Wiccan Act One: Occult

26 | Plan A

Cyrus

XXVI

Cyrus stared at Rowan the entire time.

The two were in their own little world during the memorial, constantly shooting each other glances based on what was being said. When Jennifer screeched at the top of her lungs for the anthem, they both chuckled and then when the teachers got up to say what they thought about Hazel they rolled their eyes. The only time Cyrus tuned in to what was being said was when it was Rowan's turn to speak.

Rowan didn't stick long, however, muttering about how much he loved his sister while reading from a flashcard. His quivering voice reverberated through the speakers and caused Cyrus to flinch. It was like hearing someone's heartbreak. When he concluded, his father moved to place a hand on his teary-eyed son but Rowan brushed him off and sat down.

Sheriff Silva spoke next. Cyrus tuned that out too, awaiting the moment he could go comfort his friend.

After the closing speech, everyone poured out into the halls at once, the chatter deafening. Through the mass of students, Cyrus stayed close to Christian while he kept track of Rowan's movements. Just like that, things were back to normal. It was as if they didn't sit down to commemorate a dead girl less than a minute ago. People were already moving on with their lives.

When they finally caught up to him, Rowan was staring blankly at his phone near Hazel's locker. There were a few girls gathered around trying to give their sympathies, but they left when Cyrus and Christian approached. Before he talked, Cyrus noticed Rowan's expression reverted to one of grief.

"Hey, Ro-" Cyrus was caught off by the other boy pulling him into a hug. Yet, Cyrus didn't pull away. He patted Rowan on the back and ignored how hard it was to breathe.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you guys," Rowan said. He pulled away for only a second before pulling Christian in and making it a group hug. Both boys struggled to remain conscious as he squeezed the life out of them.

This was not how Cyrus expected this to go. Rowan seemed unusually chipper given the circumstance. Maybe this had been a blessing in disguise. When they finally pulled away, Rowan went back to checking his phone as if they weren't there.

"What's that?" Christian asked.

"Apparently someone started a memorial page for Hazel on the school website." He turned the device over for them to see the page. It had the same picture of Hazel being displayed in the gym front and centre with one of those corny "Gone but not Forgotten" stickers plastered over and hundreds of comments.

At first, Cyrus thought he was wrong for assuming most of their classmates didn't care but the comments made it clear that was exactly the case. They weren't about Hazel's death but instead meaningless topics ranging from who was going to take her place on the cheerleading team, Rowan's looks and what someone named Abby had for lunch.

Cyrus rolled his eyes.

"What is wrong with these people?" he asked.

"Beats me." Rowan's focus wavered between the phone and Cyrus making the atmosphere shift to a more uncomfortable one. "Everyone in this town got to move on and pretend nothing happened."

His comment came as a shot towards Cyrus, Rowan's glare digging into his soul. Christian made it clear how damaging his actions were but he hoped Rowan would have been different. The hug didn't mean things were fixed, there was still a rip in their friendship.

"Rowan, I didn't mean to disappear on you," Cyrus clarified. "I'm sorry."

"I think you kind of did." His words came out smoothly. "Truth is you disappeared before she died."

"What does that mean?" Cyrus thought they ironed all that out when he asked Rowan to meet him behind the school. "I thought we were fine. We cleared things up when you told me about your dad."

Rowan scoffed at his words. "Don't get me started on him."