The most beautiful roses have their cruelest thorn

And when he wasn't there...

Mia Madden, Friday, March 1st, 2019. Location: Spanish Class. 14 days before the murder...

Mr. Hudson is still in Japan. I haven't seen or heard from him in a good minute. I'm assuming he'll return on Monday since today is Friday.  Armando's birthday passed like it was nothing, despite the eccentric lie I heard. Though, there was no excitement. Turning 14 seemed like everything was nothing. I guess he did get away with this, didn't he?  But why? Did he not deserve this, or is the blame painted on me? I don't understand.

In Spanish class, today, kids were communicating and I hope they're doing the work together. Armando and his crew sat in the back of the class, while Sophia and I sat in front of the class. I heard the school phone rang. She was speaking for a while. She looked concerned. Though, I thought it had to do with her. But, when you're relaxed, that's when you have to get up. The teacher, Ms. V went up to Armando and Daniel. They were instructed to go to the assistant principals' office on the second floor. I didn't realize what was happening until they both got up together and left the room. The class suddenly went silent. I wasn't shocked when their conversations came to a sudden standstill. I guess they had all figured it out. Smart kids. But, I wonder how did Mr. Hudson pull the trigger of action while he was away? The teacher then came up to me after a good minute.

"Mia...Since they're gone, Ms. Wilson wants you to go to the Assistant principal's office after they arrived." She told me, looking into my eyes with seriousness, but I could see the sympathy and empathy. I put away my books.

"Wait, why are the three of you going downstairs?" Izzy asked me, who was also sitting next to me.

"Are the three of you in trouble?" Asked his friend, Cece, who also seemed concerned.

"It's a personal matter. She doesn't have to tell you." Responded to the Spanish teacher for me.

"Are you going to tell us?" Izzy asked.

"Oh, um... You don't have to know." I responded, already sounding drained, although not knowing what to say. With the teacher understanding they would badger me, she quickly said,

"You can go downstairs." She said quickly with her eyebrows raised, and her eyes slightly enlarged, I took the hint and quickly agreed. I agreed with Sophia understanding all of our fates, her face was frightened. Thinking to myself, they didn't read the group chat yesterday, or they just have not joined social media. But, not everyone in the class is in the group chat. But, by word of mouth, everything should be out in the open now, and I wouldn't be surprised if they hear rumors before I come back. But, did Ms. V say Ms. Wilson? She's the secretary, not the assistant principal.  I guess she's out for a while. I passed through the double doors on the left side of the school. The room was now six feet away. This section of the school has deep sea green walls, iron-gray grounds, with a mixture of tan and medium brown doors to light up the dark colors...

I paused for a minute. Mia, are you ready for this? This is the path you chose, and now it's time to face the truth you've always asked for. You can do this. I don't know why I have this feeling of myself falling into an empty, bottomless pit. The door was already wide and open. I walked through the tan, narrow walkway into the small room. The first thing I see is the children, and a couple of staff members, Everybody was standing like they were quickly interrogated until all eyes were on me, again. I could see the frightened faces staring at me.

"Hi, Mia." The dean began to try and calm the atmosphere, but it only made it awkward in my eyes.

"Hi..." I began nervously. He was a light-skinned African-American man. An older guy dressed in school uniform. He was strict with the troublemakers but was also a nice guy.

"So, what's been going on?" He began in his slightly pubescent voice, slightly high-pitched.

"Who sent you that message?" He asked gently.