Five Foes, A Murder & Lies

Re-Imagine & Resurface

"Yeah.. we're no longer friends with a coward" Blair said, "Griffin has you so blind, it's pathetic" Emelie said, as they exited the hall together. My eyes filled with tears until Griffin came to my side, snaking his arm around my waist. "Don't listen to them, you did the right thing. Don't feel ashamed of it." he said, as he turned me to him and hugged me. "It's gonna be okay, all of this will be over soon. Come on, let's go" he said softly, as i looked over at the doors Blair and Emelie left out of. I sighed, wiping a tear away, and nodding, before leaving with Griffin. 

That same day, i went to visit Toby in prison. While i waited behind the glass for him, the minute he saw me he stopped walking. But then found his seat, and took the phone off the wall. He just stared at me, like he was trying to understand. 

"What are you doing here Cleo..." he said, as i sighed. 

"I'm sorry Toby, i didn't mean for- i just- i don't know what to believe anymore. I feel like i don't even know anything anymore" i said, rubbing my forehead.

 "All the evidence doesn't add up and your behavior lately, it's freaking me out. You're just making things so much harder, it's making it nearly impossible to figure out the truth. But of course, despite everything, i still love you. I just can't lose you Toby, not after Blair and Emelie turned there backs on me." i said, as he clenched his jaw. 

"You wanna know what the worst past of all of this is? trusting someone with everything you have in yourself, despite them treating you like shit. Only to have them throw you under the bus and hold hands with the problem while doing so. I still love you too Cleo, but it's never been so hard until now. " Toby said, and with that he left me alone with nothing but a phone and missing dial tone. 

Toby's POV:

"Toby Sullivan, you have been convicted of first degree murder of Margo Watson, how do you plead?" the judge asked, as i cleared my throat. "Innocent" i said, as the crowd whispers in front of me. "Toby, tell the court what you were doing the night Margo Watson was killed" my lawyer asked, "i was walking home that night, from my study group. I was falling behind in my classes so in order to keep me on the football team, Griffin and i attended a study group after school on some days. Him and i were walking home, and that was when i overheard Cleo having a conflict with someone. And i heard Margo scream" i said, as the memories were flashing in my mind. 

Margo's POV:

I can't remember how long i have been standing here, in this court room, hearing about the stories my friends are stating on the stand about me. My heart feels like it's over racing, even though it's not even attached to my soul. But every time each of them speak, especially of that specific night. Blurry or foggy memories of which resurface within my mind. But the more detail i hear about, the more clearer the memory becomes. It feels excruciating, like i'm reliving it. And i can't understand what's reality and what's just deja vu. My feet start to trip over themselves as i stumble across the aisle of the court room. 

"I recall Griffin saying he was gonna speak to Margo after him and i break up the fight. He was gonna go after Margo, just to make sure she was okay. He said he was gonna apologize for spreading that false rumor about her and i hooking up at Cleo's birthday party." Toby said, as he took a pause, sighing and running his hands through his hair. This memory seemed like it had been eating at him for weeks. "I trusted him, so i agreed that he should check on her and then i just went home." he said, as the lawyer cocked her head. "That's all that happened? " she asked, as Toby shook his head. "No.." he said, almost hesitantly. 

"What do you mean by that Toby?" she asked, as she steps forward. "It shouldn't have ended like that.. i should of checked to see if Margo was okay that night. Not Griffin. Cause if i had insisted on checking on her myself, she might still be.. she might still be alive." Toby said, as my heart aches seeing the look on his face. And in that moment, i wonder how long it's been since he's cried over my death. As i could see tears pulling free at his eyes, when he lost his self in thought. 

Toby's POV:

What should of happened:

"Margo wait!" i yelled, as she ignored me, heading off down the street to her house at the end of the block. 

"Sully, it's fine.. i'll check on her" Griffin says, as he pushes me back and walks in front of me. 

"No, i think i should say something to her, clearly she thinks-" i start, "clearly she's upset with you, just give me a chance to apologize to her first about everything. Besides, that's why you all are fighting anyway. I got this" he said, as i shook my head. 

As it starts to rain even harder instead of drizzle.

 "Griffin, you're exactly right, you put us in this mess, and that's why Cleo flipped out and that's what Margo hates not just me but all of us. But after everything, i don't trust you." i said, as he stepped back. 

"Fine man, whatever.." he says, and takes one last look at Margo before leaving down the sidewalk. "Margo! wait!" i yelled, as she walked faster, heading up to her house, and making it to her garage which was open. "Margo, just let me explain.." i said, as i knew she didn't want to hear but she needed too. "Toby, i just want to be alone.. just go home" she said, as she allowed me to follow her into her garage as she closed it behind us, as we walked inside her house. The place was dark which was concerning. "Your parents home?" i asked, as we headed up the stairs. 

"They're on a trip, they'll be back in the morning" she said, as we made it to her room. "Toby, i'm fine, honestly you can just go" Margo said, as she attended to her injuries which made me worried. "Maybe you should see a doctor.." i said, as she glared at me. "What are you still doing here?" she asked, as i was taken aback by how cold she was being, something i had never seen before but even then i still thought she was beautiful. "Margo, i'm not leaving you because i'm in love with you. And i've been in love with you since you told me you've never seen a locker before, when you told me you wanted to own your own bookstore, that you loved the planet Mars, and despite every job in the world, you would rather be a librarian. 

Margo, i've been in love with you since i first laid eyes on you. And no matter what happens, that's never gonna change." i said, as she looks at me stunned. I don't even want her to say anything, i don't even need her to say anything. I just need to touch her, to kiss her, to hold her, i needed to be one who took her virginity that night. Not Griffin. I stepped closer to her, and i reach out my hand. But she pulls away, "but you can't.. cause this never happened, and now i'm dead" she whispers, as the imagination of a memory never existent fades, and i find myself bawling in front of a court. 

Margo's POV:

Hearing his cry for me ripples through me like an earthquake, breaking every bone in my body, and swallowing the only source of curiosity i have left. Pain was the only thing i knew in this moment, and it was a sort of pain i never ever wanted to experience. Regret and Heart break. I started screaming, and bawling, falling to my knees, pounding my fists into the floor, as my hands went right through. "Make it stop.. please.. i'm done!" i screamed, to whatever entity was keeping here. Was it God? was it the universe? was it me? i didn't know who was punishing me. 

I couldn't bare to see anyone, let anyone Toby, breaking because of me. Did i do this? was i murdered? did i commit suicide? who would do this? and if i did why would i? all i've heard these few days was stories and answers, but not a single question in my head right now is answered and it's driving me insane. I cried harder, grateful no one could see or hear me. "Please, i just need it to be over!!" i hollered, as i craddled my head in between my knees, and bawled. 

Before every single memory my mind somehow suppressed comes rushing back at full blast, and i jolt back with a gasp. As i can see myself clearly, walking home that night after school. 

"MARGO!" Cleo screams, in the nastiest manner i've ever heard.