Clashing Cliques

Lauren's POV

All I heard was gunshots and I instantly wanted to run to the library to check on Jess. Sadly, I knew I couldn't. The teacher wouldn't even let me leave the classroom. God, I hoped she was okay. I wish there was a way I could just see her.

Suddenly, they stopped out of nowhere. All the students, including me, in the classroom were too anxious to get out of the hiding spots. The fear that the shooter was still here in the school stayed with us.

I heard sirens off in the distance, signalling that the police were coming. Thank god. I really hope Jess is okay. I don't know what I'd do if she wasn't.

"Everyone, slowly evacuate the school." Someone over the intercom said. We were all scared shitless. Was this a trick? Were we going to walk out of the classroom and be shot?

All of my fellow peers slowly stood up from their hiding spots. I followed behind them, still terrified that this could be a trick. With that in the back of my mind, I was scared to walk outside the room I was in. It seemed like everyone was.

That was until we heard a knock on the door. "This is the police. It's safe to walk out and follow me now outside of the school. Is anyone in this room?" I looked to my teacher for guidance, for answers, for anything really. I saw nothing but a petrified expression. She looked at every one of us before going to the door and unlocking it.

She walked out and we all followed her. There were two guards with shields and bulletproof vests on. One guided us out and the other stood behind us, which I assumed was guarding behind us. I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe this was over and Jess would be outside or they'd be getting her soon.

Once we were outside, I looked around for the familiar face I was wanting so desperately to see but was met with no such face in the crowd. The guards led us out and went back in to get the rest of the people in the building.

I kept hoping with every crowd of people they brought out that Jess would be with them, but she never was. This was absolutely terrifying. Can't they just bring her out already? I was starting to get really impatient, when suddenly I heard a familiar voice beside me.

"Hey! Are you okay?" Nick asked. "Where's Jess? Have they brought her out yet?" I shook my head, trying to hold back tears.

"I'm scared, Nick. What if she got hurt?" Then, the tears started falling. We had just got her back, and now she could be gone again. He just hugged me and held me close as I cried. Nick was such a great big brother. Even better than Joe. Nick acted more like a brother to me than my own brother did. That's kind of sad.

Finally, the policeman came out with what they said was the last group. Still no  Jess. Nick and I decided to walk up to one of the guards. "Did you guys  check the library? My best friend is missing." He looked at me with a  sad expression.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but there were no people alive in the library." What? My heart stopped.

No. This cannot be happening. This cannot be possible.

"The families will be notified to come confirm the bodies later.  Probably tomorrow." He spoke, but I couldn't process this. There is no  way I lost her. I didn't even get to tell her I loved her.

I can't live without her. Could Joe be behind this? If so, then surely she'd still be alive. He wouldn't kill her. Right?