Nighthawk: A Superhero Story (closed for Siobhancan99)

[siobhancan99]

Making arrangements to get her I9 and everything filled out, Monica made sure she could start on Monday. She texted Dr. Townes as well to say that she'd be able to get them streaming no problem, so there were no worries there. Nightcrawler was for sure on Netflix and she could always pirate the older movie. "Throw me a few discussion topics so I can be ready to talk about them, please." She figured she could, in the course of recording the podcast, get him a drink or something and get his DNA to share with Knapp. Double points if she found out he smoked.

Monica arched an eyebrow "Corazon, you know you can always stay with me. Since when is my house preferable though?" She turned and leaned forward a little in her chair "are your parents giving you grief about school? Shaun? What's up?" She was concerned, because Gabi's family had always been a refuge for her. Warm and inviting. She knew they placed huge restraints on her though, and expected her to be nothing short of the best. They also tended to strongly disapprove of sex before marriage, which was a component of her being awkward about her own attraction to Gabi. She figured with her parents that might be a non-starter. "I mean you don't have to tell me, but you know you're gonna tell me so you might as well tell me" She patted the bed "Sit down, talk to me and tell me what's going on with you."

 

[Halcyon638]

Gabi took a seat on the bed. “My dad…he said he and my mom were having some, like, problems,” she said. “He didn’t really get into it, but he said my mom had spent a few days at mi abuela’s house, and…that was about all he said. I mean, they fought before. They were going to family counseling at the church a couple of years ago, so it’s not new or anything. I’m just probably being paranoid. Right?” A slight smile appeared on her face as if she was trying to suggest it wasn’t something to take seriously, but waiting for reassurance.

“So, I don’t know. It already might be awkward Parents’ Weekend, so two weekends in a row,” Gabi said, leaning back and resting her weight on her palms, which were flat on the bed. “If you don’t mind me crashing with you…it’ll be like old times! Maybe we can braid each other’s hair and eat popcorn with M&Ms in it just for that total throwback vibe.”

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica nodded "your parents are both fiery is all" She didn't have a lot of hope though, largely because her own parents marriage had dissolved in waves of quiet desperation broken up by bitter recrimination. Part of her was convinced that only Gabi's parents had a good marriage and now that seemed like it wasn't great. Tom's parents largely ignored each other, though maybe that changed after he died. Still, this was one problem she could fix just by being there. "Of course we can do that. Why don't we do some of that tonight? I am gonna do that podcast thing with my professor, so why don't we watch Nightcrawler again? We've both seen it so we can just chill and if you wanna talk we can talk and if you just wanna order a pizza and drink soda and stay up late we can do that too. Whatever you need."

 

[Halcyon638]

Gabi nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure they’ll be fine. This is the one time the whole Catholic guilt thing works in my favor,” she said with a grin. “Hmm,” Gabi said. It was a little too dark for her sensibilities, but she said, “Sure, that’d be fine. I don’t know if I can eat more than a slice but I can kick in some money if you’re hungry. Umm…so is the same…professor who wanted you to go hiking?”

As she and Gabi prepped to watch the movie, Monica saw she’d received an email from one of podcast hosts, Shalondra Joseph. “Hi Monica. Thank you for your interest in our show! I would be happy to set up a time to discuss the Amy Clemens case. Could you provide me with a bit of background regarding your interest in the case?” She listed some times that would be good for her. Of those listed, the two that could possibly work for Monica were in two days (Friday) in the gap between her film and academic writing class, or that Sunday morning at 9:00.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica shook her head "no no. So Dr. Townes is the podcast guy. He's the guy that was trying to look down my shirt. I've decided to do it anyway. Dr. Howe wants to go hiking. She... well she's attracted to me too. Which sounds conceited now that I say the two things together." She laughed and shrugged "I mean I'm not... averse... but she was married and her wife disappeared and sort of looks like me so... I mean part of me understands that she's probably like... associating me with Paige. its really sad. She disappeared one night on her way home from art class and of course there were all sorts of tawdry allegations and whatnot. Poor thing is devastated. She's I think finally sort of ready to move on and well. She's taken a liking to me. She's attractive but I mean, she's also like... a little old for me. I dunno. Plus there's the whole I've never dated a woman thing. So you know, there's that" She chuckled "I'm guessing ultimately it won't be a thing. There's just too many negatives but... its flattering. I dunno. Would it uh... you know. would it bother you if I dated another woman?"


She also emailed back, explaining that she had met some of the people involved in the Howe disappearance and was interested in exploring any connection between the two cases, based on her personal curiosity arising from knowing them.

 

[Halcyon638]

Gabi blinked as if trying to dislodge a stray eyelash, and then her eyes stayed wide open for the duration of Monica’s explanation. At one point, the dark-haired girl began to pick at a spot on her lips. Her posture was completely rigid now, her back almost a perfect 90-degree angle to the cushions of the couch. “Wow…umm…that’s…that’s a lot.”

“I…I didn’t expect…” She stood up now, pacing a bit in place. “Sorry, carino. I just need to process for…for a minute, and I don’t want to say the wrong thing.”

“Okay.” Gabi took a breath. “First, I just have to say that I’m so glad you told me this!” She sat down next to Monica on the couch and placed both of her hands around Monica’s right hand, enveloping it. “I know it probably wasn’t easy. I love you and I’ll always love you. You being into…girls—women…doesn’t change anything.”

“Having said all of that—and you have to know I mean every word…this…Dr. Howe thing does not seem like a good idea. First of all, she’s your professor…isn’t that, like, against the rules? If it’s not, it’s at least a little sketchy, right? Not that…I totally understand if she’s cute or whatever, but for her to, like…hit on you? And she’s into you because…because you look like her wife? Who's missing? That just seems like a lot of red flags.”

“So, I’m happy for you…in general but…maybe you should reconsider…which…woman is going to be your, um…you know. There are plenty of girls out there who would…I think be better for you, you know?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Letting go of tension she didn't even know she was carrying, she turned to Gabi and hugged her "thank you. I was honestly like... I don't really know how to say it and I like, intellectually knew you wouldn't have an issue with it but like... I dunno. It's something I'm wrestling with myself. I have noticed, since sort of coming out of some of my depression over Tom that there are people out there instead of men out there that I'm starting to feel an attraction to. So I ... it's like... you know all pretty new and who knows if it will ever genuinely be an issue you know? But you're hands down the most important person in my life so... you know. Hard to be like 'hey shit might change' you know?"

She laughs at Gabi's critique and nods "it's objectively a terrible idea and I honestly think that's part of the allure. I... look. I... and this is kind of the case with the Austin thing like... Austin made it clear he wasn't looking for a girlfriend which made it easier because. I..." she swallowed and felt her chest tighten a little "I... I'm not reallly you know. ready to let go of Tom. Like... being emotionally involved with someone still really feels like a betrayal." She squeezed Gabi's hand "Like... everyone... ok not everyone. The next person is always going to be compared to Tom and so... maybe its best to be a little casual for a while until that's not the case. I loved him more than anything in this world and the prospect of like... putting my heart into something and someone else its... i'm just not ready."

 

[Halcyon638]

Gabi nodded occasionally as Monica discussed her emotional journey, but looked slightly dazed. There was a somewhat distant quality to her friend’s gaze, as if she were swept up in her own thoughts. She looked on the verge of tears. “Yeah, that’s…that makes sense,” she replied to Monica’s admission that she wasn’t ready. “You’re, uh…” She tightened her lips and seemed to fight back a sob, though liquid streamed down her cheeks.

Gabi stood up suddenly. “Sorry. I’m—I…miss Tom, too, you know, and the two of you…seeing the two of you.” She made her way to her bedroom door. She opened the door, entered the room. “Just need a minute,” she said, smiling through tears as she closed it behind her.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica watches Gabi for a moment and wonders, just for a second... then shakes her head. She gets up to get the pizza and opens it. Piping hot with the pepperoni getting that edge that's super crispy because they had it at an angle and some of its above the cheese, and the mushrooms sliced thin so the water gets out of them. just like she likes it. She opens a can of Dr. Pepper and gets the movie ready to start, then gets out a blanket as there's a nip in the air and the student apartments aren't exactly well built. The heat's a bit uneven in the building and its easier to curl up under a warm blanket than to fuck with the thermostat. She rests her head against the arm of the couch, balled up in the corner of it and waiting for Gabi "Food's here" she calls out, then wolfs down a slice of pizza.

 

[Halcyon638]

After much more time than a minute passed, Gabi emerged from the room, her eyes red. Her hair was now tied back in a bun and she’d changed into her pink and black PJs, the pants patterned with sleeping penguins and crescent moons. “Hey,” she said, as if trying to will herself to her usual level of pep and failing. “I’m sorry. I’ve been…more worried about my parents than I told you, and I’m just really tired today. I didn’t want you to think that I just started bawling because of…because of what you told me.”

“I am legit really happy for you,” she said. “That you’re…you’re starting to figure this out about yourself. That’s exciting! Even if it’s a little scary. I mean—it sounds like it is...a little scary.”

Gabi curled up on the couch. “I think I’ll take my slice for breakfast tomorrow. If there will be any left,” she teased, smiling.

 

[siobhancan99]

"God I don't eat that much" Monica rolled her eyes at Gabi and powered down another slice, then put the other six in the fridge for them to reheat tomorrow. She curled up next to Gabi and draped her arm around her "Im sorry things are rough for you, hon. I'm here for you though. You've been here for me you know? We have to stick together. Just like always" She pulled up the blanket and watched the movie, aware at some point of Gabi snoring. She gently picked her up and took her to bed, laying the blankets over her and turning out the lights.

The next day she got up, making her way to class in jeans, a white t shirt and a v neck blue sweater, with her hair pulled back in a sloppy pony tail and light makeup.

 

[Halcyon638]

As Monica was in between her engineering design and psychology classes and headed to lunch, she received an email from Professor Townes with the discussion prompts for the podcast episode. “Let me know once you’ve had a chance to watch both films and then we can set up a day and time for the pre-recording chat. Enjoy your weekend!”

When she arrived at the spot where she was going to meet up with some of her friends for lunch, she found Gabi, Hadley, and Nick. “Come on, Hads,” Nick said. “Hads Mikkelson. Spill it. You know I tell you everything.”

“You tell me more than I could possibly need to know,” Hadley said, waving to Monica. “Monica! Can I put you down for party prep and/or party clean-up duty? Both? I’ve got Gabi and Porter down for clean-up on Sunday.”

“Hadley had dinner with a date last night and won’t tell us shit,” Nick added.

“It wasn’t…it wasn’t a date. Anyway. What can I put you down for? There will be cupcakes and/or pizza on Saturday and leftover pizza and cupcakes on Sunday.”

“So, hiking,” Nick said, taking a bite of his chicken fingers. “How hardcore is this going to be? Like, should I bring an oxygen tank and a week’s worth of supplies, or…?”

 

[siobhancan99]

"what are you, Hannibal Lecter? quid pro quo Hadley. Quid Pro Quo. Also Hads Mikkelson. I like it. Also ties into Lecter now that I think about it." She rolls her eyes "She's not obligated to tell you anything, even if it was a date. I can help a little Saturday getting set up I guess. What is it you need?"

Turning back to Nick she laughed "think 4 or 5 miles cross country. Nothing too awful. We aren't running we're walking and admiring leaves and shit. It's like a whole thing. IF you're you know, not possessed of the fortitude of a normal man we could always just take you next time." She smirked "I mean if a bunch of girls are going to be able to do it though, I'd like to assume you're able to do it. Are you not as fit as a bunch of ladies Nick? They'll take your man card."

 

[Halcyon638]

“Thank you, Mon,” Hadley said in regards to her not wanting to discuss the date. “I’ll need somebody to make a little grocery run with me and then move a little furniture maybe. Nothing too bad. Maybe you could come by around 3:00?”

Nick nodded. “I think I can manage but if not I’ll just complain the whole time,” he said, smirking back. “I will need you to protect me from any really big bugs, though,” he told Monica.

“Don’t worry. They’re all dead by now,” Gabi reassured him, popping an orange segment in her mouth. Seeing her roommate for the first time today, Monica noticed that she seemed to be wearing slightly more or more dramatic makeup, giving her brown eyes a smoky halo and her lips a glossy quality.

In Melanie’s psych course, she delivered a lecture and introduced a discussion that continued the topic of social psychology. There was greater participation today, in part because the conversation steered toward the effects of social media and technology on people’s social interactions and mental health.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica took note of Gabi's enhanced appearance, wondering if it was the result of her confession or in spite of it. She worried her lip a little, trying to think it out but at the end of the day there was no way of knowing and no way of making it known without making a pass which might end a friendship. Indeed, quite a conundrum. One that could wait. Should wait. Gabi was sort of involved with Shaun. She was sort of involved with Austin. Plus a supervillain might be after her, and TV seemed to indicate that would involve a love interest. It never hurt to be a little genre savvy.

She took copious notes in Psych, then popped into professor Howe's office briefly to let her know there was a group interested in hiking. She tried to drop "in the semester" a few times to sort of subtly remind the professor that they probably shouldn't fraternize... yet. Still Melanie's interest was flattering...even if Gabi's warning about how terrible an idea it was kept reverberating through her head. IT was a terrible idea. The worst. She was making bad choices though, at the moment, so what was one more? had to be safer than being shot at by some master criminal. Though.. maybe Paige Howe had thought that too.

 

[Halcyon638]

“That’s good know—thank you,” Melanie said, removing her black-framed reading glasses as Monica appeared in her doorframe. As Monica was preparing to leave, the older woman added, “I’m not sure if you heard about this, but there’s a candlelight vigil in Founder’s Square Sunday evening for victims of gun violence—for those two people shot this week, but also for other victims. I understand that a…a very public memorial like that might not be for you, but I just thought I’d mention it.” When Monica stepped toward the door, Melanie wished her a good night and slipped her glasses back on.

The rest of the night was mostly uneventful, including Monica’s patrol. The next day, following her film class, Alex Townes approached Monica as she and Hadley were making their way out. “I’m so glad you’re taking me up on the podcast offer,” he said, flashing a grin that, detached from his other tendencies, wasn’t without its charms. Hadley shot Monica a skeptical glance. “Were you able to dig up a copy of Ace in the Hole? No pun intended. If not, seriously, just rent it and I’ll reimburse you. The budget on this show means I can splurge on everything from streaming rentals to bottles of water for our guests.”

As they made their way out, Hadley looked at Monica again with raised eyebrows. “Umm…so you’re doing the podcast with Professor Perv?”

In between classes, Monica met up on campus with Shalondra Joseph, one of the Murdercast hosts. Over a cup of chai, Shalondra, a petite, sharply dressed Black woman in her late 20s, discussed the Amy Clemens case. “Yeah, so we were thinking about doing an episode about her and the Paige Howe case, but honestly, we didn’t have enough evidence for a full ep. If you want my opinion, the case against Amy’s boyfriend was pretty weak. I mean, they convicted the guy without finding the murder weapon because allegedly one of Amy’s friends said he owned a knife he would show off and because allegedly he'd hit her once. The closest thing they had to a slam dunk was he said he stayed at home all night and then there was security cam footage at a bodega showing he’d walked from his aunt’s house to about a block away from Amy’s place. Afterwards, he said he’d headed over in her direction because she wasn’t responding to his texts and then changed his mind to head back.”

She took a sip of her tea. “Anyway, not saying the guy’s a saint by any means, but I’m pretty sure his main crime was being a black guy dating a white lady. Definitely wouldn’t rule out whoever killed Amy being behind Paige’s disappearance.”

“Sorry I don’t have much more to offer about Amy’s case. In terms of connections between them…well, they say the place to start is what do the vics have in common? I mean, in this case, they’re blonde, white, young…both work in retail, though on other sides of the city. I was going to talk to some of their coworkers to see if there was anything not covered in the police report, but when the episode got shelved I just didn't have time.”

Shalondra sighed. “I do wonder about Ines Rivera, though.” Seeing the lack of recognition on Monica’s face, she added, “Early 20s. Brunette. Bartender-slash-streamer-slash model. Missing since March of this year. The police don’t seem to be batting an eye at it. I sort of get it—if it’s a serial killer, they very rarely cross racial lines and it would be odd to switch it up. The case seems to have just been buried, although there was a little noise a couple months ago because Thumnail had to turn over its records to the cops for some alleged harassment,” she said, referring to a popular streaming service used by gamers and influencers. “Though a woman getting harassed online is more the rule than the exception.”

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica nods to professor Howe "No I'll totally go. It might help. I don't know. I mean I have a coping mechanism but I'm not sure how healthy it is. Thank you. Really." She smiled at the woman, still feeling that sort of attraction and frankly, sort of wondering what it would be like to be with someone who really really knew what they were doing. At the same time though, Gabi's warning just kept getting louder and louder in her head. Part of her was sure that she could fix this poor wounded creature, and she knew that was part of the allure. She could focus on what was wrong in Mel's life without focusing on what was wrong in her own, what was wrong with her. Like playing superhero. Though it wasn't really playing if you were a genuine fucking superhero, was it? That was just the thing. She was strong enough, technically, to lift a small car. You couldn't really you'd just bend the frame, but from a weight perspective... Still. Going out and fighting crime in a mask instead of just becoming a cop or something... still pretty insane.

She nodded to Alex "I'll find it somewhere." she laughed "maybe make it two bottles of water. A girl gets thirsty talking."

When Hadley asked her about it she shrugged "I figured why not. Guys look at me anyway. And if he gets handsy I get an A in his class and he gets a black eye. Win win."

The meeting with Ms. Joseph was a lot more educational. A lot of it she already suspected. Darius was probably "guilty of being black" and not really guilty of murder. Ines Rivera didn't seem like a real lead, but something made her ask "Um. You mentioned some online harassment. Not sure if you have the details at your fingertips but... by any chance was one of the harassers a guy named Father12?" She leaned back in her chair "One of the people who commented on Amy's facebook page was a guy named Father12 and his post was really fucking creepy..."

 

[Halcyon638]

Melanie nodded. “It’s at 7:30. If you’d…like some support, I’m happy to take you or meet you…you there,” she said. “Just let me know.”

Hadley adjusted her backpack. “Okay. I don’t meet to be judgey or anything. I’m kind…I definitely shouldn’t be giving other people advice. Just be careful, okay?” The usual omnipresent layer of sarcasm or detachment had dropped from the girl’s voice. “Feel free to use the ‘my friend’s dad is a cop’ line if you need to.”

Shalondra immediately started tapping at her phone to pull up the obituary that had been linked to through Amy’s Facebook page. “Shit. That is creepy AF. I don’t even think this made it into any of the police reports. Okay, that makes sense since it was posted a while after these other people. Probably no one even saw it by then.”

“None of the accounts I’ve read—and these were just news articles—had any of the details of the harassment,” the woman said, leaning back in her chair and lowering her phone. “I’m guessing only the company and the police know the details. Just taking a wild swing and guessing Thumnail is using user privacy as an excuse to also hide how bad they were at shutting that shit down.” She shook her head. “I almost interned at Thumnail as an undergrad here,” Shalondra noted. Although the Prospect City had really only come to prominence in the last few 3 or 4 years, it had been around since at least 2010 by Monica’s estimates. “I’d definitely be curious to see if that creepy bastard was also cyberstalking Ines.”

Monica made it home after her last class of the week, feeling starved after having spent most of her usual lunch break talking to Shalondra. Gabi didn’t arrive home at her usual time. After a quick check-in text, her friend confirmed that she was “out running some errands” and would be home in about an hour. Finally, Gabi showed up around 4:00, carrying a few shopping bags from some of the higher end clothing stores that could be found in the city’s upscale downtown, talking on the phone to a parent and giving Monica a little wave as she shut the door behind her.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica nods "lets meet there. I'd like that." She might need a little support. It might hit close to home. It was one thing to be shot at, when you had the abilities she had. It was another to contemplate Tom, lying there. The senselessness of it all. Just thinking of it now she had to pause, tamping down the welling grief and rage and sense of impotence that came with thinking about it too closely. The mélange of emotions that mixed into a piquant sense of despair.

She nodded to Hadley "I promise you, that I can handle myself if he gets weird." She squeezed her shoulder "and I also promise you that I will call your dad if need be. I'll also name drop him when we discuss nightcrawler. 'My friend's dad, Detective Knapp, might have a different perspective on crime scene reporters...' you know, that sort of thing."

After her meeting she emailed Knapp from the vigilante account, asking if he could find out if "Father12" came up in the gamer case. If he did, they might be able to get IP information or something. She'd just have to see. She also checked to see if he sent the files yet.

Monica dug out some store bought tortillas, because she'd never mastered making her own and wasn't about to start. She shredded some cabbage and diced some tomato, then pan cooked some shrimp in garlic and butter, with some red pepper. She made a bed of cabbage in each tortilla, then added a little tomato and cabbage, then squeezed lime over it all. She knocked on Gabi's door "dinner when you're ready." She made plates, setting one aside for Gabi to eat when she wanted, and started to chow down.

 

[Halcyon638]

Monica’s encrypted email brought up an out-of-office autoreply from Hadley’s father, noting that he’d be back in the office Sunday evening.

Gabi came out for dinner. “Yum! Thanks for cooking. I thought it was my turn and I just was feeling super lazy.” She sat down at the table. Her makeup was still done in the style she’d worn the day before. “What are you up to tonight? Hadley brought up D&D and I got an idea for an adventure that I think I might work on. Probably be an early night for me.”

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica looks her friend over "you're looking good. Did you have something special today?" She passed the plate over and smiled at her long time friend and roommate "Does Shaun have to be the healer? All I know about DnD is the dungeon master's girlfriend has to be the healer." She smirked and dug into her food. "I'm totally down to play though, if you want to teach me."

She was frustrated with the slow pace of investigation, but having watched "the first 48" a lot she knew that these things took time. She tried to make herself be patient and slow down and relax, engage Gabi and try to meet her halfway on her interests. "Can i be like, a princess or something? Like a magical princess. Not just like... I can feel peas with my ass through a mattress." She sipped at her water, then leaned back "You know like, a magic princess that throws lighting round or something. Rides a unicorn. All that kind of stuff. I mean I guess I should probably build up to unicorn riding. But you know what I mean."

 

[Halcyon638]

A shy grin appeared on Gabi’s face as Monica commented on her appearance. “Thank you. No, I was just—just messing around with some makeup tutorials and figured I’d try one out. Glad it came out okay.”

“I am definitely going to make Shaun play the healer because his whole thing is being a good guy and taking care of people, and that’s basically the cleric’s whole deal,” Gabi noted in between bites. “I will totally teach you. We can roll up a character for you tonight!”

She laughed at her character description. “We can make that work for you, mi vida,” she said, cleaning off her plate. “I tell you what: I’ll make a unicorn rider prestige class just for you. But first we’ll start you off as a wizard or a sorcerer. For the whole lightning angle.”

Not long after dinner, they’d cleared off the counter for Gabi’s rulebooks and dice. The dark-haired girl was sipping a seltzer. “So, a wizard’s somebody who wields magic because they study their whole lives to get good at it—so, your Hermione type. A sorcerer has, like, a natural talent for magic that they can just channel. What do you think?”

Gabi walked Monica through the process, asking her for input along the way.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica chose sorcerer because being naturally talented seemed more cool. Something that would justify her not having spent all day with her nose in a book so she could have some kind of physical skills too, even if it was just riding... since you know ... unicorn.

As Monica made the character she settled on a human, because it was sort of funny to her to play something she wasn't while everyone assumed she was playing something she was. She settled on a noble background and sort of shrugged and let Gabi make suggestions as to what skills to take and what sort of equipment she would need. Gabi was the expert. it had been one thing they hadn't really shared in High School. Gabi had dated a shy guy who was super into it, and she was... mostly at swim practice or riding around the back country roads with Tom. It was nice to finally take an interest. Maybe it was something they could share. She was disappointed but unsurprised to find out she wouldn't be wearing armor or wielding a sword "so I won't be She-Ra"

Gabi laughed "No Mon, you can't be good at everything. That's not how it works."

Ultimately, they settled on a few choices that were thematically good for a lightning caster "So when are we gonna do this?"

 

[Halcyon638]

Gabi looked thoughtful. “Well, it’ll probably be a couple of weeks before I can put a game together for everybody but I can come up with a mini-adventure and run you through that sometime soon just so you can learn the ropes,” she said enthusiastically. “How does that sound, princesa?” She let out a yawn. “Thanks for letting me nerd out. I should probably hit it so you don’t end up having to carry me off to bed again.”

***

“It’s about a ten-minute walk from here,” Hadley said as she, Monica, and Porter stepped off the bus. A 45-minute ride from campus had taken them to the suburban neighborhood where her family home was located.

“Anybody want a granola bar?” Porter said, reaching into his backpack. He’d been a late addition to the prep team in part to help Monica stealthily haul her remaining stash of alcohol. Just about everyone else, including Gabi, were planning to come by around 6 or so. “Is it still possible I could go hiking with you guys next weekend?”

When they made it to the good-sized, two-story home, they were greeted by an ecstatic golden retriever. “Iggy!” Hadley said, giving the dog some affection before Porter also joined in. Soon afterward, they had laid out their alcohol stash, bolstered by a couple of bottles Porter's more popular roommate had contributed. Afterwards, they made a trip to a local food co-op to stock up on food, bags of ice, and a cooler. “It’s so weird,” Hadley noted as they roamed the store. “Some of these people I’m going to be glad to see but at the same time the thought is exhausting. I still feel like I have to be…that person I was to impress them. You going to catch up with any of your old friends next weekend?”

As promised, there were cupcakes, and Hadley placed a call for the pizza. “I’m just going to take Iggy around the block if you two don’t mind putting the cold stuff away,” she noted. “Be right back. Pizza’s already paid up in case it comes while I’m out.”

Not long after she left, both Monica and Porter were digging into cupcakes when they heard a car pull up in the driveway. Walking to the front door together, Monica spotted an unfamiliar SUV parked out front. A minute later, Hadley’s father stepped out and started heading toward the door. Porter’s eyes widened and he dropped the cupcake onto his plate, which bounced gently, almost falling onto the carpet.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica nods to Porter "if you're up for it, that'd be great. It's 4-5 miles cross country. You're more than welcome. You can get a ride out with Hadley and Nick I'm sure. Gabi and I are heading out the night before but you're all welcome to."

Monica considered Hadley's question "I might see if Kayla is around but... I dunno. I got weird when Tom died and nobody knew how to handle it and everyone sort of just slipped away besides Gabi. So... part of me is like... fuck them. whatever. you know? like... oh guess the last 5 years of friendship weren't enough to overcome my understandable depression so.... now that I'm coming out of it maybe you don't deserve me." She shrugged and looked over to Hadley "You don't need to put on a show for these people. If they don't like you as you are, fuck them. You're awesome. Don't let anyone ever make you feel otherwise."

When Hadley's dad made his way towards the door, Monica sprung into action. she took the booze and handed it to Porter "bag, bathroom now." She picked up his cupcake and used a napkin to get the icing off the floor, then turned towards the door as Detective Knapp came up to it, ready with her most winning smile. She also texted Hadley "Dad is home. text all your friends. Porter hiding booze."