Murder in Winter

Cutting down suspects

Ivy's truly gone. It wasn't a bad dream, the thought replayed itself in my mind over and over.
The next day, with the snow not melting but not being added to, I arrived at school at half eight. Lia wasn't there, and Summer was ill so I decided to go find Alexander. He was in his form, and stood up to meet me when he saw me at the door trying to get his attention.
"Hiya," how are you doing after..."
"Just coping," I replied, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him close to me.
"Same," he whispered, combing his hands through my hair.
"I can't help thinking that...it's my fault."
"Christmas, it's not your fault," he said, shaking me by the shoulders and trying to look into my eyes. "What's to say they wouldn't have killed you too?"
I sighed. "I don't know."
During registration, I listened to the gossip going around the class and something suddenly caught my ear.
"Well, sorry, but I really didn't like her!" someone exclaimed. I turned around to see who had called that out, and I saw everyone turning towards Michael. He was one of those 'popular boys' who loved to play practical jokes on people that weren't his friends. I rolled my eyes. He was in Ivy's German class and she told me that every time he'd attempt to trick her somehow she'd always find her way around it. He'd moved her chair countless times which she'd seen or come up behind her and tried to scare her. Once he went as far as accidentally-on-purpose tipping the dirty paint water onto her artwork, which she thanked him for and did it again with different coloured water. I believe she got an A* for that masterpiece.
"I didn't kill her though," he added hastily, as if to explain himself.
"Really?" Zoey questioned, suspicious. "I didn't see you on the field with the rest of us." So the others were all together?
"I was busy loading up on ammo at the opposite end of the field," he shrugged.
"I didn't see you, did you Amy?"
"No," Amy shook her head, and one by one my classmates were asked and answered the same thing.
"I was behind the trees."
Zoey rolled her eyes and turned to chat to her friends.
At break, I met up with May and April and we rushed off to the support room. There, we found Suzie sitting with a mug of coffee in front of her, one hand supporting her head and the other stirring her drink. Before going any closer I softly called her name as to not startle her; she seemed to be in an odd state of mind.
"Suzie?"
She looked up from the mug, which I noticed was still full and not steaming.
"Yes Christmas? What can I do for you?" She forced a weak smile onto her face. I went and took a seat next to her.
"I'm sorry about Ivy," I whispered, looking down. "So sorry." Her body became tense. 
"Ivy was such a nice girl. Just so nice. Caring, thoughtful, generous..." her voice trailed off as she wiped her face with her index finger. "She didn't deserve such a death. Not at this age. Not ever." She wiped her eyes again, her breaths quick and short. "I just wish I'd been able to see her one last time." Bingo!
"Did she not come to her support session?" I questioned, despite the answer being rather obvious. She shook her head, just as the tears began to stream uncontrollably.
"I'm so, so sorry," I whispered as I got up and began heading towards the door, when Suzie piped up.
"I shouldn't have cancelled the session just because of my cold; if I hadn't, Ivy'd still be here!"
"It's not your fault," I reassured her. "It's mine." I turned and slipped as silently as possible out of the room. Alex shut the door behind me as I shook my head at him. "Nope. She never went to her session."
"Knew it."
"No no-you don't understand. The session was cancelled."
"Why?"
"Something about a cold, we can't cut down the time period for the murderer to have struck!"
Nodding, he lead me out of the building.
I decided to head to the canteen to refill my water bottle, but on my way there, I overheard something that made my blood run cold. "She gave me the chills. Always dressing in black? And her obsession with skulls was just..." Ivy? I wondered. Surely they must be talking about Ivy!
I ducked behind a bush as two sets of footsteps came round the corner. Eavesdropping isn't my forte, and not something I'd usually do, but I can make exceptions.
"Oh, I know what you mean. She creeped me out too. I wonder how her 'friends' put up with her," a male voice replied.
"Well, I guess it's not a problem now," the female voice said, getting quieter as the pair got further away.
I snuck a glance out from behind my hiding spot, and was horrified to see who it was.
Why are they talking about a victim like that? They're usually so kind!
"Where were you?" asked Lia as I rushed in a little late for Science.
"I just lost track of time while I was by the canteen," I lied, taking the seat next to her and snatching my books out of my bag. "By the time I realised I had to leave, I was already late."
"Settle down class," Sir commanded from the front of the classroom. The noise decreased until it ceased to exist at all; I tucked a loose strand of dark hair behind my ear. "There has been a weather warning for heavy snow. As soon as I take the register, you may leave." Cheers rippled throughout the room, smashing the silence and obedience to smithereens and making Sir struggle to do his job.
Ten minutes later, I was on the bus, thinking of today's events...