“Uh, it’s fine. I can’t really talk about it. My dad will kill me. He’s being more aggro than usual, because…well, huge important murder case.”

“You can’t tell us anything?” Luke presses, mellow high be damned. Like recognizes like. He’s fishing. But I think we have very different motives, he and I.

“No.” Amber is firm, and she throws me and Bronte a beseeching look for good measure. We’re not telling them about the dress. Got it. But, God, I itch to see how Luke and Morgan would react. Lipstick ruination doesn’t seem Luke’s style, but Morgan’s squirming.

Come to think of it, though, any of the homecoming-queen hopefuls could’ve been pissed at Natalie’s assured win. Except not everyone had a mysterious key, did they?

I can’t ask about it now, but I file it away to press Bronte about later. As game as Amber seemed earlier, her father must have said something to scare her off.

But Amber is saved from further questioning, because Morgan cracks, the first to cry.

“I can’t believe this is happening. I miss her. But I shouldn’t have to miss her! Natalie should be here. We were supposed to be pregaming right now—at her house, before the dance.”

“Do you think they’ll reschedule?” Luke coughs, tacks on: “In honor of Natalie, I mean.”

I’m reminded of Luke’s murder tour this afternoon, back on schedule. Now he’s worrying about not having a stupid school dance?

“That’s a good idea.” Morgan sniffs. “I’ll talk to Principal Morris tomorrow. Doing something for Natalie. She loved homecoming and prom.”

Everyone turns wistful. The makeshift memorial has begun.

They take turns telling stories: How Natalie could be so thoughtful. Never forgot a birthday. Knew exactly what you were thinking sometimes.

“Yeah, but sometimes she knew…too much,” Bronte says, exploding into giggles. Amber snorts, catching the funny bug.

“Pick a little, talk a little,” she rattles off, and the group repeats the phrase. It tugs at my ear, familiar.

“God, don’t remind me!” Morgan practically explodes. “She didn’t speak to me for two weeks when I got the lead in The Music Man.”

“Oh, I meant more that she was a huge gossip,” Amber retorts. “First person to know about my parents’ divorce and spread it like wildfire.” She launches into an uncanny impression. “But, Amber, everyone was going to find out anyway. Why are you mad?”