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September 1st 19XXThe first day of senior year!‘Dear Diary.
I believe I’m a good person. I believe there is good in everyone. But I look around at these kids Ive known all my life and I ask myself…. What Happened?!’Ekko wrote in his diary that he carried around since he was a young kid with the other students. He reminisced on running around and playing tag, singing in class, playing games, baking cookies. All of the fun things the students did back in elementary.But now they all had grown, this was no longer high school, it was the thunderdome.Thankfully being the last year meant they would all graduate soon. He figured college would be paradise! If he’s not dead by June.But he truly felt life could be a better thing than this one day. He felt things could get better out of school and things could even be… Beautiful.Just not today.As he was walking the hall in his own world he saw a jock he recognized as Mylo Sweeny, a linebacker who picked on others. After he left Ekko approached the guy on the ground.“Hey, are you okay?” he asked.“Get away nerd!” the student scoffed before getting up on his own to leave.“Okay..”* Ekko mumbled to himself before rolling his eyes and opening his diary once again.‘Things will get better when I get a letter from Harvard, Duke, or Brown! I’ll take my diploma then I can blow this town. I dream of ivy covered walls and smokey french cafes. I fight the urge to strike a match and set this DUMP A BLAZE!’ he wrote harshly.When he got to lunch he put the diary in his satchel he carried as a school bag before getting his tray of food. That was until he ran into Mylo once again. He did what he did every lunch and smacked the tray from Ekkos hand.“What a dick,” Ekko grumbled today before Mylo turned to look him in the eyes, being a bit taller than Ekko.“What did you say to me?” he asked.“Nothing!” Ekko squeaked, showing his cowardly side. Then he rushed off to his lunch table that had Claggor Dunnstock waiting, his best friend since diapers!“Hey Claggor,” Ekko greeted as he sat with no food.“Hey,” the friend replied fixing his glasses. “We on for movie night still?”“Yeah, you’re on jiffy pop detail,” Ekko told him with a chuckle.“I rented The Princess Bride!” Claggor exclaimed.“Again? Dont you have it memorized by now?” Ekko asked with another laugh.“What can I say? I’m a sucker for a happy ending,” Claggor chuckled along. Claggor even kindly gave half his sandwich to Ekko since his lunch was knocked away like every day.When they were done eating they got up to head to their lockers early when another jock approached.“Claggor dumptruck! Wide load!! Honk!!!” the jock yelled at them causing Ekko to roll his eyes. It was just Jayce Kelly the quarterback. He was the smartest guy on the football team actually! Which was like being the tallest person with dwarfism. That was when Jayce smacked the books from Claggors hands.“Hey! Pick that up right now!” Ekko tried to argue back. But the jock stared him down as he stepped closer to Ekko, towering over the male.“Im sorry, are you actually talking to me?” Jayce asked.“Yes, I am! I want to know what gives you the right to pick on my friend! You’re a high-school has been waiting to happen. A future gas station attendant,” Ekko insulted him. Then Jayce’s finger made contact with his forehead.“You’ve got a zit right there,” he pointed out with a loud laugh that erupted the students around them to laugh. He turned and high fived his friend Mylo before the jocks walked off leaving Ekko and Claggor annoyed as they picked up books.All Ekko could think was Why?? Why do they hate him and Claggor? Why didnt they fight back? Why was Jayce such a creep? Why wont anyone date him? Why did they hit them? Why did he cry himself to sleep??But as they were getting ready to finally leave the lunch room, THEY, came in. The Divas. They float above it all!Maddie McNamara, a blonde dressed in yellow, her dad is loaded - he sells engagement rings.Violet Duke, a pinkette dressed in green, she runs the yearbook. No discernible personality, but her mom dad pay for implants.Then Caitlyn Chandler, with dark blue hair and dressed in red. The almighty; she is a mythic bitch.They are solid Teflon, never bothered, never harassed.Ekko would give anything to be like that.Guys wanted to be their boyfriend. If girls sat with them, guys would notice them. Claggor wished they were nicer.Someone out there would even like to kidnap a Diva and photograph her naked in an abandoned warehouse and leave her tied up for the rats….Anyways.Ekko found himself heading to the gender neutral bathroom during class to get away from it all. But when he got in he heard puking in a stall which made him furrow his eyebrows in confusion. People rarely used the neutral bathroom which is why he liked it.“Grow up Violet, bulimia is so 87,” he heard Caitlyn's voice ring out.“Maybe you should see a doctor Violet,” a more innocent and sweet voice rang out, obviously Maddie.“Yeah Maddie, Maybe I should,” the last voice agreed before throwing up more.“Ah, Caitlyn and Maddie,” a teacher said as she entered the bathroom before the puking continued. “And Violet. Perhaps you didnt hear the bell over all the vomiting. You’re late for class” Mrs. Fleming scolded.“Violet wasnt feeling well, we’re helping her,” Cait snapped at the teacher.“Not without a hall pass you’re not. Weeks detention,” she said as Ekko stepped in. He had been hiding and writing the whole time as he handed her a hall pass.“Actually, all four of us are on a hallpass! Yearbook committee,” he lied as she read the pass.“I see you’re all listed. Hurry up and get where you’re going,” she said handing the pass back and leaving the bathroom. Caitlyn snatched the pass from his hand to read it over.“This is an excellent forgery… Who are you?” Cait asked with a tone of annoyance yet surprise.“Uhh, Ekko.. Sawyer.. I crave a boon.” he answered.“What boon?” Caitlyn replied.“Just let me sit at your table for lunch, just once! No talking necessary. If people think you guys tolerate me, they'll leave me alone,” Ekko begged as all three divas began to laugh at the idea. “Before you answer I also do report cards, permission slips, and absence notes.”“How about prescriptions?” Violet asked.“Shut up Violet!”“Sorry Cait.”Caitlyn stepped forward and inspected Ekko, looking at his face and hair. He had dark skin and amazing features along with pure white hair.“For a greasy little nobody, you do have goo bone structure,” Cait complimented.“And a symmetrical face. If I took a meat cleaver down the center of your skull, I’d have matching halves. That;s very important,” Maddie ‘complimented’ as she looked at Ekkos face up close.“Of course you could stand to lose a few pounds,” Violet insulted as she was finally done puking and went to wash her hands in the sink.“And you know, this could be beautiful. Some mascara, maybe lip gloss, and we’re on our way. Get this guy some blush, and Violet I need your brush. Let’s make him beautiful!” Cait went on as Ekko felt a bit over his head but ready.“Let’s make him beautiful!” Violet agreed.“Let’s make him beautiful!” Maddie chimed in.“Okay?” Cait asked and Ekko nodded.“Okay!” he agreed!They spent a while in the bathroom before it was the end of the day and people were gathering in the courtyard to head home. People argued as Jocks threatened students and others bumped into each other. Everyone seemed annoyed like always. Until a voice broke out.“Who’s that with Caitlyn??”Woes and awes filled the students.“Caitlyn, Violet, Maddie.. And someone??”“Caitlyn, Violet, Maddie.. And a babe??”“Caitlyn, Violet, Maddie…..”“Ekko?” Claggor asked with surprise.“Ekko!” others repeated as he walked with the three girls in new clothes, a new hairstyle, and enough makeup to hide any imperfection he had while also looking good.‘Life can be beautiful! You hope, you dream, you pray, and you get your way! Ask me how it feels, looking like hell on wheels! My god it’s beautiful, I might be beautiful, and when you’re beautiful, it’s a beautiful frickin day!’ Ekko wrote in his diary before everyone started to gather on busses to leave for the day.Tomorrow he would be sitting at their lunch table!
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‘Dear DiaryIt has been 3 weeks since I became friends with the Divas. Actually friends isnt the right word. It is more like I work with the Divas and our job is being popular and shit.’ Ekko wrote in his diary as the bell rang and he got up to leave for lunch. That was when he ran into Claggor who he had been avoiding.“Hey Ekko,” Claggor called out.“Hey,” he replied.“You do look great these days,” he complimented even if he showed signs of not enjoying the new way things were going.“Thank you but it’s still the same me underneath,” Ekko told him trying to make himself believe that too.“Are you sure?”“Look I’m really sorry I flaked on you last week. Ive just had a lot going on.”“I get that. You’re with the Divas now, that’s exciting,” Claggor rolled his eyes.“It’s whatever but we’ll hang out soon,” Ekko promised.“Ekko! Cait says to haul ass to the table pronto,” Violet told Ekko pulling him from his friend.They got to Cait who stood near the water fountain outside the lunch room.“Ekko I need a forgery in Mylo Sweenys handwriting! You’ll need something to write on… Violet, bend over,” Caitlyn ordered and Violet did as told. Ekko put his notepad on the girls back to begin writing as Cait narrated. “Hello, beautiful. I’ve been watching you and thinking about us in the old days. I hope you can come to my homecoming party this weekend. Miss you, Mylo. Oh, put an “xo” after the signature.”“What’s this for anyway?” Ekko asked.“I just found out Mylo used to hang out with Claggor Dumptruck,” Cait laughed.“Well yeah, in Kindergarten. We all did,” Ekko expressed confusion.“We all didnt kiss on the football field,” Violet teased.“Oh yeah, I remember. Mylo kissed Claggor Dumptruck. It was disgusting,” Maddie said like she had an epiphany.“Perfect,” Cait chuckled as she snatched the note from Ekko as she saw Mylo and Jayce entering.“It would be so righteous to be in the middle of a Cait and Violet sandwich,” Mylo laughed to his buddy.“Hell yeah, punch it in!” Jayce chuckled as they bumped fist while Cait was approaching faking a smile, which she was good at.“Mylo! Be a sweetie and give this Claggor,” she asked batting her eyelashes as he took the folded note.“What? No!” he argued.“Since when do you talk to that lard ass?” Jayce asked as Mylo began to unfold the note.“Oh, don’t read it! She’s having an extra heavy flow and wanted some advice from my gyno,” Cait lied.“Ew!” Mylo and Jayce exclaimed, giving the note to Ekko.“What are you doing?” Cait hissed.“Please don’t do this, okay? Not to Claggor,” he pleaded.“What? It’ll give him masturbation material for weeks,” Violet laughed.“Shut up Violet!” Cait snapped.“Sorry Cait,” she squeaked back.“Claggor has had a thing for Mylo for like 12 years now, okay? This this would kill him,” Ekko tried to argue but Cait only glared at him.“Are we gonna have a problem? You got a bone to pick? You’ve come so far, Why now are you pulling on my dick? I’d normally slap your face off, And everyone here could watch. But I’m feeling nice. Here’s some advice. Listen up, biotch!” Cait yelled at him. “ I like looking hot, buying stuff they cannot. I like drinking hard, maxing dad’s credit card! I like skipping gym, scaring her, screwing them. I like killer clothes, kicking nerds in the nose! If you lack the balls, You can go play dolls, Let your mommy fix you a snack. Or you could come smoke, pound some rum and coke, In my Porsha with the quarterback!! Honey, whatchu waitin’ for? Welcome to my candy store. It’s time for you to prove, You’re not a loser anymore. Then step into my candy store.” Cait lectured him.“Guys fall at your feet. Pay the check,” Violet told him.“Help you cheat!” Maddie chimed in.“All you have to do, Say goodbye to Shamoo,” Cait told him.“That freak’s not your friend, I can tell in the end. If he had your shot, he would leave you to rot! ‘Course if you don’t care, Fine! Go fix his hair. Maybe Sesame Street is on,” Maddie teased.“Or forget the creep, and get in my jeep,” Violet told him.“Let’s go tear up someone's lawn!!!” Cait exclaimed.“You can join the team, or you can bitch and moan. You can live the dream, or you can die alone! You can fly with eagles, or if you prefer, keep on testing me and end up like him!” Cait said as Claggor came to Ekko. The group of girls took a moment to leave the boys alone as Claggor grinned.“Ekko look! Mylo invited me to his homecoming party. See, I told you there was still something there! This proves he’s been thinking about me,” Claggor told him, holding out the note. Ekko paused before grinning at his friend.“Color me stoked!” he said as he walked over to his new group of friends.“Honey, whachu waiting fo-” Violet started to talk.“Shut up Violet!” Cait yelled at her. “Step into my candy store! Time for you to prove you’re not a lame ass anymore. Then step into my candy store!”
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As the group of Divas were leaving the cafeteria Ekko was trailing behind we he noticed a girl. A new girl, with long blue braids he had never seen who was watching him. She wore a black trench coat like a mysterious figure. When she caught his gaze she smirked and stepped close enough for him to hear her speak.“You shouldn’t have bowed down to the swatch dogs and dietcokeheads. They’re going to crush that guy,” she told him.“Im sorry what?” Ekko asked the strange electric bluette.“Clearly, you’ve got a soul. You just gotta work harder on keeping it clean. ‘We are all born marked for evil.’ “ she told him with a quote and a roll of her big blue eyes before she turned on her boot heels to walk away.“Um, okay. Don’t just quote Baudelaire at me and then walk away, excuse me,” Ekko went after her. “I didnt catch your name,” he added.“I didnt throw it.”That was when Jayce and Mylo caught the site of a dazed and curious Ekko.“Who’s that person in the jacket think they are anyway, Bo Diddley?” Jayce scoffed.“Ekko’s into her act, no doubt,” Mylo commented.“Let’s kick her ass!” Jayce hissed.“No, we’re seniors, man, we’re too old for that shit,” Mylo tried to actually reason for once. But Jayce walked up to the new girl anyways.“Hey, sweetheart! What did your girlfriend say when you told her you were moving to Sherwood, Ohio?” Jayce asked.“My buddy Jayce asked you a question,” Mylo added before she could even answer.“Hey Mylo, doesn’t the cafeteria have a “no fags allowed” rule?” Jayce chuckled. They tended to act very homophobic even if most people knew they definitely had a thing for each other.“They seem to have an open door policy for assholes, though,” the bluette snapped back.“Hold her arms!” Mylo said as Jayce went to grab her.She ducked and dodged his grab as Mylo came at her. She moved swiftly and tripped him with her clunky platform boot before taking a swing at Jayce and knocking him out quickly. As Mylo stood she did the same to him with a quick uppercut to take him out. When both jocks were on the ground the cafeteria erupted in surprise.“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”“Holy shit!”Multiple people screamed.But Ekko watched in his own world as she fought the jocks.‘Why when you see people fight, does it look so horrible, yet… Feel so right? I shouldn’t watch this crap, that’s not who I am. But with this kid…. Damn~~.’ He thought to himself. ‘Hey, Mrs. NoNameKid, So, who might you be? And could you fight for me? And hey, could you face the crowd? Could you be seen with me, and still act proud? Hey, could you hold my hand? And could you carry me, through noman’s land? It’s fine if you don’t agree. But I would fight for you, if you would fight for me. Let them drive us underground, I don’t care how far. You can set my broken bones, And I know CPR. Well, woah, You can punch real good. You’ve lasted longer than, I thought you would. So, hey, Mrs. NoNameKid, If some night you’re free, wanna fight for me?’“Holy Shit!” another kid screamed while Ekko was in his thoughts.‘If you’re still alive. I would fight for you, if you would fight for me!’ He was already falling for this girl who could fight well.“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!” kids exclaimed as Jinx left the cafeteria quickly.When the jocks finally were standing they were upset and confused still.“Oh, that sucked!” Jayce groaned.“That kid fights better than the real Bo Diddley. Hey, have you ever seen “Enter the Dragon”? Bo Diddley fights with his shirt off and is like pretty ripped for an oriental dude,” Mylo rambled and Jayce looked at him funny for a moment before chuckling.“Fag,” he teased.“Shut up!” Mylo hissed as he shoved his friend out of the cafeteria too.“God, Ekko, drool much? You were totally throwing your panties at that new kid,” Cait told Ekko who blushed a bit while the other Divas laughed at him. “And, judging by your house, you can’t afford replacement panties,” she added, the girls being quiet at first. She glared at them and they all laughed again.“Come on I dont even know her name,” Ekko argued as they were leaving the cafe to go to class.“Well we will be at your place later for croquet,” Cait tol him.Just like promised after school the Divas all came to the Sawyer home and played some croquet for awhile.“Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer, watch out!” Cait called as his mom was walking to them with a tray of snacks.“Oh! Haha, there you go. Care for some pate?” Ekko’s mom joked putting her tray on a small table.“That is not pate, it’s liverwurst,” Caitlyn pointed out.“I’m aware of that, Caitlyn. It’s a family joke,” she chuckled a bit nervously.“Oh…… Funny,” Cait rolled her eyes a bit. Ekko’s dad sat nearby reading a book before he spoke to change the topic.“Damnit. Will somebody please tell me why I read this spy crap?” he asked.“Oh, because you’re an idiot, Dad,” Ekko joked and he chuckled.“Oh yeah, that's why,” Mr Sawyer agreed as the whole family of Sawyers laughed while the Divas did not.“So kids, any big plans for tonight?” his mother asked.“Yeah, there’s a big homecoming party at Mylo Sweeney's house so I'm gonna catch a ride with Cait,” Ekko told his mom.“Speaking of which,” Cait said, giving him a hint before she dropped her croquet ball on the food Mrs Sawyer joked as pate. She gave a cocky grin before her and the Divas started to leave.“Okay, uh… great pate, Mom, but I gotta motor if we want to be ready in time for this party,” Ekko told his mom who took his hand.“Don't let these popular girls change you,” she told him.“I need them,” Ekko argued.“What for? You have other friends. You have Claggor,” she argued back.“Maybe I want more out of life than liverwurst, Mom.” Ekko hissed as he ran to catch up with his new friends.“Those girls seem really nice,” Mr Sawyer stated while reading his book.Ekko caught up with The Divas at the car and climbed in to head to the party.
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On the way to the party the group stopped at a 7-11 gas station, the Divas of course sent Ekko in to get the snacks alone.“Ekko! Don’t forget the corn nuts! It’s not a party without corn nuts!” Cait yelled from the driver's seat at him.“BQ or plain?” Ekko asked walking backwards to see her.“BQ!” she yelled with a scoff like it was obvious. Ekko turned and went inside to gather the snacks and drinks he was sent for. He had a small hand basket from the front of the store to hold everything. Thankfully Cait gave him cash though since she was loaded.While shopping a voice rang out from behind him as he was grabbing the barbecue corn nuts.“Greetings and salutations. You want a Slurpee with that?” she asked.Ekko turned to see the same long blue braids as earlier as she held a blue slurpee in her hand, it matched her hair.“No, but if you’re nice, I’ll let you buy me a Big Gulp,” Ekko teased with a bit of a flirty tone.“That’s like going to Micky D’s and ordering a salad. Slurpee’s the signature dish of the house. Did you say cherry or lime?” she smiled at him.“I said Big Gulp. I’m Ekko, by the way. Are you ever gonna tell me your name?”“I’ll end the suspense,” she finally said dramatically with a bow before taking his hand and shaking it roughly. “Jinx Dean, JD for short.”“So, JD. That thing you pulled in the caf’ was pretty severe,” he told her when she was done shaking his hand.“Well, the extreme always seems to make an impression,” she said and he chuckled a bit nervously.“So, what’s a Baudelaire-quoting, badass like you doing in Sherwood, Ohio?” he asked.“My dad’s work. He owns a deconstruction company,” she informed.“Decontrustion?” he asked, confused.“Well, the old man seems to enjoy tearing things down. You seen the commercial? “My name’s
Big Silco Dean, if it’s in the way, I’ll make your day.”” she told him with a quote of her dads commercial.“Then he pushes the plunger and the screen blows up?” he asked with a loud and real laugh. But then he coughed to hide it and blushed a bit not meaning to be rude. “…That’s your dad?”“In all his semi-psychotic glory.”“Ya know, everyone’s life has got static.” Ekko said as they heard a car horn from outside and Caits voice louder than ever.“Ekko!!” she screamed.“For example, I don’t really like my friends,” Ekko admitted.“I don’t really like your friends either. Bag the party, hang here,” Jinx suggested.“Oh, 7Eleven. Swanky first date,” Ekko rolled his eyes.“Hey… I love this place,” Jinx told him with a sip of her blue drink.“No offense, but… why?” Ekko asked.“I've been through ten high schools, they start to get blurry. No point planting roots, 'cause you're gone in a hurry. My dad keeps two suitcases packed in the den, so it's only a matter of when. I don't learn their names, don't bother with faces. All I can trust is this concrete oasis. Seems every time I'm about to despair, there's a 7-Eleven right there.”“Each store is the same, from Las Vegas to Boston. Linoleum aisles that I love to get lost in. I pray at my altar of slush. Yeah, I live for that sweet frozen rush…” she explained before taking a massive sip of her slurpee. She then grimaced from a brain freeze before giggling.“Freeze your brain. Suck on that straw, get lost in the pain. Happiness comes, when everything numbs. Who needs cocaine? Freeze your brain…. Care for a hit?” she offered him the cup.“Does your mommy know that you eat all that crap?” he asked.“Not anymore. When Mom was alive,” she started to explain and his face dropped.“We lived halfway normal. Now it's just me and my dad, we're less formal. I learned to cook pasta, I learned to pay rent. Learned the world doesn't owe you a cent. You're planning your future, Ekko Sawyer, you'll go to some college, and marry a lawyer. But the sky's gonna hurt when it falls. So you’d better start building some walls…” she sipped her drink and grinned.“Freeze your brain. Swim in the ice, Get lost in the pain. Shut your eyes tight, ‘Till you vanish from sight, Let nothing remain. Freeze your brain, Shatter your skull, Fight pain with more pain. Forget who you are, Unburden your load, Forget in six weeks you'll be back on the road. When the voice in your head, Says you're better off dead, Don't open a vein! Just freeze your brain, Freeze your brain, Go on and freeze your brain... Try it,”Ekko took the cup finally and took a sip. “Yeah, I don’t really see Oh, son of a bitch!” he hissed before getting his own brain freeze. Jinx smiled as she watched him. But then the door to the store opened.“Ekko!?” Cait hissed.“Oh god, I uh I gotta go,” Ekko told her.“”So I see,” Jinx rolled her eyes.“Corn nuts?” Cait asked.“Yeah, yeah, they’re right here. Sorry, sorry,” Ekko replied.“Wave bye bye to Red Dawn here and let’s motor!” Cait ordered.“Sorry,” Ekko said to Jinx as the two left to go pay and then head to their party.
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Mylo and Jayce were setting up for their part and Mylos home as their fathers were getting ready to leave.“Okay, Mylo, have fun tonight but I expect you to act your age. If the neighbors complain about the noise, Paul and I are going to march in here and knock the sand out of your vagina. Do you understand me?” his dad Bill threatened.“Dude, what am I, like five?” Mylo rolled his eyes.“I'm your dad, not your dude,” Bill reminded him.“That goes double for you, Jayce. You're a guest at Bill's house and you will treat it with Respect,” Jayce’s father added on.“Sure thing dad,” Jayce agreed, rolling his eyes as the two men started to leave.“The parents are gone and I got my party slippers on!” Mylo exclaimed and soon some students began to arrive. “Dad says “act our age”, you heard the man, it’s time to rage!”“Blast the bass, turn out the light, Ain't nobody home tonight!” a student yelled turning on some music.“Drink, smoke, it's all cool. Let's get naked in my pool!” Mylo exclaimed his idea and ran off with some people who agreed.“The folks are gone, It's time for big fun! Big fun! We're up till dawn, Having some big fun! Big fun! When Mom and Dad forget, To lock the liquor cabinet, It's big fun! Big fun! Big fun!” some students cheered.Ekko was holding some shot items as he was already a bit drunk from a different drink he had.“Okay, okay, okay, so it’s salt, lime, then… shot!” he did it in that order as Maddie spoke.“No, salt, then shot-” she started.“You’re doing it wrong!” Cait hissed.“Wait, really? 'Cause I feel great,” Ekko chuckled as someone came up and winked at him.“Ekko you are looking good tonight!” he told the boy.“Whoa. A hot guy smiled at me, Without a trace of mockery! Stoned. Zoned. I should quit… Hey, is that weed? I want a hit,” he was then given a joint the stoners were smoking and he took a hit before handing it back.‘Dreams are coming true, When people laugh, but not at you! I'm not alone! I'm not afraid! I feel like Bono at Live Aid!’ Ekko thought to himself.“The house is ours, It's time for big fun! Big fun! Let's use their showers! That sounds like, big fun! Big fun! Crack open one more case!” someone else said.“I think that's what they call "first base”” Ekko laughed seeing a couple making out on a couch.Jayce holds up a pig piñata with a sign that says ‘Jefferson Razorbacks’. “Alright, everybody, listen up! What is Westerberg gonna do to the Razorbacks at Sunday's game?” he asked.“Gonna make 'em go “Whee! Whee! Whee! Whee!”” Mylo exclaimed as he humped the piñata laughing.“Way to show maturity!” Violet rolled her eyes before Mylo came over to wrap his arms around her and try to hump at her. She quickly smacked his hands and shoved him. “Quit it jackass, get off of me!”“Yo! Mylo! Emergency! I just saw some freshman sneaking over the pool fence,” Ekko told him to distract him, and it worked.“I hate freshman! Where are you little pricks? I'm coming for you…” Mylo said before running off.“Are you okay?” Ekko asked Violet.“I didn't need your help,” Violet hissed as she flipped the boy off.“Aw, thanks, Vi, but I don’t really have to vomit right now. Get it? The finger?” he shot back.“You need a jello shot!” Jayce chimed in with a laugh giving each girl a shot to do.That was when Cait’s voice caught everyone's attention. “Claggor Dumptruck, in the flesh!” she yelled when the male had arrived.“Here comes the Cootie Squad. We should-” Violet began.“Shut up Violet!” Cait yelled at her.“Sorry Cait,” she replied.“Look who's with him! Oh my God!” Maddie pointed as Ekko had approached Claggor.“I can't believe you actually came,” he said a bit worried for his friend.“It's exciting, right? Oh, excuse me, I want to say hello to Mylo. I brought sparkling cider!” he grinned.“Showing up here took some guts, time to rip them out,” Cait said to the Divas as she grabbed the pig piñata and tossed it to Violet who held it up high.“Well, who's this pig remind you of? Especially the snout,” Violet laughed.But Claggor approached a confused Mylo still looking for Freshman.“Hi, Mylo. Uh, I wasn't gonna come, but since you took the time to write that sweet note…” he started as Mylo took the cider he held and began to open it.“What note? Why do you gotta be so weird all the time? People wouldn't hate you so much if you acted normal,” Mylo told him as he began to drink the cider. But then he spit out onto Claggors face quickly. “There's no alcohol in here! Are you trying to poison me?”“Okay, Westerburgers, it’s time to celebrate our upcoming victory over the Razorbacks by whacking apart their mascot,” Cait and the Divas came back with the piñata.“We need a volunteer to take the first swing at the piñata,” Maddie exclaimed.“Claggor Dunnstock. I think you should do the honors,” Cait said going up to him.“I don’t really know this game…” he said a bit unsure as Cait and Maddie smiled at him.“Let’s show this guy some Westerburg spirit!” Maddie exclaimed again. “Claggor!” she began to chant and others joined in.“Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor! Claggor!” While everyone chanted, the two girls got the blindfold on top of Claggors face.“Bring out the piñata!” Maddie announces as Violet comes in with the big dressed to look like Claggor with his glasses and shirt he always wore. Everyone began to laugh besides Ekko who came to grab it.“Give it to me!” he hissed.He tried to take it and had to play a game of tug of war with Violet who was much stronger than she looked. But soon he won and had the item that he tossed into the pool.“What is your damage, Cait? If you want this thing, just swim for it,” he told her as he walked over to Claggor who was taking off his blind fold.“What’s going on?” Claggor asked.“Just go home, okay? I’ll explain it to you later,” Ekko told him softly.“No, I was going to-” he was cut off by Ekko.“Listen to me. Listen, just go, okay? Go,” Ekko told him a bit more sternly as Claggor looked at him then the Divas. He then nodded and ran off to leave the party.“Well, we gave it a shot, okay? I’m resigning my position from the lip gloss Gestapo. I’m going back to civilian life,” Ekko told the Divas.“No,” Cait said giving him a shove. He was soon pushed into Violet sho shoved him to MAddie who shoved him back to Cait.“Don’t spin me, I’m not feeling well,” he said as they kept pushing him around.“You don’t get to be a nobody. Come Monday, you’re an ex somebody. Not even the losers will touch you now. Transfer to Washington, transfer to Jefferson. No one at Westerburg’s gonna let you play their reindeer games!” Cait said before Ekko soon lost his drinks on her shoes from the pushing. Cait screeched. “I raised you up from nothing! And what’s my thanks?! I get paid in puke!”“Oh, lick it up, baby. Lick. It. Up!” Ekko hissed with an eye roll.“I know who I’m eating lunch with on Monday… Do you?” Cait crossed her arms as Ekko looked to other students who all turned away from him. He then ran off from the party himself.“Okay, party people! Where’s the goddamn keg?” Cait yelled.
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‘The demon queen of high school has decreed it. She says Monday, 8AM, I will be deleted. They'll hunt me down in study hall, stuff and mount me on the wall. Thirty hours to live, how shall I spend them? I don't have to stay and die like cattle. I could change my name and ride up to Seattle. But I don't own a motorbike…Wait. Here's an option that I like, spend these thirty hours gettin' freaky!’ he wrote in his diary. He found himself sneaking out of his own window that night and found himself able to find the Dean house. He smirked as he looked up to the window that he assumed was Jinx’s“I need it hard, I'm a dead boy walking. I'm in your yard, I'm a dead boy walking. Before they punch my clock, I'm snappin' off your window lock. Got no time to knock, I'm a dead boy walking…” he chuckled as he was climbing a tree to his window before he opened it up and came inside.He looked around at the dark and gothic room with many graffiti doodles on the walls.“Ekko? What are you doing in my room?” she asked.“Sh... Sorry, but I really had to wake you. See, I decided I must ride you ‘till I break you. 'Cause Caitlyn says I gots to go, you're my last meal on death row. Shut your mouth and lose them tighty whities!” he explained and Jinx seemed to smirk at him. “Come on! Tonight I'm yours, I'm your dead boy walking. Get on all fours, kiss this dead boy walking. Let's go, you know the drill. I'm hot and pissed are you on the pill? Bow down to the will of a dead boy walking!”Soon enough the two were stripping off their shirts as Ekko got closer to her and placed a deep kiss to her lips before he spoke.“And you know, you know, you know, it's 'cause you're beautiful. You say you're numb inside, but I can't agree. So the world's unfair, keep it locked out there. In here it's beautiful. Let's make this beautiful!” Jinx tossed her shirt aside with a shrug.“That works for me,” she agreed as Ekko pressed another kiss to her this time climbing onto the bed she sat on to be above her as she laid on her back while kissing him back.“Full steam ahead! Take this dead boy walking!”“How'd you find my address?” she asked.“Let's break the bed. Rock this dead boy walking!”“I think you tore my mattress!”“No sleep tonight for you, Bbetter chug that Mountain Dew.”“Okay, okay.”“Get your ass in gear. Make this whole town disappear!”“Okay, okay!”“Slap me! Pull my hair! Touch me there and there and there!” he guided her hands on him with a smile. “And no more talking. Love this dead boy walking!” The two began to remove the rest of their clothes as they fondled each other's bodies clumsily as two virgins.Everything was a bit of a blur and soon he was seeing Caitlyn in the room mocking him.“Hello, slut,” the girl hissed.“Cait? How did you get in here?” Ekko questioned.“I’m like oxygen. I’m everywhere. Really, Ekko? Sleeping with psycho-trench-coat-kid?” she cackled. “I will crucify you for this. Everyone at school’s gonna know good, little Ekko is nothing but a dirty whore.” she taunted.“Why are you so determined to hurt me?" he questioned.“Because I can. It’ll be so very. Very. Very. Very. Very. Very. Very. Very. Very-” she was cut off by Ekko waking up in bed cuddling Jinx.“Oh my God. Oh, my God, it was just a dream,” he mumbled. But he quickly pushed away from the girl and got up to start getting dressed.“What’s the rush?” she asked with confusion in her tone.“I have to get to Caitlyn’s house,” he admitted.“What? You told me you were done with Caitlyn,” Jinx argued as she stood up to get dressed herself.“Yeah, and it was a sweet fantasy a world without Cait. A world where everyone is free. Now it’s morning. I have to go kiss her aerobicized ass,” he informed her.“No,” she argued.“Yes… I’m not strong like you are,” he was putting his shoes on now.“Let me come with,” she offered.“Wait, really?”“Yeah… For backup.”“Okay. Thank you,” he came over to her once they were both dressed and gave her a soft kiss. “Oh… by the way… uh… you were my first.” He winked at her and patted her back as she chuckled. They then left the Dean household.
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Ekko and Jinx found themselves at the Chandler house, they were greeted by her parents who let them in since they recognized Ekko as her friend.When they got to the tall Diva leaders room Cait was just waking up from her beauty sleep.“Caitlyn?? Cait?” Ekko asked as she sat up and removed her red sleep mask that matched her silk pajamas.“What?” She asked with a drowsy tone.“it's Ekko.. I'm here to apologize,” he admitted.“Hope you brought kneepads, bitch!” Cait hissed from her bed. “Fix me a Prairie Oyster and I’ll think about it.” Ekko and Jinx went to the kitchen to do as told and fix a drink.“Prairie Oyster? What is in that? Oh, okay! Raw eggs, vinegar…” he started mixing it at.“Hot sauce, Worchester, salt, and pepper,” Jinx told him.“You know your hangover cures,” Ekko chuckled with his compliment to her.“My dad trained me well,” she replied with her own chuckle.“Look, look, look, look, look. Here’s my revenge. I’m gonna put a flemglobber in her PrairieOyster and she’ll never know. Ready?” Ekko chuckled as he began to spit into the drink he made. That was when Jinx opened a cabinet and pulled out some cleaner.“I’m more of a no-rust-build-up gal myself,” she grinned mischievously.“Okay. Don’t be a dick. That stuff would kill her,” Ekko argued as Jinx only smirked.“Thus, ending her hangover!” She pointed out as she poured the cleaner in a cup. She held the cup up and looked at it after adding other ingredients. “I say, we go with big blue.”“You can’t just go uh,” he paused. “Besides, she would never drink something that looks like that.”“Right... We use a mug. That way, she’ll have no idea what she’s drinking,” she said as poured the concoction into a mug. But Ekko seemed hesitant and unsure about this idea she pitched. “Chicken. Bawk, bawk,” she teased.“No. You're not funny,” Ekko replied sternly.“Okay, okay,” jinx agreed setting the mug by the other identical one Ekko had made. “I’m sorry,” she added before kissing him.“Prairie Oyster! Chop, chop!” They heard cait yell from her room as they kissed. Ekko was still looking at his new partner as he grabbed a mug without looking.“Ekko you…” Jinx started. “What?” He asked.“Nevermind,” Jinx smiled again and the two went back to Cait's room with the mug.“Good morning Caitlyn,” Ekko greeted.“Aw, Ekko… and Jesse James, quelle surprise. Well, let’s get to it. Beg.” Caitlyn stood from her bed with her arms crossed.“Okay, um. I think that last night we both said a lot things that we-” Ekko was cut off by Cait.“’Id actually prefer if you did this on your knees. In front of your girl toy here,” Caitlyn watched as Ekko chuckled a bit but stayed standing.“Umm… I'm really sorry-” he continued.“Do I look like I'm kidding? DOWN!” she hissed and Ekko got on his knees finally. She simply laughed at him. “Nice. But you're still dead to me,” she stated taking the mug he had from him.Jinx smirked watching as Caitlyn began to drink from the mug. A moment later she pulled it from her lips and made a face. That was when she began to cough, which turned into gags. She clutched her throat as she choked and Ekko rushed over full of confusion.“Corn. Nuts,” Cait croaked out before collapsing onto her bedroom floor.“Holy shit,” Jinx said but she had the hint of a smirk still.“Oh my God. Oh my God! Don’t just stand there, call 911!” Ekko panicked.“It’s a little late for that,” she chuckled a bit, coming over to him and Cait.“Caitlyn! Caitlyn. Cait,” he repeated as he shook her. “Oh my God. Oh my God, I just killed my best friend!”“And your worst enemy,” Jinx pointed out.“Same difference! I mean the police are gonna think that I did this on purpose. Oh my God,they’re gonna have to send my SAT scores to San Quentin,” Ekko was even more panicked now as he stood up.“Unless…” Jinx trailed off in thought. She then went to the girls nightstand and grabbed a dook. “Oh, look, she was reading “The Bell Jar”.”“Oh no,” Ekko said seeing her plan develop without words.“Oh, yes,” she grinned. “You can fake her handwriting. Just make it sound deep. Like this: I had pain in my path, like Silvia Plath, my problems were myriad…”“I was having my period,” Ekko finished with a chuckle. That was when he saw the dead girls body again and panic came back. “Oh my God!”“You think this is funny? You could go to jail! Get your head on straight, now!”“Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Caitlyn would never use the word myriad because she missed it on her vocab quiz last week,” Ekko was now thinking more clearly on how to make this work.“So, it’s a badge for her failures at school. Work with me.” Jinx gave him a slight shake of the shoulders.“Okay, okay. Um. Where do I start?”“Think. Long and hard. What would she say? What’s her her final statement to a cold, uncaring planet?” she asked and Ekko nodded, grabbing his notepad. He began to write in Caits handwriting as he narrated.“Uh, ‘Dear World,’ uh…. ‘Believe it or not, I knew about fear, I knew the way loneliness stung. I hid behind smiles and crazy hot clothes; I learned to kiss boys with my tongue.’” he began.“That's good,” Jinx encouraged him.“‘But oh, the world, it held me down…’Uh…’It weighed like a concrete prom queen crown.’ Hmmm… ‘No one thinks a pretty girl has feelings. No one gets her insecurity. I am more than shoulder pads and makeup. No one sees the me inside of me.’”“Jesus, you're making me sound like Air Supply,” he could hear the dead voice of Caitlyn mocking him.“Keep going! That's good enough to fool the cops,” she encouraged him more with a grin.Soon they had to tell Cait parents and two cops entered the bedroom.“Whoa! Is it murder?” One asked.“No look, a suicide note,” the other said as he picked it up.He read out loud the rest of the note.“‘They couldn't see past my rockstar mystique, they wouldn't dare look in my eyes. But just underneath was a terrified girl, who clings to her pillow and cries. My looks were just like prison bars. They've left me a myriad of scars-’”That was when Ekko saw another vision of Caitlyn who only chuckled, “Myriad. Nice.”Soon the note was being read at school for the student body to hear.“‘No one thinks a pretty girl has substance. That's the curse of popularity. I am more than just a source of handjobs. No one sees the me inside of me.’”“Caitlyn Chandler’s not your everyday suicide,” the principal spoke up.“Principal Heimerdinger, you should cancel classes,” the football coach chipped in.“No way, Coach. I send the kids home before lunch and the switchboard will light up like a Christmas tree! We’re just gonna have to power through this one,” he added.“‘Box up my clothing for Goodwill, and give the poor my Nordic Track. Donate my car to crippled kids, or to those ghetto moms on crack. Give them my hats and my CDs, my pumps, my flats, my three TVs! No one thinks a pretty girl has feelings, but I weep for all I failed to be. Maybe I can help the world by leaving. Maybe that’s the me inside of me.’”“Aw, hell. Long weekend for everybody!” The principal finally announced and everyone cheered. They began to leave the assembly as Mrs. Fleming was handing out papers.“Alright, not so fast, kids. Here, take these and pass them around now. They're Fueling the buses, which gives us a solid half hour of healing. Now, I've mimeographed copies of the suicide note so you can feel Caitlyn's anguish,” she told them as some students stayed back for a group therapy session.“I never knew about her pain,” Maddie admitted in the therapy circle.“Go on!” The teacher encouraged.“Her life had hit a rocky patch,” a boy expressed as Mrs Fleming nodded more.“Feel!” She grinned.“Deep down she wasn't cruel or vain,” a girl said.“Ekko, you've been awfully quiet, what's on your mind?” The teacher asked him.“Uh, maybe Cait realized that, uh, in order to be happy she had to give up her power.And the only way to do that was... death?” He said and she nodded.“My God. Look what we've done, we're breaking through! Caitlyn would be so proud of you!” Mrs. Fleming grinned more.“‘No one thinks a pretty girl can touch you…’”“Caitlyn touching me,” a girl smiled at the wording.“‘But she's made us better than we were. Caitlyn’s dead, but she will live inside me, and I'll be the me inside of her…’”“Holy crap! This is awesome!” The hallucination of Caitlyn exclaimed by Ekkos side as he tried to ignore her.“‘Caitlyn cried, our sins fell on her shoulders!’”“Jesus Christ!” Cait was getting louder in his head.“‘Caitlyn died, so we could all be free!’”“I'm bigger than John Lennon!” Ekko tried to cover his ears of her before others began to share again.“Caitlyn's gone, but she will live forever,” the teacher said.“She's the dove that sings outside my window,” Violet said showing sadness for the friend she crushed on.“She's the twin from whom I'm separated,” a boy stated.“She's the horse I never got for Christmas,” a girl said.“Caitlyn sees the me inside of me!”
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The next day Ekko was over at the Dean house with Jinx just sitting on her couch watching TV. That was when Violet appeared on the news screen.“At a time like this, negative people choose to focus on their grief. Well, I hate those people, because I am a very positive person. I remember the good times, like when Cait and I got our ears pierced at the mall-” as Violet spoke Jinx changed the channel to another news outlet that also had Violet. “I can still hear those late night talks on the phone.” She changed it again and it had Violet speaking in another language on another news Channel.“Alright! Turn it off, turn it off. Man, how many networks does she run to?” Ekko said and she did as told by clicking the tv off. That was when a man with a large face scar entered and saw the two.“Why sweetie, I didn't hear you come in,” he said.“Yeah,” she said softly.“Pop. I wanted to introduce you to my new boyfriend,” he said pretending to be her and the man shook Ekkos hand. “I'm Silco Dean,” he added as Ekko stood to shake his hand.“I'm Ekko, hi,” he greeted back. That was when he handed the boy a beer with a wink.“Drink up cutie,” he encouraged and Ekko looked unsure.“It’s a little… early,” he rejected the can.“Oh… so you're a good boy?” He asked with a chuckle.“Oh… uhhh…” Ekko didn't know how to reply.“Ekko was just leaving,” Jinx interrupted.“Come on, relax. Just having some fun, huh? Sit, sit,” Silco encouraged again and Ekko sat back down. That's when the man sat right by her. “So, work was a real pain in the ass today. Some damn tribe of withered old bitches is trying to stop your poor old dad from blowing up this fleabag motel, all because Glenn Miller once took a dump there. Just like Kansas. You remember Kansas?”“Yeah,” Jinx said as she rolled her eyes, not caring.“The save the memorial oak society. I showed those tree humpers. Thirty bricks of C4 explosives stuck to the trunk. He was-”“Arraigned but acquitted,” Jinx and her dad Silco said together. Silco laughed about it but Jinx seemed less interested.“Damn Kansas…” she grumbled.“Hell of a time, hell of a time. So, can I invite my boyfriend over for supper?” He said pretending to be Jinx who once again rolled her eyes.“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Son,” she played along this time.“Aw, don’t be a square,” he chuckled.“Oh, I, um, I appreciate the offer, I really do, but I can’t stay, actually, ‘cause my mom is making my favorite meal tonight. It’s spaghetti. Lots of oregano,” Ekko politely declined.“Nice. Last time I saw my mom, she was waving to me outside a window of a library in Texas, right, Dad?” Jinx dropped some lore in the conversation.“Right…” he agreed.“Okay. Well, see ya tomorrow,” Ekko replied, rushing from the house to get to his own home. As he got up to his room he started a diary entry.‘Dear Diary. JD's dad will NOT be speaking at our wedding,’ he started to write when his phone rang.“Hello?” He asked.“Ekko!? I need your help, I'm at the cemetery,” Maddie's soft voice spoke over the phone.“Whats wrong?” He asked.“Just hurry up! Please? It's an emergency,” she pleaded and he nodded to himself.“Okay, I'm coming,” he agreed. He shut his diary and was off to the cemetery.But when he got there he saw Maddie’s car with her in it. So he went up to her window which she rolled down.“Hey?” Ekko said as she smiled at him.“Hi,” she greeted. That was when Ekko pointed to a passed out Jayce on the ground.“Is Jayce okay?” He asked.“Oh, he passed out. Me and Jayce and Mylo and Violet Duke came out to pour a jug of Thunderbird on Cait’s grave. You know, from her homies. But Jayce and Mylo drank it all. Then Violet and Mylo went off together and Jayce started grabbing me and wouldn’t stop,” she explained from the car.“Oh… Wait, after everything that happened at Mylo’s party, why did you call me?” He asked.“Oh, well, that was the deal. If I got you to come, Jayce promised to leave me alone,” she finally told him.“So… so, you avoided daterape by volunteering me… for daterape?” He asked.“God, you make it sound ugly,” Maddie rolled her eyes.“Im leaving now,” Ekko stated as Jayce began to stand and watch him.“Hey Ekko, I waited ten whole beers for you…” he smirked as he tried to touch the male who slapped his hand. He fell down with a drunk stumbled as Violet entered with Mylo following her.“Goddammit Mylo, I said I'm done!” The pinkette hissed.“Come on Violet, don't walk away,” Mylo slurred.“Sober up idiot. Maddie, unlock the door,” she said as Maddie did so and Violet climbed into the car locking the doors again.“You can’t leave me like this. Ugh… You’re causing physical pain in my “area”. It’s science, Ineed relief,” Mylo argued. Thats when Jayce nudged him and motioned to Ekko who he hadn't noticed.“Hey Ekko~” Mylo started as Ekko scoffed.“Ew. You’ve got a left hand use it,” he told him.As the boys approached Ekko he pulled at the car handle that was locked. “Maddie, Violet, open the door,” he argued and they ignored him.The boys spent some time trying to touch on him, making excuses and such as he kept pushing them away. Thankfully it didn't last too long before both passed out drunk and he was able to run off and home. However little did he know the next day would still be just as bad.In his room the next morning he was writing in his diary again.‘Dear Diary: Close call last night. Uh, the only person at Westerburg who could actually control Jayce and Mylo was Caitlyn Chandler. And she is dead.’ He wrote with a sigh. That was when he saw the girl he was writing about before him again.“Should’ve thought of that before you killed me,” the vision said before gagging and holding her throat. When she was done she rolled her eyes. “God. I’m going to be coughing up drain cleaner for eternity!”‘I didn’t technically kill Cait, and I know that, but I still feel bad. But… not as bad as I should? And that makes me feel even worse,” he said to himself in an empty room before sighing. He had to get to school anyways.When he got there he saw Violet and Maddie at Caits old locker and went up to them.“Oh, hey, guys. Still really looking forward to that apology from both of you for being two ice-cold-bitches last night,” he stated.“Um, cleaning out Cait’s locker, little respect,” Violet told him As he saw Cait once again before him.“Ugh. Violet Duke was such a sad little poser. Ekko, tell her to stop touching my stuff.… Ekko? Ekko!!” The hallucination yelled at him.“SHUT UP!” he finally yelled at Cait but Violet took it perosnally.“You shut up! I don’t have to shut up anymore!” Violet finally held up a red scrunchies from the locker.“Hey, that’s Cait’s scrunchie,” Maddie pointed out.“Shut up Maddie!” Violet yelled.“Sorry Violet,” Maddie replied falling into place easily.“Cait is gone. It's up to me to replace her,” the pinkette said as she tied her hair up with the scrunchie she had. As she did Jinx approached watching her.“Replace Caitlyn Chandler?” Ekko asked.“Please. You need to worry less about me, and more about your reputation. Jayce and Mylo have been telling the whole school about your little threeway last night,” she teased him.“Threeway?” Jinx questioned as she got closer to Ekko.“But there was no threeway, nothing happened,” Ekko reminded her.“I remember diferently. I seem to remember there was a…” Violet trailed off as the two jocks were talking about it already as they came by.“Big swordfight in his mouth!” The male's explained what they thought happened last night.“And he allowed it?” A boy asked them and they nodded.“Big swordfight in his mouth!” they repeated.“It sure sounds crowded!” Violet laughed.“I hope he rinsed it!” Maddie laughed as well.“He blew and blew and blew,” Mylo explained more.“Like they were balloons,” Jayce agreed.“He'll do the same for you!” Violet told everyone. As Ekko felt tears stinging his eyes he ran to Jinx who opened her arms to hug him, not believing the rumors.“He blew, not one guy, but two. He blew and blew and blew,” students teased.“Ekko blew two. If his mother only knew, that Ekko blew two,” Violet taunted.“He's like some freak in a zoo. And every word is true, Ekko blew two!” Everyone began to taunt him as he cried into a comforting Jinx.But that was when Jinx kissed his cheek before approaching the two jocks. She had intentions of fighting them again but they were prepared this time.They dodged her first punch and Jayce quickly grabbed her arms to hold her while Mylo began to punch her. Her face, her stomach, it didn't matter. The two jocks erre beating on her when a teacher came and yelled to break it up.
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After the fight was broken up Ekko kneeled to the ground by the bruised and bleeding Jinx who didn't seem to care about herself at all.“Oh my God. Are you okay? Can you look at me? Are you okay?” He asked as she nodded her head, blue hair swaying.“Yeah. What about you?” She asked.“Oh, yeah. No, I’m fine. I’m awesome…” he lied as he began to tear up again. He covered his mouth with a hand as tears dripped down. “I’m sorry about the waterworks, I’m just…”“hey made you cry, but that will end tonight. You are the only thing that's right, about this broken world. Go on and cry, but when the morning comes, we'll burn it down and then, we'll build the world again… Our love is God,” Jinx told him cupping his cheeks to look into his eyes. She raised together her feet to start walking as Ekko followed.“Are you okay?” He asked.“I was alone. I was a frozen lake, but then you melted me awake. See, now I'm crying too…” she fought her tears. “You're not alone.”“You're not alone…” Ekko told her.“And when the morning comes,” Jinx continued.“When the morning comes…” Ekko repeated.“We'll burn away that tear, and raise our city here…”“Our love is God,” they said in sync.The two went to Ekko’s home and had started to make a plan for revenge. So Ekko took out his phone and called Jayce looking at Jinx.“Yellow?” Jayce answered.“Hi Jayce,” Ekko said with a smirk.“It’s Ekko,” he heard Jayce say to Mylo who was with him.“Um, hey, how did you know it was always a fantasy of mine to have two guys at once?” he asked as he could see Jinx hold back a laugh.“Uhhh… Lucky guess?” Jayce replied.“Well, if you want it to come true, then meet me at the cemetery. At dawn,” Ekko said, hanging up.“We can start and finish wars, we're what killed the dinosaurs. We're the asteroid that's overdue. The dinosaurs choked on the dust, they died because God said they must. The new world needed room, for me and you… I worship you. I'd trade my life for yours. We’ll make them disappear, We'll plant our garden here…” Jinx told him.“Our love is God.” they said together. That was when Jinx pulled something from the deep pocket on the trench coat she wore.A gun.“Whoa, wow… Is that real?” Ekko asked stepping back a bit.“Yeah… But we're filling it with "Ich Luge" bullets,” she told him, twirling the gun around.“Ich Luge...? What?”“My grandad scored them in World War II. They contain this powerful tranquilizer. The Nazis used them to fake their own suicides when the Russians invaded Berlin. We will use them toknock out Mylo and Jayce just long enough to make it look like a suicide pact complete with aforged suicide note,” she told him and soon Ekko began to write what she told him.“‘Mylo and I died because we had to hide our gay forbidden love from a disapproving world.’”“And when the morning comes, they'll both be laughing stocks...So let's go hunt some jocks!” Jinx grinned as they left the home with the gun and note.At the cemetery Jinx hid behind a tall gravestone as Ekko waited leaning on another one. That was when he saw the boys approaching.“Hey, hi, hi,” Mylo giggled a bit.“Hi, Ekko,” Jayce added.“So do we just like, whip it out or what?” Mylo asked.“Take it slow, Mylo. Strip for me,” Ekko played along.“Okay,” the boys said in unison as they did as told, both starting with their shirts to pants and standing in their boxers. Ekko tried to stifle a laugh as he watched.“Oh… wow…” he said.“You like that?” Jayce asked.“I love that…” he lied.“What about you?” Jayce asked another question.“Oh, well, um, I was hoping you could rip my clothes off me, sport…” he said trying to not gag.“Yeah, we can do that,” the boys agreed together.“Okay, count of three!” Ekko told them as he took a step back.“One…” all three said together. “Two…”“Three!” Jinx stepped out from the grave she hid at and shot at both of them with the gun. Hitting Mylo in the chest and missing Jayce.“Holy crap! You killed my best friend!” Jayce screamed as he began to run away.“Stay there. I'll get him! Jayce? Jayce!” Jinc started to go after him as Ekko looked at Mylo on the ground. He approached him and kneeled down to shake him a bit.“Why are you chasing me?!” he could hear Jayce yell as Ekko grew concerned.“Mylo? You're just unconscious, right, Mylo? Mylo!” he shook the body more and noticed the blood pooling from him. He looked up and followed the other two to see Jayce on a fence while Jinx aimed.“Get off the fence! Get off the damn fence!” she screamed at him.“I don't understand!” Jayce yelled still climbing.“We can start and finish wars. We're what killed the dinosaurs. We're the asteroid that's overdue.” Jinx grinned wickedly.“Stop being a dick!” Jayce yelled again.“The dinosaurs will turn to dust,” Jinx went on.“What does that mean?!” Jayce asked while crying.“They'll die because we say they must!!!” Jinx hissed while shooting him, not once, not twice, three times. All in the back as he fell off the fence into his own blood.“What the fuck have you done?!” Ekko asked with a trembling voice.“...I worship you. I'd trade my life for yours. We'll make them disappear. We'll plant our garden here… Our love is God. Our love is God. Our love is God. Our love is God. Our love is God.” she repeated as she stepped closer to hug him.Ekko was terrified as he leaned into her hug and let her arms wrap around him.“Our love is God…” they repeated in unison.
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‘Dear Diary: I'm going steady. Mostly she's awesome, If a bit too rock and roll. Lately she's bumped off, Three of my classmates. God have mercy on my soul. They were just seventeen. They still had room to grow. They could've turned out good. But now we'll never know…’ Ekko wrote in his diary while walking down the hallway.That was when he shut the book and saw Jinx and he turned to go another way.“There's been a lack of guys climbing through my bedroom window lately,” she teased following him.“Take a hint,” he hissed.“Okay. You're mad, I get it.” she was cut off by him.“No, I don't think you do. "Ich Luge bullets"? You lied to me,” he scolded.“You were lying to yourself. You wanted them dead too,” she pointed out.“Did not!” he argued.“Did too.”“Did not!”“Did too!”“Did not!”“Hey! Did they make you cry?” she asked.“Yes….”“Can they make you cry now?” she asked.“No, but you can,” he told her as he went to leave again.“Just wait 'till you see the good that comes of this,” she called to him.“No good could possibly come of this,” he stated.“Call me an optimist,” she smirked a bit. As he walked, Ekko took out the diary once more.‘Dear Diary: My teenage bullshit has a body count……’After the normal school day everyone went to the church for the joint ceremony of the two boys who had “killed themselves.”“I don't really know what I'm supposed to say up here. I'm ashamed, certainly. My family has turned our town into a laughing stock. My boy Jayce isn't who I thought he was, and when I think of the sick, disgusting things Jayce and Mylo were doing-” his dad was cut off.“You wait just a minute, Paul! It is ignorant, hateful talk like yours that makes this world a place our boys could not live in! They were not dirty! They were not wrong! They were two lonely verses, In the Lord's great song!” Mylo’s father Bill chimed in from his seat on the pew.“Our boys were pansies, Bill!” Paul argued.“Yes! My boy's a homosexual, and that don't scare me none. I want the world to know… I love my dead gay son! I've been thinking, praying. Reading some magazines. And it's time we opened our eyes! Well, the good Lord made the universe, The Lord created man. And I believe it's all a part of his gigantic plan. I know God has a reason, for each mountain and each flower. And why he chose to let our boys get busy in the shower! They were not dirty!” Bill lectured. “They were not fruits! They were just two stray laces in the Lord's big boots. Well, I never cared for homos much until I reared me one, but now I've learned to love… I love my dead gay son!”Paul scoffed and went to leave as Bill stopped him.“Now, I say my boy's in heaven, and he's tanning by the pool! The cherubim walk with him and him, and Jesus says “It's cool!”. They don't have crime or hatred, there's no bigotry or cursing, just friendly fellows dressed up like their favorite village person! They were not dirty! They just had flair! They were two bright red ribbons in the Lord's long hair! Well, I used to see a homo and go reachin' for my gun, but now I've learned to love…” Bill went on.Paul pushed at him to leave as Bill stopped him once again.“And furthermore! These boys were brave as hell! These boys, they know damn well! Those folks would judge 'em, they were desperate to be free! They took a rebel stance, stripped to their underpants! Paul, I can't believe that you, Still refuse to get a clue! After all that we've been through, I'm talking you and me!” Bill continued and Paul stopped. “In the summer of '83!”Everyone gasped as Paul chuckled a bit.“That was one hell of a fishing trip,” Paul finally agreed as he went to his friend and the two shared a kiss. “Go forth and love each other now, Like our boys would have done. We'll teach the world to love… love my dead gay son!” Bill added as they finished up the funeral with a small pride banner coming from the ceiling.
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When it was over and everyone had left Ekko sat on a pew still unsure how to process this.“What is that? That smell in the air is that…. tolerance? Inclusion, love? How often can you say it's a good day to live in Sherwood, Ohio? You're welcome, town!” Jinx said to him dramatically as she walked to where he sat.“Hey... you don't have to be so smug about it,” he said softly.“Your love keeps me humble,” she said as she came to kiss him but he pulled away and stood to step away. “So who's next?” she asked, getting a glare from him. “Violet Duke? She started that threeway rumor. I've been underlining meaningful passages in her copy of Moby Dick, if you know what I mean.”“No! No, I do not accept this! We've already killed three people! This ends right here, right now!” Ekko argued with her.“Or what?”“I’ll... I'll break up with you,” he threatened.“Every war has casualties. That doesn't mean that it's not worth fighting…” she told him as she turned to leave before she stopped. “What, what, you'd rather go to jail, hm? And then give a free pass to the thugs who hurt people? Evil fucks that make life so unbearable that you can't stand to live in the world anymore.”“JD?” Ekko finally said taking a step to her. “How did your mother die?”“You really wanna know?” she asked, already frozen in place.“Yeah,” he nodded even though she didnt look at him.“My dad said it was an accident. But she knew what she was doing. She walked into that building two minutes before Dad blew it up. She waved at me out the window and then….. Kaboom. She left…”“I'm really sorry,” Ekko mumbled.“It's okay. The pain gives me clarity. You and I are special, we have a lot of work to do,” she said as Ekko got closer to her.“What work?” he asked.“Making the world a decent place for people who are decent!” she hissed.“When does it end?” he asked touching her shoulder.“When every asshole is dead!” she yelled and he pulled away and stepped back from her. He could see the look in her eyes that scared him.“Fine, we're damaged, really damaged, but that does not make us wise,” he reasoned with her. “We're not special. We're not different. We don't choose who lives or dies. Let's be normal. See bad movies, sneak a beer and watch TV. We'll bake brownies, or go bowling, don't you want a life with me?” he asked. “Can't we be seventeen? That's all I want to do. If you could let me in, I could be good with you…. People hurt us.”“Or they vanish…” Jinx added.“And you're right, it really blows. But we let go..”“Take a deep breath…”“And go buy some summer clothes. We'll go camping.”“Play some poker…”“And we'll eat some chili fries..” Ekko watched as Jinx turned to face him finally and he held out a hand that she took. “Maybe prom night?”“Maybe dancing?”“Don't stop looking in my eyes.” Ekko said as she stared into them, her madness behind them softening.“Can't we be seventeen? Is that so hard to do? If you could let me in, I could be good with you,” they said together. “Let us be seventeen, If we've still got the right.”“So what's it gonna be?” Ekko asked before adding, “I wanna be with you.”“I wanna be with you…” she agreed.“Tonight,” they said together before they kissed passionately. It lasted a moment as Jinx touched his face with one hand, but soon he pulled away.“Yeah, we're damaged,” he whispered.“Badly damaged,” she agreed.“But your love's too good to lose.” they said together.“Hold me tighter,” he said as she did.“Even closer.”“I'll stay if I'm what you choose,” Ekko told her.“Can't we be seventeen?” she asked.“If I am what you choose,” he answered. “Cause you're the one I choose.”“You're the one I choose.” She agreed and they kissed once more.
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Ekko was in the halls at his locker when he saw a vision of Caitlyn again and jumped at the sight of her.“And they lived happily ever after! You really believe that? You think it all goes back to normal? Don't give me that wounded look, you know exactly what she is and you love it~” she teased.“Stop talking,” he mumbled.“Only a true dead best friend would give it to you straight,” she chuckled a bit as Claggor began to approach Ekko.“Ekko, I need your help,” he said to him.“Sure, what?” Ekko asked.“Something doesn't add up. I think Mylo and Jayce were murdered,” he whispered and Ekko was stunned.“Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw! Sherlock Holmes is onto you, Ekko,” Cait taunted as Ekko tried to ignore her.“Why would you say that? They found the suicide note!” Ekko argued defensively.“It could have been faked! You forge them all the time, right?” Claggor pointed out.“Right…” Ekko said softly as Caitlyn laughed again.“I am in love with this fat guy,” she joked in Ekkos ear.“That's ridiculous! Who'd wanna kill Mylo and Jayce?” Ekko asked.“I'm thinking it was your friend JD. You saw how she went after them in the lunchroom,” Claggor admitted. That was when Ekko’s hallucinations got worse, he could see Mylo and Jayce blood covered in their boxers standing with Caitlyn.“Yeah, man, that sucked,” Jayce said as Ekko swallowed a lump in his throat to ignore them.“There's something off about that JD,” Claggor finally admitted.“Looks like Ekko’s going to prison,” Jayce taunted as Mylo laughed.“Punch it in!” Mylo added as the boy's fist bumped.“I wanna look in JD's locker. I thought maybe you could get me the combination,” Claggor finally admitted to Ekko.“I bet there's all kinds of interesting things in that locker! Maybe some "Ich Luge bullets"?” Cait reminded him.“This is a pretty wild theory, Claggor,” Ekko faked a chuckle.“I don't care what they were saying at the funeral. Mylo was not gay! I'd stake my life on it,” Claggor argued, though really he was probably just hurt by the idea of Mylo liking boys but not him.“Ha, ha! Mylo’s a faggy haggy!” Jayce taunted as Mylo punched him.“Yeah, at least I don't have skid marks,” he argued.“Bullshit!” Jayce yelled while Mylo kept picking on him.“Skid mark! Skid mark! You have skid marks!” he yelled and Ekko couldnt take the visions anymore.“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!” he finally yelled.“Stop what? Ekko, what's wrong with you?” Claggor asked and like that the two jocks were gone.“Sorry, I'm really sorry. I'm just, I’m trying to understand, okay? Mylo was gay. Why would you think anything else?” Ekko asked.“He kissed me, remember? On the kickball field?” Claggor pointed out.“In kindergarten,” Ekko added.“But if he was gay.. He would have… My heart knows the truth,” Claggor argued.“Time to choose, Ekko. Eat or be eaten.” Caitlyn said since she never left his sight.“Why would Mylo write me that note but then ignore me?” he asked.“You know what to say,” Cait urged him.“I'm gonna confront JD,” Claggord finally stated.“No, please don't!” Ekko begged as Caitlyn smirked at him.“Do you have the guts?” she taunted again.“Oh, you floor me Claggor, you really do,” Ekko chuckled at him before he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at his friend.“What do you mean?” he asked.“Mylo didn't write that love note, I did,” Ekko admitted but Claggor simply laughed.“No…” he shook his head at him.“…Yeah. The Divas put me up to it. The whole school was in on the joke, and no one laughedharder than Mylo. He didn't care about you. He was a dick. Now he's dead,” Ekko told the truth. “Move on,” he added as he turned to leave his friend.As he was walking Caitlyn walked backwards in front of him in his mind. She only smirked at him but he knew what she was thinking.“No, look, I had to hurt him, okay? If JD caught him going through her stuff, he would…”“Kill her?” Cait asked before faking a gasp. “Is that what you're afraid of? I thought the desperado hung up his six guns! Don't you trust him?” she teased before Mrs. Fleming came up to Ekko and for once Caitlyn vanished.“Ekko, there you are, I need you in place for the assembly!” the teacher told her and he nodded.“Oh, right, this thing, right,” he rolled his eyes a bit as he followed her.“Pedal to the metal, come on now,” Mrs. Fleming said, urging him forward to the assembly.“I'm kind of looking forward to this,” Maddie grinned as Violet scoffed.“Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?” Violet asked.“Sorry Violet,” Maddie sighed a bit.That was when Mrs. Fleming took to the center of the assembly to speak to everyone there.“Hello, Westerburg! Welcome to this very special assembly. I want you to ignorethe television cameras and the news crews, they're just here to document this significantmoment. Whether to kill yourself or not is one of the most important decisions a teenager canmake. So, you know what I'm going to do right now?” she asked.“Kill yourself on stage?” A student yelled causing some students to laugh.“That's not productive, Dwight. Now, my senior thesis at Berkeley was on the subject of pediatric psychotherapeutic musicology. It was terrifically well regarded, so I speak with some authority when I tell you that the way to eliminate suicide is by first eliminating fear. By creating a safe zone in which we all are equal. Deep inside of everyone, there's a hot ball of shame, guilt, regret, anxiety, fears we dare not name. But if we show the ugly parts, that we hide away, they turn out to be beautiful, by the light of day! Why not, shine, shine, shine a light,” she lectured them.
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“Okay kids, come on out, I want you to work with me, I want you to share yourpain. I want you to drag it into the light where we all can take a look at it!” Mrs. Fleming urged.“I've thought about killing myself,” Maddie admitted.“What the hell are you doing?” Violet scolded.“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, keep talking Maddie, you're in a safe place. It's justyou and me and the classmates who love you. Share. It's gonna be okay,” Mrs. Fleming comforted her. Maddie stepped forward to the teacher.“Maddie, get back in line,” Violet hissed.“Zip it!” the teacher hissed back.“The last guy I slept with killed himself because he was gay for his linebacker. And my best friend seemed to have it all together but now she's gone too. And now my stomach hurts worse and worse, and every morning on the bus I feel my heart beating louder and faster and I'm like “Jesus, I'm on the freaking bus again because all my rides to school are dead”. I float in a boat, In a raging black ocean, low in the water, and nowhere to go. The tiniest lifeboat, with people I know. Cold, clammy, and crowded, the people smell desperate. We'll sink any minute, so someone must go. The tiniest lifeboat, with people I know. Everyone's pushing, everyone's fighting, storms are approaching, there's nowhere to hide! If I say the wrong thing, or I wear the wrong outfit, they'll throw me right over the side! I'm hugging my knees, and the captain is pointing. Well, who made her captain? Still, the weakest must go. The tiniest lifeboat full of people I know. The tiniest lifeboat full of people I know….” Maddie’s eyes teared up.“What's your damage, Maddie? Are you saying Westerburg is not a nice place?” Violet asked, giving her a soft shove.“Violet!” The teacher yelled but she didnt let up.“Where's your school spirit? You don't deserve to wear our school colors,” Violet told her as other students joined in.“Let’s not be mean spirited,” Mrs. Fleming tried to reason with them.“Why don't you hop in your little lifeboat and catch a gnarly wave over to Remington?” Violet chuckled.“Alright, alright, calm it down…” Mrs. Fleming got louder.“Awwww, Maddie’s crying,” a student mocked as she ran off.“Young lady, you are suspended! Turn the cameras off. Turn them off, goddamnit,” Mrs. Fleming snapped.“Is that all you care about? TV cameras?” Ekko asked.“I care about saving lives! Violet Duke ruined a valuable teaching!” she argued.“Valuable? None of us want this spectacle, to be experimented on like guinea pigs and patronized like bunny rabbits!” Ekko yelled at her.“I don't patronize bunny rabbits!” she yelled back as Caitlyn appeared by the teacher crossing her arms.“This is their big secret Ekko, the adults are powerless,” Caitlyn smirked at him.“Maddie and Caitlyn trusted you. You said that you would protect them,” Ekko told the teacher.“They can't help us. Nobody can help us,” Cait went on.“You're useless.” Ekko stated.“We're alone in the ocean,” Cait taunted again.“And all of you are idiots!!!” Ekko began to yell as Jinx approached.“You should sit down now,” Jinx urged softly.“No, Caitlyn was a monster, just like Jayce and Mylo, and they didn't kill themselves, I killed them!” Ekko finally confessed under the pressure. Everyone stared as he froze up for a moment. “So what do you all think of that?”“Some people will say anything if they think it'll make them popular,” Violet rolled her eyes. Then Ekko began to run off after Maddie.“Ekko,” Jinx called after him.Ekko found Maddie M. in the gender neutral bathroom trying to open some meds.“Stupid childproof caps!” she cried.“Aw, look, Heather’s going to whine, whine, whine all night. You don’t deserve to live. Why not kill yourself? Here, have a sedative. Whine, whine, whine, like there’s no Santa Claus. You’re pathetic because you whine! You whine all night! Your ass is off the team. Go on and bitch and moan. You don’t deserve the dream. You’re gonna die alone,” Violet was taunting her before she downed the bottle and the pinkette left the bathroom as Ekko entered, bumping him on the way.“No! No, no, stop, stop!” Ekko cried out as he tried to make her throw the pills up, but she refused.“Suicide is a private thing!” she cried again.“Throwing your life away to be a statistic in USA Today? That's like the least private thing I can think of,” Ekko pointed out.“But what about Caitlyn and Mylo and Jayce?” she asked.“If everyone jumped off a bridge, young lady, would you?” he asked her and she nodded with shame.“Probably,” she admitted.“If you were happy every single day of your life, then you wouldn't be a human, you'd be a game show host,” he told her as he stood up and took her hand. When on her feet MAddie moved to the toilet and made herself puke up the pills with her finger.“Thanks for coming after me,” she said when she was done.“You're welcome,” he said, giving her a hug.
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After school Ekko went over to the Dean home where he saw Jinx in the living room as he smiled and clapped for him.“You are a genius. You had me worried with your little confession there, but you pulled it off. Best place to hide right in plain sight,” she complimented.“No, I wasn't trying to hide,” he admitted.“Why'd you have to meddle with McNamara? One more dead Diva is a good thing,” she continued.“She's my friend!” he argued.“Okay, if she's your friend, then why are we letting Duke live? The bitch that made McNamara want to kill herself? You see, nothing ever changes, and honestly,” she shrugged.“Hey, we are out of the change business, okay?” he urged and she rolled her eyes at him.“So we just let Duke run around ruining the same old lives for the same old people-” she was talked over by Ekko.“No, listen, you promised me, listen, you promised. Listen to me, listen to me,” Ekko tried to be louder.“Because all that it does-” Jinx went on.“Just, don't talk over me, okay?!” he snapped. “You promised me.”“I promised,” she agreed.“Thank you,” Ekko sighed as he stepped forward and kissed her gently.“Gee pop, ever heard of knocking? I was playing grabass with my boyfriend,” Silco said as he entered the room and saw them kissing. Ekko nervously moved behind Jinx who played along again.“Well you know the rules, young lady. When company's over the bedroom door stays open,” she smiled a bit.“So the judge, God bless him, told those idiot groupies to slap shit and die. You should've seen the fireworks, I got it all right here on video. I packed the upper floors with thermals, set off the whole thing with a Norwegian in the boiler room. Kaboom. Be right back, I'm gonna want my drawstring pants for this,” he chuckled as he left the room.Jinx smirked as she took out her gun and shot it at the ceiling for fun.“Goddamnit! No firearms in the house!” Silco yelled from his room while Jinx cackled.“Why are you carrying a gun?!” Eko gasped.“It pissed off my dad, it was funny..” Jinx shrugged plainly.“No, it's not funny! None of this is funny! You're carrying a loaded weapon! You promised me,” Ekko scolded and she rolled her eyes at him.“It's a dangerous world,” she pointed out.“Yeah, because of you! You know what?” Ekko finally put his hands up and walked to the door to leave. “Don't call me. Don't talk to me,” he stated.“Ekko-” she started.“No, you don't understand the difference between right and wrong, we're over!” he yelled at her.“Come on, come back!” She followed him to the door.“No, we're over!”“I love you!” she yelled but her body held the gun at her for some reason. Ekko looked her in the eyes as she lowered it and stuck out her free hand.“Goodbye, JD,” Ekko said softly before leaving the house.While Ekko was home he didnt know that Jinx had gone to a cheer meeting to see Violet. She had an envelope and gave it to the girl with a straight face.“What's in the envelope?” she asked even though she was already opening it. “Oh crap…” she sighed.“Just a tangible reminder that at one point at around age six, I'm guessing? You and Claggor Dunnstock were friends!” she chuckled.“Where did you get these pictures? Did Ekko give them to you? What do you want, money?” Violet asked.“A favor,” Jinx answered.“No way,” she hissed.“Whoa, I really love this one of you and Claggor in the bathtub together,” she teased as Violet tried to snatch the photo but Jinx was quicker.“These photos are ancient history. Nobody cares about the past. Nobody cares about Claggor Dumptruck,” she rolled her eyes.Little did they know about the senior boy who was driven by grief and shame to stand on a bridge. Soon, with tear filled eyes, he jumped in a spot no one would see for a while.Instead Ekko was with Maddie playing some croquet again when Violet approached the two friends.“Hey guys, missed you after eighth period,” Violet said with a smile.“We were avoiding you,” Ekko stated hitting the croquet ball.“What you did to me sucked,” Maddie pouted.“How very very,” she rolled her eyes, “I need you both to sign this.”“What is that?” Ekko asked.“It's a petition to have the governor declare a day of remembrance to honor the victims ofsuicide. I've gotten everyone to sign it, even the dweebs and losers,” Violet told them. Maddie shrugged and took the paper to sign it herself.“I'm not signing that,” Ekko stated.“Ekko, why are you pulling my dick? It was your girlfriend's idea,” Violet snapped for a moment.“You mean JD?” he asked, his heart dropping.“She made up the signature sheet and everything,” Violet nodded.“Look, I don't know what JD is up to, but if you know what's good for you, please just… throw that away,” Ekko urged.“Not a chance. I'll just fake your signature like I did with Claggor Dumptruck. He's in no shape to sign anything today,” Violet said since some students knew what happened but not all.“Why not?” Ekko asked as worry set in.“It was on the radio. He took a belly flop off the Old Mill Bridge last night holding a suicide note,” she told them and Ekko felt his face drop too.“Oh my God, is he dead?” Ekko asked.“Just some broken bones. Just another geek trying to imitate the popular people and failing miserably,” Violet chuckled as she left. Ekko had to get home and soon left Maddie with tears in his eyes for his friend.But when Ekko got home his parents were at the door ready.“Where have you been?” his father asked.“We've been worried sick! Your friend JD stopped by, she told us everything,” his mom added.“Everything?” Ekko asked.“Your depression? Your thoughts of suicide?” his dad told her.“He even showed us your copy of Moby Dick!” his mom said giving him a book that he skimmed while Caitlyn appeared by him.“He's got your handwriting down cold,” she chuckled a bit.“Please, honey, talk to us,” his mom urged.“No, you wouldn't understand,” Ekko admitted.“Try me! Look, I've experienced everything you're going through! I know it all seems impossibly dramatic! Your problems seem like life and death! I promise they're not,” his mom told him.“You don't know what my world looks like!” Ekko cried out before running to his bedroom to calm down.He paced his room trying to drown out the screaming voices around him of dead students. That was when his window opened and the long haired villainess entered.“Knock, knock. Sorry for coming through the window. Dreadful etiquette, I know~” she joked.“Get out of my house,” Ekko said as he moved to his walk in closet to hide and barricade the door from her.“Hiding in the closet? Come on! Open the door,” she pleaded with a tone of mayhem.“No, I'll scream, my parents will call the police,” Ekko threatened.“All is forgiven, baby. Come on out and get dressed! You're my date to the pep rally tonight!” she told him.“What? Why?” he asked.“Your classmates thought they were signing a petition. You gotta come out here and see whatthey really signed! You chucked me out like I was trash, for that you should be dead, but, but, but. Then it hit me like a flash, what if high school went away instead? Those assholes are the key, they're keeping you away from me. They made you blind, messed up your mind, but I can set you free!” she exclaimed.“You left me and I fell apart. I punched the wall and cried. Bam! Bam! Bam! Then I found you changed my heart, and set loose all that truthful shit inside! And so I built a bomb! Tonight our school is Vietnam! Let's guarantee they never see their senior prom! I was meant to be yours. We were meant to be one. Don't give up on me now. Finish what we've begun. I was meant to be yours. So when the high school gym goes “boom!”, with everyone inside. Pchw! Pchw! Pchw! In the rubble of their tomb, we'll plant this note explaining why they died!”“‘We, the students of Westerburg High, Will die. Our burned bodies will finally get through, To you. Your society churns out slaves and blanks. No thanks. Signed the students of Westerburg High. Goodbye,’” she read.“We'll watch the smoke pour out the doors, bring marshmallows, we'll make s'mores! We can smile and cuddle while the fire roars! I was meant to be yours. We were meant to be one. I can't make it alone. Finish what we've begun. You were meant to be mine. I am all that you need. You carved open my heart, can't just leave me to bleed! Ekko! Open the… open the door, please! Ekko, open the door!” she whmipered softly before chuckling. “Ekko, can we not fight anymore, please? Can we not fight anymore? Ekko, sure, you're scared, I've been there! I can set you free! Ekko, don't make me come in there. I'm gonna count to three! One, two… Fuck it!!” she stormed over to the closet and kicked the doors open.But what she was was Ekko with a noose around his neck.“Oh my God! No! Ekko! Please don't leave me alone. You were all I could trust. I can't do this alone. Still I will if I must!” she then left out the window as footsteps approached the room.“Ekko? I brought you a snack! Ekko?” she asked before entering the room and seeing her songs body before letting out a blood curdling scream.
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and stepping out of the closet.“It's not funny!” she yelled as his dad entered the room.“What is going on up here?” he asked.“Oh my God, Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry,” Ekko finally caved.“Sorry for what?” his dad asked.“For being a horrible person,” he said as he started to leave.“What? Where are you going?” his mom asked.“Out,” he answered.“When will you be back?” his dad asked and he paused before shrugging.“That's a good question…” he said before leaving.“I wanted someone strong who could protect me. I let her anger fester and infect me. Her solution is a lie, no one here deserves to die. Except for me and the monster I created. Heads up, JD, I'm a dead boy walking!” Ekko soon made it to the school and could hear distant cheering.“Heyo, Westerburg!” the students yelled from the gym.“Can't hide from me, I'm your dead boy walking,” he said as the school bell rang. “And there's your final bell. It's one more dance and then farewell. Cheek to cheek in hell with a dead boy walking!” He could hear Maddie cheering clearly.“Come on, Westerburg! Here we go, here we go now!”But that was when Mrs. Fleming stopped him.“Ekko!? Jinx Dean told me you just committed suicide!” she gasped.“Yeah? Well, she's wrong about a lot of things,” Ekko stated.“I threw together a lovely tribute, especially considering the short notice,” she smiled at him as he thought.“Ms. Fleming, what's under the gym?” he asked.“The boiler room,” she told him.“That’s it!” he exclaimed.“Ekko what's going on?” she asked.“Got no time to talk, I'm a dead boy walking!” He then left but could hear the cheerleaders clearer now.“Heyo, Westerburg, Tell me what's that sound? Here comes Westerburg, comin’ to put you in the ground! Go, go, Westerburg, give a great big yell! Westerburg will knock you out, and send you straight to hell!”That was when he got to the boiler room and saw Jinx setting things up unaware of his presence.“Step away from the bomb,” he told her before she turned and chuckled.“And here I thought you'd lost your taste for faking suicides. Oh, and this little thing? I'd hardly call this a bomb. This is just to trigger the packs of thermals upstairs in the gym. Now, those… Those are bombs,” she laughed. “People will see the ashes of Westerburg and think to themselves, “Now, there's a school that self-destructed not because society didn't care but because that school was society!” You know the only place Caitlyns and Claggors can truly get along?” She cocked her gun. “Heaven.”“I wish your mom had been a little stronger…” Ekko stated.“Don't talk about my mom,” she hissed.“I wish she’d stayed around a little longer.”“Yeah, me too,” she rolled her eyes.“I wish your dad were good, I wish grown-ups understood! I wish we’d met before they convinced you life is war! I wish you'd come with me-” he was cut off by her voice.“I wish I had more TNT!” she hissed out. That was when Ekko hit the gun from her hand with a croquet mallet. The two went for it and began to struggle and fight over the gun, hearing the students above them.“Heyo, Westerburg, Tell me what's that sound? Here comes Westerburg, comin’ to put you in the ground! Go, go, Westerburg, give a great big yell! Westerburg will knock you out, Aand send you straight to-”A gunshot went off.Followed by Ekkos scream.
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Ekko starred as Jinx was on the ground bleeding and smiling.“Was that good for you? ‘Cause it kinda sucked for me,” she joked out as blood poured form her mouth. Ekko came to her side with wide eyes.“JD? Just listen to me, just listen to me, okay? Just listen to me, it's over, okay? Which wire do I pull? JD, which wire do I pull?!” he begged her. But she ignored him as he grabbed the bomb and ran out with it in his hands, narrating his own diary entry to clear his mind. “Dear Diary: the irony of this is that I never got to write my own suicide note…” he joked.“Smart boy. Bring the trigger bomb out here to the football field and nobody dies. Except you, if you keep holding onto that thing,” Jinx’s voice rang as she struggled to walk to him on the empty football field.“I don't deserve to live,” Ekko stated.“I respectfully… disagree. Give it to me,” she stepped closer.“Stay away from me,” he said as she tried to take it making them both fall to the ground.“Or what? I am damaged, far too damaged…… But you're not beyond repair. Stick around here, make things better, 'cause you beat me fair and square….” she took the bomb and got up with Ekko. “Please stand back now…” Ekko took a step back and she watched him. “Little further. Don't know what this thing will do.. Hope you miss me. Wish you'd kiss me. Then you'd know I worship you. I'll trade my life for yours…”“Oh my God…” Ekko began to tear up as he was backing away.“And once I disappear…” Jinx smiled through the bloody pain.“Wait, hold on!” He reached out.“Clean up the mess down here.”“Not this way!”“Our love is God, Our love is God, Our love is God, Our love is God….”“Say hi to God,” the last thing Ekko said to Jinx as the bomb went off and he was knocked back a bit to the ground.Ekko came to the assembly with dust on his face and frazzled hair from being close to the blast.“Where have you been? People were saying you killed yourself!” Maddie asked him worried.“You look like hell,” Violet scoffed.“I just got back,” Ekko replied. He then took the red scrunchie belonging to Cait from Violets pink hair.“Hey! What are you doing?” she asked.“Listen up folks, war is over. Brand new sheriff's come to town. We are done with acting evil, we will lay our weapons down. We're all damaged, we're all frightened. We're all freaks but that's alright. We'll endure it, we'll survive it. Claggor, are you free tonight?” he asked Claggor who was in a wheelchair.“What?” he asked Ekko, confused.“Uh, my date for the pep rally kind of blew... me off. So, I was wondering, if you weren't doing anything tonight, maybe we could pop some Jiffy Pop and rent a video? You know, something with a happy ending,” Ekko smiled at his old friend.“Are there any happy endings?” Claggor asked.“I can't promise no more Divas, High school may not ever end. Still, I miss you, I'd be honored, If you'd let me be your friend,” Ekko reached out and touched his friend's shoulder.“My friend…” Claggor agreed with his own smile.“We can be seventeen. We can learn how to chill. If no one loves me now, someday somebody will. We can be seventeen, still time to make things right. One day we'll change the world…” Ekko took Claggor and Maddie’s hands his two new friends.“…But let's kick back tonight. Let's go be seventeen! Take off our clothes and dance. Act like we're all still kids, 'cause this could be our final chance! Always be seventeen, celebrate you and I, maybe we won't grow old, and maybe then we'll never die! We'll make it beautiful!!”