Misadventures

Science Project

I didn't text Carla at all. It's been three days since the whole thing. I am sitting in science class next to the window. I am not looking forward her sitting next to me today. Yesterday she kept trying to talk to me but I ignored her, I'll do the same today if I have to.

Moments later I hear the scraping of the chair and a plop on the table. I don't turn to look at her.

"Hey?" She starts. I ignore her.

"I finished our project." She continues, "and I found interesting things." She stayed quiet for a moment. Probably waiting for a reply but I look intently out the window.

"Listen you probably won't believe me but while I was searching the niche for the birds in the woods, I found scratches on trees- like claw mark scratches." I didnt look her way but I was interested.

"There aren't any sightings of predatory animals in these parts of the woods but there sure are up in the mountains. But under no circumstances would any bears, wolves, mountain lions or any of the sort would get so close to human civilization. But the only chance it might happen would be during a winter solstice, you know, when the sun sets too early in the day."

This time I turn to her, facing her with determination and anger, "Why are you telling me this?"

She released a sigh, "Maybe Trey was attacked. From an animal from the mountains?"

"But we were together at the time."

"Didn't you run away?"

"Technically I walked away- I didn't see what happened and I went back to look for him."

"So how did you find Trey?"

I turn to the window again, "I didn't. The adults found him mangled up."

Now she stayed quiet for a while, "Can you trust me?" She whispers so low I almost didn't hear her.

"I-I don't know. What is this suppose to mean anyway. If he was attacked, why'd you bring it up?" I whisper back aggressively.

"Because this can be a good way of letting people know you're not the reason he died."

She knew. She knew and she was trying to help me. She knew and still tried to talk to me like a friend. She didn't beleive the rumors? But she stayed by my side.

I still don't like the way she talked about my parents. I guess I can forgive her for trying to help me.

But something doesn't make sense, "Why did you say my parents are 'happy?'"

She looked down, "That is what I heard," she looked up quickly, "But I probably heard wrong. I'm sorry for saying that."

I nod my head, "It's ok." I smile to let her know I mean it. Yea it was a mistake, as many observations she makes she can be wrong with some of them.

She sits taller now, "So do you want to hear my plan? On how to get your name cleaned?" She offers stretches out an open palm.

I shake her hand, "What do I gotta do?" I was starting to feel hopeful. I didn't think I could ever make people here beleive me.

"So we have to go back to the last place you saw Trey," My heart dropped, "Then I'll take you to the trees with the scratches and we can make observations." She said as she took out her notebook and pencil.

"I'm ok with finding the trees, but I cannot go back to find his last spot. He was found already, theres no need."

"I understand it's hard," she holds one of my hands, "But we have to do this for Trey."