Selective Sinners

Chapter 1~ Seraphine

THE FUNERAL

The coffin ropes creaked as they lowered Ana into the ground. I couldn't stop looking staring at it, and thinking she would've fussed about the colour. "What shade of white is that?" Jo muttered as she joined me under the oak tree."It looks so small. How'd they fit her inside?" she continued. "That's our friend in there. " I hissed quietly. "She probably wanted everyone to know how thin she was." Imani piped, earning a quiet laugh from Jo.

I scoffed and walked away, needing to quiet my raging thoughts, but not been able to as I could hear her mother's wailing and seeing her clutching the roses instantly shatters my already broken heart . I dry my tear stained cheeks and swallow a sob. I'm at a loss for words. How do you comfort your dead best friend's mother when you're not sure you've processed her death yet. I don't think any of us have.

"Beautiful service." I hear a voice say beside me, pulling me from my thoughts. I just nod to be polite even if I'm not sure his talking to me."-and pretty young too." he continued. Clearly, I thought, rolling my eyes. You could see her freaking age on the portrait. "Do you perhaps know how she ended up there?" "Excuse me?" I asked incredulous at his boldness." You're one of Anastasia's friends, right?" he asked, brushing past his earlier question. "I'm sorry, who are you again?"I pointed out." Pardon me, where are my manners?, I'm Nathaniel Cole , detective Cole." he stated with an outstretched hand. "What?"my eyes widened involuntary, taking his hand. I seem to be asking a lot of questions today. "Yes, Ana's parents don't quite believe her death was an accident,I'm sure you do not too." he continued. Removing my hand from his and clearing my throat," I don't know what you're talking about." I answered." Well, I'm about to change that. " he quipped. " What are you insinuating?" I asked hotly. "There's more than meets the eye." he replied." I'll see you soon." he said as he walked away, leaving me confused.

"Who's that hottie?" Jo asked as she came and stood by my side with her arms linked with Imani's. I opened my mouth to reply, but Tobias got there first,

"My father."

A few moments of silence followed. "Respectfully, T where did you come from?" Jo replied, earning a chuckle from Imani."You good babe?" I asked Tobias, not minding the two." I didn't even know he was coming," he stated. "I'm so sorry ." I say, moving towards him and hugging him. "It's all good, love." he replied, hugging me back ."Well, what did daddy Cole want?" Imani asked. " He thinks Ana's death was murder." I muttered. "I'm sorry, what?" Jo asked, astonished.

"How's it going, guys?" Malik said as he strutted in and joined us, not looking like a guy whose girlfriend was six feet under.

"Where the hell have you been, bro?" Tobias interrogated. "Around." Malik retorted. "What'd I miss?" Malik continued looking at our solemn faces." Well, detective douchebag is in town, and apparently, our dear friend was murdered." Imani answered sharply. " What do you mean murdered. Who could have killed her?" Malik replied, confused. "Question of the year, my friend." Tobias answered quietly. "-and why was he talking to you?" he continued turning to me."Heck if I know." I said. " Hold on a sec, don't tell me he thinks we had a hand in her death." stated Jo, breaking her fifteen minutes silence after the unexpected news. " Babe, please, we were all at dinner.Who could have possibly murdered her." Imani replied, arms crossed. Maybe her parents are looking for answers. I mean, aren't we all?.