He Died, She Smiled

Chapter One|| I May Have Killed A Guy

So, I killed somebody—big deal.

He deserved it.

It's not like it's my first time...

The more I think about it, that never seems to sound right.

I'm not some psychopath who doesn't plan. I particularly planned this. I stayed for dinner and watched his mother chop vegetables. She placed the knife back, and what do you know? Her fingerprints are on there. I pack rubber gloves for a reason. However, no note this time. This time, the blame is on someone else, not the mysterious murderer who's been striking our small town on and off again since 1992. Which, makes no sense. Because the main suspects they question are people my age, who are close to the victims, furthermore, none of the so-called suspects was even born until the turn of the century. If they do believe it's the same person, that never got caught.

Spoiler alert! It's not the same person.

So, me leaving the knife on the floor doesn't raise skepticism with his parents in me, since they'll believe I went home, letting them think that someone broke in, and murdered their son.

As for the fingerprints... Well, someone needs to take the blame. And it sure isn't going to be me.

Sneaking out the window, I ran far away from the house, dumping the rubber gloves in a dumpster.

I snuck back into my family's house, carefully stepping not to make any noise.

I changed into my pyjamas and fell asleep.

The following day, when I went down for breakfast, the living room TV was on, and was cut to the news.

Candace, my stepmother was watching, a concerned look on her face.

"Candace? What's wrong?" I asked.

She turned to face me, "Oh sweetheart. There's been another murder. Dustin died this morning, around three."

I immediately put my sad face on, "What? Who did this?" I said, forcing tears down my face.

"The police found his mother's fingerprints on the knife."

"Why would Shelley kill her son?"

"I'm not sure, Cal. But it's supposed she killed him, and then she "discovered" the body. Do you want to stay at home today?" She asked.

I tearfully shook my head, "No, I need to be strong, for myself, for Dustin."

"Alright. I don't want you driving to school then. Take the bus."

"But the bus is smelly."

"You heard me, Calista, you are taking the bus, and that is final. Unless you get someone else to drive you to school, you're taking that bus."

I sighed, returning to my room to get dressed.

Pulling the photo off the wall, I fumbled around in the desk drawer to find scissors.

Ellie sat at the foot of my bed, her big eyes staring into my soul.

I quickly snipped the photo of Dustin and me into tiny pieces. Into the trash, it went.

I pet Ellie's head softly. As much suffering as I inflict on my exes, I'd never think twice about hurting a pet. I believe animals are such precious creatures that deserve to be protected.

"I did it, Ellie. I killed the bastard. Now, what outfit do you think?" I asked her.

She yipped at the second outfit, a simple pink deep-v-neck, paired with a denim skirt, and white sneakers.