Roman's Angel

Chapter 37

"Seth Rollins," The firm, authoritative voice snaps him out of his thoughts, making him look up. He sat at a desk in front of the principal, Mr. Helmsley, and the chief officer of the police department. Almost every student in the school who had known Roman or once spoken to him had been asked to see them, which included Kenny and even his boyfriend, Finn. Hunter had apologized for the way the school had treated Roman, but not just him, his boyfriend Dean, who as far as Seth knew, had gone missing along with Roman ever since that tragic day.

He remembers that after he had tried talking some sense into Roman, trying to get him to see that what he had done was wrong would only result in more tragedy. He remembers that Roman said he needed to go to Dean, to be near him, see his blue eyes open and that beautiful smile on his face once more. Only then would he find peace within himself, not feel so numb anymore. He would accept what was left for them. Seth watched as Roman walked out, telling him he see him and Dean again soon, but Seth knew he never would see them again.

The memory has tortured him ever since. He could still feel the panic gripping Roman, the regret and sadness in him as he left. For the past few months, even with the small bit of hope left, he could tell that Roman had felt like he was losing everything, that there wasn't no other choice left. It didn't help that nothing was done about what Baron and his friends had done, still being allowed at the school when they should've been expelled or possibly in jail. They would continue to torment and harass Roman, drive that knife deeper into his heart. So it was no surprise when he heard amongst the horrified screams that day of what his friend was doing. But never, never did he think that it would come to this, the result of Roman's pain.

He had tried to be there for him in the past few months, telling him that everything would be alright, that things would go back to the way they were before. He tried to reassure him that him and Dean would be able to have the life they wanted together, it was what they deserved anyway. But even then, a part of himself knew that it might be pointless, but he had to at least try to help Roman hang in there while he watched his lover every day wither away before him. He just wishes he could've known what was really going on inside his mind. Maybe then, he could've prevented this.

"Seth, look at me," Mr. Helmsley says, making him lift his head. He can see the pity, regret and sadness on the principle's face. "Look, I understand that this must be hard for you, but if you can speak to the officer here, then maybe we can prevent another incident like this from happening again."

Seth sighs, shaking his head. "What exactly do you want me to say? That he was crazy? That being involved with Dean made him this way?"

"You still think that I blame Dean for the trouble that was caused in this school? No, Seth. All I've ever wanted to do was help him, help him become a better-"

"You didn't do anything to help him," Seth interrupts, standing up. "All you ever did was turn a blind eye. You did nothing to help Dean and Roman. You knew of the harassment that they've dealt with here. And even when it went too far, you still did nothing."

"Seth, I truly am sorry for everything that has happened. If I could change the past, then I would. But I can't. I should've handled things better. All I can do is apologize and tell you that I'll do whatever I can to prevent this from happening again. I just want you to explain to me what Roman was like before that day, how he was feeling. Help me to be able to understand why he did it. I want future students to feel safe here. After what has happened, parents are wanting to pull their children out of here, because they feel that I've let what others have done get away with their crimes."

"I don't blame them..." Seth replies, looking down. "Maybe it's best that this school is shut down. Too much has been swept under the rug here. You saw and knew of what was going on. Fuck...the evidence was there right in front of your eyes and you still did nothing. And honestly, I can't tell you how you can prevent this in the future. I know why Roman did it, but others in the future who might...I can't give you the answers, I can't tell you the reasons why."