Chapter 40

Chapter 40

"That chick was totally checking me out, right?" Corey smirked at Zoe who only scoffed in disgust.

"Or perhaps you were hoping that she did." Layla teased clinging her arms around Shane.

"She totally is. Damn, I should've gotten her number. If only I still got my wingman." Corey added looking sideways towards Jason who was too busy ignoring him.

"Yeah, totally... totally not." Alison taunted.

"Why am I hanging out with you guys, really?" Corey riled.

"Because we are the only people who can really tolerate you, my dear Corndog." Alison grinned wrapping her arms around his shoulder, or tried to, since he was much taller than her.

"Let go of me. I don't want to get punched in the face by your bodyguard, Newbie." He shrugged dramatically making them to all laughed. It had been a while since they went out together as a group and they were glad when Layla insisted that they all went to catch a movie together. After movie and dinner, they bid their goodbyes and went to their respective cars.

"Where to, Princess?" Jason asked holding her hand.

"Wherever as long as I'm with you." She smiled showing off her sweet innocent smile without her thick glasses anymore. She had learnt to be comfortable without it although she still had her hair pin up and her clothes were still the usual sweatshirt and jeans.

"That's cheesy. But I like it." He smiled back. They drove off spending their time at their usual spot by the lake.

"What are you doing?" She asked looking at him holding onto a key scratching something on the wooden seat of the bench that they were sitting on.

"Officially marking this as our bench." He smirked continuing scratching the surface.

"Isn't that vandalism?" She gasped as he responded with a chuckle.

"Barely vandalism if it's adding artistic touch to this bench. There." He blew away the few wooden dusts and leaned back admiring his masterpiece of their initials joined together creatively.

"I think I like this place even more now." She looked at him as he beamed of satisfaction.

The following Monday arrived, Alison walked from her car to the school building meeting Jason and Corey along the way. Together they walked to their lockers getting the needed books for the day. As Alison unlocked her locker and opened the door, she saw a purple envelope inside the locker. What's this? Puzzled, she took the envelope in her hand, looking around wondering who placed it inside, she concluded that it was not from Jason as he seemed too calm and oblivious to what was going on. She opened the envelope and took out the letter attached to it. The simple and short letter was printed in italic that sends shiver down her spine, making her hands tremble and cold.

How's the new school feels like without me, Ally?

Missing me much?

-Leah-

What. Who? Why! The only words she could form in her clouded mind. She started to scan around her, panic evident on her pallid face. Recognize that you are having a panic attack is the first step. She recalled her psychiatrist said and yes, she was going into a panic attack session if she does not compose herself soon. Take a deep breath, count to three and blow out slowly. Her breath was shaky, cold droplets forming on her forehead and the floor seemed to be unbalanced. Deep breath in, deep breath out. What the hell is going on! Why is Leah's name on this letter! Her mind went back to the horrific scene about a year ago.

She stood outside by the front porch of the grey house, in front of the white wooden door of her house. She felt awful for snapping and yelling at her exactly two days ago, during their huge fight. Ever since the incident, they've been on edge but things had never gotten that far and they've never fought like that before. It was like everything that they have been trying to suppress unfolded like a tidal wave suffocating and trapping them underwater. They've known each other since young and knew each and every deepest secret but it felt like they were standing in front of a total stranger, like a different person. Yet, they knew that deep down, they cared deeply for each other like sisters. Yesterday was one of the worst fight they had gotten. It might be due to the fact that she had been blaming and pushing her to the limit. Knowing what she was going through right now, she knew better than to place additional weight on her shoulder, thus she stood in front of her door wanting to clear the air and apologize for her behavior. She took the hidden key under the plant and opened the front door knowing that her parents were working and won't be home till nightfall so she should be at home, alone. She walked up the stairs and knocked on her bedroom door. Thinking that she might either be sleeping or on her white Beats headphone, she pushed open the door, letting herself in when there was no answer and found her friend, but the hair on her skin stood up instantly at what she saw.

The image had been haunting her till this day. Dressed in a beautiful long sleeveless purple chiffon gown which flowed gracefully making the scene much more eerie. Her blonde hair flowed over her shoulder with a few strands sticking by the side of her cheeks with dried tear stains. On her right wrist was their silver bracelet with their initials that they got for each other. Her eyes were almost closed together leaving a quarter of an inch opened showing the white portion of the eyes. Her skin pale as paper. Her lips slightly opened and almost purple. A leather belt wrapped around her delicate neck to the top of the cupboard. Her body dangling mercilessly by the single thread of leather with her feet hanging a few inches away from the ground.

Alison gasped trying to scream out to her friend but could not utter a single sound from her mouth, only short shallow breaths. Shuddering with horror, she stepped closer reaching her friend with her trembling hands trying to feel her pulse and breathing, hoping on the feeble strand of hope she wished upon. Once her hands touched her skin, the hair on her skin stood immediately making her feeling the sudden chill, literally. Her mind knew the coldness and stiffness of her body, the purplish lips and the absence of pulse, telling her that she was indeed too late. But she refused to accept nor believe at what she knew.  With trembling hands, she reached towards her trying her might to untangle the deathly grope of the belt but her hands was too shaken to do the deed. Thus, she scoured the whole room searching for a knife or scissors but was too overwhelmed that she searched for her phone instead and called 911. Once she ended the call, she finally let out a whimper when the fact finally sunk in that she was unable to find any signs of life left in her. Her body continuously shook, she stumbled back towards her lifeless best friend and fell to the floor, feeling the sudden nausea, she threw up the content. Her body still trembling from the chill and continued to weep, howling at her foot.

"Why, Leah? I'm here! Why? I am here. Why did you do it? Oh God... I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for being so selfish. I'm such a terrible, horrible person! I'm sorry. Why? I'm so... sorry! Leah!"

All she wanted to do was run away, quickly, dashed out from the hallway towards the exit and continued running. She ran with her body still shaking and tears streaming, she continued to run until her knees go weak and finally allowed herself to crumble. Instead of crashing to the ground, she was caught by someone but her mind was still too caught up with her emotions and the anxiety had started to build up again.

"...breathe Alison. Take a deep breath. I'm here. I'm here. Listen to me. Take a deep breath." She heard that soothing voice again, Jason. She gained slight composure, finally turning her face towards him, buried her face on his chest and wept like no one was listening.

"I'm sorry! Leah's gone! And it's all my fault! She's gone!" She yelled out on his chest hitting him with her fist but he did not mind as long as he could ease the agony from her eyes. He had picked up and read the letter that she dropped to the floor while she stared blankly at her empty shaking hands, before running away. Leah? Gone? But the letter...

She did not realize how long had she been crying on him or how she got into his car. She had ceased crying, leaving a soft occasional hick ups from the intense wailing.

"Here, drink." He offered a bottle of water which she took reluctantly, giving him a faint nod. Taking a sip of the water help soothed her parched and tired throat.

"Thank you." She forced a whisper. He took the bottle and held her hands.

"How are you feeling?"

"Horrible. Can you please take me home?" She regained her accumulative thoughts and was wondering how is she going to explain everything to him without him hating and leaving her after she told him the whole truth now.