The most beautiful roses have their cruelest thorn

Unanticipated Message

Mia Madden, Saturday, February 23, 2019, 7:40 PM. Location: Home. 20 days before the murder...

Hmm, strange, Mr. Hudson hasn't called last night like he said he would. I guess he should take his time. I understand he is a very busy man. Today is February 23rd, one of my friends' brother's birthday. I think he turns 12 today. Rebecca is her name, and her brother Malcolm. I enjoyed all the pictures she sent me. Malcolm looked so happy. I remember Rebecca said the family was going to play laser tag. I think they're still at the arcade. I hope he's having a great day. Just the thought of a birthday makes me happy. I don't feel as stressed today. My dad had just bought me a new set of wireless headphones. But, for some reason, It wasn't connecting properly. At the time, I wasn't tech-savvy. So, I thought my dad would have an idea. So, he had possession of my phone. Although, something more... something expected came to light. I would've never thought a friend who wasn't even that close to me could be such a predator. It was bad timing.

My happiness has gone down the drain. I am washed by anxiety. It was all so sudden, we both saw a dirty text. My father was one of the first ones to see it. We were both silents when we saw it pop up. He then got up out of his chair and knocked on the bathroom door. My mother was already in there, taking a shower. For some reason, it wasn't locked. I followed him down the hall. I heard my dad tell my mom what the message said. It sounded strange and congested because of my dad's heavy and mumbled accent. But, never mind him. Why did he send that? What does this mean for us? My heart was pounding.

After he quoted the message, he said something ludicrous.

"She pretended not to see, so she knew about this." I heard. Excuse me? I would never do that! I saw it when you did! My mother came out with a towel wrapped around her petite figure. She looked at me with contempt for a moment. Let's go have a chat.

We were in the living room.

"Did you know he was going to do this?" Asked my mother in her soft, light voice.

"I swear, I didn't know! I don't know why he would say that!" I replied frantically.

"You have to be behind it! Why else would he send that to you?!" Asked my father in his deep, heavy voice.

"I have no idea!" I assured him. There was a pause of silence.

"Gimme your phone. I want to take a picture." He declared. I had no choice but to cooperate. My heart began beating with anxiety. He took a picture and video on his phone.

"I have to show it to the math teacher." He randomly blurted out.

"Why him? What's he going to do?" I asked, completely ignoring me. My mom sat in silence as I looked straight at her.

"You're right. You should show Mr. Hudson." My mom replied.

"But that's her homeroom teacher." He replied turning around and looking at my mom.

"But, he can't do nothing." She assured, coming off as standoffish. He already knew the answer. The tension was blood-rushing, as it went by so fast for me to process. I'm not sure what made my dad think my math teacher could do something. But, I'll concede, My dad never went to school. He stopped going in 7th grade to provide for his family. Now, he has moved to America, met my mother, and here we are. Though both parents are from Trinidad And Tobago, life is tough in a third-world country.

"You do understand what that text meant, right?" My mom asked, whispering to me.

"Yeah..." I responded, feeling strange being asked that.

"How come you're not offended?" She asked with a slightly quizzical look on his face. Did she suspect me of being the culprit? I sensed uncertainty in her voice.