Breathe–

You have to stop blaming yourself.

The small brunette looked over to an empty seat not far from the window. Empty. Max felt tears welling up inside her. It had been a week since the incident. She thought she was ready. Avoiding this class was easy, telling the schools counselor that she just couldn't bring herself to come yet. Of course she had gotten behind from missing a week in class and the school was basically forcing her to go back or fail. She couldn't just get up and leave in the middle of class either. Looking way from the absent space in the room she tried to control herself. Biting on her lip she started down at the notebook in front of her. Usually Mr. Jefferson tried to get her to participate in class. Not today. Glancing up she found him pacing around the room while lecturing the class. Max found no interest in it. Her eyes must be red now, the way Kates were before she–

No. You can't think about that now.

She desperately wanted not to fall apart in front of the whole class, yet she felt like apart of her was missing. In the little time she had been at Blackwell, Kate had been the nicest to her. Always talking to her and making Max feel like she belonged here. Then she just, stopped being so cheerful. It was like the life had been sucked out of her. Of course the people at this school didn't help, they might has well have killed her themselves. Max could feel fury rising inside her. She wasn't one for violence, but right now she wanted to hurt someone. Especially Nathan Prescott. All he got was a suspension. Even his parents negotiated and shortened the time. Now he was back roaming the halls of Blackwell. Supposedly the investigation is still being held, but Max doubted that.

Jumping in her seat she heard the bell ring, Mr. Jefferson was trying to get students attention about some assignment that was due. Max just gathered her things and quickly went out the door, her head down trying not to meet Mr. Jeffersons eyes. She was not in the mood to be talking to him right now. Zoning out she made her way back to her dorm room. She needed time. Walking she found herself freezing in front of a door.

Kate's Room.

Staring she blinked. The slate she had wiped off was still left untouched. The Vortex Club didn't have anything witty to say now that they were all a suspect for Kate's death. Max reached out and turned the cold metal knob. The room had been cleaned and things were taken from it by her family. Peaking into the empty room startled her. She imagined it the way it was when Kate was in here. Now it was just four empty white walls and a few pieces of furniture that the school provided.

She's not here anymore, Max.

Closing the door softly Max looked at the blank slate. Picking up the marker she wrote a few words.

I miss you.

Max walked back to her own room, her eyes barely holding back the water fall about to come. Opening her own door she looked inside. Now sitting on her desk was a small cage. Kate wouldn't have wanted her rabbit to go to the shelter. She was surprised the way her mother had refused to take the creature. Max offered to take care of it and they didn't seem to mind. Striding through the room she made sure the rabbit had enough food. Reaching into the care she gave them a pet and smiled, tears falling down her onto her bed she looked at her table. She took one other thing. Laying her hand on the book she opened up "October Country" and began to read.