The Story of Crystal Lakes (pt 6)

Music had made Ella’s life. It was all she knew, all she had ever been sure of in her metaphorical rollercoaster of a life.1

And yet, in Ella’s life so far all it had gotten her were occasional gigs in random places, no real job and a five bedroom apartment she didn’t need, but living in Crystal Lakes was a big send-up, and it could really get you places, saying you lived there. Either way, the apartment was too big for her. She had no relationships to build up on. Basically she was lonely. The music that had always been in the background in her life, that had always motivated her, had completely evaporated when her mother died, leaving Ella feeling empty and with nothing, except a considerable inheritance. 2

The little town that Ella lived in (well, little if you didn’t count the massively popular nightlife district- which Ella didn’t) was charming enough, although Ella had her suspicions that the town had it’s deep dark secrets; she’d heard enough stories about the origin of this town and it’s name that she knew there was a certain amount of division within the community concerning the infamous Crystal Depp, after which the town was named. Not that Ella cared for that idle gossip, nor did she particularly like the one who spread it (the most), Belle Nirvado. What she DID care about was finding the way to hit the high note in her life, instead of constantly hitting the low ones.3

That afternoon, as Ella ate lunch alone (again), she thought again about how her life was going. Single, unemployed, unpopular, she lived in a flat, and owned an absolutely ridiculous car that barely managed 100 km an hour. 4

Ella had lived in Crystal Lakes for most of her life, and her only and best friend, Alessandra d’Angelo, had moved away a few years back after she and Ella had fought over something, and had never returned. Ella hadn’t spoken to Alessandra since.5

So, as you would expect, when the phone rang for the first time in… well, a long time, Ella was very surprised.6

“Hello?” Ella said, attempting to sound friendly. “Ella speaking.” As if anyone else would be. What a stupid thing to say.7

“Ella Kennedy?” an unfamiliar voice said.8

“Yes, it is… who may I ask is calling?”9

“This is the Crystal Lakes Police Department. Do you know anything about the murder of Daniel Hartridge?”10

Ella snorted. The police made her nervous. “No, but even if I was guilty, obviously I wouldn’t tell you.”11

A moment’s uneasy hesitation from the other side of the line. “We need you to come down here, Miss Kennedy.” 12

Hesitation again. “There’s something you should probably know.”13

*14

“Hi, Will.” Crystal gave an uneasy smile to him. “Err… do you want to sit with us? I mean, is that okay? With you girls, I mean?” Damn it, Kari is going to tell Jackson everything, and I’m going to look like an idiot in front of Will, Crystal panicked. 15

“Yeah, it’s fine,” everyone said, and Will took a seat next to Crystal and put his arm around her waist. Donna raised an eyebrow at Crystal.16

“Oh, but didn’t you know?” Belle asked her delightedly, seeing this; Crystal wanted to stab Belle in the foot with the heel of her shoe. “Will and Crystal are going out!”17

“Oh, right. Well, um, this is just a little bit awkward. My name is Donna, I’m one of Crystal’s best friends.”18

Donna gave Will an easy smile. “Douzo yoroshiku.”19

Crystal rolled her eyes. “She says it’s nice to meet you.”20

Everyone at the table laughed. Crystal’s grey eyes met Kari’s light blue ones. “I’m sorry,” Crystal mouthed at her.21

Kari’s eyes were sad, but accepting. “It’s alright,” she mouthed back. 22

“Do you girls want anything?” Will asked, his arm still around Crystal’s waist.23

“Yeah, four coffees, please. Nothing in particular.” Donna gave Will another easy smile.24

“He’s cute,” Donna burst out, the very moment Will was out of earshot. “You always get cute guys.”25

“Jackson’s not that cute,” Kari observed. 26

“If he isn’t now, he was in university. I’ve seen Crystal’s pictures of him, thousands of times.” 27

“So, anyway,” Belle said, “you’re only eighteen, aren’t you Kari?”28

Kari nodded. “Kind of a big age difference between me and you oldies, huh?” She grinned mischievously. 29

“Twenty eight. Ten years. Is that really so old, you young whippersnapper?” Belle giggled. 30

“What did you study in university, Belle?” asked Donna. The conversation appeared to have no definite subject, but just kept changing as the mood took the four friends (Will still wasn’t back with the coffees). 31

“Besides professional gossiping and being the head cheerleader? I studied literature, majored in the arts in general. I graduated summa cum laude, or, to say it in the English translation, with highest honours. I watched about a million movies in uni, I swear. It was the best.”32

Belle’s eyes glazed over; she was clearly lost in memories. 33

“So what’s your job, then?” Crystal asked, impressed by Belle’s credentials. 34

“Waitressing part time, both here and at The Cherry Bar, and I design clothes too. I get a good amount of money in.” Belle smiled. “Are you and Donna planning to get a job while you’re both in Crystal Lakes?”35

Crystal hesitated. “Does Crystal Lakes do a news show, specifically local?”36

Uhhhh…. Yeah. It’s kinda popular, and they’re looking for someone new to be the anchorwoman. It was Alessandra d’Angelo for about three years. She was great, but she left. Nobody’s quite sure why, not even me or Kari. I’d do it, you know, but I already have three jobs and a hectic social schedule. Why do you ask?”37

Crystal confessed, “I majored in Public Relations and Humanities in university, but I took journalism… and passed it spectacularly too.”38

“The job would be yours in an instant. I mean, you’re qualified. Alessandra was never qualified, she was just great at being news anchor. They aren’t stupid enough to pass that up,” Kari told her encouragingly. 39

*40

“Jackson?” Elysha called. “You home, honey?”41

He came down the stairs. “Sure am. How are things, Elysha?”42

“They’re fine,” Elysha sighed. “Where’s Kari? She needs to keep packing. She’s heading off to university soon, and her stuff isn’t in the bags. I can’t find her anywhere.”43

“She’s gone out,” Jackson replied vaguely, hoping Elysha would have no more questions. 44

“With who, exactly?” Elysha demanded, anger starting to overtake general interest. “Tony?”45

Jackson hesitated. “Um. Belle Nirvado, Donna O’ Sullivan, and Crystal Depp.”46

“Crystal!” Elysha screeched, dropping a glass. “Where’ve they gone?!”47

“Alice and Oliver’s little place. The Lounge.”48

Elysha stormed out the door. 49

“Elysha!” Jackson shouted. “Kari deserves her own life! She can hang out with whoever she wants.”50

Elysha came back through the door and gave him a fierce look. “Anybody but Crystal Depp.”51

“Says who?” Jackson demanded. “You’re not her mother.”52

“I’m the closest thing she’s got to one, considering her real one abandoned her,” Elysha proclaimed huffily.53

“Not to Kari, you’re not,” Jackson spat. “She hates you.”54

“You know, if you’re so determined that Kari should hang out with Crystal, that’s your business and your mistake. But I’m not going to let my own daughter get screwed over by Crystal the way you were, Jackson.”55

And with that, Elysha ran out the door.56