Chapter 11
The rest of the week passed by uneventfully. Allison had all but forgotten about Wilson. She'd been meaning to bring it up again, maybe ask Chloe, who was the nicest, but cheer practice and schoolwork had kept her so busy she barely had time to sleep, let alone think of clever ways to coax the story out of the bubbly blonde.
"Everyone please file to the performing arts center now for the assembly." Came a voice over the intercom at the beginning of seventh period. All around her, people cheered, for an assembly meant missing all of class. Allison followed her classmates to the theater, searching for Savanna, whom she'd barely seen in days.
"Sonny! Over here!" Came a loud, bossy voice. Shelby. She, Chloe, and Riley were sitting at the very back row of the theater in the senior section.
Allison hesitated, for she'd just located her best friends and they were all supposed to sit by class, but who was she to contradict the most powerful seniors at PPH? She threw Savanna a sorry look, pushed back a throng of sophomores struggling to find seats and headed up the carpeted stairs to where they'd saved her a seat between Shelby and Chloe.
"Hey!" She said, plopping down next to Shelby. She looked around. "Where's Lisa?"
"Don't know." Riley answered from the end of the row. "She's been doing this a lot."
Allison could see the entire theater from her seat. She looked around for House, trying not to make it too obvious. As she'd expected, House was absent.
The lights darkened. "Quiet down, students." Said the stern voice of PPH's principal, Vogler. A video started, entitled The Dangers of Alcohol and Drugs. Allison immediately tuned out; this wasn't stuff she didn't already know, thanks to health class and her parents. Around her, she could see everyone else doing the same thing. Chloe and Shelby laughed over something on Shelby's phone, while Riley buried her face in a book.
Half an hour later, the video was over and the lights came back on. Everyone stood up and stretched, preparing to go, but then Vogler came back up to the podium onstage.
"Everyone settle down, the assembly's not over yet." He announced. People sat back down, groaning about how much they wanted to leave. Allison sympathized, for it was Friday and all she wanted to do was go home and take a nap before the game tonight.
"This year, in addition to the lovely video, we have an additional presentation to further reinforce the dangers of drugs and alcohol." He said, glaring at the group of senior guys who were booing loudly. Allison spotted Chase's familiar blond hair and felt her heart start to pound. She forced herself to listen to the principal.
"Two years ago, one of PPH's shining stars was killed in a tragic accident due to the influence of drugs and/or alcohol." Vogler started. "James Wilson."
Everyone groaned. "Not this again." Someone groused from the row below Allison's.
"They already yakked about this two years ago." A junior rolled her eyes.
At the sound of Wilson's name, Allison immediately snapped to attention, her heart pounding with a renewed purpose. Maybe she'd finally get some answers about this mysterious Wilson.
"Wilson was one of PPH's finest. Class president, honor roll, you name it. He was on track to attend one of this country's most elite universities." Vogler continued. A slide show clicked on. A picture of a boyishly handsome guy appeared on the screen.
"Unfortunately, his life was abruptly cut short one night during his sophomore year." The slide show clicked to a different picture of Wilson, one of him surrounded by girls. "He was at a party, where toxic substances were undoubtedly present. After the party, he was going home on the motorcycle of a friend who was intoxicated."
Allison snuck a peek at Chloe, Shelby, and Riley. They merely looked bored, a stark contrast to Monday. "They crashed into an incoming truck." Vogler paused for dramatic effect. "Wilson was killed instantly."
Suddenly, Allison heard sniffles coming from her left. It was Chloe, who was dabbing at her eyes with a Kleenex. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Riley elbow her.
"Get a grip!" Riley hissed.
No wonder they reacted so strangely. Allison thought. Wilson was probably one of their best friends. But why keep try and keep it a secret from me?
"This illustrates the severity of the danger of such toxic substances. As a school, we honor Wilson's memory by taking a firm stance against alcohol and drugs. His death serves a reminder of the consequences. As a reminder, drugs and alcohol are not tolerated. Any student found to be in possession will face immediate expulsion. No ifs, ands, or buts. And certainly no exceptions. That is all." He left the podium.
"Buzzkill." Shelby rolled her eyes as she stood up and stretched. "Like that's gonna stop us."
"Hey, what'd I miss?" Lisa said breathlessly. Her perfect curls were messed and her shirt was wrinkled.
"Nothing much." Riley closed her book. "Just the usual."
"I see they've brought the Wilson thing back." Lisa noted. "Leave it to Vogler to try and scare us."
"Where have you been?" Chloe asked suspiciously.
"Oh, I, uh…" Lisa blushed. "Chase."
The others nodded in understanding, but Allison's eyes narrowed to a certain blond head towards the exit. Chase had been there the entire time, so where had Lisa gone?
Author's note: I know, Wilson's dead. But instead of him being a minor character, I wanted his death to have a strong impact on all the characters. And trust me, it does/will. So please review! It only helps me write faster!