Peyton
I hate funeral homes. I was here a month ago for my great-aunt.
Kinslee
They say death comes in threes.
Cassie
Not helpful, Kins.
Kinslee
Just look at all the people. The line stretches out into the parking lot.
Peyton
They’re vultures. Just here to be part of the drama.
Cassie
Come on, Peyton, everyone just wants to pay their respects.
Peyton
Most of these kids didn’t even talk to Ella. Why are they here?
Kinslee
They might not have talked to her, but they knew who she was.
Peyton
How can her mom and dad just stand there and greet everyone?
Peyton
You know they’re all saying the same damn thing. I can barely watch it, let alone listen to it.
Kinslee
That’s why we’re sitting back here in the pews—
Kinslee
So we don’t have to talk to anyone.
Peyton
No. We’re just sitting here trying to understand how our best friend is lying there in a wooden box.
Cassie
I know. I still can’t wrap my head around this—
Cassie
It’s like we’re living in a nightmare and can’t wake up.
Kinslee
You know what they’re all saying at school.
Peyton
That she overdosed?
Peyton
It’s total bullshit. Ella doesn’t even like taking aspirin for a headache.
Kinslee
So how do you argue with a toxicology report?
Peyton
If she really OD’d, then someone forced her to. I know Ella. There’s no way.
Cassie
And we still don’t know who she left the party with.
Kinslee
We know who saw her that night.
Cassie
That man who came to her house. But who is he?
Cassie
And when did he see her, and why?
Kinslee
She’s standing by the casket.
Cassie
And speak of the devil…
The girls spin around at Cassie’s words and look towards the back of the room.
Peyton
The same man. Why does he look so familiar?
Kinslee
I thought you said he’s in your brother’s fraternity?
Peyton
No, it’s something else. It’s—
The girls watch in silence as the man walks up the side aisle. Ava meets him halfway to the casket.
Peyton
It’s Ava. That’s why he’s familiar.
Peyton
They’re dating. Or at least, they were—
Peyton
I saw them together at the fraternity’s parent day last month.
Cassie
But that still doesn’t tell us why he was looking for Ella’s phone—
Cassie
Especially if he knew she was dead.
Kinslee
He was so desperate to find her texts…you think he’s responsible for her death?
Kinslee
Was some sort of proof on her phone?
Peyton
There’s only one way to find out.
The girls watch as Ava and her boyfriend quietly argue.
She places her hands on his chest to stop him from getting closer to the casket.
Peyton
Look at his face. What’s he staring at?
Kinslee
He looks terrified.
They look towards Ella’s casket.
Their history teacher, Mr. Stevens, is standing there. He turns to the couple, noticing their confrontation.
Peyton
Is Mr. Stevens walking over there?
Kinslee
Is he going to say something?
Kinslee
Look, Ava’s boyfriend is walking away.
Peyton
And Mr. Stevens is following him. Let’s go.
Cassie
But Ava’s watching us.
Peyton
Who cares? I want to hear what they say.
The girls follow them outside, moving closer to Ava’s boyfriend and Mr. Stevens.
The whole time, they try to stay hidden behind a row of cars.
Mr. Stevens
I’m surprised you had the nerve to show up here, Ethan.
Ethan
What are you talking about?
Mr. Stevens
You know. Don’t pretend you don’t.
Ethan
I didn’t do anything.
Mr. Stevens
I could turn you in right now and you know it.
The girls whisper from their place nearby.
Kinslee
How do they know each other?
Peyton
Maybe Ethan used to go to our school?
Cassie
They’re acting like they know each other really well.
Ethan tries to get past Mr. Stevens, but he blocks his way.
Mr. Stevens
Tell me, did you really think you could get away with all of this?
Ethan
I told you, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Mr. Stevens
Really? Should I pull up the video?
Mr. Stevens
What do you think the police will think?
Ethan
You can’t prove anything—
Mr. Stevens
I don’t need to. It’s all there for them to see.
Ethan
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Mr. Stevens
What would Ava think?
Ethan flinches, then looks around the parking lot.
His eyes rest on the girls’ hiding spot for the slightest moment.
Mr. Stevens
If I find out you had anything to do with this, it’s over for you. She was a good girl.
He shoves Mr. Stevens once, and then immediately backs off and gets in his car.
Mr. Stevens watches him leave.
Cassie
We need to get out of here.
Kinslee
Come on, let’s go back inside.
Mr. Stevens
Ladies, wait.
Kinslee
Hey, Mr. Stevens.
Mr. Stevens
Girls, I’m so very sorry about Ella. You must be devastated. I know you were all best friends.
Cassie
Thank you. We were.
Peyton
Mr. Stevens, who was that boy you were talking to?
Mr. Stevens
Ethan? Oh, just an old friend.
Mr. Stevens
Look, if you see him around your houses, or near Ella’s, will you please let me know?
Peyton
Should we be worried?
Mr. Stevens
Ethan was obsessed with Ella. He’s a little…unstable.
Cassie
But Ella never even mentioned him.
Mr. Stevens
I guess you never really know someone, do you?
Mr. Stevens
Just promise me you’ll let me know, okay?
The girls assure him they will.
When they head back inside, Ava is waiting for them just inside the door of the funeral home.
Peyton
Trying to figure out why your boyfriend was about to fight Mr. Stevens.
Ava
He’s not my boyfriend, and it’s none of your business.
Ava
The three of you need to back off and stay out of it.
Peyton
Why? Do you know something, Ava?
Peyton
Ella didn’t commit suicide and you know it.
Ava
Don’t you dare say that in here. Not in front of all these people. Just—
Cassie
We know Ella. We know she wouldn’t have done this.
Kinslee
And we’re going to prove it.
