ONE

                                    

                                          
Surprisingly, the cops weren't there when I woke up. They didn't interrupt breakfast either, so I suppose they're looking at suspects and finding their addresses.
School looks duller today. The hallways are full of whispers instead of the usual Monday moaning, and the speakers blare an announcement as I open my locker. "All students to the assembly hall, now. Any student found not attending will be given detention and extra homework from all teachers."
The halls move like an avalanche, but without the usual chitchat. I can hear shuffling feet, crying, and murmurs. The assembly hall fills like a cup of coffee - a sea of high schoolers in red and black.
The principal walks on stage, the staff fanned out behind her. Some are crying. The principal faces the students, her hair tied back in a tight bun, and begins speaking. "I assume you all know Theresa Smith."
This is met with a chorus of 'yes' from the student body. I mentally laugh. A student body. Yes, that's what Tessie is.
The principal smiles sadly. "Theresa Emily Smith was the head of the Cheer squad, founder of the Queer Identity club, Anti-Bullying campaign leader, and friend to all." She takes a breath, and prepares herself for the next sentence. "Two days ago, Theresa was found in the mall parking lot, collapsed and dead next to her car. Her throat was slashed, and the forensics determined that poison was used to subdue her prior to the slashing."
The students are all crying now, and I have tears rolling down my cheeks. Next to me is Elijah, Tessie's boyfriend. He is sitting in shock, staring at the principal as if looking at her can reverse what was done and bring his love back. A couple seats down are the Johnson twins, identical Scottish redheads that are almost inseparable. Talia and their girlfriend Tam - a Vietnamese girl in my math class - are comforting Tessie's best friend, Aria. Talia rubs their sister's back, while Aria shakes with sobs.
The principal resumes speaking. "There will be a funeral procession for Theresa this Friday, starting at her house. The address has been sent to every student with the permission of Theresa's parents. I hope you will attend."
And with that, the assembly is over.
✣ ✣ ✣
The teachers don't feel like teaching, and simply let us do whatever we want for the rest of the day. I walk over to my classmate, Emilio, a foreign exchange student from Florence. He nods at me distractedly when I sit down next to him, and looks back at Elijah. I cock my head at him. "You good, Emilio?"
As always, he looks horrified by my slandering of his name with my terrible pronunciation. He shrugs. "Eli is sad," he says, and I nod. He's been crying for hours. Emilio seems saddened by this fact. "I want to go over, but I'm too nervous."
I nod. I'm the only one who knows about Emilio's crush on Elijah. I'm surprised no one else has figured it out yet.
"Che cazzo," Emilio mutters. "That's so messed up. Who would do something like that? Everyone loved Tessie."
I nod. "Yeah," I say sadly. "Everyone did. Even the first year high schoolers worshipped her."
He sighs. "Yeah. And poor Aria. Did you see her at the assembly?"
"Yeah. I feel so bad for her. Tessie was her best friend since kindergarten."
We hear the bell go, and Elijah breathes out, relieved. "We can go home now. This hell day is over."
"Oh. Okay. I need to do my French essay anyway."
He snorts. "Fine."
✣ ✣ ✣