The Search For Justice

Chapter 1

His low panting and deep breaths still haunt me. Every time I hear them, a panicking sensation surrounds my body and makes me feel like I have to run. To save myself from that terrible experience, but I can't. I just can't, it's in the past and nobody can change the past.

"Ms. Sanders, I am speaking to you." My history teacher said. I silently realized that I was day dreaming again and straightened my position. "May you repeat the question?" I asked, hoping my teacher was not agitated at my response. He turned around and pointed at the board, the whole class snickered. This was the type of situation I hated being in, all the people around focusing on you, anxiously trying to hear your response to either shame you or accept your answer.

I studied the board hurriedly trying to come up with the least dumbest response, nervously tapping my foot on the ground. And a second later the bell rang followed by the clatter of shoes, binder ziper's and students already leaving the classroom. I followed anxiously trying to leave before my history teacher caught up to me, I got up quickly and left the classroom, feeling my teacher's cold eyes glued onto the back of my head. Like I was some type of prey and he was the predator.

Then snapping me out of my thoughts, I heard a familiar voice mention my name in the distance. "Veronica!" It was Mason, running up to my side. He was the type of guy you could call to help you move heavy objects, very fit and tall. His icy blue eyes could manipulate anyone into liking him, Followed my his light brown silky hair and natural looks. He towered me of how tall he was and I always realized I had a good friend I could always rely on to being my bodyguard. Next to him was his girlfriend, Nadia, she was everything you could describe as 'perfect'. Her round dark brown eyes and perfectly tanned skin could make anyone fall for her, she was sweet and kind which charmed everyone and won their hearts. Mason and her had been going out for the past year, I could imagine both of them in the future walking down an isle or walking around with a baby carriage. It was planned, we were about to graduate and we eventually needed to brainstorm plans for our future.

A few moments later I had my head leaning on Jacob's broad shoulder and wrapped in his arm on the lunch table, Accompanied by the rest of our group of friends. Nadia was texting on her phone, smiling down at it and seeming to enjoy the conversation. Mason was talking to Jacob about the next football meet, and Miranda was talking to another one of her new friends she had made this year. A couple others were doing their own thing along the lunchtable, but being wrapped around by Jacob's arms was the best I could be doing about now. Seeing this scenario made me realize how much I've gone through, I've been currently living with my grandparents ever since my parents mysterious murder occurred. About two years ago, I was at Miranda's house staying over for a sleepover and we were woken up to knocks on the front door. When I got up to go check I noticed the police officers with their hats off staring at their feet, her mother kindly answered the door with me and Miranda right behind her. Then I remember the words she delivered to me with the tightest hug I've ever received from her. The rest of that night I spent it in Miranda's arms trying to comfort me, not even my best friend's kind words and hugs could stop my tears from spilling.

After that depressing experience our friendship was stronger than ever, and I was grateful for having her at that time. Once in a while she looked up from her conversation with her friend and smiled at me, even though I was technically in my boyfriend's arms. I knew she was happy to see me this way, knowing that I was in good hands even though she wasn't by my side. Jacob and Miranda have known eachother since first grade, and are actually like siblings. People actually mistaken them as siblings because of their similar appearance and how they're always fighting and teasing eachother. Jacob was similar to Mason but a little more taller and had bright green eyes and dark brown hair, and Miranda had long curly dark brown hair and light green eyes. They seemed very similar and before I started dating Jacob, I actually thought they were somehow related. I quietly giggled at the thought and Jacob looked down at me, he smiled and delivered a soft kiss on my lips before getting up to go get something from the lunch line. When he left, I straightened my necklace and short skirt, then continued to unlock my phone.

Staring down at my parents picture I noticed Nadia getting up quickly and leaving the cafeteria without saying a word. Mason wasn't with us since he had left to go with Jacob to the lunch line,I ignored Nadia and got into Miranda's conversation with the girl which later I learned her name was Sadie. She was pretty and had light brown eyes, she was really quiet but something about her made me instantly like her and want her to be my friend. And we did actually, we had the same Art class which was next period. After a few minutes later, Mason and Jacob showed up with plates full of food. Seeing Mason's puzzled face he asked:

"Where's Nad?"

I shrugged in response while Jacob handed me a bag of potato chips.

"I'm not sure, she just got up and left without saying a word, she's probably in the restroom"

"Probably" Jacob said as he dipped his greasy French fry in a cup full of ketchup,
Mason who was at this point worried began to eat his food. After Lunch, Nadia still hadn't shown up and I decided to stick around with Jacob and Mason outside the cafeteria doors. Sadie was next to me, reading one of her books while I was holding Jacob's hand.

"Where the actual hell is she?!" I could hear Mason's anxiousness in his voice while he said this, and I didn't blame him. Nadia hadn't even responded to any of his text messages or neither mine, it was really odd of her to do this. Jacob looked down onto his phone and sighed.

"Two more minutes till the bell rings" he announced. He looked down at me and whispered into my ear: "I think you should get going, I don't want you to arrive late to class with Sadie." I sighed and worriedly looked over at Mason who was having at this point a mental break down. Jacob somehow understanded what I was trying to say and slightly chuckled. "And don't worry I can handle him. She's probably in class anyways, I'll see you after seventh period." We kissed quickly and I turned around signaling Sadie that it was time to go. Something odd was going on eventually with Nadia, and we had to find out sooner or later.