Cassidy

chapter 1 (Jace's POV)

     *disclaimer: this story deals with mature and sensitive subjects, readers be advised*

      "Cassidy Layne was murdered last night on Crimson Crescent.  We do not know who has done this horrible crime. Police are in the middle of their investigation. We ask that you be respectful of the Layne family and close friends of Cassidy. Our hearts are wih them in these dark times. School has been cancelled for the rest of the day in light of this recent news. We ask all of you not to travel anywhere alone. Weapons will still not be permitted on school grounds, even for self defence. That has been all." My principals voice echoed through the mostly silent autitorium.

    I felt my head spinning. I placed it in my hands and tried to wipe the fear off my face. Everyone's been muttering about a gunshot on that street last night through the school day. Every voice sent chills down my spine. Every sound made me jump a little. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what to say. Nevermind who to say it to. Afterall I was there. I looked out my window after hearing the shot. I live where the crescent meets Sunshine Lane.I couldn't see anything with the fog from my apartment.  At least with the break from school I actually have a couple hours before my shift at Scott's Diner. Usually I'd run straight from school. Probably won't be a busy night since it's on the street of the murder. In a way I wish it would be, something to take my  mind off everything. I throw myself into my job when there's something really bothering me.

   "Hey Jace"

   I look up to see Aly hovering over me. I guess I must've looked pretty distressed or something. Aly is my best friend. Her family lives down the street from my small apartment building. She had a way about her that most people found calming. Her eyes were filled with concern as she put her hand gently on my back. Her dark red hair  was tied away from her face, which just made her eyes harder to hide from. Pools of light grey, swirling, beckoning me into them.

  "Hey Aly," I respond eventually. She sat beside me now and used her hand to wipe the hair hanging in my face to the side.

  "You wanna walk home with me? You know since we're supposed to travel in pairs or groups?" She shared a smile with her offer.

   "Sure, let's go," I accept and we walk to our lockers to get our bags.

   "I bet you did it you asshole," I turn to my right to see Heather, Cassidy's sister. 

   "Listen Heather... I get you are under stress and uffering from grief. This is a small town, it's like everyone's a suspect. But I can tell you I didn't kill your sister. I'm sorry for your loss"

  "Did you break up with her with words that nice Jace? It's bad enough you had to date her. It was horrible enough to turn her into a fucking dyke! Then you just haaad to be the first peraon in our pure small town to claim you're a different gender? I still bet it was you.  I hate you. You're fucking scum. I don't understand why someone as good as she was would go for you anyway. Even on her dumb bisexual experiments, there's plenty of hotter girls in this school."

   I didn't know how to respond. I knew she could get mean and I've dealt wih bitches before but, none have accused me of murder. I turned around and swung my bag over my shoulder.  I knew her and the rest of the prom committee was probably still back there. I didn't hear what else they called after me, everyone around was mumbling, gossiping. Outside the school I see Aly.

   "You look like you saw a ghost or something," she noticed

   "More like an ambush of popular hags accusing me of murder"

   "What? That's awful!"

   "Don't worry about it, let's just walk"

   I stare at our feet most of the way, scared to look up. We had to walk past  the end Crimson Cresent to get home. I didn't want to look down that street. I didn't want to replay what I heard again.