WHEN WE ARRIVE AT SCHOOL, I realize I had never opened the note Julien Capo gave me. I pull it out of my pocket and look at Julien Capo. A look of terror washes across his features. "Do you still wish for me to have this?" I ask uncertainty. I watch as he considers the risk of me reading the letter.
"I think you should read it here," he says, looking a little weary. I look at the letter, wondering why it has him so worried.
"Are you sure?" I ask uncertainty. "This will be your last chance to take back whatever is written here."
"Can you please just read it so I can leave the locker rooms?" he asks me crossly.
"Of course," I say, opening the letter.
VonRichter,
I hope you don't find offense in this letter but I didn't ask you to join the team simply because you can run quickly while holding stuff. I asked you to join the team because I thought you were hot and it gave me a chance to get to know you. I know I am risking a lot here, but would you like to go out with me? Please don't be mad at me for this and push me out of your life. Even if you don't feel the same way I do, I would like nothing better than to still be friends with you. I hope you understand where I am coming from with this.
Yours, Julien Capo
"Why didn't you just tell me?" I ask re-reading the letter.
"I was scared you were going to hate me and send me away when I needed you most. You don't seem like you are gay so I didn't know how you would react," Julien Capo takes a shuddering breath. I scoot closer to him, pulling him into my chest.
"It is okay, Julien Capo. I feel the same way for you. Don't let fear dictate how far you go in life. I have a little thing I made up a few years ago. Do you wanna hear it?" I ask, pulling my head back slightly. Julien Capo just nods. "Don't fear the demons, fear yourself, for the demons are you in disguise. It is pretty much like saying the only thing to fear is fear itself." I fell silent and let Julien finish letting his feelings out. When I look at the clock on the wall, I panic slightly. "Come on Julien Capo, we're about to be late for class," I kissed him on the top of his head and straightened my clothes. I get up to grab my bag from the bench across from us. When Julien Capo didn't follow, I say "Earth to Julien Capo, come in Julien Capo." Julien Capo looks at me with a question in his eyes.
"What's up, Julien Capo?" I ask.
"Why did you kiss me on the top of my head?" he asks, looking puzzled.
"Would you have rathered I kissed your lips?" I ask, teasing. He looks at me with an unidentifiable expression. He blushes deep crimson before walking over to collect his bag.
Before I get to my class, I can tell something is wrong. The environment is too still. I peep through the window, careful not to draw attention, and find an armed unsub standing at the back of the room. The class has their heads down on their desks. I get a call and dip off to the restroom so I can answer it. "VonRichter," I answered.
"Do you have an apple VonRichter," Robbins says in part of the code.
"No, I am afraid I don't. Why do you ask?" I pause, stalling for time. "Is everything alright, Robbins?"
I am afraid not. You are to report to the building for your new assignment immediately," Robbins said slowly as if reading a script.
"And get shot at again? I think I'll pass. But listen, I just got to the VonRichter estate, so if you want, I can pick you up some apples..." I say calculating. What is she trying to tell me?
"I don't think I'll be around to eat them if I am being honest with you. I guess this is goodbye VonRichter. Take care of yourself, and don't forget about your dream..." she trails off, and the last noise I hear from the other end of the line is a shrill scream of pure terror.
