Withering You

Noah

I shudder when I hear my phone ring. It really got me freaked out. I put your book carefully on the table with the page dog-eared, out of habit. I pull out my phone from my pocket. I seem to have got a little shaky. My fingers were trembling as I swiped the phone to answer.

"Hello," it was Colin. I move my phone from the left hand to the right and wipe my free hand on my trouser. It was sweaty. Don't ask. Reading your book got me sweating. It's maybe out of fear. Doing something in secret usually gets me fretted.

"Yeah, what's it?"

"Am I disturbing you?"

Yes, you are.

"No, What's it?" I try not to sigh out loud. I had lost everything I had with Colin. I just want to slam him against a wall and punch him down to a pulp.

"I am going to visit Ava's parents. You coming?"

All oxygen leaves me. I feel dry on the inside. Your mom. I want to see her. I want to pull her fragile body into a soft hug. But I just can't.

"No, Colin. You go," I can't Ava. I really can't muster up the energy to see you or your parents.

Colin gives out a sigh, "Don't be a baby. They are burying her tomorrow. Are you not coming at all?"

I shake my head even before he finishes.

"I have to go. Mom's calling." I end the call.

Everything is wrong with me now. I can't avoid you like this, especially your mom. She needs all the support we can give her. She must be really broken. Far broken than I am. But I can't face any of it now. It would disturb me wholly and distract me from what I'm trying to do for you. Find the killer.

So far you have mentioned Colin, Sebastian and Stella. Yes, I have her down in my list too. Stella is just nothing more than a pretty face. She couldn't have caused any harm to you, so I believe but I'm not leaving out anyone. Colin is my major guy. His reasons are upping everyone but this Sebastian guy,  who is it? I can ask Roy. He would know. I dial Roy on my phone.

"Hey man. 'Sup?" Roy says. I hear familiar background noises. I frown.

"Are you out?" I hear rustling noises and all of a sudden everything is quiet.

"No, man. What's it?" Roy is lying. I remember that noise, I just heard it. I close my eyes in frustration, trying to bring the loose memory to surface.

"Noah?" Roy asks.

Yes. Yes, I heard the same noise when I was talking with Colin. Roy must be with Colin. Why is he lying?

"I-uh," I think of something to say to him. I can't lie to him that it was nothing, it will raise his doubt. I had ended the call with Colin just now. Like you had mentioned in your book it would be a kick in the ass to give out a lame lie. I'm blank though. What am I to say?

"Noah? Are you there?"

Roy didn't have to lie. He could have warned me by saying he is with Colin.

"Mom called. Said she won't be able to come in till late in the night. Want to hang around?" I hope the lie came out smooth.

"Oh," Roy sounded relieved. He was maybe expecting something else from me.

"No, man. I'm not free," Roy says. I was expecting that.

"It's okay. No probs," I try to sound carefree.

"So did you read Ava's book?"

My heart skips many beats. Colin must have invited me to your place so I wouldn't be able to read your book. It's just a thought.
And now Roy is asking me about your book. Yeah, I would have asked him about the book if he had it but still. What have you done to me, Ava? You are making me doubt my own friends.

"I had to cook lunch. Didn't have the time to read yet." Denial is best for now.

"Ah, okay. I'll see you tomorrow then," Roy says. I end the call.

Colin. Stella. Sebastian and now Roy. The list is growing. I scratch the back of my neck. Why is Roy lying? What is the purpose for him to do so? Roy would have told Colin about your book. Even if he doesn't know what's written in it, he would surely not like for me to have something of yours. Something that would have the chance to put him in danger. I shouldn't have involved Roy in this. Stupid me.