But Only In Red Ink || #Wattys2017

Chapter Five

"Look, I get it." Beck pulled her hair up into a ponytail. "You need space and all but why can't you just tell them that's the issue?"

"Because if I say that, they'll start asking questions and trying to pay for therapy.."

A few hours after Michael left, Becky came over to get some pizza from me, knowing I wouldn't eat it all by myself. I had to tell her that I needed her to cover for me. Lying to my best friend was the worst feeling ever, especially since the truth had everything to do with her father.

She nodded. "Right, well you can stay at my house for the weekend. You'll be alone there. Dad's going to the mountains for his and mom's anniversary.. It's so sad."

Chewing on the last slice, I frowned. "Why the mountains?"

"That's where they always went for their anniversary. It's also where they went for their honeymoon. But ever since Mom died, he's been going by himself." She shrugged. "It's been pretty sad. That's why I've been trying to help him find another woman. He deserves someone new."

Mrs. Fassbender's death was the most tragic thing that I have ever had happen to a friend.

She was a petite lady with pale skin and auburn hair. She baked cakes and other pastries for weddings and birthdays for a living. It was her passion. I remember she could tell me how to bake anything and everything even if I didn't ask. She would stay at work late some nights, making sure all of her work was done and all the cakes that she had baked for events were perfect.

One night she chose the wrong night to stay out late. I was on the phone with Becky when Michael had come home panicked about Mrs. Fassbender's absence. He had called her nearly twenty times. When I came to catch the bus with Becky in the morning, he was still awake, sitting in the kitchen, and staring at two cups of coffee. You could tell he didn't get one blink of sleep.

Beck and I had to help him into the living room so he could lay down to rest. As soon as his body hit the leather, there was a knock at the door. He gasped and sat up at the possibility of it being her. I ran to answer the door. On the other side were two police officers. One was a tall white male while the other was a short Latina female. We invited them inside to tell us that Mrs. Fassbender had been stabbed twenty-seven times in the chest. Becky fell to the floor, sobbing her eyes out. It was a lot for a fourteen year old to take in. Her father's face was frozen in shock.

"I'm sure he'll find someone." Becky smiled a bit. "I know that's what mom would want him to do."

I nodded in agreement. "Right.. I think he might like that too."

Suddenly it hit me. What if he didn't really want me? He just wanted someone easy to help him relive his anniversary trips and his honeymoon. I was the perfect target. I was so vulnerable to him. I didn't even know if I still wanted to go.

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So yeah, hi. This is just a filler chapter so you're not waiting so long for the next one!

Love you all, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE!

~Shann