Part 2
Sunday, January 18 2026. Around 9:30 in the evening.
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The HHS Broadcasting Club continues to follow the cold trail of a person who could be a poltergeist for all they know. AJ is on the move this time. He seeks out a possible suspect for the mystery person in the “Alex Rivera” case at the newest frat party.
The lights are just as vibrant as always, and part of him thinks he might not survive the initial strobe. After years of being the designated driver, and the trusted parking lot camper, AJ can’t seem to get used to the upbeat atmosphere of loud frats, giggling girls, and the chaos that is the foyer’s massive conga line.
He shivers before slipping past a few girls with red solo cups and muttering quick apologies before spotting his target: The renowned hostess of all of these major parties, and the connecting web of all of the “Elites”. Rae.
She stood chatting with two other boys who had to have been twins, or at least siblings. AJ recognized them as new inductees to the HHS Hockey Team. From what he’s seen so far, they were pretty good. Really good actually, and if he hadn’t known Rae for as long as he did, he wouldn’t have a clue that she was taking them under her wing to join the Elites—pretty much a society for all of the athletic superstars at their school.
AJ tapped her shoulder tentatively.
Hey, Rae! Sorry for interrupting you, but do you have time to spare for the HHS Broadcasting Club?
The girl looked over and grinned, waving the two other boys off before turning to face AJ completely.
Duh, of course? You don’t even have to ask dude, we’ve known each other for ages.
AJ smiled before whipping out a pen and a small notepad. If he needed information about anybody and anything, she was the best person to go to. After all, she doesn’t just host these parties for a reason. She’s in on the buzz of high school drama, and HHS’s hottest scandals, too.
It was natural to trust her. And natural to suspect her.
So, I can see it’s been a pretty successful party? Do you happen to have seen Alex Rivera at all this evening?
Rae cocked an eyebrow.
Don’t tell me this is about the kiss that happened yesterday…
Wait, was that actually you?
Okay first of all, if it was, I would have told you already. Second of all, ew? AJ, what the heck?
Sorry, you know I had to ask. This ‘mystery person’ in the Alex Rivera case is all our club’s got going on right now. It’s new, and everyone wants to know. It’d be a perfect story.
Rae crossed her arms before looking off to the side where her backyard door was.
It’s definitely something..!
AJ furrowed his eyebrows.
Do you know something?
Rae paused to open her mouth until a loud crash suddenly sounded near the living room. The two sprinted to see what had happened before finding people passed out over the edge of coffee tables, couches, and rugs.
Rae, are these people drunk?
Whattttt I don’t know why you’d think that twin!
I thought you said the Kool-Aid wouldn’t be spiked this time around dude? This is lowkey irresponsible…
Rae smirked.
Who said anything about the Kool-Aid?
AJ’s eyes widened before whipping his head around to look at the catering table. On the top we’re haphazardly placed Sprite bottles—some full, some not full, but all definitely opened. Vodka.
Wait, but what about that guy? He’s chugged pretty much the whole thing of Kool-Aid? He hasn’t even had any of the Sprite.
Nah don’t worry bro, that’s just Asher. You must be new here. Anyways, I should probably go check up on him. Gotta bounce.
AJ was left to stand there alone and sit in the chaos until his eyes had practically drunk the alcohol that lingered in the suffocating rooms. It wasn’t until he snapped back into reality that he realized he had written almost nothing on his notepad—leaving with more questions than he had entering the party. He tried looking for the hostess again before deciding that his efforts were futile in the sea of people and flashing lights.
AJ sighs before turning around to head for the main door. Maybe he should have just gone to bed and let Eli take the reins. At the end of the evening however, he knew one thing was for certain.
Rae definitely knew something about Alex Rivera.













