Sudden Bloodshed

Chapter two

The town seemed quieter than normal. There were other kids around but not as much as usual. I took Emery to his school and continued down the road ,with America, to ours.

"Bye, Mary! Bye, Book! I love you!"
He'd say.
***
School was awkwardly quiet that day. Not too many kids talked, which was a shock to me because I was placed into one of the more noisy 8th grade classes. My class was made up of 23 kids ; seven girls, the rest boys. It really was unfair but if anyone complained what would the teachers do? It was also weird to study or work with a ton of 8th grade boys talking and crowding you all the time.

I waved goodbye to America and made my way to my class. My heart nearly stopped when I realized that everyone was sitting quietly in their seats. Actually working! No one was up and chatting , like normal.

"Take a seat. " the teacher informed blankly. My teacher never addressed her name to us so the students referred to her as "Miss".

I walked to the back of the class to take my seat. That is, after one of the boys tripped me. I didn't fall down but I was happy that not everyone was acting oddly.
***
I found it hard to focus that day, with everyone silently doing their work. I was so use to the noise that it actually helped me work and study.
Although I did hear whispering and giggling every now and then...it just wasn't the same.

Suddenly, I felt a hand rubbing my back. I instantly shrugged it off and turned to face who did it.

It was Oliver, a boy I actually liked the company of. We'd been friends ever since 1st grade. The worst part about this was that I liked Oliver. The only person that knew was America, who promised to not tell another soul. She never has. It was unclear if he liked me back but I quickly denied this. I never thought that I was really good enough for any one, mostly Oliver.

"You seemed upset." He whispered.
I shook my head.
"I'm fine. I was just wondering why everyone was so quiet."

Oliver's eyes widened. "Didn't you hear? It was on the news."

"I don't have a TV. My family is too poor to own one."

Oliver sighed. "Sorry, Brooke. I guess that I just keep forgetting."

I smiled.
"You forget everything and anything. Remember that fact?"

"No."

"See?!" I yelped a bit too loud.
The teacher shushed me. I'm not sure why though. All the other days the class was loud, she never batted an eye about it.

All I could do was lower my voice.
"As you were saying?" I turned back to Oliver.
"Right." He continued.
"The reason why everyone is so quiet is maybe because they are scared."

I frowned in confusion. "Scared? Scared of what?"

"Well, on the news, it said that terrorist have come into the country"