~Prologue~

Peanut grumbled softly to himself, fiddling with the camera in his hands. Photography wasn't exactly his favorite subject, especially because none of his friends shared the same period as him, but he supposed it was better than wasting his time in math class or biology. Too bad none of the guys was with him. This project would've went a lot smoother than him just being alone.

Ms. Phillips had gave every student a location to go take pictures in, and the cemetery was definitely the last location on his list. That place always did give him the creeps, even if he would never voice his opinion about it. Hell, he even considered skipping that spot since he was already getting a bad feeling by just thinking of it. But, he knew he'd never hear the end of it from Johnny, who was constantly on his back every second trying to make sure he was doing well. Honestly, the senior was on everyone's back since he'd be graduating this year and he wanted to leave them knowing they wouldn't be failing. Everyone would graduate on time, he had said, sounding like a mother. Sometimes he did resemble a parental figure, caring for the clique so much as he did.

The cemetery is eerily quiet when Peanut walks through the gates, looking around for something for photograph. He probably should've just taken a picture of the entrance and called it a day. But before he can go along with his new plan, a tombstone catches his eye. He has no idea why, but it sticks out so perfectly under a little tree. Slowly, he walks over. He can't read the name of who it belonged to, but he could tell no one had visited in quite a while. It wasn't taken care of like the other graves, and there was a lack of flowers. He stepped forward, going to brush away the dirt and some petals that had gathered up. After making sure it looked halfway decent, he snapped a picture, looking at his camera. It didn't look too bad, but he did frown. Leaving it dirty probably would've added more to the picture. Oh well. Ms. Phillips wanted a picture of the cemetery and she was getting one.

Walking out the gates, Peanut shivers as the temperature feels like it drops a good 10 degrees. Grumbling more to himself, he pulls his jacket close to himself making sure the camera is securely strapped around his neck. Lord knows he didn't want to spend money buying a new camera just to replace one that had fallen. On the way back to the school, Peanut noticed the odd looks people gave him. Well, he was the only one who looked freezing. Maybe he was getting sick?

He notices that it's no warmer inside the school and he's quick to rush up the stairs, just wanting to drop off his camera and go back to his friends or go back to his room and curl up under the covers for a nap. He pushes open the door, being greeted by his teacher.

"Larry! You're finally back!" She walks towards him, taking the camera and looking at the pictures he had taken.

"Finally?" he repeats, now noticing that he's the only student in the class.

"Yes," She takes a glance at him. "There's only a couple minutes left of class. I honestly thought you had just taken the camera and wasn't coming back."

"Gee, thanks," He stands there a bit offended, but he wouldn't be surprised if anyone had told him that someone once walked out with a camera and never came back. Though, Ms. Phillips does sound pleased with his pictures.

"Oh, this one is amazing," she starts, going to turn the camera around so he can see it. It's the cemetery one. "I just wish your shadow wasn't in the picture."

"I don't even remember seeing my shadow..." Peanut gently takes the camera. Sure enough, there's a dark patch over the damn tombstone. He groans. Of course, the best photo he had taken had something wrong with it.

"It's still very well done, Larry," she tells him, taking the camera back. "If being a mechanic doesn't work, I'd say you'd have a very good chance in photography."

"Thank you, miss," With a small goodbye, Peanut leaves the room, rubbing his face. Oh well. At least he got the class over with. He was actually surprised at how long it had taken him to get back to school.

"Peanut!" The familiar voice makes him smile. Ricky runs up, patting his shoulder. "Hey, man! You're out late."

"Yeah. Just turned in my camera," he tells him. There's a small chuckle.

"I haven't even been to photography in the past week," he confesses. It wasn't a surprise. Ricky had been failing photography, and the clique had just assumed he had lied about going to class. Either that, or he just spent his time walking around. Johnny had told him to go to class, along with Lucky, but he always brushed him off.

"It's easy," He just nods as a reply before stopping Peanut, inspecting his face.

"You sick?" he asks, feeling his forehead. "You look really pale."

"I do?" He feels his face for himself. Neither of them feel a fever. "Maybe I am. It does really feel really cold."

"Well, c'mon, "hero". Let's get you back to your room," He pats his shoulder once more, walking with him back to the dorm. Looks like he would be getting that nap he had thought about.