“It’s official, Mr. Ralph hates me!” Anna frowned as she threw away the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. She exhaled slowly trying to calm her nerves. The events of the day had left her exhausted.

“That's cool…” Her best friend Gina rolled her eyes and focused back on the book she was reading. Her short brown hair fell freely on her shoulders and her hazel brown eyes were hidden behind her thick glasses. She was currently relaxing on her bed while a frustrated Anna was sitting on her study chair.

Gina's lack of interest in Anna’s problem irked her. Her life might as well be over and all she would care about was a stupid book. Ugh!

“Won’t you ask what’s wrong? Try to cheer me up? Act like a normal bestie?” Anna probed.

“Let me think about it...um...no because I don’t care! Can you just let me be. I have to find out what happens next between the fairy princess and the dark elf. Their love story is so amazing.”

“You know they don’t actually exist!” Anna stated in a matter of fact way.

“You’re such a Debbie Downer.” Gina glared at her.

“But I don’t care what you think. They’re a hundred percent real to me. They exist right here.” Gina. pointed at her heart.

“You’re so annoying.” Anna glared back at her trying hard to control her frustration.

“Miss Grumpy face what’s wrong?” Gina sighed finally taking her eyes off her book.

“Today in criminal psychology class I was so excited when Mr. Ralph announced we'll be turning in term papers at the end of the semester until he came up with this completely insane idea of giving each student a research topic he felt best suited their abilities and that was how I ended up with the topic *Why Women Kill*.

I know Mr. Ralph has unusual teaching methods. Everyone knows that and normally I wouldn’t care but my term paper topic is just outrageous. I feel he’s finally getting back at me for the time I blurted out that his class was super boring.” Anna was happy to get them off her chest.

“I’m sure you’re overreacting. It happened so long ago, he's probably forgotten all about it...But that was so hilarious. I can still remember the look on his face when you said that out of the blue.” Gina giggled.

“You're literally not helping! But you know what, I don't get that topic. Why women? Why not people? I don’t think that killing is limited to a particular gender. So why?” She ranted laying emphasis on the WOMEN as she spoke.

“Well I can see where he’s driving at. Women are like the sweetest creatures in the whole universe so what could make a kind-hearted woman engage in a cold blooded murder? Are you getting the big picture now?”

“Nope because I don't know. Who knows why people do crazy stuff these days?” Anna said flatly. Her term paper was going to be way harder than she had anticipated.

“Well I wanna know and I’m sure Mr. Ralph does so you’re going to research on it. You can’t chicken out of this one.

If you ask me he’s trying to spice things up this year.

You know, make you see things from a different perspective, take you out of your comfort zone, see if you can rise to the challenge. This topic is great for you.” Gina’s eyes twinkled as she spoke. The term paper had grabbed her interest.

“How the hell am I supposed to know all that? I’m not a killer. I definitely don’t have plans of killing anyone soon so I’m just lost. I don’t know where to start from.” Anna frowned and folded her hands across her chest. She looked like a sulking baby. Gina couldn’t help but laugh.

“You know....you can become one, if it’ll help.” Gina winked at her suggestively.

“Wow that's a great idea! And you know what I have another awesome idea; you'll be my first murder victim.

I'll kill you and dispose of your body in a place no one knows and if cops catch me, oh well.” Anna shrugged. “ I'm sure it'll make the papers. I can picture the headlines already; [Murder of the year; psycho kills bestie].

We'll both be super famous, It's like a win-win either way. Don't you think so?” Anna smiled creepily as she moved closer to Gina.

“What! No! You're joking....right?”

“I don't know...your idea sounded pretty cool...I might as well go on with it.” Anna suddenly brought out her pen knife.

“Stay away from me...you...you weirdo!” Gina jumped down from her bed trying to avoid Anna who chased after her.

“Don't run away. I just want to figure out how it feels to kill someone. Won't you help me? Pretty please..” She batted her lashes at Gina

“No....”Gina screamed as Anna caught up to her.

“Too bad...Any last words?” Anna raised the knife to stab Gina but then suddenly dropped it and gave her a tickle attack.

“Hey...stop it! I can die from laugh...ing you know.”

“That's what you get for teasing me so much.” Anna kept on tickling her.

Gina overpowered Anna and gave her her own tickle attack.

“Hey no fair! I'm the one supposed to murder you not the other way around...”

“Well now you know how it feels like.” They both laughed loudly and tickled each other untill they rolled off the bed and landed on the floor

“Ow! That hurts.” Gina massaged her forehead and adjusted her glasses. “But seriously best don’t fret about it, you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure you’ll think of something amazing that will wow everyone.” She smiled reassuringly at her as she got up from the floor.

She walked–more like twirled to their closet on the other side of the room.

The closet door rocked from side to side as she looked through her dresses for a suitable one.

After selecting a black strapless, body-hugging, above the knee gown she made for the bathroom.

“Uhm…where are you off to? It’s been a while you dressed up.” Anna stared at her inquisitively. Gina blushed like someone caught doing what they shouldn’t be.

“Oh I’m off to see a friend.”

“It must be a very special friend for you to be so excited about it.”

“Yah you can say something like that.”

“Aww my friend is in love.” Anna cooed

“What? No! It’s just a friend!”

“Yeah right! I’ve never seen you this excited to meet any of your friends.”

“You’re impossible.” She scoffed at her before heading for the bathroom.

Minutes later Gina was out of the shower and after meticulously dressing up she was ready for wherever she was headed.

“And done!” She exclaimed as she applied finishing touches to her makeup and stared one last time at her reflection in the mirror. She nodded satisfactorily.

Anna smiled. Gina was looking hot though she wouldn’t accept it. Her so called friend would be blown away just by staring at her. The outline of her hips were clearly visible and her cleavages were exposed. Gina was chubby and hated wearing revealing clothing so it was a pleasant surprise for Anna to see her dressed that way.

Gina cheerfully waved at Anna, her clutch purse in her other hand.

“Yeah bye. I’m left alone with this scary topic and no ideas while you go out to have fun with your friend.” Anna sulked not hiding her irritation.

“Stop acting like a big baby. I’m just going out for a little while, I promise I’ll be back soon. Don’t wait up okay.” Gina gave her a quick peck on the cheeks before going out through the door.

“Great! Just great! This term paper is so important for my grade, I can’t mess it up. I have to do my best but this is so annoying.” She groaned. She massaged her forehead, relaxed her back on her chair and closed her eyes momentarily for a fresh burst of inspiration. It didn't work!

Feeling bored and with nothing else to do she dialed her boyfriend’s number. She needed to talk to someone about how she felt. Someone who would listen, comfort her and make sure she feels better. Talking to Gina didn’t help to ease out her worries.

Jason didn’t pick up at the first ring. Anna sighed wondering if she should call him again or let him be when he called her back. She answered the call happily.

“Hey babe!” His voice filled her stomach with butterflies.

“Hey you! How are you doing?” Anna asked cheerfully.

“I’m fine, just rounding off with my report. How about you?”

“I’m bored!”

“Babe should I come over? My shift is about to end.”

Anna shook her head even though he couldn’t see it. “You don’t need to, I’m fine. I just need someone to talk to that’s why I called.

I have this strange term paper topic and it’s really bugging me....”

“Okay…tell me all about it... 'Hey Jason'...” Anna could have sworn she heard a lady's voice over the phone.

“Is someone there?”

“It's just my friend Emily. We handle some cases together in the hospital. She's really nice, maybe you'll get to meet her someday.”

“That sounds cool...” Anna wasn't looking forward to that

“ I’m sorry but I have to go, there's an emergency. But you know what, I’ll call you later. Bye, love you!” He quickly hung up.

“Yeah bye. I love you too.” Anna mumbled and went to lay on her bed.

After two minutes of sulking she decided to brainstorm a little about how she could make her paper interesting.

“What if I interview some women in the prison? It’s a good way to get information and it would add a human element to my paper. This might just be the best idea I’ve ever had! Anna you're so smart.” She patted herself on the back.

“My paper is going to be amazing.” She grinned. She spent the rest of her evening planning and outlining the form her term paper would take.

***

It was close to midnight when Gina walked in looking all moody.

“Hi Gina what’s up?”

“I’m tired and before you say a word everything’s fine! Don’t worry about me.” She hopped on her bed not bothering to undress.

Anna sighed. She didn’t know how to get through to her. When did Gina become so cold and distant?