The Queen is Dead

Chapter 4: What I Did: Johnathan

I was surprised we weren't pulled over for speeding. We made it back to her neighborhood in record time but suddenly she called out, telling me to stop a block away from her house. I turned off the engine and she took off her helmet, practically hopping off the bike. 

"Wait Lizzy!" She turned around, her short black hair quickly tossed to the side. "I could have just pulled up to your house and dropped you-" "No, no, it's fine Johnathan." I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. I almost wanted to laugh, it was as if she were treating me like I were a secret. I had known her for years and suddenly it was as if she were trying to shelter me but I didn't understand from what. 

"Are you being serious?" I said stifling a laugh. She nodded slowly, "I'll see you later Johnathan." She began to walk off, but I couldn't help my thoughts from forming into words. 

"Are you trying to keep me a secret?" She quickly darted around. "Of course not, it's just I can't be seen on that thing." I raised an eyebrow. "So you did regret it, at least a part of you does." She closed her eyes and started to shuffle. "You don't understand." 

My face began to twist at this. She always assumed I wouldn't understand her, accusing me of not coming to grips with things. I knew her well enough to know how she felt and I could put the pieces together even if it took me a moment. I hated how she didn't give me a chance. "Yeah...maybe I don't," was the only thing I could say to her.

I started up the bike again but through the hum I heard her voice pleading, "Wait Johnathan, I didn't mean- I'm sorry- I-" "Don't worry Lizzy, don't worry about me, I'm fine. I get that I will never understand what is going on, I get that you will never tell me," I said quickly. I could tell it came out harsh by the look on Lizzy's face. 

She looked as hurt as I did, her icy blue eyes seeming to shatter. I felt guilty leaving her there but there was nothing else I could say to her. I had told her exactly how I felt and if I lingered there longer, there would only be more trouble for the both of us. But her heartbroken eyes dug into me, the guilt only striking into me more. I had left her there.

The thoughts dug under my skin, her eyes haunting my memory. I parked the motorcycle in front of the apartment building only a mile away from Lizzy's summer home. It was surprising, at one point Lizzy and I were neighbors and we had both lived in a town across the island where her dad had been doing research. 

We had both been in a house that most would probably compare to shacks. I was shocked that such well dressed people were living in the same neighborhood as us. I remember even though she was only six, she was feisty. The other kids would poke fun at her for being an outcast but she quickly fought back which earned her respect among the other kids. 

She was one day reading a book and I had embarrassingly, fell into the water trying  to catch fish. She quickly ran over and yelled for help before she reached her hand out to help me. However, she quickly fell in after me. At that point we became a team, quickly swimming together and grabbing onto a rock so the undertow wouldn't get us. 

We held on for dear life and screamed for help. Finally, the locals pulled us out. We both were given towels and we both took a long look at each other but she gasped as she had finally noticed my scar. "You okay?" I nodded slowly, "Yeah," I remember saying sheepishly, "I got hurt a while ago. It's healing." 

She opened her mouth to reply but her mother swooped her up and began to hug her while her father quickly ran over before giving her what sounded like a lecture. I watched her walk away, both of us exchanging a wave before my father swooped me up. "Thank God," he said as he was crying. "Thank God."

I locked the back tire, the memory quickly flashing through my mind. I smiled at the memory, wishing that things could have always been simple like that, where no matter how much trouble we got into, we would still have each other's backs and work together to solve a mystery or save the day. Though that day we were both damsels in distress, it was the event that would lead to the simpler times.

I walked up the stairs, slowing coming to terms with what had happened between Lizzy and I. I passed by the apartments and I heard music coming from Ms. Blumhardt's door. Though I was still haunted by guilt, the music lifted my spirits and her soft singing brought me a sigh of relief. I focused on the beautiful sounds that came through the door. As I heard a crash from an apartment door near by, I snapped out of my fantasies and I realized how ridiculous I was being. 

I went to my apartment, unlocking the front door that led to the connected living room and kitchen. Past that were two doors, one leading to the bathroom and the other the bedroom. It was quite small but it was just right for my needs. I didn't need a lot of space and the small space made everything feel less lonely. 

I took off my jacket and threw it onto the navy blue couch, the pillows quickly waving at the sudden pressure. However, the fish sandwich fell out and the wrapping began to unravel, making a mess on the wood floor. I sighed, partially annoyed I had forgotten I hadn't finished. But as I cleaned, the memories continued and I felt even worse. I had to suck up my pride and tell her I was sorry. 

I grabbed my cellphone and I went to text her, but I was met with a text from her instead.

- Lizzy :) : Hey Johnathan, I am really sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I just, can't quite tell you what is going on yet...in my head at least. Please don't be angry too long. 

I stared at my phone and I felt a wave of relief go through me. She wasn't angry at me but I still felt awful deep down.

- Johnathan :P : Don't worry about it. I was the jerk that left you there. lol I hope you can forgive me. 

She replied rather quickly to my text; I had barely put my phone down when I heard a buzz. 

- Lizzy :) : You just responded with how you felt. I made a mistake too. Don't blame yourself. We both had a misunderstanding. It's okay now :)

- Johnathan :P : You sure?

- Lizzy :) : Oh now don't you start being a worrywart now! ;)

I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the remark. It was amusing how many times she would bring up something I said to escalate her point. 

- Johnathan :P : Alright, alright, you got me. :'D

- Lizzy :) : Hey, do you want to hang out tomorrow morning?

- Johnathan :P : You want to hang out....in the morning? You must be feeling really guilty. ;) XD

- Lizzy :) : Oh shh you haha Is it a yes or no?

- Johnathan :P : Of course. See you tomorrow Lizzy!

- Lizzy :) : See you then!

I put the phone back down on the dresser and I prepared to take a shower. I felt a building excitement flow through me; the excitement enough to make me anxious. I couldn't help but think about seeing her. Was I being crazy? 

I threw down spare clothes to change into, a white t-shirt falling gracefully onto the bed. But as I did this, a flash of a memory of sorts followed through me. At the same time I could see a white top being thrown onto the ground and a girl screaming, "Let me go!" I closed my eyes and quickly tried to shake the thought but no matter how much I tried to push away the memory, the bad feeling remained. Something was wrong; something was definitely wrong.