Whiskey Lullaby

The weekend seemed to fly by because before I knew it, my alarm clock was blaring on Monday morning. I did my daily morning routine that I had repeated for the last three years, grabbed my bag and skateboard and headed out the door. I plugged my headphones into my phone and blared my music as I skated to school.

I was really happy that this was my last year in high school, I wouldn't have to deal with all of the douchewads that think they're so much better than everyone else. My plan was to take a year off for myself and then start college the following year. Kristen and I had it all worked out, we were going to attend the same college, we both had got accepted so our plan would've worked out perfectly. I told her that I would always be around if the stress of college was just too much for her to handle, little did I know that the stress of high school was certainly too much for her to handle.

Scout was waiting for me by the entrance of the school, just like she always was. She moved here about three months after Kris died, she's been helping me cope ever since. She's like another Kris, but not exactly, because there can never be another Kristen.

"Hey, Scouty girl."

She rolled her eyes, "Hey, weird one."

"Okay, we both know that you're the weird one in this friendship," I grin, strapping my skateboard onto my bag before I pull the door open.

"I was normal before I met you."

"Uh huh, whatever helps you sleep at night."

We went our separate ways once we reached the lockers, she had history first period, I had math. Scout seemed different here lately, it was probably just me. A lot of people had been telling me that I seemed different ever since the incident. They were right.

I opened my locker, gathering the things that I needed before walking to my class. It was great, really, I had Shania first hour.. fun, fun. She always left an empty seat just for me, I'm sure everyone filled up the seats on purpose just so I would have to sit next to the witch, they knew how much I hated her.

I was right, there she was, sitting beside an empty seat, the only empty seat in a class full of 25 desks.

"Why couldn't I have been put in the second period math?" I think to myself before taking the empty seat next to her. It probably wouldn't have been any better, really, because the rest of the group was in that class. I could never get away from those assholes.

"Hey, Tristen," Shania spoke with a soft voice, running her fingertip along my arm.

I jerk my arm back in response to her touch, "Don't you dare touch me," I grumbled.

"You know, it wasn't my fault that she killed herself. She chose to overdose."

I slam my hands on the desk before turning to her, "But you pushed her to the edge. You were the one that's holding the gun at the end."

She gave me a look of disgust before turning away from me. Man, I really hated the girl, it was bad enough she told the whole school I raped her our freshman year, that's what started my hatred for her.

I sat through the boring one hour math class, letting out a huge sigh of relief when the bell rang. I gathered my things quickly and nearly ran out the door.

Scout caught me by the arm, "Woah there, tiger. What's the rush?"

I chuckle softly, "Just wanting to get away from.. her."

"Was she bothering you again?"

"When does she not?"

She shrugged her shoulders slightly, her eyes seeming to be a lot more sad than they usually are. They're usually so full of light.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, Tristen.. I'm uh.. I'm fine."

"Scout."

"Really, I am," she didn't even let me respond before taking off towards her locker.

Maybe I wasn't crazy.. maybe she really was different than before.