💡 Murder in the Moonlight

silence.

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It's nearly 3:45 but it's so overwhelmingly loud that I might just explode.

There are people everywhere. To my left, to my right, behind me and all around. I run through my list one more time, just to be sure: books, planner, water bottle, jumper, phone. There are only so many times I can check my bag before I tire myself. I slam my locker shut, only to be greeted with the last group of people I want to see.

Picture a stereotypical group of teenage boys in high school. Maybe out of a movie or show. Now lower your expectations drastically and you have the jocks of my grade. I didn't even need to think to recognise them. Vinny, Jojo, Seungho, Charlie, Austin, Mateo and Alab. Okay, maybe you don't need to lower your expectations. These guys are the textbook definition of a hallway crush. Or a normal crush. You could walk past any group of girls, even the ones younger than us, and you'd be sure to overhear at least one of their names. Everyone loves them.

Thankfully, they take no notice of my presence. At least, I hope they didn't. Considering class ended nearly 30 minutes ago, this hallway is packed. I swing my backpack over my shoulder and slowly walk past the group, trying to see what's actually happening further ahead. Countless conversations are flowing into my ears but I overhear the group whispering something.

"Gosh, she's gorgeous,"

"We know you have a pretty girlfriend Jojo. No need to rub it in,"

"Does she even go to our school?"

"I've never seen her before,"

"She's in my Math class but I've never heard her say a word in my life,"

"Take your eyes off the dumb girl and look how stunning Lara is!"

I figure that I've eavesdropped enough so I shift my gaze to the gap in the crowd that's formed ahead. Suddenly, the hallway goes dead silent.

"I make it my duty to welcome all kids to this hellhole with open arms. But just because you've asked, why don't I let you in on a little secret?"

Lara's voice sounds terrifying. It echoes with authority and power. I can only just see her stunning pink hair that she'll likely receive detention for and the collar of her scarlet blazer. From where I'm situated, I can't see anybody else with her.

"Leave us alone, bullies!" somebody else screams. I don't recognise her voice but it reminds me of last year when I was in her place. Shivers run down my spine if I even think about it.

There's probably 40 people in front of me and majority of them are holding up their phones to record. Yet nobody dares to interrupt Lara. The silence is deafening; it's worse than the loud yelling of moments earlier. I feel compelled to push forward and watch Lara myself but I don't. Instead, I turn on my heels and start walking in the opposite direction. There's another set of stairs just ahead and I'll be able to silently slip out without being noticed.

"You can't be obsessed with her if you've never spoken to her!"

"I thought my taste in girls was wack... listen to yourself man,"

"GUYS! Stop bickering over Linda and look how perfect my girlfriend is,"

"Her name's not Linda!"

"Who cares? She's irrelevant, you've got so many better choices out there!"

Their words follow my footsteps and hover over my head. I force myself to ignore their discussion but one of them says something else.

"She's probably the prettiest girl in our school and I couldn't care less if you don't believe it! But trust me, I'll make her mine one day."

And after he finishes, the chaos of the corridor returns. Everybody's returned to their usual state of loud, overlapping conversation. I can't stand it any longer so I get out of there as fast as I can. 

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FLICK, FLICK.