Sweet Sweet Murder

Chapter Nine

Haven's POV.

     School started two weeks after Quinn was killed. A lot of people were trying to guess if they would delay the start. After all, the school lost two students nearly back to back by murder. Everyone has accepted that Imogen committed suicide. I haven't though. Neither has Rudy. Rudy and I take turns driving to school. He usually does it though because my car isn't the best. He usually doesn't complain. I heard him drive up to my house and park. I waited for his "I'm here" text before leaving.

     The drive to school was uneventful but the atmosphere of the school was drastically different than last time we were here. Rudy and I walked out of the car and began the climb up the small hill to the parking lot entrance to the school. The sun shone brightly down on us without a single cloud in the sky. Everyone moved into the school like a drop of water in a stream. However, there was little talk among the other students. Everyone either looked down and shuffled their feet. There was the occasional exchange of a few words among friends in hushed voices. It was as if breaking the silence would land them in detention. I looked over to Rudy ready to ask if he noticed as well.

     "Yeah, It's weird," he said. I didn't even speak. He knew what I was about to say.

     "I wonder how long this will last," I replied"Who knows. Probably only a few days. It's high school of course. I wouldn't even be surprised if it was only a day or two before things went back to normal."

     "I overheard a few people talking about Quinn but no mention of Imogen. They couldn't have forgotten about her already, could they?" I asked looking up to him. His face was straight, giving away no answer to my question. I didn't prompt him to answer.

     The school looked exactly as you would expect for the first day back to school. The halls were lined with posters advertising clubs. New ones fit in seamlessly with the old ones, showing no sign that they didn't belong. Students were dressed better than they normally would. Boys wore nicer shirts than usual and the girls wore their new skirts and dresses. Of course some students, like Rudy and I, couldn't give two shits. We wore what we normally would any school day. Even the silence that clung to everyone outside was a bit weaker inside. Those who didn't know the killed talked like it was any normal day. Freshman bounced around excited to finally be in high school. Sophomores looked at them like they were disgusting, already forgetting that they were just like that less than a year ago. The big difference was among the Juniors and the Seniors. There was a tension among them. The silent vow to not speak. Two of their own had died right before school started. They should silent and in mourning. That vow didn't last long though.

     Slowly as the morning progressed the silence lifted. By the time the first classes of the day were starting it almost felt normal. Except for me. Rudy and I had our first class together. We made sure to pick as many as the same classes as we could. We were usually the first ones into the class. Slowly the room filled with everyone. They all grabbed their desired seats with their friends and chatted. Hopefully the teacher wouldn't make assigned seats.

     The final bell began to ring, letting everyone in the halls know that they were now late. As the teacher, Mr Sikorski, reached for the door someone grabbed the handle on the outside to get in.

     "Sorry I was late Mr. S" The voice said.

     "I was meeting with the counselor." I could hear the smile in his voice.

     "Ah, okay. Just go grab a seat."

     Brad stepped into the room closely followed by Jude. Of course they were in the class too. As they walked in two other people towards the back moved to give them their seats. The teacher passed out the class syllabus and started going over it but clearly not caring much. The voices from the back were quiet but I could hear them just enough.

     "I'm so sorry to hear about Quinn," One voice whispered.

     "Did you really talk to her right before it...happened?"

     "Yeah, both Brad and I did." replied to Jude quietly. He was clearly taking it much harder than Brad. Not surprising seeing how they were dating.

     The back of the room was alive with chatter for the majority of the class. The main topic was Quinn though. Not a single mention of Imogen. I looked over to the back of the room. All of them should have known her. Yet no one was talking. I turned around to face them.

     "Do none of you even remember Imogen?? She died too but no one is talking about her."

     "Who?" Said Brad cracking a smile and a small chuckle. Jude and the rest laughed a bit but clearly felt something doing so. I could feel my face grow warm from embarrassment and anger.

     "Hey, maybe Imogen's ghost killed Quinn," Said another voice. Jude shot them a angry look and they grew quiet.

     "Imogen was months ago. She killed herself. It's over. Not to mention she was a little slut always trying to get with me," said Brad.

     I shot from my seat and grabbed my book, ready to throw it at Brad and kill him. As soon as I got ready to throw it someone grabbed my shoulder and took the book away. I already knew who it was. Rudy looked at me. Anger and sadness filled his eyes. He set the book down and led me out of the room.

     "Where are you going? Asked the teacher barely looking up.

     "To the counselor." replied Rudy.

     "Be back quick."  

     We went into the hall and he quickly led me out of the building. The school security guard wasn't there so no one stopped us while we stood outside the door. The sun still shone brightly with not a single cloud in sight. It should have been a beautiful day. But humanity's ugliness ruined it.

     "Why did you stop me?" I cried out. "You should have helped me!"

     "And what? Get us both expelled? It's not worth it Haven. Not even close."

     "What do you mean not worth it? Those bastards killed Imogen! Don't you care anymore? Doesn't she still matter?" I was shouting at this point. I couldn't control it. Why am I always like this?

     "Why would you even think that? Of course I still care! Beating the shit out of Brad and Jude in class won't solve that though." He was right. I knew it, he knew it.

     "It wouldn't even make you feel better," he added.

     "You don't know that..."

     "Yeah, I do actually."

     "I'm glad Quinn is dead. She deserved it," I told him through tears.

     "Don't say that out loud. It won't help," He said while hugging me. I cried into his chest for what felt like an eternity before he led us back inside.

     The walk back to class was quick. We didn't take any shortcuts and we went right back inside. They had just finished going over the syllabus and were discussing their summer breaks before the bell announcing the end of class rang. Rudy and I walked to our seats. He sat down but I kept going. He quickly looked back, concern and urgency on his face. I could read it clearly. "Don't fucking do it." But I was going to do it. I walked straight to Brad and Jude, my hands book free this time.

     "Hey Brad, Jude," I said to them as I approached.

     "What?" They both said in unison.

     "I'm glad Quinn was killed."