invisible string - simon elroy

five

"I don't know." Evangeline shrugged. "Come on let's get back to school."

Evangeline unplugged her phone and climbed out of her car. She made her way towards the school as Inez quickly hopped out and chased her.

"Evangeline!" Inez called out after her. "Slow down!"

The two teens made their way into the hall as the bell rang.

"Catch up." The girl said as they walked the halls. She noticed her brother, Simon, and Nicole all standing together.

"Come on! Just admit you like him!" Inez caught up to her as they passed the three.

"Okay! Maybe I do!" Evangeline felt the heat rise to her face. "I don't know! We aren't that close so it's like weird right?"

Simon stared at her as he heard her words.

"Well, no! You two are like always hanging out now." Inez said. "It's never weird to start liking someone no matter how short of time you've been close with them."

— — —

Evangeline walked the halls with her headphones in one ear, she pulled her stuff out of her locker then as she walked past Mr Andersons classroom she noticed Simon standing in there.

"Simon?" She entered the room. He was talking to someone. "Uh is.. Maddie here?"

"She was. Look at what I just found." He handed her an essay. "This is Claire's essay."

"Okay.. I don't get it?" Evangeline said.

"Now read this one." She read the second paper and noticed it was the same exact essay. "Every essay she wrote this year is the exact same. But she passed the class with 100%."

"What the fuck.." Evangeline muttered while looking at all the essays.

"Yeah. Maddie wants us to wait to look into any of this though."

"Oh. Okay." The two stood in silence for a little. "Are you going to the homecoming game tonight?"

"Yeah, see you there?" He asked and she nodded as they left the classroom and went their separate ways.

— — —

Evangeline climbed out of her car and noticed Simon, Maddie's mom, Nicole, and her brother handing out posters. She quickly went over and joined them.

"Hey." She greeted and Simon turned to her.

"Hi." He smiled at her. "Wanna help?"

The girl nodded and he handed her a stack of posters and the two walked around together while handing out the posters.

"Can I ask you something?" Evangeline turned to look at him as he asked.

"Yeah of course." The two walked to grab more posters together.

"Who were you talking about earlier with your friend?" Simon squatted down and pulled more posters out of the box.

"Oh.. Uh.." Before she could say anything else both of their phones went off at the same time.

The two teens checked their phones to find a message from an unknown number containing a video of Claire and Mr Anderson arguing about stolen money. The two looked at each other then quickly walked to find Nicole and Xavier.

"Did you guys get it too?" Xavier asked the three of them.

"Yeah. Why'd they send it to us?" Nicole questioned.

"Yeah, and who the hell recorded it?" Simon looked up from his phone as the other 3 turned to look at him as well.

"What the fuck." Evangeline said.

Nicole and Xavier continued handing out posters as Simon dragged Evangeline off to go find Maddie. He found her in the bleachers.

"Hey. We need to talk. Now." Simon said. "Shh. Watch."

He played the video and Evangeline watched as she assumed he was showing Maddie what they all just received.

"If Claire knows about this video and she thinks you took it, that's motive." Simon spoke. "Better than.. What are we talking about?"

They stood in silence for a moment and Evangeline assumed Maddie was talking to him.

"Come on," Simon walked towards the parking lot and Evangeline followed.

They stood together next to her car as Xavier approached them.

"Hey guys, what's up. What are we gonna do about this video?" He asked as he stood in front of them.

"It's about what you have to do. Win back Claire's confidence, and then you crack her." Simon explained.

"But.. How am I gonna to do that?"

"Ask her to the homecoming dance." Evangeline rushed out. Simon stared at her for a moment before agreeing.

"You're shitting me right. The girl hates me." Xavier crossed his arms as he spoke. "After Maddie disappeared I pushed her away and it really pissed her off. Claire doesn't want anything to do with me."

"Apologize. Send her a text." Simon said to him.

"What do I say?" Xavier asked with a defeated sigh.

"I'll tell you." Simon responded.

"I'm gonna try this, I don't think it's gonna work." Xavier pulled out his phone.

Simon started telling Xavier exactly what to say in the text. Evangeline knew Maddie was telling him what to say. She stared at him.

"So what now?" Xavier asked after Simon finished talking.

"Send it." Xavier nodded then he walked towards his truck.

The two stood in silence.

"Will you drive me home?" Simon asked Evangeline.

"Yeah of course." She smiled at him and he gave her a small smile back.

"I gotta do one thing, I'll be right back." She nodded and Simon took off.

Evangeline climbed in her car and sat listening to her music while she waited for Simon to return. After a while he joined her and she drove him home.

"Evangeline?" Simon asked as they pulled up outside his house.

"Yes, Simon?" She turned to him as she parked her car.

"Uh do you wanna go to the dance with me?" He asked. "Like we could go as friends I mean just like drive together."

"Yeah, Simon. We can go together." She smiled at him and he returned it then climbed out.

"See you tomorrow, Vange."