"At least we don't have to take that chemistry test in Mr. Langmore's today," Stacey said as they got onto their bus. "I forgot to study for it."

"When do you ever study, Stace?" Leona replied. "It's not like you're failing his class or anything."

"True, but I would rather pass than get another B minus."

As soon as everyone was in their seats, the bus driver pulled away from the school and onto the main road. Leona looked out the window while Stacey started texting Kaleb, giggling as she sent the boy several emojis. The fog outside was dense, which was frustrating to the teenage girl. Out of all the late summer days, why did it have to be miserable and dreary today? It's not like there was anything strange that was about to happen...

"Kaleb just told me that Tristan might or might not have a crush on you, Lee."

Leona looked away from the obscured scenery and turned her attention to her best friend.

"Stace, you know I don't date jocks," she said with a sigh.

"I know, but you know how boys are."

"Oh, so now you're an expert on boys?"

Both girls would laugh, trying to make light of today's events. 

"That was funny, Lee," Stacey wheezed. "When did you become a comedian?"

"When have I not been one?"

"Okay, maybe you have always been a jokester, but you usually keep her behind the curtains."

The bus started to slow down, the engine making a hissing noise as the first set of students got off at their stop. It wouldn't be long before Leona had to leave Stacey, as she always got off before her.

"Is it just me, or does it seem like it's getting darker outside?"

Stacey shrugged, putting her phone in her bag so that she would stop texting Kaleb.

"They did say that the weather was going to get worse through the afternoon, right? Maybe that's it."

"Or I'm just paranoid," Leona mumbled.

"Girl, when are either of us not paranoid? Isn't it how us teenagers are supposed to be when questioning everything we see and do?"

Leona grinned.

"So does that mean I can question your taste in athletes?"

"No!" Stacey said without thinking. "We do not include that."

"Maybe we should, Stace," Leona said, considering the idea.

"Lee, why must you attack me like this?"

"Because you're my friend, and I like teasing you about these kinds of things."

"So you say," Stacey says as the bus reaches Leona's stop. "But that doesn't mean that you should."

"Love you Stace," she'd say to her best friend as she got up from their seat.

"Text me later, alright?"

"I always do!"

Leona made her way down the aisle, hardly noticing that the buzzing from the other students has dropped drastically. It was starting to rain heavier, the drops hitting the hood of her jacket in an accelerando pace. It wasn't too far to get to her home from the bus stop, but it seemed to be taking longer than usual to reach her destination.

The wasps returned, churning in her stomach aggressively. Just as she made it to the top of the hill, all she could see were red and blue lights.