Even as I rewound the news report that had just mentioned the man I had likely killed, I was dreading facing the reality and seriousness of what I had done. I began feeling that familiar sensation in my gut and the watery feeling in my mouth, but I willed myself not to vomit.
The smiling face of the man, Michael, appeared on the screen, his hair wavy and hanging carelessly about his slim, handsome face darkened by the 5 o'clock shadow, his arm around the pretty smiling female with her head on his shoulder - Melanie. There was no doubt about it, the handsome man on the screen was definitely Michael Cates.
I ran to the bathroom barely making it to the toilet before retching.
I knew that I'd have to get it together, but seeing his face again only made the guilt return and knowing about his family and his new baby, a baby he'd never get to see and who would never know its father weighed very heavily on my insides. I wondered if the baby was a girl or boy and if it looked like him, sharing those same breathtaking hazel eyes.
Beep! Beeeeeep!
Ugh....it was Ryan. I splashed some water on my face and rinsed my mouth. As I rushed to leave the bathroom, I took one last glance at myself and that's when I saw him. My body stiffened as I stared at the man standing behind me. It was those hazel eyes looking so desolate and fearful that captivated me, pulled me in.
"Michael?" I asked in a whisper, tilting my head to the side. The figure behind me didn't move and though I was gripped with terror, I whipped my head around to look at this man face to face. Only, he wasn't there. I looked back in the mirror but he didn't reappear. Get it together, I told myself. He wasn't real.
Beep, beep, beeeeeeeeep!!
My phone began vibrating on the nightstand, startling me. I ran from the bathroom and grabbed it.
"Hello?"
"Amber, dude, what are you doing? I've been sitting out here waiting for over ten minutes. You better be coming to school!"
It was Ryan.
"Sorry, I'm coming. I'll be down in a minute."
"Well, we probably shouldn't be late for school, Amber..."
"Okay! I know, I'm on my way!"
I went back into the bathroom to grab my brush, but before turning off the lights I checked behind the door, behind the shower curtain and in the mirror one last time - Michael wasn't there.
YOU ARE READING
An Accidental Murder
Teen FictionA young, talented high school girl tries to go on with her life after covering up an accident that killed a man. Tortured by a manipulative, jock boyfriend and her relentless conscience, her world quickly spirals dangerously out of control.
