From Yaguar [BL]

0.5 · Ice-Cream Parlour

"I understand that life can be unpredictable and difficult at times, but it is important for us to keep moving forward. I wanted to inform you that the tragic death of one of our students has been featured in the news. Please know that counselling services are readily accessible to any students who may be distressed by this incident. Our school counsellor, along with our supportive teachers and myself, are always available if you ever need someone to talk to." The principal leaned forward, his dull brown eyes sweeping across the auditorium.

Valentina swiftly stopped himself from snorting, especially since he was standing next to Williams' distraught friends.

It was a week after William's death, and the school decided to hold a congregation an hour before the school day ended. The teachers wanted to reassure the students that they were safe from the killer and that whoever was responsible would be apprehended soon.

Ignorance was bliss. The student body, in particular, had no idea the killer was among them.

Because there were no chairs in the auditorium, many students complained quietly, shifting from one foot to the other. There were also students who didn't care because they had never met William, whereas those who knew him or were in his social circle wore sombre expressions, blinking back tears whenever William's name was mentioned.

Valentina's strongest sense was hearing. Within a minute, he could hear murmurs of disbelief. The teachers apparently did not approve of the principal assuring the student body in this manner for two reasons: first, he lacked proof, and second, midterm exams were approaching, and the teachers did not want their students distracted.

He flipped his phone on and started checking his messages. Before classes began, Valentina received an unseen message from Evander: 'Do you want to meet after school?'.

His fingers tapped swiftly across his phone, typing in 'YES'.

Upon sending the text message, Valentina was reminded of the kiss on the cheek Evander had given him a few days prior.

But quickly, he was able to gather his thoughts.

The school bell rang, signalling the end of school.

In no time, the students began leaving the auditorium, causing a commotion as they rushed towards the single door and collided. During the chaos, one student accidentally bumped into another, causing the latter to push him to the ground. In a desperate attempt to regain his balance, the shoved student grabbed another student's shirt, causing a chain reaction of tumbling bodies.

Valentina was relieved that he had the foresight to remain in the back of the auditorium when the principal delivered his speech, as he would be the first to leave.

Just as he was about to exit school, Calantha brushed past him.

She loosened her red tie and walked towards her bicycle calmly. She didn't hop on her bike but stared blankly at the ground.

Students gathered outside the parking lot, chatting and laughing. Valentina leaned against a pole, waited for Evander, and gradually became lost in his thoughts.

The spot in front of him, where William usually parks his pickup truck, is still empty. Valentina's mind was again filled with images of William's limp and mutilated body.

A cold finger poked his shoulder. Stefan suddenly appeared behind him.

He bumped his shoulder on the pole and turned to grin at him. Stefan's grin was as blinding as the fireworks in the night sky.

"Valentina, how was your week?"

"Normal." He shrugged.

"That's good. At least one of us had a pleasant week; I had a bad experience with my nurse the other day."