The Sins of Regret

Chapter 4

Trevor and Ross sat in the gymnasium staring at the screen projecting an image of Bridget. She looked like any average teenager. Happy, beautiful, energetic. It made the recent events that much scarier.

"Bridget Hawthorne... We all mourn the loss of such a kind and innocent student. a tragic, tragic thing this was. But we must remember that there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent this."

Abruptly, Trevor stood up and left the gym. Ross followed close behind. Outside the main gym, Ross followed Trevor to one to the lobby bathrooms.

Behind them, a voice called out Trevor's name. Ross turned to face her.

"Ross, is Trevor Ok?" Angel asked when she caught up.

"His best friend's dead. I'm sure he's fine." his face was so stern his sarcasm seemed like a direct attack on Angel.

She rolled her eyes and walked past Ross, "He can't be that beat up about it, right?" her voice shaking with worry.

Ross grabbed her arm and threw her in front of him.

"Let me rephrase that," his voice a whisper, "His best friend couldn't talk to him because you threatened her."

"That's not-"

"And now she's dead."

Angel huffed and took a step back, "What do you want me to do about it?" She wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I never want to see you near Trevor again."

"And if you do?"

Ross turned away, an evil smile on his face, as he wiped his chin, "I see you near him, I'll make sure you get to hell sooner, as opposed to later."

"You're making threats now," Angel choked.

Ross leaned in close, "After what you've done... That's a promise."

He walked away, ignoring Angel's tears behind him.

Once in the bathroom, Ross found Trevor curled up in a corner shaking and bawling.

"That's all bullshit," Trevor cried before Ross could say anything, "There is so much we could have done! This didn't have to happen! People could have not bullied her, teachers could have not allowed it, I could have been there for her..."

"That's not true," Ross cut in, "She didn't tell you, she didn't tell any of us anything."

"She needed me to stay after school thirty minutes because she was too scared to walk right after the bell. I should have known."

"You thought that what you were doing was enough. Trevor, you were the best friend Bridget could have had."

"Then why is she dead?" he yelled, growing angry, "If I was the best friend she could have had why am planning her funeral. Why... If I was the best friend she could have had, why," he took a shaky breath, "why did she feel like she had to pull that trigger?"

Ross grabbed Trevor's arms and pulled him to his feet, "No, I'm not gonna sit here and let you do this to yourself."

Ross led them outside to a black truck in a nearby parking lot.

As they drove towards the outskirts of town, Ross watched over Trevor. He'd glance over and notice Trevor looking out the window shaking, wiping tears from his eyes, and, when the sorrow had worn his eyes raw, passing out.

Ross honked his horn, "Get out," he ordered.

They had stopped in the middle of the desert. No landmarks within sight.