Based On A False Story

Two - Comfort For The Grieved

Mela's POV

On the way to school each radio station was just talking about the girl who'd been found in the local pond. Thankfully, my brother Ethan realized my discomfort and turned the radio off.

To them she was just some dead girl; To me she was my best friend.

When I arrived at school later that morning it felt empty and dull. Students strung along the ground corridor were either crying or talking about the news that shook the town this morning.

Alyssa's name was escaping everyone's mouth in hushed whispers. Not like that time when it was alleged that she'd gotten a new tattoo or when she disobeyed the rules by flaunting a streak of pink hair on the last day of school.

They were all talking about her death; her inexistence. This time it was not just a rumour or teenage tactic. She was really gone.

"Wasn't she friends with the dead girl?" asked a junior.

"Bet all of them plotted to kill poor Alyssa together." Someone else said like she knew anything about us.

"That's what Alyssa got for being such a Queen B anyways. She always wanted to be the centre of attention. She finally got what she wanted."

That was probably the cruelest of them all. Alyssa didn't deserve any of this. No one did.

I thought the shock and numbing would prevent me from hearing the snide and totally inconsiderate remarks, but unfortunately it didn't.

Pushing my glasses further up my nose and holding my striped binder closer to my chest, I trekked across the school to the pavilion. It was our usual spot each morning before the bell rang for us to go to the hall for morning assembly.

Unlike the other days the remaining grass was wet and the atmosphere was somber.

Making my way up the unpainted concrete steps to the top of the building I saw Lesley curled into the corner, her head of short blonde rested on her knees.

I called for her, but she didn't respond. I then tapped her on the shoulder and she held up her head slowly.

It's then I realized the earphones in her triple pierced ears. She plucked them out immediately and I saw the tears in her eyes. Lesley always had an unbothered, fearless persona. I had seen her cry once since we became friends about six years ago. The first time would have been last year when it happened.

Readjusting my thoughts I sat down next to her and she rested her head on my shoulder lightly.

"Lesley, it's going to be okay. We're going to be okay." I said softly. I was trying to comfort her, but I myself needed comforting, reassuring.

She held up her head slightly and looked at me sadly.

"You know the thing is I had planned to go her house this morning. Thinking maybe we would catch the bus together. It's been our ritual since sixth form started and we live so close to each other. If I hadn't heard her mum crying and screaming out this morning I would have never known. This is not fair.... this is so not fair. And I don't even cry. I hate this." She blurted out trying to stop the tears from coming.

"I know Les, you're a strong person and crying does not make you any less. Look, Alyssa wouldn't want you nor I crying over this. The person who did this to her, whoever they are should be the one feeling bad for what they did." I explained. I was being a hypocrite really. I did my fair share of crying already.

Family and friends were always the grieved individuals, while the person who caused it was somewhere being unremorseful.

"Mela, the last time I spoke to Nara was Friday when we snacked out at Chilly Moos. You think she's coming today?" she questioned trying to change the subject.

"If Nara isn't still mad at us for what we did then maybe she'll come. I think we should all be here with each other right now. I messaged Coven earlier, and her sister replied and said they're coming." I said as I showed Lesley the short Whatsapp conversation.

The next twenty minutes passed by as we sat there curled up listening to slow music on Lesley's phone. It was all quite depressing. When the bell alarmed at 8:30 signaling that it was time for registration then assembly we got up.

Dusting off our carbon grey skirts and picking up our bags and my binder, we left the pavilion and headed for the ground corridor where our form rooms were situated since we did Sciences.

As we turned the corner by the notice board and the principal's office the door swung open abruptly. Mr. Jones the principal and Ms. Laurie the school's guidance counselor came out together.

Both of them looked at Lesley and I then exchanged worried glances.

In unison, we said a quick morning to both teachers as Lesley also tried to inconspicuously pull down her skirt.

"Miss Stuart and Burke, good morning. You two are just who I wanted to see. I know you all have probably heard of the passing of Alyssa Vaughn of Upper sixth Arts by now. I am very sorry for both of your losses," He said formally, but compassionately. "All of you were great friends, along with Miss Hunte and Doral I've been told. This is a difficult time for all staff and students. Please do come inside my office."

Obediently we followed the principal and Ms. Laurie inside the AC filled office. They were so lucky. I wish our classrooms had AC cause they got so heated throughout the day, but the rain had been falling earlier so maybe today would be an exception.

Opening another door which lead past the secretary and treasurer's desks we went into the principal's office.

Coven was already in there seated in one of the four chairs. As she turned around and saw us coming in she got up quickly and hugged both of us tightly.

When we finished hugging we were all instructed by the principal to take a seat in the velvety, navy coloured chairs quietly.

Mr. Jones and Ms. Laurie exchanged words briefly and then sir left the office.

Ms. Laurie then took a seat in the plush, leather chair on the other side of the principal's solid, mahogany table.

"Mam, we're not entirely sure Nara is coming today. She's sick." Coven spoke up first.

"I have been informed by Miss Doral's father that she is unwell, but insisted she wants to be in attendance today." Ms. Laurie replied calmly.

"Oh." Coven responded shortly.

"Now while we wait for Miss Doral to come, let us all begin by first talking about feelings. Seventeen years old is quite a young age to lose a best friend. In the teen years a best friend is someone with whom you trusted and shared feelings and thoughts with." Ms. Laurie started with her soothing voice.

I disliked how 'trusted' and 'shared' were now in the past tense.

Coven began to play with her fingers nervously and Lesley continued to try to magically lengthen her skirt.

"Well all of you seem like quiet young ladies. Let's start with you Mela. How do you feel right now?"

On hearing my name I held up my head and looked at her. How was I to explain the pain of losing a best friend so suddenly? Ms. Laurie smiled at me as if I would  just begin to poor out my heart to her.

I hope Nara shows up soon. I always hated therapy.

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A/N: I really did not expect this chapter to be so long,but here it is. Chapter 2! I hope you all like this one. So far you've met all the girls, but you've still got to see Leslie's and Nara's POV. Well, Nara was narrating the prologue. A pic of Mela is above. Also, if there are any unfamiliar words(names or places)that might be Barbadian just comment and I'll explain it to you.I invite you to vote,share and comment.