The Dumb and The Clueless

Chapter 76: Best Friends

I get startled as I feel my phone vibrate in this moment of silence.

"Dear god-"

I'm interrupted by Harry giving me the biggest hug he's ever given me.

"Harry, it looks like you're taking this harder than I am" I say, as a few tears roll down my cheek.

I sigh and get a call.

"H-Hello?" I choke out, after clearing my throat.

I nearly jump because of a screaming Mrs. Parks.

Mrs. Parks is Steven's mom.

I cry even harder, covering my mouth and nodding as she breaks the news to me.

"I guess he cut." she starts off.

"But he was always so depressed, it's almost as if his eyes were...lifeless. He spelled out the word love on his left arm...and he had this note attached to him but I can't read it, it seems like it's in some type of code. That's why I'm asking if maybe you can come check it out..." she trails off, as I hear her let out a shaky sigh before crying.

"I'll be right over" I choke out, standing there frozen.

My eyes widen as I turn around and face Harry, as he sighs and looks at me. My depression instantly turns into anger and frustration as I slip on my Vans. Instead of taking his car, I decide to run there, and it starts to rain. I finally get to the Parks' home and burst through the door as I see a whole news crew with cameras everywhere, and microphones everywhere. I widen my eyes as I walk in, hair wet, and see Steven's mom. As soon as she sees me, she runs over to me and hugs me as she cries. I tear up a little, because I don't even want to think about how much this pains her. I wipe away my tears as I stare at her and she finally calms down.

"Bathroom..." She whispers, as I nod and go there.

As soon as I enter, I lose it and start crying.

"Steven-" I whisper as I run to the shower. He had hung himself with the extended shower head , and he had cuts all over his arms and legs. My mouth literally hangs open as I look and get closer. I reach for his hand and hold it, as I scan his body for the note.

"So where's the note?" I ask, sounding muffled by the reporter and camera crew in the living room.

"His hand..."

I feel heat flush to my cheeks as I feel like an idiot for not thinking about that. I look at his hand and open his fingers, finding a crumbled paper. I open it and instantly realize it's a special code.

But the special code, is one we made together in third grade.

"Oh my god" I whisper, as I begin to cry.

"Harry!" I yell, in desperation.