Session Six

## Total Wannabe Vibes

Before the sun rises, we see Jessie hop out of Big Mike’s car and run into Crystal Mills High. She runs back out a moment later and the car speeds off. A letter to Crow rests in their locker: Jessie’s goodbye… for now.

Angel drives her younger brother, David, to school. Ashlynn and the cronies arrive, Harper seeming more on edge than ever. Crow and Kareem arrive late, having made out all morning in Kareem’s car.

In class, Ashlynn eyes up Angel, who blushes and looks away. The room is visibly set up for a science experiment. Crow and Kareem arrive late, but Ms. Hidalgo says nothing and continues to prepare for the project. Everyone mingles until she is completed, and she writes names into groups of three. Ashlynn, Crow, and Angel are in one group and Brittany, Harper, and Charlie are in another. Ashlynn asks Ms. Hidalgo if they could choose their own groups, because “someone” in her group would detract from her grade. Ms. Hidalgo tells Ashlynn that she set the groups up intentionally in the hopes Ashlynn could be a good influence and build her teamwork skills.

Everyone heads to their lab stations and begins the project: identifying the phases of cells and examining slides of cancerous cells. Ashlynn is confrontational with Crow, asking what their deal is. Crow shies away from the questions. Angel interrupts to ask about the project. The three begin working together. Ashlynn leans over the table towards Angel, the length of her miniskirt almost flashing the other students. She turns on Angel while attempting to correct Crow, but is quickly proven wrong. She gets upset and Ms. Hidalgo snaps at her to stop leaning over desks. Angel texts Chastity under the table, and the two chat about their weird lab partners. Chastity is sitting with Jason and Maddox, who stare at each other strangely. Chastity and Angel text about how it makes sense that Ashlynn and Crow are fighting, since Crow is a “murderer” and has total wannabe vibes. Ashlynn telepathically connects with Harper, feeling her full of rage. Ashlynn taps into her stream of consciousness, and hears a stream of vitriol towards Brittany. Ashlynn coughs, and all the cronies pause and turn to her. She mouths “Be patient”, and Harper turns angrily and shoves the packet towards Brittany. Charlie begins to work with Brittany before telling her she should change her eyeshadow. Ashlynn scowls at Crow, then spins with a bright smile to turn in their packet. When Ashlynn returns the packet to Ms. Hidalgo, Ms. Hidalgo asks if Ashlynn could look out for Angel and help her adjust to being at school. Ashlynn agrees, and the two exchange numbers.

As class ends, Crow asks Ashlynn if she could hang back to talk… alone. Ashlynn tells Crow that she doesn’t trust them very much, and sets Tylar as a guard. The two sit on a bench outside to talk. Crow tells Ashlynn that they want to fix things. Ashlynn grows upset, asking Crow what’s wrong with her, and Crow tells her that they need to trust her to tell her. Ashlynn says she knows, and Crow dares her to say it. Ashlynn spits out “Dead”. Crow explains their life, their death, and their life, now. Ashlynn becomes “***morbid***”, and Crow turns her on. Ashlynn begins to connect pieces, noting the VW Bug and the name Ted. She asks Crow if they’ve ever heard of Ted Bundy. The two head to the library to research.

In the library, Angel listens to loud music on her headphones and writes poetry into her composition notebook. A mirror on the wall just behind her reflects her profile. Without her moving, her reflection turns towards her.

Crow and Ashlynn enter the library, with Ashlynn wary of those around. Ashlynn logs onto a computer and pulls up a search result for “Ted Bundy”. Crow confirms that that man is who killed them. The two research Ted Bundy and his previous victims, finding that Crow’s death happened before Bundy’s other murders. Ashlynn roughly explains computers and the internet to Crow. Crow apologizes for attacking Diana, and Ashlynn tentatively forgives Crow, agreeing to stop calling them a “***murderer***”. The two talk about Crow’s un-living situation, Ashlynn seeming distressed that Crow sleeps in the graveyard. As Ashlynn loudly exclaims, “Your arm fell off?!?”, we see Angel’s face peeking between books in the bookshelf, obviously eavesdropping. Crow and Angel make eye contact, and Angel gets scared. Ashlynn notices Crow’s glance, hears a rustle, and angrily says “Not again!” as she stomps into the aisles. Crow follows right behind. The two confront Angel, who tries to lie… badly. Ashlynn dismisses Angel, saying she’ll see her after school. The two continue talking and Crow accidentally spills that Kareem is like her. Ashlynn is upset, saying her mom is gonna be pissed…

At lunch, Ashlynn and Harper make out in Ashlynn’s car. Ashlynn croons to Harper, convincing her that she’s doing such a good job and that she’s important to her, helping her to chill the fuck out. Harper basks in the attention.

Chastity texts Angel with a plan for the night, with Angel driving Chastity and dropping her off for an errand.

Kareem and Crow ambush a deer together in the woods, but Crow abstains from the meat. Kareem gorges.

Ashlynn checks in on Broden and Brittany’s apartment, finding a nervous Brittany and a wide array of drugs and weapons across the coffee table. Ashlynn notices the contents, but happily chats with Brittany and promises check-ins.

Kareem and Crow make out at the cemetery until the party at the Grill. Chastity texts Crow repeatedly.

Angel and her brother, David, get in a spat about Angel not taking him to football practice. He slams his bedroom door and Angel leaves to pick up Chastity. She finds Chastity lives in a very affluent neighborhood. Her reflection pointedly eyes Chastity. She directs Angel to stop at the Abandoned House for her errand, returning with a tote bag. The two drive to the Grill, gossiping about Crow and the other students in Ms. Hidalgo’s class.

At the Grill, Ashlynn finishes setting up the family-friendly safety decorations. She regards a wall of “Missing Persons” posters on the wall for a moment before removing Crow’s. As the party kicks up, Ashlynn and the cheer squad take photos for the paper and Ashlynn gets a personal thanks from the Mayor. The cronies use the party as an opportunity to show their families all the good they've been doing with the help of Ashlynn. When Ashlynn takes the parents' hands, they nod in sync with her and seem dazed but convinced. Harper and Angel awkwardly talk, with Harper introducing herself as Ashlynn’s girlfriend. Angel has never met Harper before, but Harper talks to her as though she knows her well. Harper feels a flash of fear when greeting Chastity, and Ashlynn consoles her after the two go further into the Grill.

Crow and Kareem argue after making out at the cemetery, with Kareem arguing that he wants to come to the Grill. Crow tells Kareem that he shouldn’t be around so many people, and that Ashlynn may get upset. Kareem gets upset and offers to drop her off, accusing her of choosing Ashlynn over him. When he drops Crow off, he speeds off before she can respond. Crow enters the Grill, dodging the cronies, and finds Juno and Eden who bring them to Chastity. Eden seems nervous, and Juno uncomfortably talks with Crow about how things have been and the events of the last party. They say that they couldn’t believe what Ashlynn said, but since Crow didn’t talk to them again they don’t know what to think.

At the pool table in the corner, Chastity and Angel play pool. Chastity completely decimates her, refusing to teach Angel, while they wait for Eden and Juno to arrive. Once Eden, Juno, and Crow arrive, Eden is affectionate and Chastity seems annoyed. Chastity ushers everyone to the alleyway, and hands out a variety of chalices for everyone which she fills with “tea”. It smells strange and looks even worse. She downs hers and tells everyone it's time to open their minds. Immediately after finishing their drinks, Chastity turns to Crow and asks about the night they crawled out of the Moonpool. Crow doesn’t know what to say, but Chastity insists that she thinks it's cool and freaky. Angel asks questions, and Chastity reiterates that she thinks it's sooo cool. Ashlynn interrupts the conversation to invite everyone to the afterparty, but the group gets caught in a conversation about the missing people in town. Ashlynn is morbidly interested, pushing for details, but the group doesn’t know much. Then the tea kicks in, and the group starts tripping.

Crow texts Kareem that he could come to the afterparty as the tea kicks in, then forgets their phone exists. Chastity and Angel dance together at the Grill, flirting heavily. The party ends and the five pour outside to walk to the Armstrong. As they walk, Kareem calls Crow and is upset that they’re doing weird shit without him. The two argue, and Angel asks if that’s her boyfriend. Crow says yes, and Angel asks for the phone.  Kareem yells, “WHAT THE FUCK?!” and demands to talk to Crow again. Angel laughs. Kareem picks Crow up outside and the others go inside.

Inside, everyone is getting trashed and swimming in their underwear. The group starts taking shots with Ashlynn. Juno is hesitant about getting into the pool, and Angel’s reflection tells her to get Juno into the pool. Angel encourages them and they take another shot and cannonball in, ruining Angel’s hair.

Crow and Kareem silently ride in his car. Crow notices that Kareem’s car smells terrible. He starts to drive intentionally, ending up at the piers at the beach. The ferris wheel is lit up with colors. Crow’s vision warbles as they trip out. He gets out of the car and heads towards the boardwalk. Crow runs after him, shouting his name. He pauses and Crow joins him. The two hold hands and walk to the end of the pier, stopping to sit on the edge. Kareem tells Crow that he needs to feel alive again, and climbs onto the railing. Crow looks over the edge and the ocean is dark and churning. Crow sits on the edge next to him. The two hold hands again. From a distance, we watch them fall into the water.

We see the two of them, still holding hands underwater. There is a serene moment as they look at each other before a wave separates them and dashes them across the stones. Crow’s head impacts and everything cuts to black.

Back at the pool party, Juno is trashed, puking into a trashcan and taking another shot. Angel finds Ashlynn to ask if she and Juno could crash. Ashlynn approves. Between them, Juno trips and falls under the water. They do not emerge. Ashlynn realizes and sics Jason and Tylar to save them, getting out to give mouth to mouth. Juno chokes up a mouthful of water and heaves a breath.

Angel and Ashlynn rush Juno to a bed, set up with a trashcan and water and a perfect banana. Ashlynn quietly makes a peanut butter and honey sandwich, offering one to Angel. Angel thanks Ashlynn for saving Juno, turning her on. Angel gains a string on Ashlynn and leans up to give Ashlynn a kiss on the cheek. Ashlynn catches her as she turns away and brings her back in for a passionate kiss. Angel asks to take it slowly, and the two spend the night making out.

Later that night, we see Crow sputter out a mouthful of water on the beach. Another body lays further down the beach. A long, drunken apology text from Juno waits on their Nokia phone screen.