Unravelled

[CHAPTER 15]

CHAPTER 15

Lara's POV

Charlotte did not come back to class after she had left during class with who I assume was her brother, I saw that day at the cafeteria. Judging by his grim expression, something must have happened. They left in a hurry after Charlotte was excused, and I prayed nothing bad happened.

The bell rang and everyone was on their feet, making their way toward the door while some stayed back to copy the notes on the board.

I walked down the stairs and to the corridor where my locker was located. Once I reached my locker, I placed my calculus textbook in before retrieving a bag comprising a bottle of saline solution, a bottle of lotion, a few cotton wools and new gauze bandage. I was still contemplating if I should carry my English Lit textbook with me when I saw my phone lit up in the dark corner of my locker.

I reached for my phone and looked at the screen. Five missed calls-three from Lia and two from Scott. I dialled up Lia's cell and she picked up at the third ring. "Lara, where were you? I called you thrice and-"

"Yeah sorry I left my phone in my locker." I cut her off. "I'm on my way to the cafeteria now."

"We're in the library now. Listen, we have an assignment and we need to get it done before lunch break is over. We've actually completed it but Bryce misplaced the thumb drive somewhere and now we have to start all over." She explained, clearly annoyed with Bryce.

"Oh come on, I said I was sorry," I heard Bryce whined through the phone.

I laughed. "Since when do you care so much about assignments?" I teased Lia.

"This assignment is graded," I could almost hear her rolling her eyes.

I was thankful for not taking AP World History. I never liked history, but all of my friends love it. Learning things about The Attack on Pearl Harbour is so not my thing.

"Lara, I'll talk to you soon. See ya later!" She ended the call before I could even reply her with a bye.

I decided get some food and then look for Ryan. However the itch on my burn that was still wrapped with the old bandage was begging to be replaced with a new one. It felt uncomfortable too as it was still damp from my shower this morning.

I walked to the nearest door, opened and peeked into it. I could only see a flight of stairs which I didn't know where it would lead me to. All I knew was, the stairs is used by construction workers and they normally go down, not up.

The itch had started to put me in discomfort. Seeing no other places I could replace my bandage without drawing much attention, I went through the door and sat on a step of stairs.

I exhaled on three and was ready rip the bandage adhesive off as fast as I could when the door squeaked to the sound of the door opening.

The sudden sound didn't make me jump, but was enough to cause the bandage to be peeled off from my skin. Surprisingly it didn't cause me any pain around the wound area, but only the part where my skin was taped with adhesive earlier. Blisters were already forming when I unrolled the bandage.

I looked up only to see Jayden standing right in front of me. "I'll help you," his voice echoed.

He was dabbing my wound with lotion using a cotton wool when he suddenly spoke, "Don't attempt to burst those blisters. They prevent infection and promote healing."

I replied him with an okay. I flinched a few times when he was bandaging my wound. It was a better sight to see my wound being bandaged than leaving it exposed.

"You want to become a doctor?" I asked, when I realized he was doing a pretty good job treating my wound.

He came to sit beside me after he finished off. "A lawyer."

I stared at him in disbelief. No offence, but I personally think that law is really not the profession for reserved people like him. However he probably has a sharp head and pays very close attention to details so it might not be as bad as I thought.

"Well I think you're better suited as a doctor." I still told him honestly.

"You think so?" He asked, in a low voice.

I nodded. "Yeah. So what are you doing here?"

He picked up his packet of biscuits and a can of soda he settled down earlier.

"You have your lunch here?" I asked. This probably explained why I'd never seen him eating in the cafeteria before.

"Upstairs," he gestured and starting walking up. I didn't know if he gestured me to follow him but I followed anyway.

Turns out, the stairs led us to the rooftop. Over the course of time, this roof of the school building has become a place of silence and tranquillity. This rooftop almost feels like a secret place, accessible only to those who know of it. It was always locked but I guess he must have had broken the lock.

The broken lock was never noticed because no students ever come up here as we're no longer allowed to.

Two years ago, three students committed suicide when they simply threw themselves off this exact rooftop one night. The police confirmed that they were on ecstasy that night and were unconscious of their doing. Rumors said that their ghosts were seen by some students. Ever since that night, the school forbade us to come up here.

"Isn't this place like prohibited?" I nearly tripped over a brick. "No one ever comes up here."

He sat down. "That's the whole point."

After hesitating for a few seconds I finally asked, "Where are your friends?"

There was a few counts of silence before he replied, "I don't have friends, I don't trust any."

~~~~~~~~~~

It was during last period when the bell rang. The teacher reminded us of our homework while I packed my stuff ready to leave. I got a text earlier from Lia saying they had left school earlier so I didn't wait up for them and went home instead.

I was feeling hungry so I stopped by at 'In and Out' and got myself a burger. As I was walking out of the store, I saw Charlotte with I assumed was her friends. I wanted to call out to her but she seemed engrossed with her conversation. Since I didn't want to interrupt her, I headed straight home.