Could've, should've, would've

Waking up this morning, I realize that it's Monday and I'm already running late, I jump out of bed and basically run to the bathroom.  I throw my hair up in a messy bun and quickly get changed into something decent enough to wear to school, and then I grab my keys and go. I pull into the school's parking lot and grab a park before heading to my morning class.

 I walk into class and immediately take a seat next to my best friend Liam.  

"Hey, you look tired", he said with an honest smile. 

"Gee, thanks" I replied acting hurt.

He laughed at my response and turned towards the teacher, who had walked to the front of the class. Mr. Martin gave his usual morning greeting and continued calling the role. Just as Mr. Martin was finishing the role Claire Rylee walked in late, like usual. Claire was the pretty, popular girl that people like me avoided because they were genuinely scared of her. But something was different today; she looked tired and kind of run down, which was very unusual for her.  After watching her walk to the back of the class I returned my attention to what Liam was discussing, which probably had something to do with his band's progress. Liam was big on his music and was forever talking about what songs his band wanted to cover.

The school day passed pretty quickly and before I knew it I was heading to my last class, I decided to make a bathroom stop along the way. I walked in to the bathroom and saw Claire standing in front of the mirror; my attention was suddenly drawn to the tears running down her cheeks. Numerous theories fly through my head as well as questions. Do I ask her what's wrong? Will she get mad at me for catching her in this state? Should I just leave her alone? I'm sure she's just fine. I walk out of the bathroom and just head to my last class.

My last class felt like it had been going on forever, but I quickly jump up and pack up my things when I hear the final bell. My afternoons were usually pretty chilled since both my parents worked till late and I was an only child. It was actually kinda lonely but I pushed past that feeling and continued with my reading until I fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up early so I took my time getting ready for school before heading out of the door. I was still early when I got to school so I searched for Liam and couldn't find him so I just gave up and headed to my morning class. I was the first person to arrive to class so I got out my headphones and listened to music. I must have been waiting for around fifteen minutes before Liam walked in.

"Were you actually early today?" he asks in his cheeky and almost annoying tone.

"Shut up" I say just as jokingly.

We stopped talking when Claire walked in, she looked better today but I couldn't help but notice the bruise located on her collar bone, it looked dark and I think I could even see a graze.  I don't think she plays sport, so that couldn't of caused it, my mind suddenly questions whether someone had hurt her, that would also explain yesterday. In that moment I felt sorry for her, and I start to question telling a teacher so they could help her. I didn't get a chance to talk to Liam about it since the rest of the students had walked in, so I decided to talk to him after.

I talk to Liam after class and explain my worry about Claire, but he tells me to shake it off and explains to me that she is probably fine. I question his advice but I go with it anyway because he  had convinced me she was fine.

The rest of the day was basically the same as the day before, the same classes with the same teachers. The final rang again and I headed towards my car. Along the way I notice a boy almost shouting at some girl, I squinted my eyes and saw that it was Claire.

"You're so stupid and worthless, why do I even bother?" he shouts in Claire's face.

"I, I'm sorry" she whispers so softly I can barely hear her.

"Pathetic," he states before walking away.

I watch as Claire gets into her car, obviously hurt. I made the decision that I would inform a teacher about Claire tomorrow at school after my morning class, they could help her.

Claire was continuously in my head as I thought about how I would tell someone. I wrote a letter and later went to sleep. The next morning I walk into class and take a seat, I notice that Claire doesn't turn up, before I can question why our class is confronted by the principal.

"I'm sorry kids; I have some bad news about Claire Rylee. Last night she took her own life. I would appreciate if you could keep this to yourself as you're the first class I have told, if anyone needs to talk, the staff and myself are always here." He states before heading to Claire's friends who are in shock.  

Every part of me goes numb when I realize I could have prevented this by getting her help yesterday, I could have saved her life. If I hadn't listened to my friend telling me she was fine, she could have been saved.  A wave of guilt washes over me, even though I know I wasn't to blame, I still could've helped her when I first saw her in the bathroom, or I could've flashed a smile at her when she walked past me the day after. How can I live with this terrible burden? I could've helped her, I should've been there for her. I could've saved her. 

Thankyou for reading! i hope that you enjoyed the short story and choose to make a difference.

Charlene :)