Hey, it's Hannah. Hannah Baker.
Tony had grown to hate those words. He always felt sick watching someone, or rather himself, listen to the words of a dead girl.
The Baker's took a deep breath together.
That's right. Don't adjust your...whatever device you're hearing this on. It's me, live and in stereo.
Mrs. Baker let her fresh tears fall, she never thought she'd hear her little girl speak again, but here was a tape she recorded.
No return engagements, no encore, and this time, absolutely no requests. Get a snack. Settle in.
Mr. Baker felt sick. These were the same tapes that Hannah had took from the school for a "school project" and then they were used for this. It was bad enough when he realized that the box of razors she'd used to cut herself were from his store, but knowing he helped her in reaching her goal in two ways was unbearable.
Because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically why my life ended. And if you're listening to this tape, you're one of the reasons why.
Tony hated this, having to watch two grieve stricken parents listen to the words of their dead daughter.
I'm not saying which table brings you into the story. But fear not if you received this lovely little box, your name will pop up. I promise.
The Bakers hugged each other close. The thought of being one of the reasons why on the tapes killed them.
The rules here are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: you listen. Number two: you pass it own.
Hopefully neither one will be easy. It's not suppose to be easy or I would have emailed you an MP3. When you're done listening to all thirteen sides, because there are thirteen sides to every story rewind the tapes, put them back in the box, and pass them on to the next person.
Mr. Baker wanted to scream and hit something, were they really that clueless that they didn't even notice one reason?
I mean this whole time they were trying to find just one reasons, but in reality there were thirteen.
Oh, and the box of tapes should have included a map. I'll be mentioning several spots around our beloved city. I can't force you to visit them, but it if you'd like a little more insight head for the stars.
Tony placed the map on the table.
Or you know, just throw the map away and I'll never know, or will I?
Tony knew what was coming up. The moment on the tapes were everyone glanced around them, out their bedroom window, or at ever person near them. When they were trying to find the person Hannah had trusted the second set of tapes with.
You see, in case you're tempted to break the rules, understand I did make a copy of these tapes, and I left them with a trusted individual. Who if this package doesn't make it through all of you, will release those copies in a very public manner.
Tony paused the tapes.
"I was that person." He broke the silence. "And the tapes didn't make them through all the people, so tomorrow I will be releasing them."
He took a breath, he would cry later.
"This is what Hannah asked me to do," he said to the Bakers. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I was doing this one last wish for my friend."
"Who was it?" Mrs. Baker choked out. "Who didn't want to listen to the tapes?"
"It's not that he didn't want to listen," Tony said tears gathering. "He tired, made it all the way to number eleven. But Clay couldn't handle it and he jumped off a ledge."
"Clay?" Mr. Barker choked. "But he was so nice and even said he was friends with Hannah."
"Hannah and Clay they were more than friends." Tony started remembering all the secret texts him and Jeff exchanged trying to get them together. "They both liked each other but neither had the nerve to ask the other out."
"Then why was he one tapes?" It was upsetting to think that a boy who seemed so nice and shy were one the reasons Hannah killed herself.
"When you get to his tape, you'll understand." Tony said. "But I just wanted you to have a chance to listen to them before they were released. Now I have something I need to go do."
Tony drove to the grave of Jeff Atkins. He knew he could have waited but he wanted to do this now.
He walked up to the grave, the gravel smoothing out and crunching, and the new placed tombstone staring back at him.
Only recently did he realize how much he hated graveyards. He hated walking between rows of bodied that laid six feet below.
"Hey buddy." He said sitting down. "Turns out you were right. Clay did make the first move."
He glanced at the picture of his last baseball game.
"So here's that $20." He placed a twenty dollar bill under the flower pot. "It's funny, out of all the days we spent plotting to get them together I was the one trying to get Clay to move on. But know they are your hands again buddy, so make sure they do end up together even if it's in the afterlife."
And Tony said goodbye to his friend, before walking all the way through the graveyard to another friend.
"Hannah." Tony sighed. Looking at the piece of paper that Clay had placed the first day he saw Hannah's grave. "He really did love you, and I hope that you see it to now."