Children of a Murderer

𝓕𝓘𝓥𝓔 - 𝓒𝓛𝓐𝓡𝓐

Will opened the door and completely scared me. "Sorry!" he apologized, before realizing I had flinched and began laughing. "Did I scare you?"

"Shut up," I mumbled. "Henry's in the kitchen with Glinda."

Will nodded. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. His head surveyed the room, as if he was absorbing all of the knowledge from my bookshelves.

"Mom painted the walls," I said, startling him. My voice shook as I told him. "She called me her flower. So she painted flowers on my walls."

"Your mother was right about you being a flower," he smiled softly. "You aren't a thorn. More like a daisy." He nodded to the roses behind me, surrounded by thorns

I grinned. "What if I was a rose? Beautiful, but had sharp, hurtful points?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "If you're a rose, Henry's a wilted plant," he joked. I laughed. 

Somehow, Will knew exactly how to make someone feel better. I just didn't see how life would get worse.

****
Three months later....

"Could he be anymore annoying?" Will asked me.

"Probably," I responded. 

Over the past three months, I had been talking to Will everyday. Glinda and Dad knew him enough to just let him into the house because of how much we talked. Him and Henry would work on robotic things and mechanics. I'd become more comfortable with observing, and well.. I had a huge crush on Will. We were in senior year of highschool, so it was understandable. I had never really had a crush on anyone, but I had a high suspicion he might have a crush too.

I didn't have any friends to talk to it about, and I was not going to bring it up to Henry. I just kept it to myself and let it grow. Will seemed a bit more hesitant when speaking to me. He would scratch the back of his neck, or simply turn red. I found it pretty cute. Will doesn't really hit you as the type of person to get embarrassed. He was confident. He knew who he was and didn't really care what others thought.

"Don't jinx it," Will sighed. 

Mr. Fredricks continued to speak about the Laws of Conservation. He had what Will called a "robot voice" or a monotone voice. He only had one sound, one volume, and one tone. He almost sounded like someone who tries selling you something on your landline. Strange people, let me tell you.

"Class, for this upcoming project the district is doing, everyone needs a partner. Remember, someone builds a structure, toy, or vehicle while the other person writes a three page essay about the structure, toy, or vehicle. Then, you both will write a three sentenced paper stating what it is, what it does, and what inspired you. I'm expecting great things! You have the rest of class to get started. Go!" Mr. Fredricks informed the class.

Will and I immediately made eye contact and nodded. He scooted closer, to which his thigh touched mine but he didn't move it. I cleared my throat and grabbed a piece of notebook paper.

"So obviously, I'm the writer, you're the builder," Will said.

"Are you asking for us to fail?"

"Fine, fine, you win this time."

"I think I win all the time," I said, shutting his humor down. "What are we going to make?"

"I know!" Will exclaimed, his eyes brightening. "I can make one of my little animatronics! You know, like the chicken I helped Henry make! I could make a bear, and you could write about the purpose and stuff!"

"That's perfect, Will!" I agreed. 

"Okay, bam. Do you want to come over to my place right after school? All of my tools and paper are there," Will offered. "Henry can tell Mrs. Glinda and Mr. Emily that we are working on a project. They'll completely understand."

"Sure," I smiled, earning a big grin from Will.

"I'll wait for you outside of your Algebra class. Do you mind walking?" he asked, clearly anxious.

"I don't mind," I answer, hearing him sigh of relief.

"This project will be a breeze!" Will said. "Finally!"

And then it hit me. I'm meeting Will's parents. By myself. Without Henry. I'm going over to a boys house by myself. 

Will sat back in his chair, twirling his pencil around his finger. He ran his hands through his hair, laughing to himself. "What?" I asked, confused of why he was laughing. I hadn't said anything funny, unless if I looked strange. Did I look strange? I tucked my hair behind my ears, although my bangs didn't listen.

"Enjoying the sight, aren't you?" he smirked.

"I- um- uh- shut up!" I muster, turning my head quickly to hide my blush. I knew it was pointless, but it was worth the shot.

"Never," he responded, earning a smack on the shoulder. "Oww!"

I giggled, a goofy grin spread on Will's face. A piece of his hair curled in front of his nose. I brushed it out of the way, smiling. Will smiled too.

"Ms. Emily and Mr. Afton, meet me afterschool," Mr. Fredricks intervened. 

"Do we have to?" Will asked. I elbowed him in the ribs.

"Yes," Mr. Fredricks replied, his voice was cold as ice. "Unless you want penalties on this project for the school."

"We'll be there," I said quickly, shooting a thank me later glance at Will. He got the message and slumped back in his chair, glaring daggers at Mr. Fredricks. I smiled sweetly back at Mr. Fredricks, getting a "hmph" in reply.

"Do you have to make everything difficult?" I asked Will, watching Mr. Fredricks return to his desk.

"Yes."

"No you don't."

"I believe I just did," Will observed, sighing shortly after. "We better make whatever it is after school quick. I want us to have plenty of time to work on this project."

"Oh please, you know we both will stay up all night just to finish it," I caught him in his lie. He frowned but didn't protest. Another win, Clara.

I checked my watch, the one I inherited shortly after my mother was gone. It was a simple wrist watch with silver and black accents. 1:34. Two minutes before the bell.

"I'll see you afterschool, okay?" I stated, placing my hand on Will's. "Until then, don't do anything stupid."

"Me, stupid? Pfff, as if," he rolled his eyes. I shoved him softly, before letting my smile drop as the bell rung. "Goodluck with Ms. Fitz."

"She's back?" I groan, throwing my backpack onto my back.

"Her and Jamee," Will grimaced.  

"Now I have both of them in the same period?" I complained. "The last thing I need is some lovey dovey stuff going on in the middle of a class."

"PDA is a big issue. You have fun with that," Will said, letting go of my hand and walking in the opposite direction. I hadn't even realized I didn't take my hand away. I felt a little sad.

Now to only make it through the rest of the day.