Can't you hear me?

three

The final bell rings throughout the classroom loudly signalling the end of the day making students who were previously looking half dead almost jump for joy.

I can't help but feel aprahensive about the journey home and the darkness that comes soon after. Not only the night sky but the depression and fear that smothers me every second I'm alone with my thoughts and unanswered questions. Would the killer come back for me? Ofcourse. Would I make it out of this alive? Hell no. And of course the most haunting questions of them all, who is under that mask? Better yet, would i know them?

This anxiety clouding my brain is exactly what they want and I can't help but slightly give in to them.

Once I've pushed my way out of the school and begin my short walk towards the bus, a hand grabs my shoulder and I quickly spin myself around, readying myself to fight only for a goofy grin and analysing eyes to stop me in a second.
"What the fuck? Why would you scare me like that?" I scold them angrily. Only these morons would creep up on someone who was nearly murdered the night before.

" Sorry, sorry jeez," Stu mocks in a playful tone. Billy just rolls his eyes at Stu's dramatics but the twitch of his lips makes his fondness obvious.

"It's fine, what do you want boys?" I ask them tiredly, dragging my hand across my face. They must have picked up on how I was feeling because the mischievous look in their eyes was quickly replased with worry.

"We're sorry about lunch sweetheart. Y'know how we can get carried away sometimes." Stu mumbles out while attempting to win me over with his puppy dog eyes.

I raise an eyebrow at Stu's childishness and turn my head to Billy who in the short amount of time we've been talking has pushed himself next to me and slowly wrapped his arm around me.

"We'll make it up to you gorgeous?" He pleads before brushing his fingers through my hair.

It's always been like this with the three of us. They've always been clingy and affectionate with me, ever since we were little but especially since my mother died. It doesn't seem to bother Sydney and Tatum but sometimes they definitely cross the friendly line.

It only makes sense that they do it, they think I took my mother's death hard. After all I was with Sydney when they found her body. The truth is I wish I was more affected by her death but our relationship wasn't like that. It wasn't good because I knew. I knew what she was doing behind my dad's back and she was scared I would tell dad and Sydney.

Only two people knew of my discovery. Casey who was now dead and Billy. Billy always knew when something was wrong so when I found out about what my mother had done he happened to call me and got it out of me. Not that it took much. I trust Billy with everything, Stu knew everything as well, of course besides my mother's affairs.

"So what do you say beautiful? Can we make it up to you?" Stu asks excitedly knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I blurt out making Billy grin and Stu pout.

"What the idiot was asking was if we could take you to get some ice cream to make up for today?" Billy reminds me before resting his head on my shoulder.

"I mean I definitely would but I promised Tatum I would come to her house for a sleepover later." I mumble out with a frown as Stu's face falls.

"We'll have you back by five?" Stuart begs hopefully, even Billy had lifted his head to hear my answer.

"Fine, fine okay", I give in quickly, not being able to say no.

"But you guys have to drive me home." I add before they can get too excited. All Stu does is nodd and grin while Billy takes my bag from my hand, as usual not letting carry my own stuff.