The End of Miss Popular

I my lip as I walked through the school's front door. Great summer had ended and now we're all back to fucking Livingston High, home of the Bears. Who only knew what this year holds before us. I had spent my summer away from this hell hole of a town and at a camp, my Uncle Mark had sent me too so I haven't seen much kids from my school over break. I made my way towards my locker as I felt some one's arm's wrap around my small waist and lift me up off the ground. I let out a yelp as I heard a deep chuckle come from the person who currently holding me. "PUT ME DOWN" I shout which cause a few people to turn their heads and look at me.

Once I was so graciously set down I quickly spun around to see had the guts to freaking pick me up. Standing there in his famous gray leather jacket was Jason Gates with a big smug grin on his face. I glare at him and smack his chest hard as he just let another light chuckle. "Calm down Eli" He slung his arm over my shoulder as we started to walk like we normally did.

"Don't tell me to calm down, J" I mumbled as we approached my locker. I and Jason had been friends ever since I moved into this small forsaken town. I was forced to come here after my parents had both disappeared out of nowhere. After about 2 days my babysitter had finally called the police. My Uncle Mark was convinced that they were dead. To me my parents were just a mystery..maybe that was the reason I had my nose always in a mystery novel.

"Earth to Eli," Jason said as he shook me slightly. I hadn't even realized that we were now at my locker. "Please leave your thoughts and talk to me" He chuckled.

"Oh, sorry J, what did you say?" I ask as twist the knob on my locker. After I put in the code it pops open and I grab my English books since after all that was my first hour.

"I said, how was your summer?" He said before taking my books to carry them. I bit my lip as I thought about what had happened over the summer. Should I tell him? No, that would only cause an awkward silence.

"Oh, you know. Lake and campfires." I chuckled and looked up at him.

"Well, mine was a whole bunch of boring without you around..next time I will tell Mark myself that you are not allowed to leave me for nearly a whole summer again" He chuckled and smiled.

I smile back up at him that quickly disappear as I hear someone's body be shoved against a locker. I quickly whirl around and see Ava Cooper. Now don't get me started on Ava Cooper. She is the school's queen bee and loves everything that has to do with attention. It fuels her and it's like she needs it to survive. She had Ethan shoved against the locker and was all up in his face. Her hot pink nails were digging into his chest as she did. I quickly make my way over and that's when I could hear what she was saying. "Admit it, Ethan! You took it up the ass last night" She chuckled with a smirk on her face. "Jackson is already telling everyone."

"Hey, Ava! Lay off!" I shout causing more people to stare in our direction. I hated attention. I hated the feeling of everyone's eyes staring at me and judging. I grab the hand that was on Ethan's chest.

Ava spun around and looked me straight in the eyes. "I know you like some underdog but Eli you really need to mind your own god damn business!" She snapped and yanked her hand away from my grip walking away.

I shifted my eyes over towards Ethan who was still staring at me with tears in his sea green eyes. "You didn't have to do that Eli" He whispered now shifting his eyes towards the floor.

"Yes, I did because if I didn't do anything I would be just as worse as her, You can't just let that bitch just push you around," I explain as he gave a slight nod and looked up at me.

I gave him a warm smile as he stared into my eyes for a moment. "Yeah, Thanks, Eli" He whispered before turning quickly so he could make it to his next class.

Jason came up beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder. He watched Ethan walk away for a moment before looking down at me. "Wow what a way to start off the year."

I gave a slight nod. "You're telling me, J" I grumble and start to make my way once again to English.

Jason quickly followed behind me. "You know what you did for Ethan was awesome, most people just sit and watch him get bullied."

"Yeah I know that's kinda a reason I did it because I know if I was getting pushed around by Ava, I would what someone to stop her if I couldn't," I say as began to approach my class.

Jason reached over and messed up my hair which I quickly smacked him and glared over at him. "And the best citizen award goes to little Miss Eli Summers" He chuckled as I stood in the doorway of my class.

Before I walked all the way to my class I turned and looked at Jason. "I'm not little," I say which I knew was a lie since I was currently standing at 5'5. Before Jason had a chance to say some dumb remark back I quickly disappeared into my English class.

~~~

I had skateboarded over to The Clean Spoon which was a small diner in the middle of town that severed home cooked meals and I worked at. I had to make cash somehow and honestly, it was the best job ever. Mrs. Susie Lang who owned it was the best boss ever. She was a short fat woman with dark black raven hair and big blue eyes, she always cooked me snickerdoodle cookies for Christmas which I'm sure were drugged by how fucking good they are. I jump off my skateboard as I reached the front entrance of the diner. I tucked it under my arm and made my way inside. I look over and see Annie, one of the other waitress that worked full time, I give her a slight nod before I make my way to the back.

In the back, I strip down till I was in my underwear and bra. That when I slip on my uniform which consisted of puffy gray polo that had my name on it, a white high-waisted skirt that had 'The Clean Spoon" In gray cursive letters at the bottom, I do a once over in the mirror. At least I looked good or well decent. I slip on my converse before throwing my hair up into a messy bun than leaving to start my shift.

I had been there for about two hours when I saw my summertime fling step through the doors of The Clean Spoon. My heart sped up slightly, I hadn't seen him all day till now and the memories flooded through my mind. The kissing and touching.... Unknowingly I crumbled the paper that was in my hand as his greenish blue eyes met my warm brown ones.

He sat down in a booth to the far left corner. Act normal Eli, I tell myself. I grab a menu and make my way over to Ashton Valtion. He was a bit of a frat boy and looked like one as well. I give him a light smile as I set a menu down in front of him. "Hi, I will give you a few minutes to look over the menu unless you know what you want but other that would you like something to drink?" I say in a happy tone.

He let out a deep sigh and looked up at me. "Eli we need to talk," He said softly. Oh no that didn't sound good...nope not one bit. I bit my lip and give him a light nod telling continue. "What we had over the summer was great, trust me I enjoyed every moment of it but it was just a summer fling and I just need you to understand that"

I knew it was summer fling when we did the things we did and I wasn't the type of girl to fawn over any guy especially a guy like Ashton. I cough slightly and look down at my feet. "I understand. Now would you like anything to drink?" I ask in a soft tone. Stupid stupid stupid stupid! How could I be so goddamn stupid!

"Oh no I just came in to talk to you," He said and stood up and looked down at me with a soft on his face. He gave me a pat on the shoulder. "Friends?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Friends" I whisper back a weak smile across my face. That was all he needed to hear before leaving. I bit my lip as I watched his blonde head disappear out of The Clean Spoon.

~~~

I was relieved when my shift had finally ended. I plug in my headphones in and turn on classic rock station on Pandora. Jason used to think I was weird since I listened to Classic Rock but I soon got him addicted to it too. It takes me a good 20 minutes to skateboard home since I live a bit away from The Clean Spoon. It was just me and my Uncle Mark since he didn't have a wife or anything and he was cool. Once I finally approached our small 3-bedroom house I propped up my skateboard against the house on the porch before unlocking the door and stepping in. I inhaled deeply and smiled. Home sweet home. I turn down the hall to go to my room but I hear a loud clatter

Mark should be at work, He worked at the local Apple factory. I grab the bat that we kept in the coat closet and slowly make my way to the kitchen. My heart felt as if it was about to beat out of its chest. Were we really getting robbed? I mean we didn't live too far from the city but robbings here were rare. I see a figure but before I can determine who it was I swing. They let out a yelp and duck as I hit the wall leaving a new hole. "Shit Eli!" I hear Mark's familiar voice yell.

My eyes widen slightly as I realized we were not getting robbed but Mark had come home early. "Why are you even home? I thought you were a robber!" I said in a frustrated tone as I set the bat down.

"I didn't think I need to tell you, my niece, what I'm doing. Kinda the reason I don't have a wife, Eli" He said sarcastically as he went straight over to the hole and started to examine it.

I walked over to his side and examine it as well. Damnit! "Sorry Mark" I whisper feeling a bit guilty.

He let out a small sigh and shrugged it off. "It's fine, You were only trying to protect yourself," He said before patting me on the back and going back to what he was doing. " How was school anyways?"

I let out a groan and sit down in a chair at the table, laying my head down. "Well, personally I rather be at work than in a classroom any day but it was okay besides that." I had always loved working mostly because of my boss and getting paid. World History just seemed a bit boring to me and unneeded.

"Well it's late and you have it again tomorrow so off you to bed you are." He commanded nodding towards my bedroom. I let out a loud groan at his words and drag myself back to my room.

~~~

I screech my skateboard to a stop as I arrived at the school. I was still saving up for a car so this was my only form of transportation. I glance over to my right where I see Isabella Saint, Ava's best friend. She didn't look like she usually did though. For one Ava wasn't with her and two her head was hanging low with her blonde hair covering her face. She was always happy and perky. I shrug it off and make my way inside the building.

Jason instantly runs over to me with a worried look which kinda considered me, just a tiny bit. "Hey J, what's up?" I ask softly.

"Whats up? Is that all you have to say about this?" He said surprised by words.

"Say about what? " I asked now confused. What was going on? Its not like much drama happened in this town.

"Ava Cooper was found hanging from a tree." His words made my eyes grow in size. No way in hell did Ava Cooper seem suicidal. Her life just seemed too sweet to hate.

"No.....she doesn't seem the type though.. was there a note?" I asked cocking an eyebrow.

"No there wasn't" I hear a deep voice behind me and I quickly whirl around and see Noah. He glared at me with a clenched jaw. "I would very much appreciate it if everyone in this damn school would fucking stop talking about my little sister's death." He snapped as he walked away.

"Yeah Noah and Isabella are taking it pretty hard" Jason whispered and slung an arm around my shoulder.

I let out a soft sigh and nod as I turn and lean into Jason's touch. They did have a right to be touchy about her death, even if Ave was the worst human being alive.

~~~

It's only been a day and Ava's death had been all over the news and now our school is posting suicide prevention stuff up all over the hallways, I walk over to a table where a man had just walked in and sat down. "Would you like something to drink sir?" I ask as he looks up from his phone. His emerald green eyes meet my warm soft brown ones.

I bit my lip softly. He was the model material with the perfect green eyes and freckles scattered across his face, don't get me start on those lips. "Ice Tea."

His deep voice broke me out of my thoughts. Not every day does a hot man walk into The Clean Spoon. "Alright, would you like to try our new potato skins Mr......" I say making sure to drag out the Mr part just hoping he will give me his name. Can't blame a girl for trying.

"Acker, Acker Johnson," He said with a slight smirk on his face which made my stomach twist slightly. Damn, just damn. "and not today but thank you."

"I can't say I have seen you in town Acker, what brings you to the small town of Livingston?" I ask trying to start some type of conversation with him.

"Work...I'm sure you heard about Ava Cooper's death. Well, I'm the detective. " He said with a small sigh.

"Why is there a detective for a suicide?" I ask a bit confused now. I know I had to serve other tables but he had spiked my curiosity.

"Well the autopsy came back and it turns out that Ava's neck was broken an hour before she was hung" He said looking up at me waiting for my reaction.

I bit my lip hard as shock spread across my face. "She was murdered" I whisper to myself.

~~~

I nearly raced to Jason's house after work and banged on his door as I tried to catch my breath. I may have run from his driveway just to his front door but that was already way too much running for one day. Jason's mom answered the door with a confused look. "Eli? What's wrong sweetie?"

"Oh, nothing Ms.Gates but do you mind if I go talk to Jason just real quick?" I ask as she gave a light nod opening the door a bit more so I could come in. I raced up to Jason's room my skateboard clutched in my hand. "Jason" I said just parading into his room.

Jason quickly shot up hiding his lower half under his blanket. I roll my eyes and turn so he could adjust himself. After about a minute or two he finally spoke up in a nervous tone. "Yes, Eli?"

"Ava was murdered!" I say and spun around to look him in the eyes.

He cocked an eyebrow confused by the words I had just spoken. "Why would you think that?"

"Because Jason I just spoke to the detective that looking into the case! Her neck was broken an hour before some sicko hung her up to that tree" I say and sat down at the foot of the bed.

"What does this have to do with us, Eli?" He asked a bit nervous now.

"Jason! There is a freaking murder in Livingston! We have to solve this!" I say in a duh tone.

~~~

Hey! How do you like the first chapter?

The picture above is kinda what her work outfit looks like.

Enjoy the rest of this book :)