The New Beginning

Chapter 39- Still (Carsons Pov)

I trudged into school. First day back at school since break, and none of us had heard from Jamie or Traycan since the party. I had called him, texted him, I even stopped by his house and his mom said he was out. This meant things were serious. But, even though the weirdness of not seeing Traycan or spending New Years with him like every other year, I couldn't shake the feeling something was going on. Everyone looked normal but an unnatural eeriness went through the school.

I went over to my locker and put in my combination. As I glanced around the halls for my friends, my eyes landed on Jacob, Elliot, and some other boys huddled around the trashcan. Normally something like this wouldn't draw much attention to me but something about how they were standing and the way they were dressed intrigued me. All 6 boys were dressed in matching black hoodies with something hidden in the front pocket.

I again shook it off knowing it was none of my business. I reached in to grab my English text book taking occasional glances over at strange boys . "Hey, man." Dustin said walking over to me.

"Hey, how was the Colorado?" I asked. Dustin's family always took a vacation to the mountains over Christmas break. That was where his grandparents lived and it was a great vacation all the kids loved.

"Amazing. One of these years you are so going with." He gushed. He continued on and on but my attention faded back to the boys in the jackets. I saw a flash of something black and shiny sticking out of Elliot's pocket and I immediately realized what it was. "Okay, Earth to Carson."

"Sorry, just something seems off about those guys. I feel like we should tell someone." Is what I should have said. But, I mentally repressed saying a thousand reasons it wasn't that. I ended up saying."sorry just got a lot on my mind is all."

"I get it. Still haven't talked to Traycan huh?" He questioned. Almost on Que., I watched Tray walk through the metal doors to the school. His face showed he hadn't been sleeping. "Tray." Dustin motioned over.

"Hey." He said rubbing his eyes.

"Where you been?" I asked. "I been trying to reach you."

"Home, went to Jamie's." He responded as hurt crossed his face.

"How'd that go?" I asked regretting it as I said it.

"She said she needed time. That if I couldn't do this one little thing how could she trust me with anything bigger. And that she doesn't even know me anymore." He answered putting his hands behind his head.

"Well if it makes you feel better she looks like more hell than you right now. I saw her this morning not a pretty sight." Dustin added

"Really?" Tray responded his voice laced with depression. "I'm so stupid. I was so set on getting revenge, I didn't even think of the promise I made." He continued putting his head on the locker. "If I could, I would take it all back for her."

"Just give her time."I answered putting my hand on his shoulder. Just than I watched Jamie walk through the doors. Dustin was right she did look terrible. Her hair was in a messy bun and she was dressed in her baggy sweats and sweatshirt. Bags fell from her eyes that were swollen beyond help. She took a look at us and gave a small forced smile. I watched her walk over to her locker and take deep breaths. If you didn't know her, you would think this was normal. But, I knew she was trying to hid her feelings and not cry. Traycan could see it too.

"This is hell. The real hell is empty cause all the demons are in my head and made me did what I did," Tray announced.

"It'll be okay man." Dustin announced. "Heartbreak sucks."

"No shit." Tray responded as Dustin walked towards his locker. "Look at her! Should I go talk to her?"

"She is a big girl. I feel like you wouldn't be helping things. I'll go talk to her. Would that be better?" I suggested.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Well I'll be back than. Later dude." I said as I stalked over to Jamie's locker. "You look like you need a hug."

"No, I'll be okay. Just have to get through first time seeing him." She answered biting back her lip.

"You know this is killing him ,too." I announced leaning against the lockers.

"I know okay." She cried without any tears.

"It'll be okay." I reassured.

"It's just like I don't even know him. The guy I knew ,yeah would have made some comment or something but he wouldn't have done that. " Jamie gushed.

"One thing I can promise you is no matter who he is he loves you a lot." I replied wrapping her in a hug.

"Thanks." What came next I never would have expected. A shot went off and I heard screams all around. Then another went off in a distance. I ducked and huddled up against the lockers.

"Everybody over there against the wall!" Jacob announced motioning the gun towards the wall farthest from any exits. We all did as we were told there was 5 of us in that hallway that didn't get out in time. I looked over and say Jamie limping with blood dripping from her sweatpants.

"What the hell happened?" I asked muffled under my breathe so only she could hear.

"The bullet hit my leg." She answered tears streaming down her face. My eyes searched for Tray who had crawled to the left of me.

"NO TALKING" Jacob announced swingin the gun towards us.

"She's hurt we got to help her else she might bleed out. " Traycan interjected.

"How about this? She becomes victim number one. Put her out of her misery because end the end your all gonna die anyway." Jacob schemed pointing the gun at Jamie's face.

"You don't want to do this Jacob. We were your friends remember. You came to our guys night." I reasoned trying to change his mind.

"Yeah so I could go after a girl none of you thought I could get. You just wanted to make me feel like an idiot. I fell in love with Clair and you took that away with your contest. So I'll take away someone you both love." Jacob explained a twisted grin forming on his face.

"No, take me. You want revenge than kill me." Traycan interjected standing between the gun and Jamie. My heart pounded out of my chest.

"Well okay than." Jacob responded cocking the gun. Then a shot rang and it was as if the world stood still....