The Gray Case

three

"Oh my," Maya gasps, "this is unbelievable."

"Shit. Fuck. Fuck this shit," Lisa continues, eyes wide.

Maya shakes her head, repeating what she just read on the newspaper.

Business man Mark Gray, was close to getting shot on Friday the 21st. The person behind the trigger remains unidentified. Gunshots were heard and a few bullet holes are present on the car. No gun was found. The police is still working on the case.

This is what everyone was talking about.

"Why would someone do that?" Lisa asks, still completely shocked.

Maya leans on her locker, thinking about the possible reasons.

Why did this happen?

Is it because of his money? Of his reputation, of his success? 

Did he do something bad, something wrong? Something so horrible he deserves it? No, it can't be. Or can it?

"Absolutely crazy," Maya whispered, some of her hair falling on her forehead.

The school day is almost finished, the sun is dimmed by the clouds. The sky is gray and everything seems dull.

People's voices fade in the hallways as mere bodies walk to their destinations, some smiling, some talking, some simply looking.

Nobody really stands out today, everything seeming bland.

Except him and his friends. Somehow, Alexander makes everyone go wild. It's like he has something in him that's not of this world, something sent to him from the sky because even the angels know his worth.

Maya and Lisa make their way to the cafeteria and find a table that's free.

He is sitting at the center of the room, in front of a table surrounded by his friends.

Sofia, his girlfriend, walks in the room, making sure her entrance is as great as she thinks she is. She runs her hands through her silky blonde hair and her blue eyes examine every single person.

Today, she is wearing a black pencil high waisted skirt and a white crop top, her lips are as red as cherry, her walk is fierce.

She is confident and flawless from the outside. Everyone and everything dies as she passes and if she's something that nature created she has to be the winter. For the earth trembles when she walks on it. For she brings snow and storms and people don't know how to react.

She sits on top of Alexander's lap and he continues his conversation with his friends, without paying her the attention she so ardently craves. She then slowly places her fingers on his neck painting red kisses on it.

Lisa in front of Maya wrinkles her nose disapprovingly, picking her salad with the fork.

"I hate her," Lisa says.

At this point, Sofia's friends follow her and sit around her table, some even to bring lunch for her.

"You really can't do it yourself?" Alexander asks her.

"This is what friends do." She simply states, raising her shoulders.

Lisa rolls her eyes. "She's a total bitch."

"I feel sorry for her friends," Maya says, glancing at their table that was not too far away from theirs, close enough to hear them.

"Well they are just as dumb as Sofia."

Maya laughs and as she does so, her eyes meet Alexander's. He looks away quickly as she catches his gaze, but again, it only makes Maya smile.

"What's up with him? Why was he looking at you? Did I miss something?"

"Lisa, breathe. No, you haven't missed anything. People look all the time," Maya lies quite easily.

Lisa nods slowly, furrowing her brow. Maya can tell she's not buying it so she changes the subject.

"I have class right now, but I'll see you later, alright?" Maya says, standing up and grabbing her bag.

"Of course," Lisa smiles and Maya waves her goodbye, exiting the room.

She is stopped by someone grabbing her arm and turning her around. The touch is gentle but still effective.

"Hey," Alexander breathes out. "You walk really fast."

"Hi," she smiles. He puts his hands in his pockets.

"So, have you read the news?"

"Yeah, I'm so sorry..." she says, "You need a private driver for security, right?" She asks.

"Yeah, whenever I'm going somewhere with my dad. Just in case," he sighs.

He looks away from her and bites his lower lip.

"I'm really sorry," Maya says again.

"It's okay, it's just that I don't get why someone would do that to him, you know?"

Maya shifts her gaze down before looking at him again. "Neither do I."