Chapter 8
– You did what Max? – Shocked Hannah asked when Max told her about her little "adventure" with Chloe.
– "Well, yeah"…
– "And? How was your sweet little date? Hope you are alright".
– "I… I don't know what to say, honestly. – Despite what happened, that "date" as you said was… Simply magical".
Hannah gave Max a slight smile. She was extremely happy for both of them. Hannah knew that Max would be a perfect match for Chloe.
– By the way, if you care, l'm rooting for both of you, – Hannah winked and Max laughed. They continued to hang out, and were slowly moving towards the building, as the photography lesson was beginning soon.
Hannah was a little uncomfortable. She tried to keep smiling and be happy for her new friend, but all that was on her mind was Kate and that disgusting video.
Hannah was genuinely scared about this situation. Kate didn't appear on any of the lessons today, and looked more and more like a shell of herself.
She snapped out and saw Max, who patiently waited.
– Jesus Max, sorry, l'm so not like myself today, – Said embarrassed Hannah. Max only shook her head in silence.
– Nah Hannah l understand you, l also most times walk around in my own reality, so that's nothing new for me. – And, don't we all are?
– Yeah… – Kate.
– Hannah, do you mind if l tell you something about Kate's situation? – By the way, it can be pretty… – Hard for you.
Hannah confidently shook her head.
– Anything to help. – Please, tell me everything you know Max, – Hannah almost begged. Looked like she was extremely desperate for the truth.
Max led her away and took a deep breath.
– Hannah, today l talked with Kate and she told me that she was… – Under influence of drugs at that fucking party.
Hannah felt sick to her stomach. All those horrifying images of Nathan, Chloe and Rachel under heavy influence of drugs or overdose were flowing through her mind.
Kate Marsh… So it wasn't just a dumb alcohol recklessness, it was drugs.
She barely swallowed that new "discovery" and turned to Max. Max herself looked disgusted by even a mention of drugs.
– Max, are you like… – 100% sure?
– Are you actually doubting me Hannah? – Of course, l am why would l even lie?
– Sorry Max, l'm just too lost right now, – Hannah said with pain and despair in her voice.
– It's nothing Hannah, don't blame yourself for that. – Honestly, you are the least involved one in that shit poor Kate goes through.
– Maybe yes, maybe not... – Hannah said quietly. – You know Max, l was never buying that "she gone wild" bullshit about Kate, but l never thought it would be that horrible and deep…
– Yeah… – Said Max, and suddenly gasped and turned around. Hannah got annoyed – Mr Pedo-Jefferson was standing right behind them. She immediately put on a fake smile, while Max was slower.
– Hello Mr Jefferson, can l help you with something? – Hannah asked, while Mr Jefferson didn't even blink.
– Oh, right. – Max Caufield, as my memory doesn't fail me, you have a photography lesson right now. – Care to explain why you are still not in class?
– God… – I'm so sorry Mr Jefferson, – Max said awkwardly and Mr Jefferson rolled his eyes.
– Get moving Max, – He ordered with a cold voice. – And, while we will be going, l want to discuss you photo for the Everyday Hero contest. Max waved to Hannah and prepared to walk away, when Hannah stopped Mr Jefferson.
– Excuse me, Mr Jefferson, but can l talk to you about Kate and… – That video? – I know Kate is helping you in your class, so-
Suddenly, Mr Jefferson rudely interrupted her.
– Miss Crimsen, l think we can find some other time to talk about this. – Now, l have a lesson to teach, – Mr Jefferson said with cold tone, and glossy eyes. He turned from Hannah and walked towards his classroom and left Hannah completely speechless.
Hannah was fuming. She always hated Mr Jefferson for pretty petty reasons, but now! That's some f'ed up garbage.
Suddenly, Hannah got grabbed from behind. She turned, and saw Nathan, who was holding her by the shoulder and looking at slowly disappearing Jefferson. He cleared his voice and faced Hannah.
– Is everything alright with you here? – Nathan asked with concern. Hannah turned away.
– Well, apart from Mr Jefferson not giving a shit about Kate and her being fucking drugged – amazing, – She said. After hearing Jefferson's name, it looked like Nathan became smaller from being scared.
He took Hannah's hand and led her away from that place. She noticed that Nathan was clearly high, so she shrugged off his weird behavior.
They sat on the hallway's windowsill and just looked at each other for a minute. Hannah smiled and put her hand on Nathan's shoulder and handed him a candy bar. Nathan laughed and hid it.
Hannah took a deep breath. This day was becoming more and more disturbing and depressing. Nathan noticed the change in Hannah's face and turned to her.
– Has Mr Jefferson said something to you? – Or was it Max? – Hannah, are you alright? – Nathan bombed her with questions.
– No Nate… – Everything is fine. – Kate on the other hand though… Nathan immediately shut up. His eyes and face, despite a lot of drug influence displayed regret and misery. Nathan leaned over the wall, looking at the clouding sky, and the first raindrops began to appear on the window.
– Will that shit ever ends Han? – Don't know about you, but l'm fucking tired of this bullshit happening around. – Nathan quietly asked, with a little of despair in his voice.
Hannah put her hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
– I say… – Never. – We will never be free of this mad world. – And you know… l'm also sick of that.
– Kate… – She didn't deserve that, like at all. – Hannah was talking, not noticing that Nathan was getting more and more sad and miserable.
It was like a word "GUILT" was written on his face with a big, red letters. He turned away to hide it tried to swallow whatever he was feeling right now. Hannah noticed that and patted Nathan on the head, which calmed him.
They were looking out to see the outside, and the rain was getting stronger and stronger, now the raindrops were now slamming into the window.
– This day is bizarre, – Said Hannah. Suddenly, Nathan got up and offered his hand to her.
– Well, looks like we are skipping either way. – Want to walk 'round the school together? – Nathan said and Hannah silently nodded. She so needed to take away that garbage.
– I will help you, Kate. – With whatever cost, you get justice, – Was all Hannah thinking about while walking around empty school corridors.
She was uncomfortable seeing the school so lifeless. The atmosphere of despair and loneliness was all there, and with the empty halls added, it was literally suffocating her. While walking, both her and Nathan haven't said more than two words to each other.
Nathan took out a pill, and prepared to swallow it, but Hannah stopped him.
– Nate, please – enough pills are enough. – Look at yourself, you are trembling because of it, – Hannah said with concern, and Nathan shamefully stopped. They were standing awkwardly, and Hannah suddenly said:
– You know what Nate? – This hall fucking creeps me out, do you want some fresh air?
– Under the strong rain? – Fuck yes, – Nathan quietly said, and exited the building with Hannah. Right after they entered the covered staircase, the sound of extremely loud rain hit.
– Jeez, glad we got ourselves covered, right? – Nathan said. There was no one here and they both took a deep breath, while staring at the rain.
– I wish this day was just wiped out… – With everything else related to Kate, – Hannah thought and zoned out.
Suddenly, Hannah heard a scream. She immediately looked, and saw people running towards the main roof. Her gut feeling was signaling: "SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED OR HAPPENS!"
Without any thoughts, she grabbed Nathan's hand and they ran towards the roof, under a strong rain, without jackets or umbrellas. It was cold and wet, but nothing mattered anymore.
They were one of the first people there and could look at the cause of such horrible reaction.
As soon as Hannah saw what was happening, her heart shattered at millions of pieces.
On that roof, on the edge was standing Kate Marsh, who looked like she would fall at any moment.
– NO!– Was all Hannah managed to think, before…