Sorrow Valley

Chapter 5: Trouble in Paradise

"Rachel? I thought you were supposed to be gone for 3 weeks, it's only been 1," I said.
She grinned.
"Oh, I know. I just came back to meet your new boyfriend," she said.
Seriously? Boyfriend? Where'd she get that from?
"He's not my boyfriend," I corrected.
Justin looked uncomfortable but that's probably because of what Rachel said.
"We're just friends," he said.
Rachel laughed.
"I saw the picture, don't be so stupid," she explained.
"How do you know?" I ask.
She rolled her eyes at me.
"I have friends you know. Unlike you," she said in a bratty voice.
"Rachel...get out of my house, please." I said.
She rolled her eyes again.Then she  gave me a grin.
As she was about to leave the house, she whispered something in my ear.
"Have a goodnight, don't want the bed bugs to bite you," she whispered.
Was that a threat?
Why would she say that?
When she finally left, Justin was still at my house. I needed to clear some things with him.
"Who was that?" He asked.
"Just a friend," I said.
Justin didn't look happy.
"Friend? You think she's your friend? That's not what friends do. I don't care for people who don't treat my friends with respect, and I don't care for Rachel." He explained.
He's right. What am I thinking? I'll never have friends. She's just using me.
"Yeah, you're right. But if she's not my friend, that means I'll have no friends," I said worryingly.
I saw him frown.
"What about me? I'm your friend." He said.
I was a bit shocked at what he said, I didn't know what to say. I guess I should tell him the truth.
"I don't want you to be my friend, Justin." I said.
He frowned and I went on with the conversation.
"I want you...to be.. more than a friend," I added.
He looked at me, then smiled.
"I've liked you since the first day you came to my house. But, I've...loved you since we kissed," I explained.
"I've loved you ever since I laid eyes on you, Kelsey." He explained.
I move in closer to him and wrap my arms around him. I put my head on his chest where his heart was beating.
"Kelsey..." he said.
I look up.
"Yeah?" I ask.
"Do you wanna...be my girlfriend?" He asked.
OH MY GOD! Did he literally just ask that?!
"I'd love to be your girlfriend," I say.
We lean in closer to each other and kiss.
Justin's body is so warm. It's like I'm in a cozy blanket while drinking hot cocoa. He makes me feel so safe.
While we were kissing, I didn't realize my father pulled in the steep driveway of our apartment. When dad opened the door he saw us kissing.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" Dad yelled.
"Dad...relax it's just Justin." I say.
"I'm sorry, sir." Justin said.
"Yeah you'll damn right be sorry if you lay another hand on my daughter!" Dad threatened.
Justin frowned.
"Dad, Justin and I love each other. How could you say that?" I ask.
"Kelsey, it's okay. I've learned my lesson. I should probably get going," Justin said.
"Never come back, or you'll be seeing yourself in the wrong side of sorrow valley," dad warned.
"DAD! YOU CAN DO THAT!" I yell.
"Oh I will, he can't see you ever again," he said. Then turned around to the front door and slammed the door in Justin's face.
"Go to your room," he said with anger.
"I hate you..." I said.
"Go to your room.." Dad said again.
I ran up to my room and slammed the door.
I go to bed and wake up the next day like always.
Life sucks.
I wanna hang myself on a bridge and rot like a pumpkin.
"I'll take a shower this morning," I said to myself.
I washed my hair and body. Then I started to shave after I was done washing my body.
"OUCH... UHHGG CRAP THAT HURT!" I yelled as I was bleeding
from accidentally cutting myself.
That...hurt.
The pains good for some reason.
I cut myself again, but this time on purpose. I don't cut on my leg this time, but I cut on my shoulder.
Stop.
I stop just like my mind told me to do.
When I get out of the shower, I put some bandages on my leg and shoulder.

Life sucks.
I may never get to see Justin again, all because of my stupid dad.
I was late for school.
Crap. It's 7:30am, I should've left at 6:30am.
I rush my way to school.
When I get there, the principal gives me a fierce look.
"You're late," Mr. Grundy said.
"I know, don't remind me." I said.
I could tell he was mad. I've never been late before at this school.
"I'm sorry it's just... It's been a busy week," I explain.
He nods his head and walks away.
I head to my first class which is almost over, of course I'm going to get yelled at. I walk in and hand in my late slip I got from the secretary.
"Kelsey, take your seat now.  You've interrupted my class." My history teacher, Mrs. Glory said.
I take my seat in the far back and hide my face so nobody would see my embarrassment.
"Kelsey, Kelsey. Ratty as can be. If she dies, it's our destiny." One of the dirty dozens whispered.
"THAT'S IT. I'VE HAD ENOUGH. What did I ever do to you?! You're only doing this to make yourselves feel better! STOP PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON ME," I yelled.
"Kelsey, please step out of my classroom. I'll be with you in a minute."  Mrs. Glory said.
I go outside of the classroom as everyone stares at me.
Tears drip down my face.
Why me?
Mrs. Glory walked out of the classroom to talk to me.
"What happened in class?" she asked.
Just a bunch of people who can't keep their mouth shut.
"It's just... I don't know! Ever since my pregnant mother died, everyone has been bullying me. I did nothing to them,  I just don't understand," I explain with tears rushing down my face.
I saw Mrs. Glory sigh.
"Look, I know how you feel, my parents were murdered about 2 years ago and the police still haven't found the criminal," she explained.
Wait. They still haven't found the criminal?
"Do you know how old the murderer was?" I ask.
She rubbed her forehead to remember.
"The criminal was young, maybe around your age... maybe 17?" She said.
Wow...that's a really young age. Why would the person do that?
"I'm sure the criminal was a man and the only thing the police know about him is that he had dark brown hair," she went on.
Dark brown hair? Around my age!? MAN!?
Oh my god... I hope the murderer isn't Justin!
Suddenly, I heard a siren. Nobody was hurt, it was a police siren.
I see the red and blue lights parked in the parking lot of the high school.
"What's going on!?" I ask.
Both Mrs. Glory and I look worried.
"I don't know, but stay calm." She said.
Then, about 5 or 6 policemen walked in the high school.
"WHERE'S JUSTIN PORTER?" Sheriff Dooley asked.
Oh no. Did Justin do something?!
"Sheriff, why do you need Justin Porter?" Mr. Grundy asked worriedly.
I couldn't believe what I heard. Justin wasn't at school today, is this why?
"Justin Porter is being arrested due to sexual assault and 3rd degree murder." Sheriff Dooley explained.
Is this actually happening!?
This can't be true!
The man I love is a...murder?!

To be continued...