Helpless Witness

Chapter 5 : Suicide?

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Sorry I didn't update for long!...

I was busy getting some eye tests done!...

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sEcrEt

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Ok. Five classes more.

I get up from my seat and just as I was about to leave class Mr. Westlake beckons me," Miss. Stewart, I would like you to stay. I need to talk to you."

Ooh. Busted. What did I even do wrong? I played the song right. He probably wants to go over the songs that I missed during the past week. Hopefully he'll give me a late pass for my next class because I do not want detention.

I walked back to my seat and waited for the rest to leave. Cal patted on my back before he left as a 'good luck'. Pfft. Like I needed it?

Mr. Westlake shut the door and bolted it from inside. He came back and took the seat right next to me.

"Julia, you have performed extremely well today."

"Thank you, Mr. Westlake."

Did he make me stay after class for that? You've got to be kidding me. I played like I play everyday. What's so special about today?

"I mean that you have played well considering your emotional conditions."

No, please don't go into that.

"I understand, Julia. Robin was your best friend. A broken down behavior from you is totally acceptable but you have handled yourself way better. I am proud."

Ok. Now, where was he taking this?

"I'm sure that you are depressed, sad and want to be left alone so that you can think about what happened that day. But, you need to talk. Talk it out with someone who would listen to you and understand. That's what you need at this time. You must be thinking how would he know he's never been in my place. I agree but I have come pretty close. So if you ever want to talk, you can come to me. I think you are having a hard day. Your friends are not thinking about your state and just going on talking about the past week. You just want to go home. I understand that. It's not good for you either. Too many people firing away at you who is going through an emotional breakdown. I think you need a break which is why I am going to drop you home. I hope you agree to this because it is what you need right now. You can come to school tomorrow again. I'll talk to your friends and make sure they don't repeat this again. I'll assure your parents and I'll tell the school why I am taking you home. You don't need to worry. So, just go get your stuff ok?"

Wow. He actually knows how I feel.

I actually felt better when I heard him say that. It gave me hope that at least I will have someone to share my woes with and understand how I feel.

"Ok."

I think this guy is not that bad for someone who wants us to play Celine Dion with electric guitar and drums.

I went and grabbed my stuff from the locker and shoved it onto my bag and ran back to class.

We got out side the school building. It was cold. Very cold. The wind blew against my face making my teeth clatter. Mr. Westlake guided me to his car. He had a VW just like my mom's except in silver. I got in the passenger seat. As soon as he started the car hot air blew against my face. Wow. That was comfortable. Without a word he pulled out of the parking and we were on our way.

"Where do you live?"

"Oh, Elm Street, just a few blocks away from Charlotte's flowers."

"Ok, so tell me, how are you holding up."

"Bad. Really bad. Today was the first time I got out of my room after I returned from the hospital."

"That's ok. But you need to get out more. You need some fresh air.", he said, his eyes still on the road." Remember you will miss out on a lot of things if you are shut out from the world. You need to talk to someone always. Hang out a bit. Make a new friend."

I just sat there staring out the window. I was listening. But I didn't want to tell anyone what happened that day. I told Jason and now he's gone. I don't want to lose another friend. The secret that I held was to heavy to bear. Jason ran away from it. I can't. And if anyone else finds out. They will also have to run away. Or live a dead life. Like me.

Suddenly a thought popped up in my head. I don't know why I forgot about this earlier but now was the right time to ask.

"Uh, Mr. Westlake, isn't the investigation still going on? Then how come there are no reporters or policemen in school?"

I don't if it was just me but I think Mr. Westlake got uncomfortable.

"The investigation is going on. But, the police are keeping it low profile. They don't want to cause too much commotion. Most of the reporters have stopped visiting the school due to its unwillingness to cooperate."

"Ok, I get that. But did they catch the killer yet."

"Well...they haven't. They don't have any leads or evidences to go upon. The situation is difficult considering that she is a teenager and there are only so many motives for killing one. The police are trying to umm...wrap it up as a suicide-"

"What? No, it wasn't a suicide, it was defini-"

"I know. It was murder. But under the circumstances, the police are bound to think so since obviously, everyone at the party could be vouched for by someone. Besides, according to sources, she was depressed after a break up and was having trouble in studies as well. So they think it is a suicide. They haven't wrapped it up yet."

"That's not true. She was the one who broke up with Michael because she liked someone else. She was not going down in studies. It was just one test when she was sick. They are using invalid reasons for claiming that it was a suicide."

"Well, the question is, can you prove that it was not a suicide?", he said, looking at me keenly.

I lowered my head and bit my lower lip. He was right. There was no proof. But there was a witness. A witness who couldn't admit it because she was afraid. A witness who was me.

"No", I replied, a tear rolling down my cheek.

"But I know it was murder", I said looking up at him. His eyes were back on the road.

"Well Julia, it might be. But there should be some evidence to prove that it was murder. And there isn't. So we'll just have to leave it at that. Even I have been forced to believe that it was suicide."

Urgh. Why? Great. Now, Robin's murder depends on me. Is that what he was saying? Ugh. It was hopeless. I couldn't think.

"Look, I shouldn't have said that. But I did. So the bet thing now is to be past it. Ok?"

"Ok", I lied. How could someone get past witnessing a murder and not admitting to it and then letting everyone else believe that it was suicide?!

Mr. Westlake stopped the car. I looked out the window and say that we were in front of my house. I was crying already. I unbuckled myself.

"Goodbye Mr. Westlake and thank you for the ride."

"You're welcome. Now, remember what I said and come to me if you want to talk."

"Ok.", I said and got out of the car. I walked up the driveway. Mr. Westlake didn't drive off till I got inside the house.

I locked the door, dropped my bag, jumped on to the couch and started crying.