lacuna = thirteen reasons why

Three

Chapter Three:

Edited: ✔️

Ophelia's mother always told her to treat everyday like a new one, even though it very much was. To keep an open mind and to not let anything upset her.

School was almost done for the day and Ophelia couldn't help but sigh with relief when nothing eventful happened. No teacher pulled her aside to talk about her failing grades, not even the guidance counsellor tracked her down to talk about her feelings towards her best friends sudden death. What she wasn't expecting was for Clay and Justin to almost have a fighting match in the hallway, both boys hollering at each other. Ophelia couldn't make out what Justin was saying other than a few snippets, something like "If Clay doesn't keep his mouth shut he'll regret it."

Before it could escalate, since all of Justin's friends were cheering them on, Ophelia marched up and dragged her friend away. What she really wanted to do was to walk up to Justin and punch him square in the face, but she didn't feel like getting suspended and also didn't really know how to throw a correct punch.

"What's wrong with you!" Ophelia shouted as soon as they were outside, "Were you trying to start a fight!"

"No, I wasn't actually."

Ophelia crossed her arms, "You can tell me."

"What if I can't?" He spoke in a hushed tone, glancing around worriedly. "What if the person doesn't want me too and I can't make them change their mind because it's to late."

She frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"I can't— I can't tell you."

"I know things are hard right now, believe me, they are but Hannah wouldn't want this."

Clay snickered, "Yah, you're right. She only wants to torture people."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing."

"It doesn't sound like nothing."

Clay pursed his lips, "Fine, it's not but I..." He paused, "Look, I'm sorry but I need to go."

He turned, walking in the opposite direction and rushed across the road. She watched him stop at the bike rack, quickly fumbling to get his own bike unlocked. Ophelia turned towards the school, contemplating on going back in or head home. In the end she chose neither, her mind leading her to her best friends house.

*~*~*

The door handle was cold against her hand, she lightly knocked with the other. Ophelia wasn't sure if the Baker's were home, or that they would answer if they were. Sure enough, Mrs Baker was the one to answer. The door creaked open to reveal the older woman, eyes red and face pale. Her hair was tied back and large bags sat under her eyes.

"Ophelia." She mumbled, "Come in, please."

She nodded, stepping around the woman and wandering deeper into the house. Ophelia wasted no time and rushed up the stairs, stumbling into Hannah's bedroom.

Mrs Baker wandered in after, standing silently in the doorway. Ophelia glanced around, everything looked the same. Like she was still here.

"I'm sorry." Ophelia sobbed into the open room, "I'm so, so sorry."

When she glanced back at Mrs Baker, she looked as if she was going to break down. And most likely not for the first time that day.

"What was Hannah's school life like?"

Her brows furrowed, "Everyone knew who she was."

"Was she bullied?"

Ophelia pursed her lips, mind beginning to race. "At the beginning of the year, she was seeing a guy. I guess they went to that park not to far from here, he took a picture of her going down the slide. She was in a skirt, I think, but you could see her underwear. He sent it around school, everybody saw. He told them that they'd done more than just hang out."

Mrs Baker looked stricken, staring at Ophelia with a disgusted expression. "How could she have never told us? How could we not have known?"

"She said it didn't bother her, that she'd wait until the principal got involved since it went to every student but nothing happened. I'm pretty sure he knew but never did anything, I've always hated him. But every time I brought it up, wanting to make sure she was alright she shrugged it off and said it didn't matter." Ophelia trailed off, "It's all my fault, isn't it?"

"No, no it's not." The woman moved next to her, "It's not your fault. It's the school's fault for not doing anything about it. If they knew she was being bullied, they should have told us and put an end to it."

Ophelia shook her head, "A list went around as well, a best list or something. I never looked at it but I heard from one of the other girls at school that Hannah was on it and she didn't like it."

"What list?"

"Having the best ass or something. I'm not really sure, it was another thing she refused to talk about and would never let me bring it up."

Mrs Baker frowned, "How'd she react?"

"She wasn't happy. Guys would walk behind her and pretend to squeeze her ass, stuff like that."

The woman nodded slowly, "Thank you. I need to make some calls."

Ophelia took a good look around the room, finding herself at Hannah's desk. Papers were everywhere, a half open nail polish bottle sat towards the end of the desk—

A twig snapped and her vision flew to the open window, she rushed over and peered out below to see— Clay?

Ophelia dashed out of the room and down the stairs, shouting a goodbye to the Baker's as she rounded the corner to where Hannah's room was. But where Clay had been standing, was now empty. By the time she'd gotten outside, Clay was already long gone.