A thousand rays of the morning sun escaped from between the blinds.
I used to love being near to the windows, but every now and then each time my glance turns to the exact spots where Mr. Bong's body laid, a cold shiver runs down my spine, and my palms couldn't stop sweating in the cold air-conditioned room. I have to keep telling myself over and over again that it wasn't me that had him killed, I didn't stab him, someone did.
And that someone, is among us...
It is day four after the incident, there is no new clue of the case, crime scene investigation and evidence collection were completed and we had been allowed to move back to our classroom yesterday.
I didn't take leave from school the day after the incident. When I woke up that day later in the evening, I was in Samuel's guest room, he had offered to let me rest in his guest room once I have taken the medicine provided by Ms. Oh. I'm running with fever again on that day, and Samuel said that I keep mumbling in my sleep that he has to keep telling me that I'm not a killer.
I'm not the one who stabs him to death. I have to repeat the mantra in my head.
Though our school janitors have done their best to disinfected and clean the room, my nose somehow could still sense a faint smell of the decayed metallic scent. Somehow I wondered if his spirit is lingering at my very space, urging me to defend his death.
Our history class teacher had to dismiss class 30 minutes earlier for emergency matters she had to attend in the office. The idle time unable to distract my mind, each time nervous start to take over me, I look over to Samuel, who sits near to the classroom exits, four rows across me.
Our seat arrangement had been intentionally put separately to stop us from freely talking to each other in the class. Our class is the only one with strict rules, but I guess this can't be applied to the absence of teachers.
His seat was always occupied by three of his best friend, Jason Bak, Nelson Kim, and Jerry Chon. The boys had been friends since I have known Samuel, with their influential family background and looks that portray a soft and romantics vibe, they earned the title "School Flower boys".
They are the famous handsome boys, no girls, and even the boys can't resist taking a glance over them whenever they are around, this is the fact that no one denied, but eventually, I only get along with Samuel.
Because, I only wanted to fall with Samuel, in my eyes, there is only him.
I sighed, Samuel was pretty occupied with them that he didn't notice me. What are their topics that interest him other than finding the murderer of Mr. Bong? We have agreed to stay back after everyone is out, I wonder if I had taken away his freedom with his friends?
The last two days didn't lead us to any hint as we couldn't roam freely when everyone is around, plus our extended class had limited our time too! Whoever created this education system for us is totally a psycho, why would we need to study such long hours?
My attention diverts to Naomi Jang, the only female friend that I can get along with who sits one row away from me. She is an introvert that shies away from everyone, but her grades are good, unlike me.
Perhaps studies aren't my type of thing, no matter how hard I try, I can never make it stays more than I want to absorb, thus making me the type of student that is feared by every private tutor in this town. Hence, my parents had given up to hire a tutor for me.
Deciding to come over to her, I halted as I realize that she had been occasionally stealing a glance towards Samuel. Perhaps Naomi also has a feeling about Samuel?
"Naomi," I said patted her shoulder softly.
Shocked at first, she then adjusted her glass frame, avoiding my glance, realizing that I acknowledge her attention at Samuel, I alleviate her concern. "Hey, let's go to the cafeteria together later on."
Naomi seems agitated by me. "No, I'm going to the library." Putting away her book, she prepared for our last subjects before recess. "I need to study."
Whether it's because I have ruined her alone time or she had something that bothered her in mind. Thinking she may be ashamed of me caught her red-handed, I proceed to whispered to her ears, "Hey, Samuel is my cousin, don't worry," I said, deciding to go along with Samuel's statement since he had established the idea.
She looks into my eyes, I thought she is going to give me positive feedback.
"It's not what you think." She hushed coldly only for me to hear, "I needed space, LEAVE." She firmly insisted.
A warms flush overwhelmed my cheeks. Feeling rejected and offended by her, I wondered if I had done or said something upsetting her.
I come to befriend Naomi since the first day of middle school apprehending that she is someone sensitive, but, Naomi never treated me that way. She may treat others to the silent treatment, but never to me.
"Naomi..."
I sense the stares from Samuel's groups and some classmates fall on us as the chattering in the room decreased a little.
Rather than expanding the matter, I decided to freshen up in the washroom.
I closed the front door quietly behind me, I'm desperate for air.
Being the first class, our classroom was further to the end of the hallway, I have to walk along the corridor passing four other classes to get to the first washroom.
The tapping of my shoes dampened by the noise of each class I pass which can be faintly heard from the outside.
I hugged my blazer closer to my body as a swoosh of cold air pass through me. What is this sudden chill that engulfs me, is it my guilt?
This is the very same long corridor I darted to my escapes on the day of the tragedy.
What had I missed on the day?
School technically ends at 5:30 p.m. in the evening. No one will be allowed to be in class after 7:30 p.m. as we have to do self-study only limited in the library lounge, that is why Mr. Bong will make his round to make sure the school is in order. By the time I woke up, it must be around that time.
Who could be the one lurking behind and slaughtered Mr. Bong? Is the perpetrator witnessed us then act out once I leave the scene? But, why? Or is he being robbed and killed while trying to defend himself?
Thieving in the school compound? The burglar must be out of his mind or desperate.
The murky fog in my mind weighted a little more as more curiosity clouded my thought.