Especially you

I'm so proud of you.

Chapter 43. "I'm so proud of you"

Reds pov

- New year, new me, I need to change something right? Like a new wardrobe or maybe get a haircut? Red what do you think? Zack asked as we walked down the hallway to our first class.

I was way too focused on thinking things through, I don't even notice Zack's questions, especially when Chloe suspected her own brother to be the killer of Rob. I didn't want to tell Zack, not just yet. He was finally happy, he didn't need that rubbed in his face.

- Should I dye my hair brown? Is that like a new era? Zack continued without getting any answers.

My thoughts wandered, did Chad really do it? With what motive? We really needed to put an end to this, we needed to find out who actually did it to get some closure.

I still thought about Rob every day, thinking about how happy he would be if he knew me and Zack were such a good friends. He really adored his younger brother, he talked about Zack all the time.

- What if I just completely change style? I could be like a skater boy? I'll just need to learn how to skateboard, but that's probably easy.. Or not, I don't know! Red? He asked questioning, almost stopping right in the hallway.

I just snapped back to my thoughts, I was so worried about Chloe too! Finding out that about her brother, she seemed so sad when she found out he was a suspect.

Suddenly I felt a hard book hit my head, it was Zack who got enough.
- Girl, you're not even listening, you're missing my new moment! He exclaimed.

- I'm sorry lover boy, I'm just- I- I got a lot to think about, I stuttered as I started walking again.

Zack jogged up beside me, holding all his class materials.
- Like what? Did you guys find out something new?

I felt I knife twist in my stomach, I really wanted to tell him, it actually was about his brother. But in this case, I was protecting Chloe. Her brother was the new suspect.

- Uhm, no. It's just hard now when we don't have any leads. It's not Ryan, it's not Uma. Could be Anastasia, but she couldn't have actually done it cause she was in jail. So... I don't know, it's a lot, I sighed.

- Yeah, that is a lot. I know it's hard Red, but you gotta live a little too, Rob would have wanted that, for you to be happy, Zack said as we stopped outside the classroom our next class was in, he putted his hands on my shoulder and looked at me with a bit of worry in his eyes.

- Yea I know Zack. It has just gone too far, I don't know how to handle it all, I said as I looked down on the floor.

- You can always talk to me, you know? Zack said with a little bit of sparkle in his blue eyes.

I nod, and whisper
"Thank you, Zack".

- Let's go in, Zack says as he looks in the direction of the classroom.

I nod, following him inside.

For the whole time we were in there I couldn't stop thinking. I felt the anxiety rise, the one where I felt like it took over. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and everything around me went in slow motion. My hands started shaking and the sweat on my forehead started to form.

Before Zack could even ask what was going on the bell rang, and it was time to go to lunch.

I packed my things and rapidly made my way out, collapsing outside the door.

Zack rushed down beside me and gently stroke my back.
- You good? He asked, sitting down beside me.

I shook my head, and grabbed my knees, burying my head in them.