Simpler Things

Part 11: A Tint of Blue.

                 Charlie pulled the car into our driveway. I had stopped shivering but he was still hesitant to turn off the heat. Eventually, the car turned over, and Megan got out. I met her at the back of the car.
"Sorry." She said looking at her feet. The porch light barley lit her features.
"I don't blame you." I said, clutching the blanket closer to my chest.
"I-I... I just feel bad," She said, "He didn't stop to kill James. He could've killed you." She waited for me to respond. Why didn't he kill me? He had the perfect chance, I was isolated. Alone. Why just push me into a lake.
          "I'm going to walk home. I'll talk to you tomorrow." She said, forcing a smile. I waved as she walked away.
           The sirens kept me up. It was late, and I was soaked with lake water. The one thing I was looking forward to, after my shower, was my bed. I laid under the covers. I heard a knock on the other side of my door.
"Come in." I said. The door creaked open, my mother stood in her pj's.
"Where you been all night?" She asked.
"Megan's." I lied. She questioned,
"Why is your hair sparkly?" I had forgotten about how much sparkly powder was in the club. My mother was a smart woman. She narrowed her eyes.
"Megan put glitter in my hair. Just had a shower." I said, scratching my head. My action seemed to help pull off the lie. My mother said her good night's and went off to bed. I didn't even care. This entire thing had taken all my spare thoughts away. I didn't understand why, why me? Everything had been so confusing. I had dozens of questions, and no answers. Pushing those thoughts aside, I slipped into my dreams.
          I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing. Groaning I picked it up, Megan was calling.
"Hello?" My voice came out a croak.
"Finally you picked up-" she started,
"What do you want?" I said, cutting her off.
"Ms. M is dead. I texted you last night. Murdered." She said. Silence over took the line. I didn't know what to say. Finally words came out of my mouth,
"How?" I practically whispered.
"I don't know, I just passed it last night. Didn't you get my texts?" I pulled the phone away from my ear, the top left corner showed 8 new messages.
"What now?" Megan asked.
"I don't know. School?" I said, shrugging.
"Okay, I'm going to go-"
"Bye." I hung up.
              As Charlie and I drove to school, we passed the book store. I wondered if I would get another note.
"No one is safe."
I realized how true that statement was. Everyone was at risk. This person could get to anyone. The only person they hadn't included was me. They had the chance, but they didn't take it. Why?
             The school day passed by in a blur, I mostly avoided Megan. I was too deep I  thought. I didn't know what was happening in this town. I was suppose to be a plain Jane,  with a boring life, and no difficulties besides school and exams. I was so distaste during my math class, I didn't hear Ms. Gordon call my name as the bell rung.
"Alyson?" She reached out and touched my shoulder. My eyesight snapped to her.
"Sorry, Ms. Gordon, I've just been really distracted." I said as I gathered my books.
"I understand that you knew both of them." She said. I stopped in my tracks.
"Pardon me," I said. I didn't think they released Ms. M's death.
"Rebecca Morgan was a close friend, don't look so shocked," I relaxed. "Sit down." I did as I was told.
"Ms. Gordon-" I said but she waved her hand dismissing me.
"I suggest you take today off, or at least go to guidance," she said, her icy blue eyes stared into mine. "You need to take some time to yourself." My stress from the pass week flashed in my head.
"I'll do that. Thank you." I said as I turned for the door.
         I rushed to the guidance office, hoping to get there before the bell rung. I was steps from it when I dropped my books, skidding on my knees. The large tiles felt horrible on my knees, sending a jolt through my entire body. I quickly gathered my binders. Something stuck out of my math binder. I grabbed the sharp edge, pulling the paper out I instantly recognized the scribbled hand writing.
" You'll never know who killed James Cameron. "

               I stayed kneeled on the ground. Scared to move. How long had that been there?
"Can I help you?" The woman at the desk called out.
"Oh, yes." I said, stumbling to my feet.

             I texted Megan about the note. I felt... erratic. Nothing in my life felt stable. I spent the entire day in the guidance office. I ate my lunch, caught up on math and listened to music, at least when we weren't "talking about my feelings, and how to deal with stress" as Mr. Brown would put it. You wouldn't believe this guy, he was so touchy-feely. I decided to walk home, Charlie had football, and i hate the bus with a fury. As soon as I got home, I was greeted by the least erratic person I knew.
My father.