Remembering October: Falling for You Series

Chapter Eight: Making It Worse

I end up not going into the school. I walk up to the gate, but I don't see anyone outside in the parking lot, so I know that everyone's still in some class. It's only been a few hours since I woke up. Two at the most, making it around ten thirty in the morning.

I stare at the school for the longest time, just remembering everything that's happened here. Memories flash through my mind. Some good, some bad.

It's the bad ones that take over, though. My head swells with frightening memories inside those very halls. I can still hear the gunshots, to this day. I can still see the fear in Luke's eyes as we were split up in the crowd of students trying to get out of the school.

Her laughter filled my ears over some funny joke Luke had just told and I shake my head at him. "Where did you hear that one?" I asked.

"Dude, that's a classic. I can't believe you never heard it before!" Luke said, grinning like a fool.

Alyssa caught her breath, only to start into another fit of laughter. Luke looked at me and jammed his thumb in her direction. "At least someone appreciates my jokes."

I chuckled and slammed my locker door shut, "Lyssa laughs at everything. You know that, Luke."

He made a face, "Come on, you know I'm at least a little bit funny, Jonah!"

I threw an arm over Alyssa's shoulders and started down the hallway. Luke followed on the other side of her. She'd finally stopped laughing and leaned into my side, "Sure, Luke."

He grinned, "I'll take it."

I shoved him away and he laughed, but it was suddenly cut off by an abrupt scream from behind us. I whipped my head around, along with the other two, and immediately saw a bunch of kids flying past us and then through the main doors.

I glanced at Luke and saw that he had a curious look on his face, much like I'm sure I did. Looking down at Alyssa, I saw she looked panicked and I tightened my grip around her instinctively.

A teacher, Mr. Davis, came flying out of his classroom and looked around. He spotted us three and shouted, "Get out of here, guys! Now!"

"Watch out!" someone shouted. Mr. Davis' head snapped to the side to look, but it was too late. There was a loud bang that made my ears hurt.

I wince as the memory hits me. I tighten my grip on the gate and then push myself away from it, stalking in the opposite direction of the school. I tug at my hair in frustration and groan. Why did this have to happen?

I watched, stunned, as Mr. Davis' limp body fell to the floor. Luke rushed to him and turned him over, only to find that his whole front was covered in blood. Luke's head shot up to look at me, pure fear filled his eyes, "He's been shot, Jonah."

I looked around, but I couldn't see anything. Students rushing out of the building clouded my vision and I held Alyssa closer to me. She presses a hand to her mouth at the sight of Mr. Davis, disbelief woven into her features as she leans against a locker. "Jonah—," she started, but stopped herself, not knowing what words to use.

Looking back down at Luke, I opened my mouth to say something, but I was cut off by another very loud bang.

The park comes into view and I start jogging towards it. Once I reach the grounds, I start to sprint towards the only thing in this park that can make the memories go away.

The monkey bars.

"We have to get out of here, Jonah, right now!" Luke shouted at me and I grabbed Alyssa's arm.