fractures

feasible explanation

Layne

"So by showing me all these chats Marlene had, you're trying to tell me that you think Marlene...committed suicide, right?" I ask Abbey.

"Yeah," Abbey says sadly. "As much as you and I don't want it to be true, I think it's the only feasible explanation."

No it's not! I want to scream. There must be some other explanation, some other reason why she fell off that cliff! But what can it be?

The despair that wounds itself around my mind must have shown on my face, because Abbey abruptly continues, "But I might be wrong."

As much as I want to agree with that, I can't. Any alternative I can think of to prove Abbey wrong is almost impossible. Alternatives like Marlene really was just careless for that one day in her entire life and accidentally walked off a cliff. But no one in their right mind will walk off a cliff by accident. Not even the most careless person. Marlene was always in her right mind.

But there is an alternative that I've never dared considering. I was there. I was there when Marlene fell off the cliff. But I would never push Marlene off on purpose. Never. Right?

Abbey doesn't know. At least I think she doesn't know. But if she does find out, will she suspect me? Will I be a feasible explanation for Marlene's death to her? I won't. Right? Right?

"You okay, Layne?"

My train of thought derails. I think there's a pretty big crash.

"Just thinking," I assure.

"Didn't I tell you it was bad?" Abbey reminds with a small smile, one that doesn't reach her eyes.

She must be thinking about Marlene as well.

Is it strange that Marlene is dead, but she still takes up 99.9% of my mind? She is a ghost, a memory, haunting my thoughts and my dreams. Until we find out what really happened to her, she will continue living in my mind.

"C'mon," Abbey says as she stands and closes her laptop. "I don't want to be late for class."

-

It's the first time in such a long, long time that I actually put all my energy into focusing in class. As much as I would rather daydream and doodle in my notebook, I don't want to keep thinking and thinking and thinking about Marlene and the all those explanations. I also don't want another confrontation with my mother. Besides, getting good grades are for my own future.

The teacher seems pleased that I actually answer a few questions. I myself feel a wave of satisfaction wash over me as I look at my newly written pages of notes.

Then when I'm feeling all happy and content, my phone buzzes. It's a message from Abbey and the content chills me to the bone.

meet me after school at the library. need 2 talk 2 you. important!

I check to see if she's sent me anything else. Nothing.

What is it now?