She Got Crown, I Got Cremated

Frank Nixon scoffed, snapping his phone shut. He glanced at Jeff Blenman, who was busy weaving a flower crown.

"You get the call? Sienna's dead."

Jeff didn't even flinch. Still threading flowers. "Dead's dead. If you're free, go grab the body."

Frank's smile cut sharp. "You're her fiancé. Won't even deal with her body, but you want me to?"

Jeff held up the crown, like he'd just won something. "Wanna trade? You can take the title—and the wedding. Sound good?"

I just stared at him, stunned.

I didn't know why, but even dead, I was still stuck here.

Jeff's eyes smiled, but his face didn't.

That's when it hit me—he wasn't faking it. He really didn't want to marry me. He'd been dying to be free.

That's how deep his hate ran.

Frank stared at him, then let out a cold laugh. "What, you think I'm a trash can? Supposed to take whatever junk you toss? Tomorrow's Lulu's birthday. I've got better things to do than deal with dead weight."

Right then, his phone buzzed.

The ringtone stood out. His whole vibe shifted. Even Jeff looked up, watching him answer.

A sugary voice floated out.

"Frank, are you with Jeff? He's not picking up."

I knew that voice—Lulu Keller. Their forever crush.

She moved overseas at ten, came back two years ago like nothing had changed.

Even when Jeff and Frank still treated me decent, she hated me. Told me to back off.

I didn't, so she had her people corner me. I was nearly left with a wrecked face.

When Jeff and Frank found out, they warned her—one more move and she was out for good.

She backed off. Kind of. Still pulled petty stunts.

I brushed it off back then. Thought it was nothing.

By the time I tried to explain, it was already too late.

Their hearts had started leaning her way.

Jeff glanced at his phone—missed call. His brow twitched. He'd silenced it after the cops blew it up, and that meant he'd missed Lulu's call too.

Frank smirked. "Sienna's dead. He's off grabbing her body. No time to hit you back."

Jeff's eyes iced over. He stood, grabbed the phone from Frank, and said, all sweet, "Princess Lulu, don't listen to him. Your birthday's tomorrow. I'm putting something special together for you."

The room was bursting with flowers, stuffed animals, gifts—three days' worth of prep, all from Frank and Jeff.

I met them when I was thirteen. For ten years, this was my thing too.

They'd disappear three days before my birthday. I'd panic, then someone would blindfold me and walk me into this dreamworld they built for me.

That stopped the second Lulu came back.

Now it was all hers.