Dead Man do Tell Tales

CHAPTER ONE - THE LAST RETREAT

Chapter One - The Last Retreat

"For goodness' sake. When will this event end?" a sleepy mutter from Pink. She sat on a cement stairway's step, looking at the crowded court where almost all seniors gather for their extracurricular activity.

Project Cosmos. The extracurricular project conducted by the school for the seniors. The last and final extracurricular activities that will be held this school year. That's why almost all the seniors go out of their way to put an effort and join this three day activity. It's like hitting two birds with one stone, for the students' to have fun and to help the farmers. All the points accumulated by each group will be converted into cash which will be then donated to each farm they are grouped with. And everyone will get cash regarding if they place first or not so it's a win-win situation.

"Boo!" a shriek came out of Pink's mouth right then. She gasped and looked back, seeing AJ's grinning face. She let out a small laugh and sat behind Pink, slightly bumping their shoulders. "What are you doing here, Pink? Too tired to socialize, Miss Social Butterfly?" she joked.

"Just too tired to actually force my way through the crowd. And it's too hot." Pink replied. Still looking bored and tired after spending all her energy two days ago on all the activities. She made an effort just to win some points, even throwing away every bit of dignity she had.

"Miss Social Butterfly gets tired of socializing? Is the world ending?" Pink sneakers which led to AJ laughing.

It was truly a sight to behold as she's often part of the crowd, blending in in the rowdiness of senior high school students, giving some teachers a bit of a headache but nevertheless still well liked because of her wits and brains.

However, the Pink today seems like a little out of it. As if something's weighing on her mind and constantly pulls her into her little Thought Land. AJ noticed this as soon as Pink came back after excusing herself to answer a call. However, she soon shrugged it off as Pink once in a blue moon felt blue.

A reminiscing moment as Pink quotes her blue moments.

"AJ! Pink!" a voice called from a distance. "Lend us a hand here!"

It was Matthew and Paul, both staggering to hold off on the large table used in one of their activities. They both have their backpacks on, covered by their jackets they wore despite the blazing heat. They are grinning like a Cheshire cat while covered in sweat. It seems like the word "dismissal" has a nice tempting ring to it, making those troublemakers uneasy.

"'Yo, what's up?" Matt asked, grinning. Paul was quiet, probably looking around to see if someone would notice them sneaking out.

"If we ever got caught, we never knew anything about the sneaking out plan. We are just good Samaritans who are trying to help the two pitiful boys we see while waiting for the dismissal announcement." AJ stated. She looks so serious about this and the three of them know she is indeed serious. Matt scoffed while Paul and Pink both grimaced.

"Oh, shut it, Miss Model Student. We both know this is a shitty retreat, seniors want to try before graduating. We all know everyone is complaining about this right now." Matt scoffed.

"Hurry up." Paul said after looking back and forth. He adjusts his hold, probably feeling numb because of the table's heaviness. AJ just scoffed. They both immediately hold the other side of the table, trying to look as if they are not trying to sneak out. They all carried the table, putting it on a side and finally trying to sneak out. But as soon as they tried to sneak out the back door, the Dean walked in. Right where they are trying to run off.

"Good afternoon, Dean. Is the dismissal ceremony starting?" Paul greets. He intervened as soon as he saw how AJ would immediately confess.

"Good afternoon to you four too. And yes, so quickly go to your respected seats, students." They all smiled and bid their goodbyes.

They almost got caught.

***

After what felt like years, the retreat finally ended. Almost all seniors left and a selected few decided to be left on the spot to avoid the crowd. When almost everyone was gone, Pink's group decided to also went on their separate ways.

"Where y'all going after this? Straight home? Or y'all will stop by somewhere?" Paul asked. Most of the time, Matt will be the one to ask this question as it is his signature line but he felt too tired after being caught with Miss Fort's nagging due to his incomplete school requirements.

"I'll probably go get some things from my house then go to yours. I'll have a little sleepover at your house, babe." Matt said, teasing Paul. The latter grimaced, disgusted by how his friend acts and is probably a little pissed as Matt knew how he hates it when he acts like they are both in a relationship.

"F*ck you, asshole."

Paul doesn't have anything against l***q relationship, its just that when he confessed to his long time crush, he got rejected after she stated that it just felt off having a relationship on someone who is gay. Paul was stunned and probably felt embarrassed to be misunderstood like that. The misunderstanding was cleared after a while but Matt kept teasing him about this.

"I'll probably just stop by at a convenience store then go home." AJ said. "How about you, Pink?"

''Huh?" Pink was startled. It was as if she's been pulled into her own Thought Land once again.

"Pink, are you really sure you're okay? You've been like this since earlier." AJ asked, genuinely curious about her friend's well-being. She really felt like something was amiss. As if something was troubling her good friend.

"Don't sweat it, AJ. I'm really fine." Pink showed her sweet smile once again. "I'll probably drop off at school before heading home."

"What? Why?" Matt asked after being satisfied teasing Paul. Paul was frowning but still look curious on Pink's reason.

"I have.. Left something there." Pink was in a daze for a moment. "It's no biggie. I'll head home as soon as I get my things."

"Hmm. Then I'll accompany you. The school was just a few blocks away from my house." AJ offered.

"You'll be going to a convenience store first, right? Come on, don't treat me as a child. I can handle myself, mother." Pink teased. "I'll head first! Bye!"

"Okay! See you tomorrow!" Pink stopped on her tracks. Then smiled before running away.