Damsel In Distress

Chapter Four

The next couple days went by with very little interesting things happening. Tuesday night Vic had called me, at first she spent a good ten minutes re-telling exactly what Jared told me in the car. Of course I knew he would probably go running to her with what I said, neither of them like making me feel bad intentionally. But after that was cleared up she told me how the search on William came up blank, except for the limited information we both received courtesy of Detective Smith.

School was the same, I saw William in gym class again on Thursday but he kept his distance, probably due to the 6' bodyguard plastered to my side. But when 9th period came around there was nothing keeping us apart. We'd spend the entire 45 minutes in the library just talking to each other, asking questions and laughing at the obscure answers we both seemed to have. I also spent a good portion of time just staring at him in awe, which he usually found amusing.

From our conversations I learned that he has a sister, Beth, and they moved here with their aunt and uncle who had adopted them both. He didn't get into the specifics about his and his sisters birth parents, just that it wasn't important. Beth is almost ten years older than him, which for some reason caused him to laugh as he told me, she's a freelance artist which is why she picked up and moved with them. Apparently she was struggling and thought a new scenery would help. He told me they moved here to get away from the busyness of the city without being too secluded from it.

I also asked him many times about his apparent "rap sheet," as Jared put it, but he only gave me vague answers. The one that he sticks to the most is that he was running with a bad crowd. And most importantly, I learned that he is single, he used to have a girlfriend where he used to live but she supposedly was the leader of the formerly mentioned bad crowd. Things between them ended on a not so pleasant note so the move actually couldn't have been at a better time.

Aside from school, home life was also very normal. My parents would berate me with demanding questions everyday when we'd sit for dinner. Like clockwork, Vic started calling me at 7pm each night to discuss important topics, like what she should wear the next day or what William and I talked about during study hall. I got my sheet signed, which will start allowing me to leave school after 7th period if I want to. But I'm not sure whether or not I want to do that yet, I have been enjoying my quality time with William too much.

When Friday rolled around I was so caught up in my own world I had completely forgotten about the fact that Ricky's funeral was being held after school. It wasn't until Vic and I were in her car on the way to school that she promptly reminded me, "so will you come with me?"

I stared at her for a moment before answering. At times like these I wish I could take away everything bad in the world, Vic's face was so vulnerable I was sure she would break at any given moment. But she didn't, she remained focused on the road.

I sighed, "of course."

"Do you think Jared will?" She asked, her eyes still carefully watching in front of her.

"That I do not know," I replied, "he wasn't a big fan of Ricky when he was alive, not sure much has changed now that he's dead," my careless words caused Vic to inhale sharply so I added, "maybe his dad'll make him go."

Her face relaxed again, "maybe," she agreed.

When we got to school we met up with Jared and talked aimlessly until the bell rang. After saying our quick see-you-later's, I made my way to the study hall I have every other day when I don't have gym. Unfortunately neither William or Jared are in this class so I'm left with no distractions, leaving me unable to think about anything other than Ricky's funeral. It's hard enough pretending everything is okay with Vic, but having to see his parents and his casket is going to be tough. And even those thoughts are causing me immense guilt, someone is dead and all I seem to care about is my secret staying safe.