If Ravenswood had a town anthem, it would be the sound of a coffee machine malfunctioning followed by someone dramatically shouting, "I swear, I'm moving to LA."
Emma had been up since 6 a.m. reviewing arson reports and conspiracy theories written by men with usernames like "Truth4UBrian85"...
"OreosNosewhatsup" Now, she was caffeinated, cranky, and trying not to throw her oat milk latte at the back of Jaxon's stupidly perfect head.
"If you sigh one more time, Jaxon, I will body slam you with this mood board," she muttered, gesturing to a corkboard covered in red strings and cryptic notes like MATCHBOXES DON'T LIE.
"I'm just saying," Jaxon replied, spinning slowly in her office chair like a moody philosopher, "if this guy Liam is so helpful, why is he always conveniently around when new drama shows up? Like, is he solving crimes or manifesting them?"
"He works with in a police department...what the hell do you EXPECT".
The door to the coffee shop burst open like a sitcom entrance... .and in walked a girl with flaming red box braids, headphones around her neck, and energy that screamed "main character with multiple side quests."
"Tell me this isn't the Murder Club meeting," the girl said, dropping her tote bag. "Because if it is, I'm gonna need a drink stronger than caffeine."
"It's not," Emma said slowly, eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
"Zaria. Zaria Gold. Transfer student. Professional eavesdropper. Connoisseur of drama. And you must be Emma...the girl who either solves fires or causes them."
Emma blinked. Rachel, from across the table, cackled. Jaxon did a full-body sigh.
Zaria flopped into a seat uninvited and pulled out a custom pink iPad with "Hot Girl Conspiracies" scribbled on a sticker.
"So here's what I've gathered from lurking around town for 36 hours: someone set that factory fire, it wasn't an accident, and the motive wasn't insurance...it was revenge."
Emma exchanged a look with Jaxon. He raised an eyebrow. Zaria raised both.
"And how do you know this?" Jaxon asked, skeptical.
"Because I read vibes, Jaxon. I also hacked the Ravenswood library database..... but mostly vibes."
A completely new character waltzed in Tyson "Ty" Bello...Zaria's childhood best friend and part-time barista, full-time heartbreak. He walked in holding a tray of espresso shots and a jawline so sharp it could cut glass.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, placing the drinks down. "Zaria told me to come. She said there'd be crime and cute people. I see one out of two."
He winked at Emma.
Rachel did a literal spit take.
"Ty, this is Emma. Emma, this is chaos," Zaria said, grinning.
"Uh okay ... Hi Ty...Hi Zaria...who the h "...she smiled and restrained herself..."who told you about this meeting...heck who even let you in?..."Emma asked.
"I did... "
Liam strolled in next, like he'd just walked off a GQ set, hair tousled perfectly, button-down slightly undone. He looked way too calm for someone who may or may not be harboring secrets.
"Technically John did...but I invited them over cause I thought it'd make things easier you know... didn't think it'll be a problem"...He flashed a nervous but yet deadly sue-him-to-court smile.
"And that is the guy who may or may not be a corporate spy and is also maybe hot enough to ruin your GPA?"
Zaria muttered, leaning toward Ty.
"The very one," Ty whispered back.
Emma rubbed her temples. "Can we focus?"..."please"
*TWO HOURS LATER…*
Post-espresso, post-sass, post-ten-minute argument about whether Liam's jawline could be legally classified as a distraction tactic...they finally made progress.
Zaria dropped a bomb.
"I found security footage the police didn't include in their official report."
Everyone went still.
"It shows someone near the factory at 3 a.m., night of the fire. Wearing a hoodie with a symbol. It matches the patch on Jaxon's old varsity jacket."
All eyes turned to Jaxon.
"First of all," Jaxon said, standing, "that jacket is vintage. Second of all… I lost it last year."
"How convenient," Liam said, lips twitching into a smirk.
"Are you accusing me?" Jaxon snapped.
"No," Liam said smoothly, "just admiring how drama seems to orbit you like a thirsty moon."
Rachel gasped. Zaria leaned back like she was watching Euphoria: Crime Edition. Ty just bit into a donut, utterly unfazed.
Emma stared at Jaxon. Was this another clue? Another twist?
*Later That Night...*
Emma sat in her room, staring at the security footage frame.
It wasn't clear. The figure was blurry. But something about the posture, the way they moved...it wasn't Jaxon.
It was someone else.
And she had a terrible, creeping feeling... the person in that hoodie wasn't just trying to destroy the factory.
They were trying to destroy someone she loved...