"Hey! Where the fuck is Monty, Vince?" Yelled Jason Smith. My heart stopped. I stood in the doorway with my hands at my sides, expressionless. He stood up from his chair, everyone looking at him. The teacher had not gotten here yet, thankfully. "So?"
"Why would I know?" I asked. "He's your friend too." He shook his head.
"He's in the hospital," Jason said, with a smirk. "And you were with him last." He said loud enough for everyone to hear. He knew what he was doing.
"Yeah," I said. "So what." He got wide-eyed.
" 'So what'?" He gasped. "So YOU were the one who put him there, right? Your little psychotic state and whatever. All because that cunt Regan did what he did, you-"
"Shut the fuck up," I said. Without realizing it, I had grasped his arm in my hand.
"Hey man, I was just kidding," He started. We locked eyes.
"Well," I said. "Maybe next time you kid around, do it with someone else." And I let his arm drop. I sat down at my assigned table, consisting of three others. There was Eric Vinny, Ethan Gawain, and Shirin Kinsley. They were alright, Shirin could be mean, but she was okay. Eric and Ethan rarely got along, but I was there to keep everyone in check. We all said our greetings, I got apologies and then finally sat down with them. I kept looking at Jason and his table, without expression once again. He was another friend of mine, but I wasn't trusting any of them right now. No one else is that important in this class, for now.
"Please, settle down. And stop talking," said Mrs. Ainer. She glanced over at me. She gave a sad smile. I just lightly shook my head at her and she nodded. "Get to work on that sheet."
Nothing else happened. It was an uneventful class, as always. We did the same things every day, never anything else. Whatever. The bell was almost going to ring, I noticed while watching the clock. Thank god. Then something hit my side. A light tap, as if someone had poked me. I looked towards the ground and saw a crumpled-up piece of paper. I picked it up, turned it around in my fingers, and found an edge to pull it open. Written directly in the middle of the page, were four words:
AFTER SCHOOL. FIELDHOUSE. JASON.
Jesus Christ. I felt like Jimmy Smith when I thought that. I moved my eyes without my head to look at Jason. He had his hands clasped together in front of his mouth, returning my stare. I nodded my head. He nodded back.
Third period. Honors English. My favorite class. With actual good people, I enjoyed being around. I entered this room with no hesitation. Everyone greeted me. My good friends, Xanthe Stewart, Joe Alvarez, Grace Haley, Marvin Hall, and Taya Cantu. These were some of the only people I liked to be around or trusted. Everyone welcomed me and gave sincere apologies, which I accepted. Even Dr. Kerr. I felt good here.
"So, Vincent," Marvin said. "Where do you think Regan is?" My group nodded. They were the only people I didn't mind talking about the situation with. I shook my head.
"I am going to look for him. But I don't know where to start. Please don't tell anyone what I'm going to do," I asked. They all nodded again. Grace held my hand, which was surprising considering she knew I was still in a relationship.
"Vince, we will do anything to help. Right?" She eyed the rest. They nodded. Again.
"I know," I said. I looked at each of them. "Thank you. But I think I have to do this by myself. I understand your concern though." They agreed.
"Just know you've always got us for support," Joe said. "All of us." I smiled. Good, kind souls.
"Let's get back to the thing," I said.
I really shouldn't have told them. With Daniel already on my case, more people knowing about my search for Regan Vantse was going to end badly for me. I hated just thinking of the bastard's name. Hated it. I trusted them, but sometimes I get a little carried away with people I trust. Shit.
"Turn your papers in by the five-minute mark," Dr. Kerr said. "Or else." We laughed. I thought about Montgomery. Had he talked? Had he said anything about what happened? Because if he did, I wouldn't be the only one getting consequences. I had blackmail material, and he knew it. He was smart, I just hope he made the right move. I looked out the window and saw a police cruiser passing by the school. Maybe it was just a drive-by checkup, or maybe they were still looking for Regan. In a way, I hoped they didn't find him. I wanted to be the one. And I was set out to be. I finished my part of the paper a few minutes later, and as I got up to walk to the front I saw the same police cruiser circling again. It was doing rounds. Still weird, even if it had a purpose. I turned the paper in and asked to be dismissed early. He agreed. I said bye to my group, and left the room. I closed the door behind me and looked down the hallway. I don't even know why I left early, but I did. I looked at all the passing doors, some were open, some were closed. I saw people I knew and wondered what they were thinking about. Probably not thoughts like mine. My thoughts were now always violent and vengeful. Something changed in me, towards the world. I now only had negative thoughts about everything. I no longer knew true happiness. I had one feeling only. True hatred. For this world. For everyone. For everything. I was broken in the worst way possible. My mind was an endless void of thoughts. All thoughts.
I continued through the hallway until I got to the cafeteria. When I stepped in, the first people to stare were my friends. At the table together, all of them looked at me with the same expression.
I nodded to them and walked over.