lacuna = thirteen reasons why

One

Chapter One:

Edited: ✔️

The weather wasn't the only thing wrong with the universe, it was another freezing day in the middle of April— another day numb to the surroundings around her. Ophelia Woods was never a fan of the light, but when she met Hannah Baker in first grade, that's the face she put to the name. It was their thing, a running joke between best friends and even households. Ophelia was the darkness and Hannah was the light, always there to cheer you up if you were down.

Where was Hannah Baker now, when Ophelia needed her most?

Never in a million years did she expect her best friend to die— to take her own life. If anything, they always joked around that Ophelia would do it first, Hannah following suit because they were ride or die. They laughed then, but it was nowhere near funny now. Ophelia remembered hearing the news over the P.A system, sitting in a useless classroom filled with people who in the end drove her to make that final decision, to take that last breath.

She had run out of the class, rushing to Hannah's home as fast as she could. This couldn't be real, if it was, she wouldn't be finding out at school. Ophelia couldn't remember much of that day, just the expression of Hannah's mom as she laid eyes on her, she was practically like their second child, always over— they never could get rid of her.

But that was then, and that was over. The world kept spinning, nothing stopped. And here she was again, at Liberty High, a school she hated filled with mindless people she despised.

The halls were crowded, a mix of body oder and cheap perfume filled her nose as she shoved her way down, keeping her head low and face unmoved. It seemed as if everyone wanted to hang around her locker, she could spot the rusted metal door from in between two freshmen. She sighed, continuing on in that direction.

Another group standing close by shared a loud laugh, causing Ophelia to roll her eyes. They departed, rushing down the hall to the front doors. A sea of colour exploded over her vision, much too bright for the dull colours that filled present time. Hannah's locker was covered in bright sticky notes and other small things. A large picture of her was taped to the door, a smile covering her face. Ophelia blinked slowly, realizing now she stood directly in front of it.

"We miss you, Hannah!" A note read, scribbled in thick black marker.

"Rest easy, you were the best!" Another said.

Ophelia bit back a laugh, picking one off and staring at it. Was this a joke? Nobody in this school cared about her, not one student, not even the teachers. Nobody paid kids like them any attention, and now all of a sudden since she was gone, everyone was her friend?

"Hey— what are you doing?"

Ophelia ripped and teared at every stupid note on her locker, of every lie and false statements people wrote because they know what they did. They did this. It was their fault.

"Ophelia!"

When all the notes lay shredded at her feet, the sea of colours now torn and crumpled. The only thing left was Hannah's picture, her name taped across it in big cut out letters. A loud echo snapped her out of her daze, of the principals voice rounding the far corner.

Hands wrapped around her arm and dragged her away, the cold hit her face like a ton of bricks when they made it outside.

"What were you thinking?"

Ophelia stared up at her friend, his blue eyes pierced her dull ones. "I'm tired of the lies, Clay."

"You'll get suspended."

She rolled her eyes, "I don't care. They killed her, that's the real issue here."

"Ophelia." He sighed, glancing around them. Probably waiting for the principal and an audience to come crashing out of the building. "Just... can you—"

"Don't bullshit me. They treated her like shit and now she's dead, of course they know what they did. That's why there's notes and stupid little saying because they're all scared they're gonna be implicated in murder." Ophelia crossed her arms, "Stop pretending like this hasn't affected you, Clay. I know you miss her, too."

He stared down at her, expression plain until he motioned her to follow him. They slowly made their way down the street, bathing in silence that for once managed to feel somewhat comfortable.

"You didn't know her like I did." Ophelia finally said, breaking the silence. Clay wouldn't understand her pain, yes they were friends, but not like the way her and Hannah were. "I just miss her, that's all."

"I do too."

Her eyes burned, thoughts that she'd wanted to say for so long longed to get out. "I just wanna know why she went through with it, or why it was on her mind at all. We could have helped, we could have made a difference."

Clay only pursed his thin lips, "I know. We could've done a lot of things."

She took a deep breath, glancing up at him with narrowed eyes. "They're gonna suffer, the ones that hurt her."

Clay let out a small sigh, shaking his head. "Lia, come on."

"Karma's a bitch." Ophelia nodded, "And she's cashing in her dues."