When You Left [ending]

The day finally ended. School had been just as long as any other day, but today,it felt like it went on forever. All I wanted to do was to get home and just be alone. I was sick and tired of all the people gaping at me, talking about me like I couldn't hear them. More than anything, I just needed a good friend. All the people Matt and I hung out with had turned on me, hissing 'murderer' and 'why would he die for HER' under their breath. Nice to know I had such good friends. 1

I scooped up my books numbly and stuffed them carelessly into my bag. I threw my bag over my shoulder and bee-lined for the door, before anyone else could pass their judgement on me. I knew everyone around me was talking, but all I heard was a buzzing sound, as their words strung together, until my ears focused on something: 2

"I heard he was shot. I heard SHE killed him. Found out he was cheating or something." 3

"Yeah I heard that too, except I heard SHE was cheating on HIM and he was gunna pick a fight with the guy she was hooking up with so she shot him." 4

My eyes filled with tears of frustration. I stormed over to the two gossipers; Sarah and Kasha, two close casual friends of mine. 5

"You LIARS!" I screeched at them, with more anger than I had pre decided on using. "How could you say such TERRIBLE things?! WHY would I kill Matt? I loved him, he was my Matt...MY Matt...and now..." I felt the tears stinging my eyes, but I didn't want to cry. I had to stay strong for him. That's when I felt an arm holding me tightly, protecting me from their harsh words. It was Clarissa. From somewhere behind me, Sebastian emerged, stepped in front of me, and began lecturing Sarah and Kasha. I cried into Clarissa's shoulder while she soothed me with her words. 6

"It's okay Lind. I promise it'll be fine. C'mon, let's get away from these losers." I continued to sob into her warm, purple and black hoodie. It felt so safe in her arms, and I felt like no one could hurt me. We made our way through the school and were just walking down the school steps when Sebastian caught up to us panting. 7

"Damn, you girls walk fast," he said, catching his breath. "Are you okay Linda? Those girls are just idiots. Ignore them." I nodded, wiping away the last of my tears. 8

"I know you probably just wanna be alone right now," Clarissa said to me, reading my thoughts, "but I think I'd rather if we stayed with you; just in case, you know?" I was about to decline her offer, but I decided that it would probably be safer for me to be with friends, considering the state I was in. I nodded, and realized that; even though I had only known Clarissa for less than a day, and even though I hadn't talked to Sebastian in years, I already considered them my closest friends. They were there for me today, and they were there when I needed friends the most. They didn't have to have anything to do with me and my miserable life, but they spread their arms and let me in. They were just what I needed. 9

We walked to Sebastian's house, and made our way to his room. Clarissa crashed on a bean bag in the middle of his room; she had obviously been here several times before. Sebastian kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto his bed. I stood at the door awkwardly for a while, but finally made myself comfortable on his computer chair. 10

"So," Clarissa said looking straight at me, "what happened to Matt?" 11

"Clarissa!" Sebastian said scoldingly, "You can't just ASK that!" He looked at me nervously, as if I would go back home. I just smiled and looked down. The story would stay the same no matter how long I waited to tell it, so I may as well tell it to them now. I decided that I would rather tell these two, than anyone else who was sure to twist the story. 12

"It's okay," I reassured Sebastian. I took a deep breath and began to explain what I remembered. 13

"Well it's all really foggy to me," I said. "I guess I'm still really shocked about it all." I swallowed back the lump in my throat. "All I can really remember is that we were walking through the woods. We had had a fight, and we just made up. It was perfect again. I don't really remember how it happened. I must've been knocked out or something, because the next thing I knew, he was dead..." This time I couldn't stop the tears from spilling over my eyes. 14

"It was perfect again! It was -perfect.-" I felt myself about to brake down, so I jumped up. "I really have to go now." I told them. Sebastian jumped to his feet. 15

"No," he groaned. "You need us right now," he said taking a step towards me. He pulled me into a comforting hug. "It can be perfect again," he said,resting his cheek on the top of my head. I couldn't help it; I began to cry into his chest. As weird as it was, Sebastian was right. I needed them right now, and what was even more... I needed HIM right now. I had abandoned Sebastian for popularity years before, but here he was, totally ready to let me resume my place as him best friend again. I stole a glance at Clarissa. I was really starting to like her, and I didn't want Sebastian to come between us if she liked him. She was looking out the window, but felt my gaze and locked eyes with me. She grinned a real smile at me and nodded. 16

"I have a boyfriend," she mouthed to me, reading my mind. I smiled and buried my head into Sebastian's chest again. Things had not been going too good for me, but maybe my life could be perfect again. 17

********************************** 18

I finally forced my goodbyes to Sebastian and Clarissa. It was tough, but I knew that I could count on their friendship and support for days, weeks, months and years to come. I got home and dropped off my things in the kitchen where my parents were sitting at the table, looking very concerned. 19

"Hey mom, hey dad," I said, giving them a reassuring smile. My mom smiled weakly back at me. 20

"Hey sweetie," she said. "How're you holding up?" She gave me the one over, noting my new hair and eye colour. 21

"Good," I said nodding. "It's gunna be okay." I told her. I sighed, realizing that it WAS going to be okay, my life COULD be perfect again. I gave them another smile and made my way to my room. 22

********************************** 23

"So she didn't take her pills yesterday?" 24

"No sweetie, she left them on the counter. Oh God, you don't think SHE..."25

"I don't know. I really don't know. They had a fight didn't they? Linda told me, she and Matt had gotten into an argument." 26

"I know, but I don't want to believe it. She IS our baby girl... " 27

"Yes, I know. No one would kill someone over a petty argument, but..."28

"She would remember wouldn't she?! She would be devastated if she had killed him..."29

"Yes, LINDA wouldn't have killed Matt. No way, I'm positive. But honey... we have to face facts. She didn't take her pills, so it might have been Linda, while NOT being Linda..." 30

"Why did OUR baby have to have schizophrenia?" 31

"I'm not sure, but we have to tell the police. It's tough, but her life is just not going to be perfect."