Chapter Two
"Hi, Stacey." Jeff Morris greeted soberly as Stacey entered the school gates.
Stacey only grunted.
Jeff frowned and grabbed Stacey's arm. "Hey, what's the matter with you? You've been absent for almost two weeks, what happened? Is something wrong?"
Stacey's eyes grew wide. "You mean you didn't know?"
"Know about what?"
Stacey let out a sigh. "Kristin."
Jeff's face remained blank. "What about Kristin? I mean, I know she'd been absent for a long time—like you—but what about it?"
"Jeff, you're so clueless, aren't you? Kristin died! Didn't anyone tell you?" Stacey snapped, pulling her arm out of Jeff's grasp. "I better get going."
Stacey practically ran into the school, barely noticing that Jeff was calling after her. When she reached her locker, all she wished is to go home and sleep. But she couldn't do that. Her mom told her that she had to get over it sooner or later. Stacey knew her mom's right. But here she is, two weeks after Kristin's death, still brooding about it.
There was a light tap on her shoulder.
"Hey Stace," Janine Caldwell's voice was dry.
"Janine, I'm so glad you're here." Stacey couldn't help herself. She reached out and hugged Janine, she just needed a friend she can vent to. Someone who will understand. Before she knew it, tears were running down her cheeks, and she knew people were staring at her. But she didn't care.
To her surprise, Janine pushed her away. "Stacey, please, get over it already. I mean, I know we're all sad about Kristin's death. But come on, that's like ancient history. Reality check, Stace, Kristin's not coming back to life even if you cry and mourn and make your life miserable like that. Wake up."
With that, Janine turned and walked away. Leaving Stacey alone.
Stacey stared after her friend. At least Stacey thought Janine was a friend. What happened to the sensitive, caring Janine?
She thought Janine would understand. But what did she say? Get over it already. That's ancient history. Kristin's not coming back to life even if you cry and mourn and make your life miserable like that. Wake up.
Stacey shook her head, tears stinging the back of her eyes again. Maybe I should get over it. She thought, opening her locker. I can't stay like this for the rest of my life, waiting around for someone who'll understand. Nobody would understand anyway. Nobody would care.
She stared down at her locker, reality coming back to her senses. She had a lot of catching up to do in all of her classes.
She started to take some books she needed for her first period class when she spotted a tiny piece of folded paper with her things.
Stacey opened it, just out of mere curiosity. There was short message inside.
And Stacey gasped when she read the message:
I know who killed Kristin. If you want to know, meet me at the school parking lot after school.