Chapter 1:

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

EEWW.

I cannot believe that Rick just kissed me. I mean I feel bad for him and all, but, I don't like him.

I can't believe that he thinks I like him back, I stood up for him that one time, and I felt bad that everyone in this school doesn't like him, so I thought that I would be his friend. GOD, was I blind, was I really flirting with him. After what he did to Terri, I would never ever, and he's a freak, and he's ugly.

I just sit here on the bench outside the Auditorium thinking about who dumped the paint and feathers on RICK, who would want to do such a thing that is JUVENILE, and childish. I even heard Paige, of all people, one of Terri's closest friends, who has visited her every day since she went into a coma, telling Hazel how childish and not funny this act against Rick was. I even heard her saying, that this is how most school shootings start, when someone gets picked on to the point of no end, they just, BOOM, bring a gun to school.

I don't think that Rick would do that, yeah he might have put Terri in a coma, but he wouldn't bring a gun to school, would he?

Oh god, he's back. Mr. Raddich specifically told him that he could take the rest of the day off. Why is he back here, and he didn't even change his clothes, or even wash the paint off his face.

I have to go to my locker anyways, so I'll just go there, his locker isn't near me anyways.

Wait, why is he talking to Paige.

"Listen, I just wanted to say, that I think what happened with the whole paint and feathers thing is completely juvenile." I heard her say.

"Thanks. And I just wanted to say that I am sorry for what I did to Terri" Rick said shortly after.

Why am I sitting here and waiting, if I don't want him to see me, then I have to go.

I was running down the hallway, when I ran right into Alex.

"Watch where your going Emma" she said, very rudely, and as she walked by, I saw that she had Yellow paint on her arm. Exactly the same color as the paint dumped on Rick. I also saw one single feather fall out of her backpack.

She did it, Alex must have thought of the whole thing, and since she is student council Vice President she must have had the access to the Auditorium! And JAY, Jay always picked on Rick too, and I saw Alex, Jay, and Spinner all sitting together at the Whack Your Brain competition. God I feel like Nancy Drew, but it's not like I can definitely tell Mr.Radich about this, because I'm not really sure if they are the ones who did it.

O good, theres TOBY.

"TOBY"

"What?"

"I think I know who did the whole paint and feathers job to Rick"

"I don't care anymore"

"What?"

"But he's your friend"

"Yes is, but if he's going to be getting bullied around, that makes me get bullied around too just because I am his friend"

"Well, I saw that Alex had yellow paint on her arm, and a feather came out of her backpack, and I think that it was a group effort between her, spinner, and JAY"

"What, Jay would never do something like that" Sean said interrupting.

"I didn't say that he actually did, and hey, He hated RICK just as much as the next person but, don't you think that MAYBE he did?"

"I know, that he didn't I mean yah he hates RICK, but I don't think that he would…."

That is when it happened. We were talking and all of a sudden we heard a loud bang noise, and then we heard someone scream.

"What was that?" I said, starting to walk over to where the sound was coming from.

"Stand Back" Sean said.

I walked down the hall and turned. We were standing there, Me, Toby, and Sean, and that's when we saw him, RICK.

What was he holding in his hand though. I hope it's not what I think it is.

"Stand back you guys, he's got a gun, lets go"

"Don't turn away from me" Rick said. "I'm sorry I kissed you Emma"

Oh god, Oh god, maybe if I just don't say anything, he'll go away, and no one will get hurt.

"I thought you loved me, but I was wrong"

"Put the gun down RICK" sean said.

Rick started to pull the gun down.

"I already shot one person"

Who did he shoot, oh no, what if it was Spinner, or Jay, or even ALEX?

Just then, he pulled the gun up again, and pointed it right at me.

Oh my GOD. I am crying now, I am crying so hard. Im only 15, I don't want to die. I am too young to die. Oh my god, I can't I won't and I CAN'T. Dear Heavenly Father, It is not my time, I do not want to die.

"STOP!" I heard Toby scream, then I looked up and I saw Sean fighting Rick.

The gun went off, and both Sean and Rick fell to the ground.

Sean got up, Rick still layed there, helplessly.

"OH MY GOD SEAN ARE YOU OKAY?"

"Yes, I'm fine"

Just then Toby ran the other way.

"Are you okay, I mean he just pointed the gun at you. You must be shaking.

"I'm find Sean, believe me, I'm okay."