The Shadow of Our Past

Dust

"Hey, are you okay?" Kira's head falls, shoulders slouching as I speak. She didn't let me follow her out of the pool yesterday, instead insisting that I just relax. For the rest of the night, she was reserved and wouldn't explain why to even Jess. I'm more than worried, checking up on her when I get a chance throughout the school day.

"I'm fine," she mutters, pushing her locker shut. Straightening from my position leaning against the lockers, I reach my arms out to her in a silent offer. Her small frame wraps around mine, head burying in my chest.

Students bustle around us as we embrace, loud chatter filling the air. "You can talk to me. I promise to listen," I coax, hand rubbing the small of her back in a soothing way. Her arms tighten around my waist in response, then loosen again when she sighs.

"I don't want to stress anyone out." I can barely hear her above the rumble of the people around us.

I pull back so she can see my face. "You aren't going to stress any of us out, especially not me. But I'm not going to force you to tell me anything." A glance at a nearby clock shows that we only have a minute or two to get to our respective classes, so I let my arms fall from her.

"I'll tell you after school today, if you are serious about not stressing over it like my mom would." She lifts an eyebrow in a mock warning, gaining a chuckle from me.

"Okay, I can do that," I assure her with a curt nod. A smile lights her eyes up in a way that makes her look beautiful as ever and relief washes over me. "I'll see you then."

With one last hug, she heads towards the history wing and I start walking towards the science department. My shoulders reflexively curl in at the amount of people crowding the hallways as I walk, only relaxing when I make it to my class. The bell blares loudly as I settle into my seat, Mr. Whitlock finally looking up from his laptop.

The next hour and a half is taken up by a lecture about epigenetics. Biology, being one of the few topics I can truly understand, is a class I look forward to during the day. Today, though, is much different. I can't keep my thoughts from drifting to Kira and the new plan we've set.

We want to start with talking to Alice King, who is in this class despite being only a sophomore. The only thing I know about Alice is that she is incredibly intelligent, being able to answer every question and pass every test in a class that is two years ahead of her grade. Like me, she is quiet and reserved but loves to show her knowledge of different concepts and complex ideas.

Class is dismissed and everyone begins to gather their things. Before Alice can leave the room, however, I call her over to me. Wide eyes meet mine like a deer in headlights, blinking only when I wave her over. She quickly slings her bag around her shoulder and weaves through the crowd of students heading for the door.

"Hey," I greet as she approaches me. She murmurs her response and waits with curious eyes for me to continue. "I was wondering if Kira Johnson and I could talk to you about something. It's fairly important."

Her eyebrows twitch in thought as she inspects me carefully. "Oh, I know Kira. Can I ask what you need to know?" she inquires sweetly and I do my best not to shutter. How am I supposed to approach this?

"Something happened to Kira two years ago that we think you might have gone through as well." She turns to stone as I finish my careful explanation, eyes stricken with fear.

"How- how do you know? There were more people than just me?" she sputters out, body beginning to quiver.

"We found your name on his friends list along with about eight or nine other girls." My voice is calm and steady in an attempt to soothe the frightened girl who looks like she might collapse on the spot. "We need you to help us. And if you're willing to, Kira is waiting for us in the parking lot."