I sat at my desk attentively looking at the board. Numbers beyond numbers were being scribbled down that meant jack squat to me and several others in the classroom. All I wanted to do was draw.
On a lined piece of notebook paper I had drawn out the plans of a book I wanted to work on, but never had the ambition to start. A hero, though he would deny that, strong as superman, but smarter than a scientist, worked to not only protect his daughter, but also stop an unforgiving war. His faithful blue haired fairy follower stuck close behind, while his daughter sat in front of him showing off her electric personality. It was more of a family photo drawing than anything, but it was the start of a dream yet to come.
Knock knock knock
The sound traveled through the room. Everyone's heads rose in unison as the teacher walked over to the door. When she opened it two cops stood waiting for her. Only slight murmurs could be heard and then they looked at me. Shivers shot down my spine as the thoughts of the reasons why they could be here for me. I didn't do anything, did I? Could be my little accidental stunt in the girls locker room last week? I wasn't fully in the wrong.
“James.” The teacher called, motioning me to her. She looked back to the cops and murmured a few more things.
I got up and slowly walked for the door. No one said a word, but everyone gave a glare. I didn't like all the attention so I kept my eyes on the cops. As I approached them, they parted and let me through. The door gently closed behind me. I turned around and both cops had removed their hats, something they did when they were about to give bad news.
“James, your parents were murdered this morning.” The younger cop said, shifting in his feet.
“You're kidding, right?” I asked.
“I wish we were.” The younger cop pulled a picture from his pocket and handed it to me. Mom and dad laid in a pool of their own blood. Bullet casings and a gun rested next to dad's body.
“I-I was just there this morning.” My hands trembled as I clenched the photo in my fist. It couldnt possibly be true, but the evidence was in my hand. Its only been two hours since I left home. What if I had stayed a little longer? Would I have been killed to?
“We can take you to see them if you like?” The older cop asked.
“I have to get back to class. Maybe after school.” I said, wiping the tears from my eyes.
“Just in case.” The younger cop held out a card. I grabbed it and put it in my pocket along with the picture of my parents.
I returned to my desk and tucked my head into my arms. Thoughts beyond countless thoughts passed through my head. Could I have stopped the killer? Did they kill themselves? Maybe someone was just playing a really bad joke. God, I wish this was all just a joke. I have nowhere else to go.
Ding ding ding
The bell sung through the room. The clank of desks and shuffling of feet meant it must be time for lunch, but I didn't move. I didn't want to move. Why should I move? I have no reason to.
I felt someone touch my shoulder. I looked up to see and standing beside me, holding her books, was Blue. She was a friend of mine at one point, until she got into the popular crowd for looking so good.
“Is everything alright?” Blue asked just like we were old friends again.
“I'm fine.” I replied as I tucked my head back into my arms. After a moment I felt her hand leave my shoulder and then I heard her walk away.
Class resumed after thirty minutes. The teacher didn't even bother me when it was time to take a test, nor did she bother me with any reading assignments. Everyone kept to themselves, even the bullies who tend to pester me about walking into the girls locker room once and awhile.
Ding ding ding
Students began to leave again, this time for gym class. I peeked over my arm to watch as they all left. Blue was the last to go and before she left, she looked back at me. You could easily see she was worried. If her feelings were true or not, I wasn't sure.
“Maybe you should try and go to. Might take your mind off somethings.” The teacher suggested, while correcting people's tests.
I stood up and walked to the door. The hallways were baren, except for the few pieces of paper scattered around. The sound of shoes squeaking got louder as I drew closer to the gym. I walked right past the boys locker room and right into the girls. No one was in there, not that I would have cared anyways. I sat down and curled up in front of Blue’s locker. If her intentions were true then she wouldn't mind, who gives a crap what anyone else would say.
Time passed, the shoes ceased to squeak, and class was almost over. The door opened and closed several times as girls started to pour into the locker room. I could hear them whisper to each other about me. Why is he in here? Is he spying again? Maybe we should get someone. I'm changing in the bathroom. He's such a pervert.
I didn't want to hear it, but I didn't want to leave. I couldn't leave. Its as if my body was paralyzed from the mix of emotions I was going through. My chest hurt from trying to breath, my nose ran like a river, and my tears have all dried up. To say I was a wreck was an understatement, but it changed with her.
“What's the matter?” Blue asked as she touched my shoulder. I held my hand out to her and dropped the crumpled picture into her palm, but I never looked up at her. I just returned my head back to my knees. I heard her gasp in shock from the picture and it wasn't to long after she pulled me into a hug.
“I'm so sorry, James.” She said gently.
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