Being dead become fashionable approximately forty-five minutes after Samantha "the Divine" Devereaux came back from summer break.

Although stylish as ever, there was still something off about the Divine Devereaux. She strolled down the hall wearing a cleavage-bearing top, a miniskirt, and stiletoo heels. Her long blond hair had been freshly highlighted.

But unlike after previous summer vacations, Samantha didn't have that sun-kissed Cabo glow. Her skin was, forgive the phrase, dead white.

A large silver pendant hung around her neck, but I wasn't close enough to look.

I stared down the hall where Daisy stood, listening to Samantha and Penny. I didn't care what they were saying. I just stared down the hall, only seeing Samantha and Daisy. I was comparing them in my head.

Samantha whipped out her cell phone while Mr. Amador had a grim look on his face.

It was the end of the day, and I headed toward her locker. She slammed it shut so I said, "Hey Giordano, what's up?" There was no answer. "I saw your mom on the news last night." I said. She worked with my dad solving crimes. My dad's the chief of police here in Nightshade, and you could call Daisy's mom his psychic side kick.

Yes she really is psychic. The real deal. Not one of those phonies who read your palm for ten bucks, and I'm positive she could do that too.

She blinked. "Yep. Mom said as soon as she touched the scarf, she knew where the body was.

"Cool." I stated. I looked over at Samantha, and out loud said, "She still looks beautiful…" I said, seeing if she was really paying attention. She was. Big mistake. She gagged and made a face. "Daisy, I know you don't like her. And I know she embarrassed you back in middle school, but she didn't mean to."

"I don't want to talk about it. In fact, I'd be happy if her name was never mentioned again."

I felt sorry for Daisy. And she was all anyone wanted to talk about the rest of the week. Turned out people who admired her started supporting her look. The goths howled with rage and frustration, and in their protest the all switched to lime green or hot pink skirts and matching sweater sets and pearls. It was a shame really.

I haven't really seen much of her this week. I knew it was a long rough week for her, and I felt sorry. I had practices after school, and homework, so I couldn't really talk to her much either.

In fact, I was pretty surprised when she called on Friday

"Mendez residence, Ryan speaking." I hated answering the polite way when it came to phone calls from my friends. There was no answer. "Hello? Daisy?"

"Hey Ryan." She finally said.

"What's up?"

"Can you meet me tonight?"

"Uh, sure. Where?"

"At the diner at around ten thirty."

"Daisy, my curfew is midnight." My dad is strict, it got annoying at times. I sometimes wished he wasn't chief of police.

"I know, I know. It won't take long."

"Okay." I paused. "DO I want to ask what you're getting me into this time?"

"It's no biggie, but bring that extra set of keys. You know the ones."

I groaned in exasperation, but I didn't say no. I never really said no to Daisy. She's been my best friend since we were very little.