15 Reasons Why | "You Could Save Her?"

Sunday Night

"Where were you, Clay?" Mom folds her arms. I felt myself sweating as I walked inside my home. "I was helping a friend out." I said trying not to lose my vocals.
"Uh huh" she says as she cleans some plates. "You were out late. Too late."
"Sorry."
"So, whose the friend?"
Crap. Of course she would want to know.  "I forgot their name, they're new to the school" I lied.
"Oh."
"Yeah so..I'm just going to head to bed and work on a few things." I say heading to my room. Mom didn't say anything, but I knew this would come back to bite me. Or haunt me.

I tossed my backpack on the ground and sat on my bed. I wanted to play the next set of tapes. To listen more about what really happened to her.

I get a chill taking my hoodie off. Had others seen Rikkun as they heard the tapes? Were the tapes cursed? No..Rikkun wouldn't do that. She's so sweet and caring. She jumps at the littlest of sounds. I could feel myself smiling. The memories came up like a book.
I start taking my shoes off.
Meeting Rikkun for the first time, we had one class together, and she was so quiet. Sometimes it's hard to believe she's alive and breathing, but she is. She didn't seem to have had any problems. Or maybe I was just blind to see. To realize. I wish I had the guts to talk to her that time.

Thinking now, she had changed. Greatly enough to wear I would think she's hiding something from everyone. Maybe these cassettes were her way of explaining. The small notes. Riddles and games. It would make sense. She was never much of a talker when explaining some things. She'd always joke around making it harder. Which wasn't annoying, but confusing.

I changed into some random pair of shorts and a tank top. I lay on the bed. The recorder and tapes were in my bag tucked away. My dad and brothers were out on a trip to who knows where, leaving me and my mom alone. Which sucked. Both bad and good.

I had her in my mind. Rikkun. I look over to my dresser. The photograph of her. We took that photo long ago. I glance away turning my body to the other side. Where was I when all this happened to her? Why wasn't I told about this?
I reach over for my phone. One more try. I text her.
"Rikkun?"
I send. She was a quick replier. Was. No response. I sighed. I text Laur, her close online friend.
"Laur, have you heard anything about Rikkun lately?"
"No."
"Oh. When was the last?"
"Maybe, like, two weeks ago?"
Two weeks ago? Before she disappeared..
"Look, Clay. Rikkun is fine. Don't worry."
But I do worry. She's my friend. She still is. And she's-
I read her next message catching me off guard.
"Rikkun is strong. I know she hides away, Clay, it's your job to seek her. Anyways, I'm busy. If you need anything text me anytime. Ttyl."
"OK."
I turn my phone off. Is Laur on the tapes? Does she know anything about this?

I pull the sheets over my body. I need answers. And I'll get answers. My eyes felt heavy.

Sleepyhead.