A Faultless Tragedy

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Tick-tock. Outside, the sun was shining brighter than ever before, fashioning a glistening blue sky. Trees were laughing merrily, for they too were enjoying this excellent day. Nevertheless, I was far too preoccupied to take note of my surroundings. I was half listening to my 10th grade science teacher and half watching the second hand move. Only 30 more seconds until 3 o'clock. 15... 10... 5... 

The bell rang. I charged out of class as quickly as I could. The only thing that kept me motivated in science was Derek Maine. He truly was the most magnificent being I had ever laid my eyes on, with soft brown eyes and hair that flopped over his forehead and fell in all the right places just above his eyebrows. Science and English were the only classes I had with him so usually I lingered a bit after the bell went; however, I had to speak to Carole.  

Carole Marshall had been my best friend for almost 4 years now. She moved to South City in 6th grade and attended the local primary school. She was new and people didn't care to make friends with her so fast. Since she had no one to talk to, I introduced myself and the rest of my friends to her and since then, we were inseparable.

It was a minute or two until Carole showed up at the bus bay. Her brunette hair was immaculate as always, pouring out of her scalp and flowing gently down her square shoulders. Her great blue eyes sparkled like the sun. She was one of the most beautiful girls in the school. Everything about her appearance was abnormally flawless. The entire male population at South City High doted on her; offering to hold her books or to walk her home. I could only dream of acquiring that kind of devotion, though I assumed shall that day come, it would be underwhelming, or maybe that was just something I liked telling myself. 

"Carole! I have to talk to you! It's urgent!" I called out to her. 

"Hey, Hannah banana what's up?" she responded, with a cool smile forming on her glossed lips. Her teeth appeared as those which would be soon present on a billboard advertising Colgate.  

"I just saw Mia with Austin Shipper's tongue in her mouth." 

Her eyes widened with disbelief. "No way! What about Kim? She's going to be crushed! I thought she and Austin were getting serious. Didn't they just celebrate their 5 month anniversary or something? Are you sure it was Austin? That new kid looks a lot like him; George, I think." 

"It was definitely Austin. Should we tell Kim?" 

"No, we should leave that up to Austin. We should let him know that he can't get away with this, though." 

Before I knew it, Carole was storming up to Austin. I couldn't hear what she said from here but Austin looked pissed. I guess I didn't have much room to pass judgement in that particular area without a cloud of hypocrisy hovering over my head. She trotted back with a slight skip in her step. 

"What did you say to him?" I asked 

"Nothing, just told him to keep his priorities straight." She said.

Carole's demeanour was another quality of hers which I envied. She was always cool, calm and collected.  

"See you later, babe."

She left and met with her usual group of admirers. She was so lucky. She got everything she wanted in the blink of an eye; perfect hair, boys, the newest clothes and shoes, a textbook family... the list was endless. Her whole life seemed like a fairy-tale.

The bus arrived. I hopped on, smiling at the bus driver. I took my usual seat, next to Dean, one of my closest friends. He was vexing, but I dealt with it because his friendship was one that was hard to find. Besides, he meant it all in good fun. 

"Hey!" he greeted me with a punch in the arm.  

"Hey, what's up" I answered with a laugh. 

"Yo, I have to tell you something" 

"You did not just say 'yo'" I teased. "Yeah, what is it?" 

"What would you say if I asked Christie out?" he blushed and looked down in his lap.

This took me aback. Christie and I had a lot of unresolved issues. If the world's nastiest person decided to have a child with the world's dumbest person, that child would be Christie. Maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but that snobby cheerleader really pushed my buttons. She was the type who could never give a straight answer, and would spill lie after lie to make herself look innocent. If she went out with Dean, that would mean I would have to talk to her, which would probably lead me in the general direction of a mental breakdown. Why couldn't he pick a decent girl? Or any girl other than her?

"Christie? Why Christie?" I asked. I genuinely wanted to know the answer to this question.

"Well, she's sexy and can do a pretty mean cartwheel. I don't know I guess I just like her." He blushed again.

"Why does my opinion about her matter to you anyway? If you want to ask her out, do it!" I snapped. I didn't mean for it to sound so rude, but the thought of her just made me angry.

"Because you're my friend and I know you don't like her and all that. I'm not asking permission from you, no need to be hostile." 

"Sorry. I just..." I sighed. "You know how I feel about her, but if she makes you happy, then go for it. I want you to be happy."

He was pensive for a moment. He looked out the window then back at me. There was something on his mind, I could tell by the look on his face. He seemed reluctant to put his thoughts into words. 

"What?" I thought I could get him to spit it out. 

"Is there another reason why you don't want me to go out with her?" he asked.

I couldn't comprehend Dean at this moment. Was he serious? You mean apart from the fact that Christie was a two-faced, evil, scheming, lying bitch?

"No, what do you mean?"

"Hannah, do you like me?" he said. 

I looked at his face to see if he was joking but he looked serious. I had never heard anything more ridiculous in my life. How could I possibly like him? First of all, he was one of my closest friends. Second, the kid was annoying as hell.

"Keep dreaming, baby. There's not a chance in the world that I like you." I answered casually. I tried to make a joke out of it but it was already awkward.

"Are you sure? I mean, you flirt with me, and you're always holding my arms or hands." 

"That's because you punch me and try to steal my phone every chance you get. No, Dean. I don't like you. That's a promise."  

I hoped that straightened it all out. Nothing could be worse than losing a friendship as good as Dean's over some trivial, momentary awkwardness. I conversed with Dean in a way I wasn't comfortable doing with anyone else.

"Good, because you would never be able to handle all of this." He winked at me and shook his hips while sitting. This was just one of the reasons Dean and I got along so well. He was the kind of person who doesn't take life too seriously, but focused on the important stuff. I laughed with him.

"It looks like it's my stop. See you tomorrow, yeah?" I said while climbing out of my seat and heading towards the front of the bus.

"Bye Hannah." he called out from behind me.