Clashing Cliques

Nick's POV

I can't even describe the shock that came over me hearing the police guy say there was no one alive in the library. What if she was dead? This could not be happening. Please tell this is just a messed up dream and my sister isn't dead. I couldn't even fathom the fact that she was here and now she could be gone. She is gone. They said there was no one alive where she was. I guess we'll just confirm the body tomorrow.

This doesn't feel real. They saved her after her suicide attempt, but now she's dead by someone else's hand? Someone's gun, even?

I can't even imagine how my parents are going to react. This hurts more than anything. I'm also so angry. I'm so mad that someone took her life from the people that love and care about her.

I was holding Lauren and led her to my car so we could head home. As soon as we were home, I started calling people. I called my mom first. I didn't want to tell her over the phone so I told her to come home. Next was my dad. I told him the same thing. This just wasn't something you say over the phone.

I tried to call Joe to tell him to come, but he didn't answer. I didn't understand him. Perhaps, I never would. I looked at the shaken girl sitting on the couch. She hasn't said a word since we've discovered that Jess might be gone. I can't say she is for certain. I just can't. I can't live with that reality. You can call it denial, but I just can't.

Suddenly, my parents busted through the front door. "Where's my baby? Where's my Jess?" My mom questioned as she walked into the living room where Lauren and I were.

"Mom, dad. Sit down, please." They could probably hear the sadness in my voice. They sat down next to Lauren, who still sat there like she was frozen. I started explaining. "There was a school shooting today." I could see the fear in the eyes of my parents. I hated seeing that. "We're going to go have to go the morgue tomorrow to ID a body that could be Jess's, if any of them are her." I look at my now crying parents.

"J-Jess?" Dad spoke up, holding mom. I ran over to them and joined the hug. All three of us were holding each other and crying. Eventually, Lauren got out of the frozen state she was in and joined the hug as well.

Just then, Joe decides to walk in. "Why the long faces?" He asked. All four of us look at him. I stand up and glare at him.

"Where the hell have you been?" I asked him.

"Just out running errands. What's wrong?"

"There was a shooting and Jess could be dead, for your information." He said nothing, and his face was just as expressionless. I pushed him against the wall. "How can you have no reaction to this? You know what, I don't know what's been going on with you. I really don't. I get that the divorce is hitting you hard, but Jesus Christ man, wake the fuck up!" He didn't like that and I saw his face turn to anger.

I had no time to react to his anger when all of a sudden, my dad punched Joe. Damn, that's surprising. "That was for my daughter. For having no reaction to her being dead." He sounded so angry, but I don't think he was just angry at Joe for being expressionless. I think he was also mad that Jess isn't with us.

Joe looked shocked to say the least, but it was well deserved and a long time coming in my opinion. I thought he would react, but he just turned around and walked out of the door as if nothing had happened. I looked at Lauren, who looked shocked and hurt that her brother had left her. If only I had known why she was looking such a way.