The Oracle

Chapter 20

Cassie is dead, Justin thought as he left the Newton's house. He rubbed his arms and felt goosebumps cover them. Ned insisted that he should call his Mother, but Justin wanted some time to think. So he walked home at four o'clock in the morning. Justin raised his head from the ground, and watched the purple lit sky. He hadn't noticed, but the day had gotten brighter since he left the Newton's. He watched the lamp post's flicker, and he looked at all the homes on the street. He wondered if everyone in those houses were asleep. He wondered if they were thinking the same things he were. Or at least had felt them before. He hoped they didn't.

His thoughts had been interrupted by the boy with the black hair and green eyes. "Now, what's a good boy like you doing out at a time like this?"

"Thomas, I don't have time time for this," Justin brushed past him, his head pounding and heart racing.

"What? You're so busy that you don't have time to talk to your mate? Cause I think that's when you know someone doesn't have their life in order." Thomas clicked his mouth together and walked closer to Justin. "You're all sweaty," Thomas observed as his eyes darted from Justin's body. "You going running or something?"

Justin sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't.." He stammered. "I don't want to talk about this with you."

Thomas must of heard the seriousness in his tone, because his face softened."Justin, I know I can be a bit of jerk," he placed his hand on Justin's shoulder. "but if you ever need to talk to someone..."

Justin didn't know if he was being sincere, but he didn't care. He just wanted to get it off his chest. "I just came back from Cassie's house." Thomas raised his eyebrows and nodded, as if to say 'go on'. "Cassie's dead."

Thomas pulled away from Justin as the realisation dawned on him. He shook his head as the tears pooled in his eyes. "No..." He mumbled repeatedly. "How... how did this happen?" Thomas squeaked.

Justin bite his lip so hard he could taste the blood. "Uh, we don't know. Cassie's Dad is looking into it." As Justin looked at Thomas in his distraught state, he realised that Thomas did actually have feelings for Cassie. He never once doubted her, and Justin couldn't help but wonder what happened to them.

Justin noticed that a few houses started to light up. He had to squint to look at them, but he eventually realized that neighbours were staring at Thomas as he was wailing on the sidewalk. "Come on," Justin swallowed and offered his hand. "Let's get you home."

*

"At least it isn't raining." Ned said in a light voice as he tied Justin's bow tie. It should rain. It should pelt down, just to match my mood. Justin realized how petty that was, and just nodded in agreement with Cassie's father. They stood in Mr Newton's room, helping each other get ready for Cassandra's funeral. Ned stood there in his tuxedo with a glum look on his face. He stepped back to take a look at Justin. Justin was also wearing a tuxedo ( he hated every minute of wearing it), but instead of a tie, he wore a blue bowtie.He seemed to be fascinated with his shoes as he stared down at them for a while. "Thanks for helping me get ready, Ned," Justin finally looked Ned in the eyes. "I've never been to a funeral before. I probably would have messed the whole thing up." Justin swore that he saw a faint smile threaten Ned's lips.

"Don't mention it." Ned took one last glance at Justin. 'You sure you don't want to fix your hair?"

Justin turned to face the mirror and smoothed out his mop of hair ever so slightly. "My hair was really the only feature I knew that Cassie liked about me."

"Don't say that," Ned waddled closer to Justin. " You were the reason my daughter got out of her depression." His voice was so light and fragile, Justin was afraid he would break down. "You made her happy in the darkest of times." Justin didn't even realize he was crying until Mr Newton brushed the tears away. "I know that when we first meet I was... hard to please. I'm sorry for acting that way." At this point, he's voice was raspy, and he knew that he couldn't go on for much longer. "I just.... want to thank you." Justin didn't think twice about embracing him. Cassie's father had been his strength for the last few days. He couldn't imagine what he was going through, yet he took the time to make sure that Justin was coping. Justin admired him greatly.