When Truth Surface (Book #2 of "When Secrets Surface")

Chapter 35 - Epilogue

Sophie's POV

I forced myself to smile as everyone was so happy and all smiley.

Nichole thanked me for more than a thousand and one times and I forced myself to plaster a smile across my face but I could hear the sound of gunshots ringing throughout my ear.

Bang. Bang. BANG!!

There it was again.

I moved out of Nichole's embrace and sat down on the chair.

Dorothy had been planning it for weeks, and it was a huge success.

The music was pumping, the food was delicious, and everyone was having an amazing time. Well, except for me because I just wanted to crawl under my blanket and so for hours without being disturbed.

Naylene looked radiant, laughing and chatting with everyone like she never left.

But she had and she's the reason I went searching. The reason Zach got shot.

No stop it. It was ~Alex's~ fault. No, it was my fault. I led Alex to Zach and it was all me I did it.

As I looked around the room, I spotted Naylene dancing with a group of her friends.

Great at least she was having a good time.

She caught my eye and smiled, and I tried to smile back and it worked but then I could feel the tears threatening to fall. It was so great to have her back. But...

"Hey, Soph!" Dorothy called out, tapping me on the shoulder. "Can you help me get more drinks from the kitchen?"

I nodded and followed her to the kitchen, where we chatted about the party and how well it was going. At least I had something positive. I guess.

Naylene joined us, and we hugged her tightly. "We're so glad you're back," I said, smiling.

Naylene smiled back, looking happy to be surrounded by people, "I'm glad to be back," she replied. "I've missed you guys so much."

As we grabbed a few bottles of soda, I couldn't help but feel grateful for... and the good times we were having. "You know, I was thinking," Dorothy said, as we headed back to the party. "This is going to be a great year. We've got Naylene back, and we're all together again."

I smiled, feeling a little optimistic. "I know, right? It's going to be amazing." Naylene nodded in agreement, and we spent the rest of the night laughing and enjoying each other's company.

But little did we know, another challenge was brewing.

Dorothy's POV

As the party wound down and our friends began to say their goodbyes.

The drive back home was quiet and Mom and Dad went to bed at the speed of light and Sophie and I followed in suite and I plopped down on my bed and flicked on the lights.

I picked up my phone from my nightstand and when I opened my messages It felt like I was hit by a ton of bricks.

Emily, one of our classmates, had passed away in a tragic accident.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "No, this can't be true," I whispered to
myself.

I went to Sophie's door and I knocked on her door.

"Are you asleep?" I asked my voice shaking.

"No," Sophie said flicking on the lights.

"Why are just laying in...in the darkness?" I asked my voice trembling violently.

"It helps me to stop overthinking. Why's your voice shaking?" Sophie stared at me, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Emily's dead Sophie," I said my voice smaller.

Sophie's face turns pale and her eyes fill with shock.

"Stop lying," Sophie said her voice filled with disbelief.

I show her the message.

                        ***

The next day, our school held a memorial service for Emily. It was a somber and emotional affair, with many of our classmates in tears. I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked around at the sea of sad faces. Sophie held my hand, offering comfort and support.

As we sat in the auditorium, listening to the eulogies and tributes to Emily, I couldn't help but think about how fragile life is. One minute we're celebrating  Naylene's return, and the next, we're mourning the loss of another.

After the service, I walked towards Sophie "This is so hard," she whispered.

"I know," I replied, my voice shaking. "But we'll get through it together."

As we navigated the rest of our senior year, we faced many challenges. We had to balance our academic responsibilities with our emotional well-being, all while trying to make sense of the world around us. But through it all, we had each other, and that made all the difference.

"I'm so glad we're in this together," Dorothy said one day, as we studied for an exam. Sophie nodded in agreement, and I smiled, feeling grateful for my twin.

"Me too," I replied, smiling. "We're a team."

And as we looked out at the world, ready to face whatever challenges came our way, I knew that our bond would only grow stronger. We'd get through this, together.

"Hey, Soph?" Dorothy said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" She replied.

"Do you think Emily would want us to you know investigate?"

Sophie stared at the ceiling playing with her finger absent mindendly
as if she thought about it for a moment before responding. "I think don't know I'm really confused. The first time we investigated I almost got killed when we found Naylene Alex committed arson and shot Zach and I'm scared okay? Sometimes I hear gunshots ringing in my ears."

I nodded, a somber expression on my face. "You're right. We shouldn't do anything that puts our safety on the line but Emily deserves justice"

Sophie nodded, determination feeling her warm, brown eyes. We would face the challenges of senior year head-on, together, and we would make the most of the time we had.

But what happened to Emily was it a coincidence or was it wasn't?

Had someone set this all up?

Little did we know this was the beginning of something deadly.