Remember Them

The Incident At School

Walking down the busy concrete pavement besides the school gates, I watch hundreds of students pile into the large buildings. I searched frantically for Remi and the others. When I can't see her, or anyone I knew, my heart started pounding rapidly. I felt myself shaking like a lost puppy. The playground was completely crowded and being only 5'5 I couldn't see much past the year elevens and six formers.

"Blythe! Over here!"

I lock eyes with Remi and instantly feel calmer. I hurriedly but casually stroll into the main reception where I'm greeted by her. She had her short, chestnut hair in a low ponytail but most of it sprouted out from the hairband.

"Are the others here yet?"

I asked her, looking around confused. Normally Remi was the last one in school, but here she was the first. I pull my blazer over my wrist, firmly gripping the end of the sleeve. I didn't need Remi asking questions that I couldn't answer.

"I have absolutely no idea bro, I remember Cyra saying she's going to be late because of some new programme she's watching or something"

"That's... Weird"

I shrugged, trying not to make a big deal out of it, and leant against the dark cream radiator. To my disappointment, it was ice cold and didn't feel like it was going to be turned on any time soon.

"I heard there's an assembly today"

Remi says. I look up at her as she stares out the glass doors that lead to the playground. Less people were coming in but that's mainly because it was two minutes until class started.

"For everyone?"

I ask. Normally, we only have whole school assembly's if it's something really important. If not then it's just in our tutor groups after lunch time.

"I think it's just our year"

"Weird?"

It was more of a question than a statement. The last time we had a whole year assembly was when Jax and his goons were found with fireworks hanging out of their bags.

"Indeed"

She breathed, losing eye contact and staring back out of the glass doors. Suddenly, Crya came bursting through the gates. She looked flustered as her usual pale white cheeks had turned bright red. She began screaming jumbled sentences and looking around for someone to listen. A few teachers grabbed her, but she resisted tremendously.

"Is.. Is that Cyra?"

Remi gulped, furrowing her eyebrows and turning her head from me to the door and back again. A wave of anxiety rushed over me, forcing back words.

"I think so"

My heart started to beat faster and faster again. Remi continued to stare with her face and hands pressed against the glass. Now, everyone was formed in a circle around Crya who was still screaming loudly.

"What the hell?"

I whisper, grabbing hold of Remi who was about to dart out of the doors. She had thrown her bag to the ground and was ready to run, only I was holding her back. I wasn't sure of what was happening, but I was sure that Remi wouldn't cope if she knew.

"What do we do Blythe?"

She shouted, tears building up in her eyes. Outside, Cyra was being hit repeatedly with a long meter stick which belonged to Mr.Paytas our maths teacher. It seemed like riots were about to start as everyone who lived around and beside the school closed their curtains and locked their doors.

"Stop it! Stop it!"

Remi screamed, releasing herself from my grip. She pushed open the doors, causing them to hit against the wall, hard and breaking the glass slightly.

"Remi! Crap.. Crap"

I nervously paced in a small circle before running out the door behind her. The whole school, including teachers were surrounding Cyra who was beaten black and blue. Other students screamed and yelled at Headteacher Joel was the one who was hitting her. The teachers desperately tried to hold the mob back and away from the head who was sweating heavily.

"Why did you do that?!"

Remi yelped as Mr.Joel swung at her. I snatched her arm and pulled her down before the stick connected with her head. This resulted in him hitting a different student, who's friends lost it and started yelling. Hundreds of students were screaming and crying and protesting, some pulled out their phones to call 999. I froze, crouching on the ground, rocking back and forth. Nothing felt real, it was like a horrible nightmare. I wanted to wake up.

"Get to class!"

He shouted at us, as if nothing had happened. I slowly stood up then lifted up Remi after me, leading her inside. We were the first ones in the building which meant it was silent, calming me down slightly. But considering what just happened, nothing felt calm for long. Everyone in our year made their way to the main hall where we had assembly. As I nervously stood in line with Remi and our other friend Nym, we heard obnoxious whispers about Cyra from the popular students.

"I heard that she had a gun"

"A gun? I though it was because she threatened the teacher"

"What a psycho. But still, Mr.Joel killed her!"

"Pretty sure that's illegal"

I covered my ears with my hands, not caring about the mark in my wrist. Remi was completely lost, she had fixed her eyes on the wall and hadn't said a word since.. Well since what happened to Cyra. I think she was blocking out the mutters and theories too. Nym nudged me lightly making me jump. She shakily gestured her head over to Remi who still didn't flinch.

"Is she okay?"

Nym whispered so quietly I had to ask her to repeat it at least three more times. I tugged at the loose seam on my skirt, breathing heavily.

"I... I can't answer that"