Pitter Patter

Light rain drizzled my black dress. It became increasingly heavier as the rain began pouring. I was fixated on the gravestone in front of me.

'In Loving Memory of Arthur Emerson'

Placing a white rose on top of the gravestone I whispered under my breath my regards. My mind began to wonder as I stared at the engravings.

I've never been an outspoken girl after my parents passed away when I was young. That's when a man came up to me during their funeral implying that he was my dads brother. I didn't know of any family members other than my parents. He revealed his name as Arthur Emerson, he had my last name and a slight similarity to my dad. After the funeral he drove me back to my parents house and helped raise me till I was 8.

We were never close those few years he took care of me. He didn't mind my quiet demeanor, only cleaning the house and prepping food for the day. Since I was homeschooled he would occasionally ask me if I wanted to go to the park. I've always loved going to the park with my parents so I never declined his offer. One day I was playing in a sandbox when my uncle called my name to head back. I didn't want to leave yet, so I ducked behind some bushes and hid. Giggling seeing his panicked demeanor I stayed as still as possible. After a few minutes went by I could see his face become haggard. He fell down by the slide as his breathing quickened. As a kid I didn't know how serious it was, I thought it was a decoy to get me out of my hiding spot. So I sat at that bush, watching him become more and more desperate until he stopped moving.

Luckily an adult was passing by and saw my uncle in time. While I waited in the bush, the woman quickly went to check on him. That's when more and more people came. It was during that time I realized it wasn't an act. I was too scared to move, lowering my head into my legs. I tried blocking out the noise. I was scared that they'll find out I left him. So I stayed in the bush until the noises dissipated. As I studied my surroundings again it was turning dark. I ran back home, but since I didn't have the key with me I was locked out. As I waited outside my front door, I saw a familiar figure come out of a cab. It was my uncle, his state appeared much livelier than before. He didn't ask me where I was that day but he was frequently leaving the house every so often. Until one day on my 8th birthday he collapsed again, I called the police and they hurriedly rushed him to the ER.

After that I wasn't informed of any new updates except that he had a rare illness that had mutated causing him to feel extreme pain and lose feeling in his limbs. I never saw him after that day. Having to take care of myself I decided to take on cleaning and cooking so once he came back I would be able to take care of him instead. A lady who was my uncle's friend drops by from time to time to send me his letters. He wrote to me about apologizing, the length of his

stay, and wishing for me to stay well. He had also signed me up to a public school to help lessen my loneliness and to make some friends.

A few years passed by, he never once returned back. It was then that I recently found out that he was pronounced dead.

...

"Cleo let's go!"

A shout from the distance interrupted me, I was completely drenched. After saying goodbye again I walked towards the woman waiting inside a vehicle.

Splash

My past memory ended there as a high pitched giggle erupted "Do you guys think this whore's clean now?"

"Nah you forgot one thing."

Pointing a hose towards me on full blast it instantly soaked through my school uniform. As I tried blocking my face from the downpour, one of the boys lunged towards me and pushed my body into the muddied ground.

"Haha take a photo of this!"

Being forcibly pulled upwards by my hair, a camera flick blinded me. My face reddened in embarrassment. The water being splashed onto me chastised against my skin. Defeatedly laying down on the floor the bell rang signaling the start of class.

"Aw shit if I'm tarde I'll get detention."

"Loser~."

The giggling of the students slowly disappeared and I was able to get up. Fixing myself I could feel someone intensely staring at me, the creepy feeling led me to the second floor window of the school. There wasn't anyone standing there but for a second I could have sworn a shadowy figure was watching me.

As I approached my classroom I left a trail behind me, embarrassingly I could hear the snicker from the students in the halls who were heading out for physical education. I stood in front of the door to the classroom. I knew if I went inside I would be ridiculed. As I ruled out my options a jacket was put on my shoulder.

"You're drenched, are you okay?"

Turning around it was my only friend at this school. Xavier was the only one there for me when I started getting bullied. From what I can see he was a shy kid and didn't have any friends. He would help console me and sometimes cover for me when I leave. Oddly though he would never see me get bullied or say anything when they openly bad mouthed me. It's probably because of his shy personality.

"Yeah..."

I sighed in exhaustion

"What happened?"

Expecting that question I tried answering but a loud banging noise followed with a gasp pulled my attention.

"Oh my god? Cleo you're soaked, here let me help."

Being dragged in I was tossed some shorts and a shirt with the words "I'm an orphan" It was the girl who sprayed me with the hose a little while ago. Everytime I would try to tell Xavier what happened she would coincidentally show up and cover for herself. Acting buddy buddy with me until Xavier would awkwardly leave me alone. From what I can tell she's convinced I had made her ex boyfriend in love with me. He confessed to me thinking our feelings were the same but I rejected him. I didn't think it would cause such a stir later on. Changing, I had to walk back into class with that shirt. I could hear the students' mockery but it wasn't like it was new. Staring out the window, the day passed by quickly, but because of the trail I left in the hallways earlier I was tasked with cleaning afterschool.

"You're still here?"

Peeping through the door frame was Xavier, his bright blonde hair and almond eyes gave him away. Content with his display of silliness a small grin cracked on my face.

"Unfortunately."

He opened the door slightly and sat down at a desk, I didn't mind his presence and continued cleaning,

"This picture of you is floating around the internet, you know?" "What?"

My ears perked up from hearing his remarks. What picture? As I turn around to face him he shows the photo taken of me earlier where the boy was sitting on top of me pushing me into the mud.

"..."

"Why'd you let him do that...?"

His tone turned icy, like being sat in front of a viper.

"I... I couldn't-"

"Do you like him? Do you? You're mine, are you trying to betray me?"

Xavier's voice raised with each question, what was I supposed to do? He was the one who suddenly came on top of me, I irritatedly thought.

"Why aren't you answering... So do you like him? He won't ever like a girl like you. He doesn't know your true thoughts."

"What are you talking about? I don't like him, why are you blaming me?!"

"because you're mine."

He stood up from his chair and began walking towards me until he was right in my face. "Yours? Do you like me or something?"

"...and what if I do like you?"

"I'll never like you-!"

I lashed out on him out of irritation and pent up stress, he was always there to console me but I couldn't help but feel mad when he was being so pushy. He knew I didn't like people in that way and if he confessed I was scared more rumors about me would appear. but if he was really serious about liking me wouldn't that be the same as ruining our friendship?

"...So that's how you want it to be?"

Realizing I might have stepped out of line with what I said, I left Xavier in the classroom.

Walking out the gate it's been 5 years since my uncle passed. I'm 17 now, my uncle's friend would check on me on some days but I haven't seen her in a couple months. The walk home wasn't that long, only a 30 minute walk down town. Busily scrolling through my phone I didn't

notice someone creeping behind me. Passing through an alleyway I was shoved onto the floor, scraping my elbows. I turned around to see Xavier. His face was twisted in rage as a sinnerful smile started forming on his mouth. It felt like an entirely new person, holding me down by weight. He was hysterically laughing.

"Are you trying to leave me? After all those months I've planned for you, everyday was something new..."

"New...? Get off me Xavier! What are you talking about?"

"Didn't you find it weird? Why all of a sudden they started bullying you. Why no one came to help you."

"..."

What he said wasn't wrong, it was weird after Xavier had moved into our school. That's when the bullying started happening.

"It was because of me. Can't you see? I caused your suffering. I did, but I know you... I know how much you loved it. The excitement on your face from being hit, if only I could have done it myself."

"..."

...My head blanked out, the bullying, the snickering, the rumors, everything. Was caused because of... Xavier?

"That day you greeted me, the gentle and sweet words you've said to me. I've wanted to see you messed up. I thought you wanted the same..."

Like a bulb flickering on, I finally realized the months of suffering was because of someone behind them. The strange feeling of being watched, the accusations no one would believe me were false, the reason why he wouldn't show up, it was because of him...!

"...you sick sociopath! Get off me, did I ever tell you I felt joy in being targeted everyday? It's your own sick feelings."

"No, you can't run away from me. Cleopatra we were meant for each other." "Crazy bastard!"

He briefly let go of my wrists and placed his hands on my throat tightening his grip. "Y-you can't leave me..."

His eyes were filled with tears as I tried prying him off me. Losing my consciousness my last ditch effort was grabbing onto a stick nearby and stabbing it into his eye.

"ARUG- FUCKING BITCH!"

Holding onto his eye I kicked him off me and ran back home. Sweating profusely I locked myself in my room, the feeling of stabbing someone else laid remnant on my hand... my nose felt like it was being tickled, and a waterfall of tears streamed down my face nonstop. I had thought it was my fault for being bullied, because I killed my uncle. It was my karma... because-... a sleepless night went by in a flash.

...