Withering You

Noah

"Turn right, Noah," mom says. I move to my right.  We were doing a dress trial for my graduation. 

"You think it's a little big on the side?" mom asks as she tugs down on my coat.

"It's dad's. Obviously it will be big," I say smiling at my dad. He was sentimental, wanting me to wear his graduation suit. I love the colour, plain black. Not being sarcastic here, Ava.

"It's fine," I add. If you were coming to the graduation I would have made an effort to look good. Even my parents weren't sure if they could make it. I've got no reason to look good. Maybe I can ask Saige to come? She wouldn't reject my call. All of a sudden I feel happy despite my head being a little hazy with the talk we had about 'move on'.
I still haven't considered implementing our ideas or thoughts or whatever you would call it in my life. It's hard. It's hard to move on.

Needing to put a show up for my parents, I smile at them and raise my hands up to show them how huge the overcoat was. "I think we should do some alterations," I say, not wanting them to catch on the fact that something is bothering me.

"Yeah, I think the same or we can get another one," dad suggests as mom helps me out of the coat.

"No, dad. I love this. It's fine," I say, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"We'll get this to my tailor. Let me call him to check when he is free" mom folds the coat and walks away to her room.

"Are you sure? We can change it if you don't like it?" Dad asks as he gestures to me to sit.

"It's cool dad-" I stopped when my phone vibrated on the table.

"Answer it," dad says.

I shrug my shoulders. "It's Roy. I'll answer later."

"Are you lying, my son? It's a girl isn't it?"

I give out a laugh, "I'm not you dad."

"Oh please. Give me the phone," dad grabs the phone out of my hand and answers it. I close my eyes and give out a sigh. "Hello. Is it Roy? Or is it a girl faking like Roy?"  Dad laughs at his own joke.

"Dad. Please," I say as I extend my hand at him for my phone.

"I know. I know it's you Roy.  I was just kidding. Anyway how are you doing? I haven't seen you in a long time. Preparing for graduation?"

Oh, god. They talk for about five minutes before dad finally hands the phone back to me. I go up to my room.

I contemplate ending the call but then answer,"What is it?"

"I know you are still pissed at me," Roy says.

"Stop being a pain in the ass. Just end the call if there is nothing to say," I say.

"Jason is back," Roy says.

"Jason is back?" I ask just to make sure that what I heard is what I heard.

"Yeah, for the graduation," Roy says. My mind works quickly. I can know why he had sent you those letters. I can have answers for my unanswered questions.

"Okay. Thanks for letting me know," I say to end the call.

"What are you going to do?" Roy sounds worried.

"I don't see how it will concern you."

"Don't be stupid. If you are going to see him then I am coming too. I want to know if he had really slept with Ava or had lied to us," Roy says quickly, as if he had been practising it in his head. Something inside me nags me.

"How can I trust you, Roy? What if you are distracting me towards Jason to get yourself off the limelight," I say. Maybe I'm being rude but how long can I carry on with doubt? It's better I word out all what I think.

Roy gives out a weak laugh, "Why are you sounding like a detective?"

"Stop stirring the subject away," I say with determination.

"Look, you can't do it alone. I'll come. I won't say anything to Colin. I'll give you my word, " Roy sounded earnest. 

I give out a deep sigh. I can't do it alone. I'm a coward. I might backtrack at the last moment. Roy knows me too well than I might admit.

"Fine. Tomorrow morning then," I say.

"Morning? We have school-"

"Fine. I'll go alone," I interrupt him. I forgot that Roy goes to school without missing a day.

"No. No. I'll come. I'll pick you up at around eight then. Yeah?"

"Sure." I end the call, fearing he would talk about other things. About you. About what's happening or worse why I still think it's a murder. He must be wondering though. Let him wonder.  I'm in no position to tell him why I believe it is a murder.