one else at the assembly knew what Camilla knew about Tiffany’s death. Even the police didn't find out. They all believed and declared the death to be as Zach made it appear.

There was only one other student who would claim a different cause of death, but she was nowhere on campus. She likely stayed home, sulking about her closest friends’ deaths.

Camilla wished she could kill her, too.

The assembly began with the counselor sharing the news of Tiffany Stewart’s death. Most students already knew, but Camilla didn’t mind the school further overshadowing River’s disappearance. A confirmed death—in this case, an apparent suicide—seemed to do just that.

Camilla was beyond thrilled.

However, she buried her face in her palms, as Tiffany’s name came up. Her public image was everything during this assembly.

The counselor spoke on Tiffany’s involvements and accomplishments. Sniffles sounded across the audience, including Camilla. With the many tearful students, it became evident that Tiffany’s presence impacted many.

Even better, her death would impact Amy.

As the topic shifted to mental health awareness, Camilla hid her slight smirk with a brush of her hand. The counselor when on about how people can often struggle behind the scenes. Camilla found it more and more challenging to resist laughter. Tiffany was struggling the day before her death, but overall she seemed mentally sound. Her suicide was a shock to most because she likely wouldn’t have done it at all.

The assembly ended with an even more mournful atmosphere than it started with. Camilla wiped at the faint streams of tears across her cheeks as Michelle brought her into another hug.

“Everything will be okay in the end, Camilla,” she reassured her.

Camilla sighed, her muscles relaxing as she thought, It sure will be.

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Despite Camilla’s hopes that the recent tragedies would be overshadowed by the football game, the school spirit remained absent the following day. As much as she wanted Tiffany to be a distraction, she also wanted the school to forget it all.

If only everything was back to normal.

Pretending to grieve wasn't difficult for her. She hardly ever cried—when she did, it was fake—so she knew it wouldn't look suspicious for her to continue that trend throughout the day. Camilla soon grew bored of it, but at least she didn’t have to make herself cry all the time.

As game time drew closer, the cheerleaders entered the cafeteria to line up for their early dinner. The football team was there already, finishing their meals. The marching band, however, was not yet present. Camilla dreaded their arrival; Tiffany was one of their own.

Amy was, too, though it was unlikely that she would turn up today. But because of her, Camilla would only assume what opinions the band may have.

For now, Camilla allowed herself to breathe and look around.

From across the room, a warm face greeted her. His brown eyes held a bright glint when they locked with hers. As the corners of his lips lifted into a smile, hers instinctively mimicked his.

Despite being in the same grade level as Jared Acker, she rarely saw him on days other than Friday. They had no classes together and—since their breakup—did not tend to seek out each other's company outside of school.

Camilla certainly had no desire to hold his attention, but Jared seemed to feel differently. Every game, he eyed her, and every game, Michelle pointed it out.

Camilla felt a firm elbow nudge her arm, snapping her gaze from Jared’s. True to form, Michelle grinned knowingly at her side.

With an eye roll, Camilla returned the push. “What is your problem?” she asked.

“Oh, I have no problem at all,” Michelle cooed. “I am fully in support of this.”

Camilla glared at her. “In support of what?”

“You know what.” Camilla blinked at her, and Michelle sighed. “You and Jared.”

Camilla chuckled. “There is nothing happening with me and Jared.”

“Not yet,” Michelle mumbled.

Camilla swallowed, pretending she didn't hear that. Michelle must have realized she said too much because she completely dropped the subject as they were served food.

Before Camilla and Jared began dating her sophomore year, he and some other athletes were a part of Camilla’s friend group. Since the breakup, Michelle was the only one in their trio who remained close friends with him. Camilla was not opposed to speaking with Jared, but they weren't as friendly. And Meagan wasn't interested in maintaining the friendship as he drifted apart from the group.

If anyone knew why Jared was showing a recent interest in Camilla, it was Michelle. But Camilla had more pressing concerns than her ex-boyfriend.

She sat with Meagan, Michelle, and her other friends on the team. In their practice yesterday, the girls expressed their support for the cheer captain—along with other students who knew Tiffany. At least, Camilla could relax knowing her own team was on her side.

After a short time into the meal, she stood from her seat, noticing Jared’s stare. His gaze followed Camilla as she exited to use the restroom. From the corner of her eye, she caught him rising from the table.

Without looking back, she entered the neighboring hallway. Though she initially walked slowly, the approaching footsteps signaled her increased pace. Still, the follower reached Camilla, leaning towards her.

“Boo!” Jared yelled at her side, shoving her arm.

Camilla’s head—hosting a smile—tilted his direction. “Nice try,” she said. “You, of all people, should know I don't scare easily. Unlike someone.”

Out of habit, she wandered further from Jared. Like a dog, he heeled close to her.

“I wanted to check on you,” he continued, and Camilla slowed her pace to a stop. “Michelle told me you’ve been having a rough week.”

She sighed. “I’m… getting by.”

Jared frowned, looking down at her. His hand lifted towards her crossed arms, but he pulled away, raking his fingers through his blonde hair.

“I know I’m not the ideal person to reassure you given our history and my terrible comforting skills.” They chuckled in unison. “I’m not too good with words, but I am good with physical affection.”

Camilla’s eyes shifted to his with a glimmer. With a gulp and a darting gaze, he continued, saying, “So, if you ever need a hug—or anything—I’m open to it.”

“You’re ‘open to it,’ huh?” she repeated with a smirk. Jared’s tanned cheeks bloomed pink as she turned and grazed his bicep with her slender fingers. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They way his face lit up, Camilla could imagine a wagging tail behind his large frame. She strode past him, and he didn’t follow her.

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The next hours passed in a blur, and after a while, the team carried their duffle bags, pompoms, and flags to the stadium, setting them down on the track against the fence. Groups of people were scattered throughout the bleachers, but they weren't anywhere near as full as they tended to get once the games started. Those that were already there were decked out with orange, black, and white Tiger spiritwear.
Considering the recent events, Camilla could feel the lack of spirit during that game. It wasn't looking good for the Tigers.
The teams left the field moments before the announcer got started. It was all the same as usual. The audience would call out to the cheerleaders every so often, cracking random jokes or trying to annoy them. Given Camilla’s attitude the past day, few directed any attention to her.
She wished they would. As much as she pretended to be mourning during the assembly, she wanted to be looked at normally. Not pitied, not feared; just the same.
Camilla's thoughts were interrupted as the cheer coach went down the line with a bag, full of what looked like black fabric. The girls began pinning the fabric to their orange hair ribbons. When the coach stopped in front of Camilla, she was able to identify that the items were black ribbons.
Camilla's head suddenly began pounding. Her head snapped up, only to see several other students wearing the same ribbons in their hair or on their clothing, including the marching band. Now that she was paying attention, it was obvious that their theme today was to wear black. Most of the crowd had dedicated themselves to that theme.
Camilla had no choice but to pin the ribbon to her hair as well.
The next moment, the band gathered onto the field, setting themselves up to play the national anthem just like normal.
Within minutes, the announcer declared, "Please rise for the national anthem, performed by the Edwardsville Tiger Marching Band, and please remain standing for the playing of ‘Amazing Grace’ in remembrance of Tiffany Stewart.”
Camilla's heart dropped with shock. This must have been arranged last minute or kept a secret because somebody surely would've told her about that sooner.
She caught people in the band sneaking glances her way, but she tried to ignore them. What else was she going to do? On top of that, she had no idea how she was supposed to react to "Amazing Grace."
Maybe start crying? she thought. It would draw so much attention to me, though. If I do it discreetly, maybe only the band and my team will notice, and they've both already picked their sides.
The band kicked off the national anthem, and everyone faced the flag with hands over their hearts. Camilla, though maintaining a calm expression, was internally panicking. Ordinarily, she was cool under pressure, but the recent events had thrown her off entirely.
The national anthem passed much too quickly for her to think. As “Amazing Grace” began, tears built in Camilla's eyes. The instruments penetrated the cold November evening air, leaving a subtle ring throughout the stadium. A few band members trembled while playing, but it was not from the temperature.
Photos of Tiffany with the text “2003–2018” flashed on the digital screen across the field, displaying her old, joyful self. Some showed her at band or theater events, and others showed her surrounded by her close friends and loving parents.
But Camilla wasn't crying for sentimental reasons. She hardly even forced herself to cry, for she was crying from frustration. Her face was contorted into grief to conceal the true source of her breakdown, but the tears were uncontrollable. Such an instance was rare for her, but so, too, were inconveniences.
The teams had to remain standing for an agonizing length of time. The final note pierced the night, lingering in everyone's ears even after the band cut off. After a brief silence, the audience applauded, and the band relaxed.
Immediately, Michelle rushed to embrace Camilla, followed by the rest of the team. Despite the secrets kept hidden from them, they treated her like family.
The rest of the night passed in a blur. Touchdown after touchdown, cheer after cheer, song after song. Amidst the domination from the opposing team, the crowd cheered much less than usual. Camilla's mind was so foggy that she couldn't retain any memories as they passed her.
After three touchdowns from the Tigers and five from the opposing team, the game ended with the crowd abruptly dissipating.
Though she was disoriented, Camilla left the stadium earliest, not bothering to wait on her fellow teammates. As she was zoning out again, someone firmly gripped her arm, snapping her attention back into the moment.
"Hey, Camilla," Jared Acker greeted with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she responded instinctively, avoiding eye contact with him not only because she was spacing out.
"Hey, look at me," he continued, tugging her arm closer to him. "It's gonna be okay."
Camilla nodded, only glancing at him momentarily before staring at the ground again.
Jared leaned down to her ear and mumbled, "Meet me in the parking lot when you're done changing."
Then, he released her arm, grinned at her, and left. Though Camilla was unsure of his intentions, she decided to meet with him. Anything that could distract her would be worthwhile.
She rushed to the dressing rooms and changed briskly, leaving not long after most everyone else had arrived. Nobody questioned her early departure since they understood her predicament. Regardless, she would return soon to fulfill her cheer captain duties.
In the parking lot, there were still several students messing around and speeding when no pedestrians blocked their paths. Camilla spotted Jared in a huddle with some other players. As she made her way towards him, she caught his eye and he wandered from his group's conversation.
They met halfway, in an open parking space. “I saw you crying,” he began.
Camilla laughed dryly. “Yeah, I was.”
After a pause, he said, "I'm sorry I didn't have the right words before, but I do now.” He took a deep breath. “Look, I know our relationship isn't the same as it was last year. I know you've become more… distant. And that's okay. But I need you to know that I'm gonna support you through this."
Camilla nodded, not willing to speak. For a while, neither did he, and they stood beside each other in awkward silence.
Before he could say more, Camilla barrelled against him, burying her face into his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist. After a brief pause, he enveloped her with his arms.
"I'm just so overwhelmed by all of this," she admitted, feeling the lump rise in her throat again. It was an odd experience because she almost never cried.
"I know," he whispered in reply, rubbing her back with timid fingers. "I'm here for you, and it's not just me either. All of your friends are, too."
She nodded, nestling herself deeper into his warm embrace. Once they finally parted from their abnormal interaction, Camilla walked back to the dressing rooms.
A plan was in order. All she had to do was recruit her friends to debunk all the rumors about her since they were the only people that fully trusted and supported her. She'd have to keep a close eye on some of Amy's friends and watch for her next move, as well.
As long as she could manipulate people into doing as she pleased, Camilla could bring her life back to normal.