Here Comes Mr Popular

The News

Julianna POV

Its Wednesday afternoon and I'm happily walking to class thinking about how on Monday I took control and I stood up for myself and I think I have more respect now in the group that I have to work in.

I can't understand Scott.

When he is with me he's lovely but the moment you put him in his group with his mates he's horrible.

I don't recognise him.

He's like two completely different people.

I arrive late to class not too late like five minutes but I don't want Mr Drew to humiliate me in front of the class.

"Julianna, late again I see. Well why don't you tell everyone where you were that was more important than arriving on time for my lesson?" Mr Drew sniggered.

"Sorry Sir, I was just getting some paracetamol from the Nurse, my head hurts" I said as nicely as possible.

"Next time Julianna ask... Right shows over everyone, back to work" he orders.

I run to my seat and slide down trying to be as quick as possible.

" I hate headaches they hurt" Eric comments as I sit down.

"Right... Yeah. Anyway where are we with the script I know we started off with our main character leaving the motel but did we get past that stage?" I say kindly looking at my group.

"Nope, we can get on with it now that your here. You're not a good liar by the way, why were you really late?" Scott says digging at me.

I tense up.

"Family issues. As everyone knows we're going through a lot right now and my mum just went to rocky stage this morning. I didn't think it would be fair to leave her alone drowning in her own tears so I waited until she calmed down before leaving to get to school. But I wasn't going to tell the whole class that. I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me" I say bluntly.

Eric and Scott look at me sympathetically.

I look down, embarrassed and nervous of what they might say next.

Scott slides his had across the table and onto mine.

That's when I felt it... A spark!

And I think he felt it too.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ.

"Who's phone is that?" Mr Drew screams.

I reach for my pocket and sure enough it's mine.

"Sorry Sir" I say smiling.

"First you are late for class, now you're disturbing it. Turn it off" Mr Drew demands.

I go to turn it off before I see the number.

The Police.

" Sorry Sir... I have to take this. It's the police" I say standing up and walking to the corner of the classroom before picking the phone up.

Everyone's curious and watching me now.

"Hello, this is Lana"

"Miss Wisely, this is Detective Cash do you have a moment to talk. I have some news?"

"Of course and please call me Lana"

"I wish I was calling with better news but after investigating your father's death it would appear that..."

The phone goes silent.

"Hello... Detective?"

"Sorry yes, I'm so sorry but it would appear that we are now handling your father's case as a homicide. There were no signs of your father actually doing the deed. Someone pushed the chair underneath him as from how he was hanging he could not have possibly toppled himself and it would appear that he had cuts, bruises and markings to show that he fought for his life. I'm so sorry to ask more of you and your family at this time but if you could let me know when you could possibly come to the station to just answer a few questions that would be perfect".

I can't speak...

My father was murdered.

Everyone's still looking at me.

"Thank you detective for letting me know I will come down to the station now" I say hanging up.

Everyone is silent.

Not even the sound of a pencil scribbling is heard.

Kiera stands up slowly...

"J... what's wrong? Is everything okay?".

"That was Detective Cash It would appear uhhh... It would appear uhm m...m...My father..." I squirm and fall to the ground, sobbing and sobbing.

Kiera rushes to my side with Scott on the other.

I take no notice of how strange it is that he has come to my aid, I simply turn to him and cry into his chest.

"He was murdered, he was murdered"