"Students, I want you all to know prom is right around the corner. Sign-up papers are in front of the cafeteria if you would like to help decorate," Emma heard the teacher say. She leaned her face against her hand, her eyes glued to the clock, waiting for the bell to ring. Her mental state had gotten better as more time passed, and her therapy sessions had really helped her realize what happened to Reina wasn't her fault.
At first, it was hard because everyone at school was talking about it, even the teachers. Some students even accused her of murdering Reina because she and Blake were the last people around her. It was ridiculous and outrageous, but Blake had made sure to shut down anyone who opened their mouth about it. Now, three months later, everyone had pretty much moved on. Which didn't sit well with Emma. Reina was a living person who was now dead, and the police were seemingly not helping at all.
The loud bell snapped Emma out of her daze. Students began standing up, rushing toward the door. "Okay, kids, have a great day. See you next week," the teacher smiled as a few students said goodbye.
Emma stood with her books in hand.
"Oh, Miss Pear, here's your latest math paper, graded," the teacher said from behind her desk as Emma walked closer. The teacher smiled while handing over the paper. "Excellent work, Emma! I'm so proud of your improvement, especially after everything that happened with your friend... great work."
Emma looked at the paper, seeing she had gotten a 100. Since Reina had helped her with math, it had really helped improve her science as well. "Thank you, ma'am," she whispered with a small smile. The science teacher was her parents' friend, so she felt like it was her job to keep tabs on Emma.
Her parents had probably told her teacher about her little breakdown, and the thought made Emma hold her books close to her chest. Her teacher simply smiled. "Did you and your parents decide on a college yet?" Emma pressed her lips together at her teacher's nosy habit, covering her frustration with a smile. "Um, well, I decided to go to Miller Creek University. They have a fantastic American History program, I heard."
A look of disappointment crossed her teacher's face. It was the same look that said she thought Emma was making the wrong choices. "Oh... I thought you would want to go somewhere more... um, prestigious with your background and grades..." she said with a patronizing smile that was getting on Emma's nerves.
She was so tired of all the adults acting like they knew her and what choices were best for her. Okay, so maybe she wasn't sure what college she really wanted to go to, but Miller Creek was here, where everyone else was.
Looking toward the doorway, she saw Blake leaning against the doorframe.
He raised a brow at her teacher's comment before meeting Emma's eyes. He gestured with his head for her to come with him. If he only knew how much that was the only place she ever wanted to be. She smiled at him before looking back at the teacher.
"Well, I guess you thought wrong. See you next week." Before her teacher could respond, Emma walked past her desk and out the door. Blake smiled, slid his arm around her shoulder, and they walked out of the school together.
****
"Sooo many tiny pieces of paper," Mona muttered to herself as she sat at her dining room table, arranging the thousands of shredded fragments.
Hopefully, all this time she was spending would be worth it. She had already managed to piece back together an old report card and a few school assignments, but nothing of importance.
She let out a heavy sigh, looking up at her beagle, Champ, who was playing with his toy across the room "Champ, do you think I'm wasting my time?" Of course, he didn't respond, just tossed the toy around.
Looking back at the papers, she was currently working on what looked like some type of birthday card. It was written in fancy cursive from a pair of girls, Heather and Raven, to Reina.
Happy birthday from Heather and Raven hope you love the nail polish set XOXO
It had a picture on the inside of the three of them looking happy. It twisted Mona's chest, a painful reminder that the girl would have lived if Mona had stood up sooner and helped Emma. She picked up the black leather glove the janitor had found. She had already taken it to the lab herself and had it examined. Of course, she got nothing from it; the material it was made from had left no fingerprints and no skin. Frustrated, she threw it back onto the table. The janitor said this was the only glove he found, but maybe the Chief had the other one.
She knew what she had to do: she had to get into Mr. Gates's office to see if he had that glove. But how could she do that in a station full of cops without being noticed or caught? She had no clue.
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
