CHAPTER 5.
Kerri and I talked for the first time, when she lent me one of her many black dresses.
“This one compliments your shape.. wow Spence it’s perfect!” he black nails helped adjust the straps, and she stepped back as if admiring her work.
“Kerri, this is so much help. Thanks!” I smiled gratefully at her, and laughed.
“Anytime. Oh, and Spencer, if anyone is there you don’t know, feel free to ask me or anyone to introduce you!” she winked, and strolled out of the room.
I stood in front of the dusty full-length mirror. Kerri was right, for the dress really did make me look good. I felt good. Well, as good as you could feel going to a funeral. After combing me hair again to check it was good, I went down to the mud room with the other eight girls. Alex and Courtney wore strapless, matching long gowns, their hair in elegant buns making them look like they were celebrities. Julia and Honor, both not so into dresses, were in simple black skirts and black sweaters. Kerri, used to wearing black, only looked more beautiful in a shimmering silky dress.
“Ready?” Miss Whitlaw asked, surveying us all in her own turtle-neck sweater dress with shiny heels. “Where’s Angel and Tammi?”
“Here!” Tammi’s voice sang out, and we all turned to see the two girls in sequin-paradise dresses.
“Wow...” I managed, staring in amazement at the sparkles and glitter dancing in my vision.
“You like? I picked them out.” Angel twirled around for us, smiling as her perfect silky blonde hair swished behind her.
“Alright, if we’re good then let’s get going,” Miss Whitlaw said, and we went out into the bitter cool air to board Miss Whitlaw’s bus.
On the way, we all talked and chattered, though it was solemner with the occasion. Alex and Courtney turned away from Kerri and Julia, and looked at me.
“So Spencer,” began Alex, “What do you think? Who’s fault is it really?”
I frowned. “ What do you mean?”
Courtney tucked her scarlet hair behind her ear. “Opal. Who’s fault is it? How did she get in your room?”
“I... I don’t know, she just came in. And then the guy just came out of the closet.”
They twins snickered, then Alex asked, “Well, how did he get there?”
I sighed exasperatedly. “I don’t know, I just heard noises then there he was. I don’t even know who he is.”
“But they’re going to find out,” the girls said in scary unison, then with solid expressions turned back to Kerri and Julia.
Why did they always leave me with a burning question?
I leaned back in the seat, and finally we arrived.
The church was tall and mysterious in the gray sky, leaves doing their uncanny dance across the lawn and road. There were blood red roses on the steps up to the door, and inside, a black coffin sat with whispering people around it.
I searched to find Angel. “Angel!” I said quietly. “Who are these people?”
She looked at the group. “Just teachers and family.”
“But we live in an orphanage, Angel! She has no family... right?”
Angel ignored me, and turned to talk to Tammi. I rolled my eyes. Why doesn’t anyone answer my questions?
Then, I saw a familiar pink head among the black crowd. “Kylie!” I said, a little loud. She whipped around and looked at me funny, as I ran over to see her.
“Wh-what are you doing?” she asked confusedly.
“I’d say the same to you! At Opal’s... uh, funeral? I mean, wasn’t she one of the girls who, you know,” I motioned to her hair. “Did that to you?”
She grimly glanced at the coffin. “Well, not physically... but I guess you could say that. It doesn’t mean I’m going to skip her funeral. She’s only human.”
“Well, I guess your right...”
“You really think I’m the type of girl who would just skip a classmate’s funeral because she dyed my hair pink? Think again, Spencer.” with that, she turned back to talk to her friends. I noticed one of them, a tall, strangely attractive guy with spiky dark hair and icy blue eyes.
When he saw me staring, I caught myself and turned on a heel with an air of snobbiness, flouncing away to Alex and Courtney. Maybe they would give me some answers.
“Alex, Courtney!” I said cheerfully. “Can I ask you something?”
The turned and looked at me, their long dresses swishing on the floor. They waited.
“What is Opal’s story? I mean, why was in the orphanage?” I inquired intriguingly.
They shared a uncomfortable look, then turned to me. “Spencer, you should know,” said Alex softly.
“It’s obvious.” Courtney said firmly.
I sighed. “Really, guys, she’s not... here. I would like to know the past of a dead friend!”
They looked at me in confusion. There was an awkward silence, and then Courtney spoke quietly.
“Spencer, she wouldn’t have wanted you to know. She told us, because we were her best friends. She wasn’t your friend.”
My jaw dropped. I was speechless, and the two girls turned and glided away towards Miss Whitlaw and some other adults. Then I remembered the bus ride.
Opal had been talking on the phone on the bus. About her. She had almost forgotten realizing the hatred Opal and some girl named Jen had for her. Realization struck me like lightning- Opal came to my room because of the phone call. She was spying on me. But was it all my imagination making up a theory, or could I be right?
LaStVo44