Bitches Shred In Pieces

11: How To Become A Professional Killer

Monday, right after school, Michelle waits outside the school building while sitting on a wooden bench. A book of AP chemistry is resting on her lap, waiting to be read. But she can't help thinking about Joseph's words about Karen. They did have something, after all—and that makes her boil in jealousy.

Also, her father hasn't stopped drinking alcohol ever since he lost his job. He's not the same friendly, old man she loved. Coming home means expecting Mr. Perkins in his office with a glass of wine between his fingers.

  A tap on her shoulder interrupts her from her thoughts. She turns behind and sees Jason with his mesmerizing eyes staring at her. It seems like their thing now is to talk right after school. She was late to first period so they couldn't talk without interrupting class. Also, Joseph seems to have his rocketry classes during lunch too since there's a tournament coming soon.

  Without invitation, he sits close to Michelle like their recent fight didn't happen.

  "I'm sorry," he blurts out.

  Michelle rolls her eyes and looks at the opposite direction from him.

  He takes a deep breath, not sure if to hold Michelle's hand. He decides not to just incase. "I'm stupid for bringing a conversation about Karen when you and I had something far more special."

  Michelle faces him. Far more special? He finally acts like their relationship did matter instead of not mentioning it at all. She can notice his weary eyes and obvious regret.

  "Fine," she says, forcing a smile. "Don't mess up again, though."

  Joseph grins. "No worries. I won't."

Michelle nods slowly, feeling the awkward tension between them. When did they become like this? They used to trust each other completely and have the most interesting conversations. But, eventually, the breakup made their relationship fall apart.

Michelle clears her throat. "Joseph?"

"What's up?" he asks, tightening his lips shut.

She takes a deep breath. "I miss you," she faintly says.

Michelle faces at another couple kissing near the bus stop, too afraid to look at Joseph's reaction. Her reddening cheeks begin to sense his gaze over her.

Surprisingly, he grabs her hand and holds it tight. Michelle looks at him. He's smiling, eyes shining bright.

He picks up her other hand with his, the two of them tightening their grip. "Honestly, I miss you too."

Michelle's eyes begin to sting, the tears forming in less than a second.

"And I miss you more than I thought I would." He grins.

The tears begin to roll down her cheeks with no warning. How many times has she been waiting for him to say those words? I miss you.

Joseph sits closer to Michelle until there's no space between them. His eyes examine Michelle's pink, soft lips carefully, remembering how much he enjoyed clashing them with his. As he begins to lean closer to her, her chest begins to experience a lightness.

When their lips are only an inch away and Michelle can smell his red Gatorade breath, a voice interrupts them, "Ready?"

Michelle flinches at that voice, closing her eyes to never open them again. Joseph bites his lips, still facing Michelle.

"Ready?" The voice repeats.

"Yes, dad," Joseph replies, turning around to look at him.

He's standing behind Joseph, arms crossed and serious face on. Mr. Gilbert—or David—waits for Joseph to pick up his stuff before locking eyes with Michelle.

Seeing him standing close to her and Joseph makes the weight removed by his son's words come tumbling on top of her once again. It was obvious, at least to Michelle, that he interrupted the almost-kiss on purpose. He still wants her even though she made it clear that she doesn't.

"Bye," Joseph says, smiling. "See you at prom."

She waves at him, too afraid to speak, just in case her worry reveals in her voice.

  They walk away.

As she's about to pick up her bag, she catches a black index card peeking through the zipper. She takes it out, already knowing who it is from.

ʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴡs: ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏʟɪᴄᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ sᴇᴀʀᴄʜɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴜsʜ ʜᴜsʜ ᴡᴏᴏᴅs ғᴏʀ ᴋᴀʀᴇɴ.

ғᴏʀ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴀᴡᴇsᴏᴍᴇ ғᴀᴄᴛs, ᴛᴜʀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴅ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ!

Will they find Karen's body? Did the current rainfalls get rid of the dirt covering her? Michelle whimpers as she turns the card around, reading what it says.

ғᴀᴄᴛ: ᴘʀᴏғᴇssɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀs ᴡᴇᴀʀ ɢʟᴏᴠᴇs ᴡʜᴇɴ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʀɪᴅ ᴏғ ᴀ ʙᴏᴅʏ.
ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ?

—xᴏxᴏ

~

A\N: What will happen next? Like and comment for more!💋