Secrets We Keep

Part 2

We pulled into the parking lot of a country store with a restaurant in it. I pulled up in the empty parking spot beside the boys and got out. We walked toward the store and the boys were play fighting with each other. We entered into a old western style store with a ton of antique items and feel. It was a nice-sized store, with a cute restaurant on the second half floor. "Imma take a look around. Yall can go to the restaurant if ya want." I started walking around the isles when I heard the guys laughing and stomping behind me. One of the boys came up and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. We all joked and wandered around. After exploring we headed to the second floor, the guys were all in front of me chatting up a storm and occasionally looking back at me. 

We made our way over to a booth and they started talking to me about where I was from and everything. "Wait.. so you're a city girl?" That question has been brought up alot lately, which caused me to roll my eyes. "Not technically, I only lived in Vegas for a few years.." All the guys nodded and groaned at that comment. "So where did ya live before y'all moved to the city?" Surprisingly no one had ever asked that so you can expect the fact I was kinda shocked. "Franklin Tennessee .... my grandmother still lives there so I go up there every summer and work..." The guys seemed like they didn't know where that was so I just laughed. The boys look at each other then back at me."What's y'all's names?" I ask to avoid acknowledging their weird looks.

They all seemed suspiciously excited to introduce themselves. It started with the youngest yet the most muscular was named Seth. The second youngest and the skinniest was named Trian  Then the second oldest named was Casey. Last but not least, the oldest, and the guy who invited me. He stood up for dramatic effect, and was definitely dramatic! "And my name is-'' He was interrupted by a loud bang that came from the parking lot. The 5 of us all fliched and us who were still sitting came to a stand. We looked at each other then ran downstairs and out the doors.

I was in front of the boys when I pushed the door open and noticed a crowd gathering. I waited for the boys to catch up and when they did we continued to walk toward the crowd. Screams rose from the center of the crowd and sirens sounded about a mile away. As we approached I saw a guy on the ground, he looked about our age. He was covered in blood and his face was torn from the glass and road. There was a girl, probably in her early 20s, freaking out in the driver's seat of her Toyota Camry. It was blue, but the hood, windshield, interior, and front bumper is now stained by the blood of the kid she just hit.

The girl was getting out of the car as, what I'm guessing is her boyfriend, ran up and yelled at her to stay in the car. It was a huge mess; the girls horn was blaring, blood was going everywhere, and everyone was yelling and freaking out. The girls adrenaline started to wear off as she started bawling, " I didn't mean to... I didn't... I couldn't brake... I'm so sorry!!"

The police started arriving along with the ambulance and paramedics. Casey started into the center of the crowd towards the boy. Me and the other boys follow suit. The boys helped the cops make room for the paramedics, while I helped the paramedics put the boy on the gurney and into the ambulance. The poor boy's face was so mangled no one could identify him. However, he was wearing a Mast High School football jacket which meant he's probably well known.

 A police officer noticed the kid's wallet laying on the ground, so he picked it up. Inside was a driver's license, school ID, credit card, and a ton of receipts. Luke Hensworth, was the name printed on the license. Luke was smiling in the picture, he seemed like a nice, carefree guy. Me and the boys grouped back up and the officer with the wallet walks up to question us. As soon as Seth got a look at the driver's license his face drained of all its color, as did the other boys’. “Do you kids know him?” The officer asked. I didnt know what was going on but I had a feeling it wasnt good. “That's- m-my brother..” Seth answered, choking back tears. Casey ran his hand through his hair then grabbed Seths shoulder. "Lets go take a walk." And at that he and Seth headed away from the scene. “I am so sorry for you kid’s loss.” The officer stated as he sadly half smiled and walked away. "What the hell just happened?" Trian asked, staring at the crime scene. "I think Luke just got murdered." The oldest stated walking towards the trucks.

We stayed at Justin’s for about an hour after they cleaned up the crime scene. The boys and I sat in the bed of mine and the oldest boys, whose name I was never able to get, trucks. We sat in brutal silence, all that could be heard was Seth's sobs, curses, and heavy breathing. I didn't know these boys all too well so I was clueless when it came to comforting them. “Does anyone need a drink?” I ask standing up and walking to the edge of my tailgate. “ Water, for me and Seth,” Trian said. The other two boys nodded, so I hopped out of my truck and began walking to the store. As I'm walking I heard footsteps come up from behind. “Hey..” I looked next to me and it was the oldest. “Hey,” I replied. “Oh! I’m Jayson by the way.”  he smiled, but it was one of thoes smiles that was dampened by sorrow. "Jayson.. nice name." I smile back. "Heh, thanks."

After me and Jayson bought the drinks we headed back to the trucks. When we got back they were waiting for Jayson so they could leave. “Jay, Shelby called... She wants Seth home ASAP.” Casey said getting into the truck. “ Alright, Well it was good meetin ya Bailey... Sorry your first day had to be like this. We’ll see ya tomorrow ight?” Jayson got in and leaned out the driver's side window with a slip of paper in his hand. "Heres my number, text me if ya need somethin. Even just to talk." I take the slip and put it into my pocket. “Okay, you guys be safe, please keep me updated on what happens,” I say walking over to the driver's side of my truck. “We’ll do!” I get in, sigh, and start the truck. The boys leave in a cloud of dust with me at their tail.