The Lies She Lived

Chapter 3 - Eliza (Liz)

I pick at the hem of my skirt, using the fabric as a tactic distract myself. It isn't working, there's no distracting myself from the fact that the detectives are viewing me as a potential suspect in Izzy's killing. There's no distracting myself from the fact that I lied about something that could've been a huge piece of evidence in Izzy's case just to protect myself. What type of person am I? I use my clammy hand to quickly wipe the beads of sweat off my forehead. Hoping that Detective Chan doesn't notice.
"Liz listen, I know it's probably scary to be considered as a 'suspect' in the death of your cousin and best friend but trust me, there's no reason to be nervous if you're being honest." Which is why I'm internally freaking out at this very moment.
"With an attack carried out in such a personal matter, we always have to check the people closest to the victim." Which mean that Imani must be a suspect as well. Detective Chan gave me an unauthentic smile before continuing on with the questioning- interrogation, I mean.
"Speaking of suspects, is there anyone in Isabella's life who had bad blood with her, to your knowledge?" I barely even knew of anyone who was apart of Izzy's most recent circle of friends so I shake my head
"No, as I said, we haven't been good friends for about the past two years. I don't know of any of the people Izzy last associated with."
"How about before, back when you all were friends. Could there have been someone that had a grudge or vendetta against her?" My mind scan through the faces of boys Izzy rejected and girls that envied her, any of them could make decent suitors for the 'I hate Izzy fan club' but I don't believe that any of them would feel the need to harm Izzy years later over something so trivial. Well maybe all except one
"There was a guy back in our freshman year.... but I doubt he'd still be upset with her after all these years."
"Who is he? You can share, as I told you before, even something that seems so minor and irrelevant could lead to a big break in the case." Chan says with a linger of urgency in her tone while trying to sound encouraging. My shoulders loosed a bit while my heart slowed its pace, now that the focus wouldn't be on me.
"Timothy, Timothy Young."

It was the start of the second semester during our freshman year. It was the second week of school after coming back from winter break. The three of us had become so close the past few months that we spent most of our break together hanging out. As we walked the school's halls we shared our aversion for being back at school. More specifically about the fact we didn't share the same lunch period anymore since we had got new electives classes. By the time we made it to Izzy's locker, we were discussing new ways we could hang out throughout the school day.
"How about us all signing up to go to the library during academic seminar?" I suggested
"Oh, that could work!" Izzy said enthusiastically while she fiddled around with her lock.
"It would except some of us, as in I, actually use seminar to study. And I have my History teacher for seminar so that's easy access to help on classwork." Imani said which made Izzy sigh in defeat
"Come on Imani, work with me here"
"Sorry but some things aren't worth sacrificing, like my grades."
"not even for me?" Izzy asked. Imani looked over her shoulder in an attempt to hide her blushing cheeks, a common thing Imani would do whenever she and Izzy had these little back and forth's. There's a soft click of Izzy's lock unlocking.
"Gotcha" Izzy said, satisfied. She popped her locker open and started rummaging through sheets of paper and textbooks. I'm the first one who noticed the note
"Looks like someone left you something." I pointed to the folded piece of paper stuck on the inside of the locker ventilation. Izzy took the paper and carefully unfolded it. She held the paper, a subtle smile creases the corner of her mouth.
"What is it? Another pathetic poem from one of the football players?" Imani asked. I joined in
"Or one of the upperclassmen that constantly try to give you their number?" Izzy just rolled her eyes in response
"No and no, it's just a nice note from a guy in one of my class. That's all"
"A 'not so secret' admirer, huh? I should've guessed it." Imani stated, with an undertone of irritation in her voice
"Must be nice having all these guys practically throw themselves at you, I couldn't relate." I said in a joking manner despite being dead serious. Izzy only scoffed at my claims before saying
"oh please. No one wants me and no one is throwing themselves at me." I don't know if it was humility or her being naive but Izzy used to pretend to not notice the way people lusted over her and her beauty. The way that she turned guys heads in the halls, the way that she'd regularly get compliments or guys attempting to flirt with her. It would boil my blood, wishing I could know how it felt like to have a boy interested in me. While Izzy acted as if she couldn't see the door that boys lined up just for her to entertain their desperate advances. Imani and I shared an envious glare at each other directed at Izzy. Only years later would I realize that we both were jealous for two completely different reasons.
"Could you at least tell us who this guy is? Or what the note says?" Imani asked before reaching out to grab the note only to have Izzy pull it back from her.
"Wouldn't y'all like to know" Izzy teased as she folded it back up and slid it into the pocket of her blue jeans.
"well too bad. Trust it's nothing worth sharing, just a nice note from a classmate."
"But we share everything together, you really aren't going to tell us?" The tone in Imani's words was a bit more serious, I could tell that she really felt some type of way about Izzy wanting to keep the secrecy of her secret admirer from us. Izzy, who then had a hint of irritation in her voice, told Imani
"Honest to God and all things holy, it's not that deep. We can all just drop it."
"Fine" Imani snapped back
"come on Liz, let's go" she said before connecting our arms at our inner elbows and walking off down the hall. Didn't even wait for me to start moving my feet before pulling me with her, we heard Izzy let out an annoyed sigh behind us but neither of us looked back. I admit that Imani was being extremely over dramatic but at the same time it was strange that Izzy would avoid telling us about it. At that point in our friendship, we were sharing almost everything we could think of as an act of showing our trust and solidarity within each other. Izzy especially loved sharing the juiciest of secrets, dishing on boys who'd confess their fondness for her and rumors that would circulate around the school. So her sudden reluctance on talking about this secret admirer piqued an interest in Imani and I even more. So much so that we vowed to not speak a word to Izzy until she told us about the secret admirer, or at least explain why she refused to tell us. Childish I know, but still effective. Imani and I showed up to the library only to sit in silence while Izzy desperately tried to get us to speak, which lead to her receiving a couple of harsh shushes and dirty looks from the librarian. During 6th period Izzy had texted us instructing for us to meet her in the restroom across from room 105 on the main hallway. By the time I got there, Izzy and Imani were waiting for me at the sink. It was quiet upon me entering so I assumed that Imani was still being petty and giving her the silent treatment. I played along, not wanting to ruin the chance of her finally telling us by giving in too early. So I just stood besides Imani watching Izzy.
"If I tell you two will you both stop being immature ass putas?" Izzy playful asked while standing with her hip poked out and arms crossed over her chest. Imani and I shared a quick glance before turning back to Izzy to nod our heads wildly while wearing silly smirks on our faces. Izzy exhaled while rolling her eyes
"Fine" Izzy pulled the note from her back pocket of and held it out in front of us. Imani grabbed the note before I could and began unfolding it.
"And be careful, I don't want it to get ripped."
"Yeah yeah yeah." Imani reassured as I moved in closer to get a better look at the note as Imani holds it in front of us. It read: