The Jeep pulled up in front of Mason's house. One by one, the group filed inside and gathered in the living room, slumped into the couches and chairs, their faces pale and drained.
"What are we going to tell J's mom when she starts asking questions?" Tasha asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We'll say she never came to the party," Mason replied flatly.
"I don't think that's a smart move," Nyra countered, arms folded, eyes narrowed with concern.
"What if we tell her J did come," Ruby suggested calmly, "but left early... said she was meeting some guy."
Mason's face lit up slightly. "That's actually a good idea."
Leah, sitting stiffly on the edge of the couch, suddenly spoke, her voice trembling. "So that's it? We're just... lying? Pretending J was never our friend? Hiding her death like she's garbage tossed on the side of the road?"
Silence fell over the room like a blanket of guilt.
"She's right," Maya finally said, panic creeping into her voice. "We can't keep this up. J was our friend. We need to go to the police. Tell them everything."
"I think they're right," Jace added. "This is wrong. Really wrong. If we talk to the cops, they'll investigate. They'll find the real killer."
"Call them, then!" Ruby snapped. "But don't expect me to go down with you. I'll deny I was ever here."
"Enough!" Mason barked, his voice cutting through the rising tension. "We stick to Ruby's story. J came to the party. She left early. That's it. Nobody calls the police. And anyone who does—I'll say they're the killer."
No one spoke after that.
---
THE NEXT MORNING
STAND HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
The school halls buzzed with life. Students chattered, laughed, and slammed lockers as they moved between classes.
Ruby stood at her locker with Maya and Tasha nearby. None of them spoke.
Suddenly, the old headmaster stepped out of his office, straightening his red tie. Beside him stood a neatly dressed middle-aged woman.
"Attention, everyone!" the headmaster called, and the hallway quieted.
"We've got some exciting news," he announced, turning to gesture at the woman. "This is Miss Daring."
Miss Daring stepped forward, beaming. "Good morning, students! I'm sure many of you have heard that Red Rehearsal: Season 2 is in production. They're casting now... and guess what? Our school has been chosen as an official audition site!"
Gasps and murmurs erupted across the hall.
"Oh my God, oh my God!" Maya squealed. "It's actually happening!"
"If you're interested in auditioning," Miss Daring continued, pulling out a notebook and pen, "please come forward and write your name here."
Some students walked away, uninterested. But a crowd began forming quickly around Miss Daring.
"We need to sign up now!" Maya grinned, already stepping forward.
Tasha hesitated. "After what happened last night... I don't know. I don't feel right being a part of Red Rehearsal."
"Oh, come on!" Maya said, her voice rising. "We promised. This meant everything to us! Ruby, you still want to do it, right?"
Ruby smiled coolly. "Of course. I'm auditioning."
She turned to Tasha. "C'mon. This means a lot to Maya—and we did promise. Let's just do it."
Tasha stood in silence, then finally let out a breath. "Fine."
Maya squealed and hurried to join the line.
"Maybe this will help us forget about J's murder last night," Ruby said aloud.
Tasha's eyes darted around. "Keep your voice down," she hissed. "Don't talk about that here."
Ruby turned to her sharply. "Why not? It's not like I killed her." Then she turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Tasha standing alone.
AT THE CAFETERIA
The cafeteria buzzed with life—plates clattered, chairs scraped against the floor, and conversations filled the air.
Maya scrolled through her phone, eyes lit with excitement.
"I still can't believe auditions start right after school today! I'm so excited—I don't think I can sit still!"
"Eat your mashed potatoes before they jump off your plate," Tasha teased, smirking.
All three girls laughed softly.
Just then, Nyra and Leah approached their table. Leah gave a small smile.
"Mind if we join you guys?"
Before anyone could answer, Nyra had already plopped down beside them, biting into her apple. Leah followed and sat beside her.
"So…" Nyra said between bites, "you're all auditioning for Red Rehearsal: Season 2, right?"
"Yeah, we are!" Maya replied, practically bouncing in her seat.
"What about you two? Auditioning too?" Tasha asked.
Nyra smirked and picked up the table knife, turning it over in her fingers. "I want to audition for the role of the teenage killer."
The girls fell silent for a moment.
"And I'm going for the role of the popular girl at school," Leah added cheerfully.
"Uh-uh, I don't think so!" Maya cut in quickly. "I'm going for the popular girl role!"
Leah raised an eyebrow, and the two of them launched into a playful but tense back-and-forth over who should get the part.
Ruby, watching with mild amusement, finally spoke. "What about Mason? Is he auditioning?"
Nyra shook her head. "Nope. He said he's not into this kind of stuff."
Ruby's smile dropped instantly. "Oh…" Her eyes narrowed, voice turning cold. "I wonder why."
She picked up her fork and stabbed it hard into her apple.
AFTER SCHOOL — THE THEATER ROOM
The theater room buzzed with excitement. Students who signed up for auditions gathered inside, chattering eagerly.
"Maya, stop jumping around," Tasha teased, eyeing her friend who was bouncing with excitement.
"I'm gonna be in a movie! I'm gonna be in a movie!" Maya sang loudly, spinning—and suddenly crashing into a handsome Asian boy. The two tumbled to the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Maya snapped.
"I think that's my line," the boy said, confused as he sat up.
"Maya, are you okay?" Ruby rushed over, followed by Tasha.
"No, I'm not! This weirdo bumped into me and now my makeup is ruined!" Maya whined as Tasha helped her up.
"Um… this weirdo has a name. And you bumped into me," the boy replied, standing and brushing himself off.
"Yeah, whatever! I need to fix my makeup. And no more bumping into me!" Maya huffed and stormed off.
"Sorry about our friend," Ruby said with an awkward laugh.
"It's okay," the boy replied with a shrug.
"I'm Ruby, and this is Tasha," she introduced.
"Kai," he said, flashing a polite smile.
"Are you Japanese?" Tasha asked, then instantly regretted it.
Kai chuckled. "Chinese."
Just then, Miss Daring walked in, clapping her hands.
"Alright, everyone. Settle down—it's time to audition!"
She handed each student a script. "Remember—stick to the script!" she added with a bright smile.
Tasha took an extra script for Maya and glanced around. Miss Daring returned to her seat—only she wasn't alone. Two ominous figures dressed in long black robes sat on either side of her. One wore a bunny mask, the other a creepy clown mask. Their presence felt... off. Cold. Like they didn't belong.
A chill swept the room.
---
INSIDE THE RESTROOM
Maya stood in front of the mirror, carefully applying her lipstick. She adjusted her hair with both hands, frowning at her reflection. Not satisfied, she reached for her foundation and began dabbing it on.
Thud!
She froze.
Her eyes darted toward the sound.
"Who's there?" she called, but got no reply.
Rolling her eyes, she went back to her makeup. But then—she stopped again.
She leaned in closer to the mirror.
Blood. Thick, dark red blood, oozing from underneath one of the stall doors.
Her heart dropped.
She grabbed her makeup bag and bolted out of the restroom, bursting into the hallway. Gasping for breath, her voice trembled.
"J..."
Standing just a few feet ahead—J's headless body. Caked in dried blood and dirt. It stood still. Watching.
Maya let out a blood-curdling scream and turned to run, but slipped, crashing to the floor.
"No! No, I don't want to die!" she sobbed, scrambling backward.
J's body stood over her, silent. And then—it grabbed her leg.
"Nooo!" Maya wailed as the body dragged her down the hallway, her screams echoing until they vanished into silence.
---
DEEP IN THE WOODS
Flashlights cut through the thick trees as police officers swept the area, searching.
One officer paused and crouched down, inspecting the dirt.
"I think this is a grave!" he shouted.
Others rushed over, forming a small circle.
"It's a grave, alright," one officer confirmed grimly. "Whoever did this was clearly an amateur."
"Let's dig it open," another officer said darkly.
And with that, they began to dig.