Infinite Love

Chapter 9

[Pinball Pizza]

Our moms took us to get pizza. We sit at our normal booth while the moms sit together. I'm next to Noa, like always, I'm getting better at remaining calm around her. I glance at our mothers, wondering what they're talking about. My mom never mentioned that she knew the other moms before.

I'm brought out of my thoughts, "I still can't believe it. Kelly" Faran says
"Her dad's gotta be pissed as fuck" Noa says

"Why'd she do that? Save us" Tabby asks

"Why the change of heart?" I ask

"She's not a monster. And I bet she feels just as awful as we do. More so, even" Imogen says

"One good thing, we haven't heard from A this week" Faran says

"Because we did what A asked. Kept his secret" Mouse says

"Maybe...it's over" Noa says

"I don't think we're that lucky" I whisper

Imogen glances at our mom's, "Imogen, are you okay?" Tabby asks

She looks back at us, "I...was thinking about my mom...and how she killed herself right after she got that flyer. Probably from A. She must've felt guilty about what happened to Angela Waters, and Tabby...your mom feels guilty enough to visit the place where Angela died. It can't be a coincidence" Imogen says

We all glance at each other, "What aren't they telling us?" Imogen asks

We all look at our mothers, Imogen's right, what aren't they telling us?

[Back home]

After I get back home, I collapse onto my bed, exhausted from what has transpired the last few weeks. At the beginning of the school year, I was just trying to stay out of the spotlight, play soccer and that's it. I don't even know if I have that anymore. Now I have new friends, who I can say are genuinely my friends.

I've finally talked to Noa, even though it's only as friends. I see an emotion in her eyes sometimes, that I can put my finger on. But I'm also dealing with secrets that need to stay hidden and an unknown assailant trying to destroy my life as well as my friends.

I'm brought out of my thoughts when there is a knock on my door. I look up to see my mom standing in my doorway, "Hi" I say sitting up

She walks over to me and places my keys in my hand, "Really?" I ask

She nods her head, "Yeah, everything was figured out. I know you didn't mean to do her any harm" She says

I hug her, "Thanks mom" I say

[Cemetery]

The girls and I are at Karen's grave, I'm standing in between Noa and Tabby, "Karen...we were both horrible to each other at different times, and...I regret that. It's not who I am and it's not who you were deep down. I missed you...when we stopped talking. And now, I'll miss you forever. For awhile, you were my best friend. I'm gonna hold onto that" Imogen says

"Karen...regardless of...everything, the reason you were up in the rafters is because we showed that video that...I made. We shouldn't have done that. And we will never do anything like that ever again" Tabby says

"Umm...Karen...we didn't get along, at all. But that doesn't mean you deserved what happened to you. I'm sorry for what we did, we all are" I say

"Amen. I, um...didn't really know you very well, Karen, but...you threw a lit party. Wish we could be another one together. Maybe down the road. Rest in peace, Beas" Noa says

I glance at Noa and give her a soft smile, "Karen...you didn't deserve what happened to you. And uh...though you barely acknowledged my existence...I wish we could've found a way to...coexist" Mouse says

"I didn't like you, Karen" Faran says

We all look at her, "But that doesn't mean that I'm happy you're gone. You should be alive right now. Maybe...you would've changed over time. Maybe not. I guess we'll never know. But, I'll always be sorry...for how we hurt you" Faran says

Then the wind starts blowing harder so we turn around. When we do, I was not expecting to see 'A' sitting in a van. We all gasp, "Is everyone seeing what I'm seeing?" Mouse asks

I grab onto Noa, "Uh huh" I say