"Why did they want to kill her?" The girl asks.
The woman smiles thinking back at the situation "because they could".
It was a cold and rainy day in Falcon Heights. Perfect for a funeral some would say. Today a member of the Ramirez family will be buried. For her friends she was so much more than just the daughter of Mateo Ramirez. She was their best friend, sister you could say.
Just a couple of days ago she was on her way back home, she had just been at her friends house having a movie night, eating popcorn having fun. Normal teenage stuff. She wasn't drunk or tired, she was completely focused on the road. Unfortunate to say, that night not everyone was focused on the road. A drunk driver, a person who should not have been driving. It all went so quick, he hit her car. He survived. She did not.
In her home town her family, friends, enemies and even complete strangers all came together to say their goodbyes. ''It's just not fair. Why do stupid people make stupid decisions and get away with it!?'' Daytuso's close friend Lindsey says distraught.
"I refuse to believe it.. Can't we like.. I don't know, bring her back?'' Alana says, still hoping this is all a dream.
Her sister Cindy looks at her confused ''Lana.. You know it doesn't work like that. She..She's gone. I am so so sorry.''
Mila and Lindsey look at each other, ''So it takes a funeral for her to be nice to her sister?'' Mila whispers in Lindsey's ear.
"Wonder how long that is going to last.'' the redhead replies.
Just then their rival Rylan and one of her minions Alexus, make their grand arrival. Overdramatic as Rylan is she walks over to the group of friends.
"You gotta be kidding me.'' Lindsey says rolling her eyes.
"Girls. Daytuso was.. truly a piece of work but such a sweet sweet girl.'' she starts, the girls all look at each other clearly not amused ''this is just such a tragedy. Wouldn't you agree Alexus?'' The girl continues.
While Rylan seems to be amused by the clear discomfort of the girls, Alexus just sends them a sympathetic smile before saying ''I am really sorry for your loss.'' The friends thank her.
"Well.. time to go. Ta ta.'' Rylan then says, she looks back and sees Alexus and Cindy still standing with the other girls. ''Uhmm hello? I said: let's go.''
The ceremony starts off with Daytuso's father. ''I uhh.. I can't believe I'm standing here. At the funeral of my own daughter. She uh, she was something else.'' He smiles thinking about all the good times they had together. ''There are a million things I can say about her. Truth is, most of you know what kind of person she was. Caring, funny, most importantly a rulebreaker. Let's think about all the good things today. We have enough time to be sad. As she would say.'' Her father walks over to his wife, tears threatening to spill.
"I would like to say a few things.'' Rylan announces.
"I swear to god, if she makes this all about herself, I will kill her.'' Lindsey announces. ''I didn't know Daytuso very well. But it hurts my heart that she is no longer with us. I want to honor her memory.'' She starts off. Alana is hopeful, maybe Rylan isn't as bad as she thought.
"So let's start a campaign, drunk drivers should be punished. Killing tons of people every day, people like Daytuso, who are on their way home. Who did nothing wrong. We have to stand up and do something, make sure this never happens again. Who's with me?'' The crowd is filled with cheers.
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The three friends all look at each other confused, angry, betrayed. ''It's her funeral for gods sake. This is low even for her.'' Mila says, sending a death glare to Rylan.
"Well.. She is kind of right. Maybe give her the benefit of the doubt?'' Alana suggests.
"Alana.. I get it you want to see the best in people.. but this.. this should never be done at a funeral.''
''Amen sister.'' Lindsey replies.
The next day, the three friends arrive at school after a week of not going. Some people stare at them, sad expressions on their faces. Nobody could deny that the circumstances surrounding Daytuso's death were somewhat suspicious. But no one dared talk about that.
"What the hell is this Rylan?'' Rylan turns around, pretending to be confused by the girls question.
''I don't get it. What is what?'' She asks, angering the girl in front of her.
"This!'' She says waving a poster in front of Rylans face. Rylan snatches the poster out of her hands and smirks.
"This. Well this is a poster for my campaign sweetheart. My dad thought it would be a good idea to test it out at school. Seeing your reaction I think it worked perfectly.'' She says, a hint of evil is heard in her voice. ''Oh Mila don't be upset. Something like this needed to happen ages ago. Daytuso's death just started the conversation. I'm just the one leading it.'' She smirks and walks away from Mila.
"Now can we kill her?'' ''We're not killing anyone.''
Later that day the three friends all have a free period together, they go to the library to study. Alana is sat with lots of books doing research on something.
"What are you researching Alana?'' a curious Mila asks her.
"Uh.. I.. Uh..It's nothing.'' The girl stutters. Lindsey then grabs the book out of Alana's hands, a sad look washed over her face.
"Alana.. Things like this don't exist. I get it you miss her, but we're not going to get her back.''
"I'm just curious okay!" Alana snaps.
Mila just stares at the two girls confused, ''Wait, wait, wait. Is anyone going to tell me what's going on?'' Mila asks still confused.
''She wants to bring Daytuso back to life.'' Lindsey says almost emotionless.
Mila sighs, sending a sympathetic look to her friend.
"Oh my god. Seriously? Oh Alana sweety, you're even dumber than I thought.'' The annoying voice of Rylan Anderson says.
She walks up to Alana, pretending to knock on her head ''Oh nobody home, just as I thought.'' she says making Alexus and Cindy laugh.
Rylan kneels down and looks Alana in the eyes ''grow up Alana, this might have been cute when you were little, it's just stupid now.'' She winks at Alana and walks away, Alexus and Cindy following her.
"Still saying we should kill her.'' ''OH MY GOD STOP!''
Back at the Ramirez Household things are heating up once again.
"What if what I'm saying is true dad? She has had beef with Rylan for years. What if this time Day just went too far and Mr. Anderson killed her. Wouldn't be the first time they used that method.'' Daytuso's brother explains.
Mateo shakes his head, not wanting to believe what his son was saying but deep down, he knows it could be true. ''Please stop. You're upsetting your mother.'' Mateo tells his son.
He looks at his mother, a sad expression on her face, he sighs "Dad. Please just look into it. If the Andersons are behind this. We need to act.'' His son tells him before walking out of the room.
Mateo sits down, grabbing a picture of him and Daytuso. He remembers that day, it was just the two of them. She had wanted to go to London all her life, so he took her for her birthday. She had told him that it was the best birthday present she could wish for and that she loved him. This was his favorite picture with her.
"Mi amor, you know you have to investigate this.'' His wife says, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Oh I promise you, I will.''
"So what should we do about Rylan?'' Mila asks curious.
"I say we throw paint on her white clothes, while at school. Funniest thing ever I guarantee you.'' Daytuso replies while laughing.
"I wouldn't want to spark a war between the Andersons and Ramirez' families'' Mila says worried.
"Oh don't worry, my family will win.'' confidence is heard in her voice.
''I'm not sure. A lot of mysterious deaths happen around the Andersons. What if that is their way of getting rid of people that are in their way?'' Alana asks clearly scared.
"Then I'll come back to haunt them.'' Daytuso starts laughing even more ''don't worry Alana, nothing is going to happen.'' she reassures her friend.
''No. She has my family on her side as well.'' Lindsey says winking at Daytuso.
"Let's talk about something else. This is depressing.'' Mila says.
"Agreed.'' they all say together.