Flower Crowns

Em (Emily)

Trigger Warnings- This chapter depicts mild gore, a character dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and flashbacks of the traumatic event.

It's been a while since our first post on Instagram. Over the last few months, we've produced more music and remixes. It's been going quite well; we've been able to spend more time together. For me it's been my form of escapism. Last year, dad died in a school shooting. That year, just so happened to be the same year he taught me. I witnessed my father's murder. I wish I hadn't. A part of me can't help but feel like I could have prevented it. That I could have done something, said something. I can't help but feel that I might have been partially responsible for his death. I guess that's what grief tends to do to its victims.

"You good?" my thoughts suddenly get interrupted by Scott's whisper.

"Yeah....yeah, um, what page are we on?"

"Twentynine, under the heading economic profits."

"Thanks"

I begin to take notes try to take my mind off it. Suddenly, there's a loud piercing sound. My mind flashes into chaos. There's screaming, wailing and choked sobs. All my eyes can see is blood. It's everywhere, on the desks, chairs, even my shirt's turned a crimson colour. Red and blue lights flash everywhere. My heat races. I try to get up, run, do something but I can't, my legs feel frozen and numb. The siren wails can be heard a mile away. Red covers the floor. Then I look towards the front of the classroom. I see dad. He's lying half unconscious on the floor, blood pooling around him. My heart stops and I find myself struggling to breathe. I can't take it anymore. I scream. I scream and scream till my throat goes hoarse.

"Em, hey, it's okay. It's just the fire drill; its to make sure we know what to do during a fire. Nothing else, you're fine, everyone's fine" Scott says kneeling to my eye level.

" Fire drill, j-just a fire drill." I respond.

"Exactly"

The teacher comes over to my desk and puts her arm around me "Are you okay sweetie? Is there anything I can do?"

My face is tear stained and red. My breathing has come slightly steadier now. "I, um, I want to go h-home if that's okay"

"Of course honey. I'll call your mum right now."

I wait outside the principal's, my hands still a little shaky. My mom comes in rushing and hugs me. I cant hold back anymore, I cling on to her and violently sob on her shoulder.