Hey guys! Long time no see on my part, huh?
Just wanted to tell you that Graffiti will be coming to an end pretty soon! I plan to have 22 chapters at most. Maybe more? Who knows?
Afterwards, I'll be working on some of my other projects (especially Light Up The Night) before rewriting some of these early chapters!
Well, I hope you guys enjoy! Have a sp00ky October, yeah?
__________________________________________________
For me, it was all set.
I was leaving in a week, whether I was a coward or not, without any hints or evidence, and nobody could stop me. I told Drew that I changed my mind, and would go with him and the rest of the crew that weekend, which wasn't necessarily a lie. Of course, I would take some of the supplies from the trip with me. Nobody mentioned the argument, or me storming off, or anything of the sort. Everyone figured out that, if it was mentioned, it would cause problems. For the rest of the week, I grabbed my food and ate outside, sitting somewhere and watching the blossoms flutter down from the blooming trees. It would be a nice, quick farewell to the washed up, sad excuse for a town.
That is, until that Friday.
All the kids gravitated towards the side of the school, where a small crowd had already gathered. Murmurs and whispers filled the crowd, along with a few mischievous smiles, all staring at something. Pushing through the best I could, I eventually reached the front of the crowd. When I finally saw it, the corners of my lips couldn't help but curl up a little.
" P R I C K S" was the word, sprayed on in black paint for the world to see. It wasn't graffiti, the kind where the purpose was to show who you were, and make art. It was the kind made to simply damage property, to get attention. It was funny, in the dumbest way possible.
The crowd's form was disturbed as someone pushed through, and as soon as the "excuse me"s were within earshot, you could tell who it was. Headmaster. He pushed himself to the front, obviously curious about all of the whispers and laughs emitting from the small group. When his sharp eyes finally saw what we all did, his face became pale.
"Who," he spoke, voice barely a whisper, like the calm before a storm, "Is responsible for this?"
Like some kind of routine, the entire crowd went silent, even though no one dared to look at each other, or step up for their crime. I knew people would glare towards me, whether it be because of my reputation, or my actual work with some cans and a wall.
"I'll repeat myself," he said, walking up to the wall, and turning to the crowd, pointing, "Who, is responsible for this?"
Once more, he was greeted with nothing but wind, and the chirping of baby birds nearby. I thought of smiling at the silence, at his thought of someone confessing in public, but I knew that would make me look guilty.
"No one has anything to say? Fine then. The culprit, when found, will get five days suspension, and have detention for a week afterward. They will also be kicked out of all clubs and extracurricular activities," he said, the tips of his ears turning red, "Unless, of course, they come up front, here and now."
This time, he didn't let the silence settle. After a few seconds, he cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "I want you all to visit your lockers, go to your first period class, and have a good day." A rough translation; he wanted us to mind our business, or be prepared to get caught.
. . .
"I know I fidn't write it," Caleb said, mouth full. He swallowed before continuing. "It seems like a waste. They're just gonna cover it up, and you're just gonna get suspended."
"For attention. Reputation," I replied, moving my backpack over as Drew walked to the table.
"When you're drowning in the sea," Ricky spoke, quiet as usual, "You'll call for help as loud as you can. Try to separate yourself from the endless waves."
"You should put that in a fortune cookie."
Drew laughed, trying to put the buffalo chicken bits back on the pizza. "They'll probably frame some sus kid for it."
"Or not find the guy at all," Caleb added, " Happens like that all the time."
"They'll figure it out before the day ends."
"Bet?"
Drew gave him a pound, smile on his face. "Bet."
Ricky placed ten dollars on the table before nodding, and looking to me. I figured the school wouldn't want the other schools knowing about the crime, and would keep the entire thing a secret for the first day. We'd all hear about it by the end of the week.
"I'm with Caleb on this," I said, flashing a ten dollar bill before putting it back in my pocket.
...
There was a special ring for whenever the office called.
You were never sure which office it was, when the high-pitched ring echoed in the classroom; all you knew was that it was something important. Some kids pretended it didn't ring, some kids made a mock "ooh" at the sound of it, and others just silently prayed that it wasn't for them. It seemed everyone picked the third option that day.
"Brista?" the teacher spoke, and even though I didn't look up, I could feel every eye on me.
"Headmaster wants to see me?" I asked, and she gave me a nod.
I snorted, slinging my backpack over my shoulder and walking out of the classroom before any comments or whispers came my way.
The halls were empty, as the norm was for the almost end of eighth period, besides a kid or two who were going to the bathroom or simply leaving class for a few minutes. I'd seen them before, a senior here, a junior there, a freshman or two. I always had a hard time forgetting what people looked like. It was a good trait to have, especially doing what I did. Whether "what I did" meant vandalizing, getting in trouble, or running away was a mystery.
He was expecting me when I walked into the area; his secretary held an expectant look, and the door to his office was open. Ready to suck me in.
"Casey, there you are," he said, face almost unreadable.
I plopped my backpack on the floor and sat carefully in the chair, preparing myself for a lecture.
"So, how's your day so far?" he asked, hands folded.
"Pretty good, I guess," I said, attempting to be polite.
"Did you sleep well?"
I shrugged. "Yeah." As good as possible for someone like me.
"Well, I wouldn't think so." He then maintained a business stance. "It seems like quite a few people saw you near the school late last night?"
"Well, these quite a few people might need to get their eyes checked," I scoffed, crossing my arms.
He gave me a look before swallowing and continuing. "As you know, vandalism is an offense, which can result in suspension, and even being expelled. Those things will follow you through life." He then cleared his throat, making his face more serious than before. "As you may also know, rights are limited inside of school. Meaning, we don't need a warrant in order to search your locker."
"Search my locker?" I said, eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion.
"There are many people we suspect for this, and you happen to be one of them. It's just in case." He then raised an eyebrow, "Are you uncomfortable with us searching your locker?"
"Go ahead and do it," I waved a hand dismissively, "I just think its a little ridiculous."
"Every other suspected person has also been checked, and you are just one more."
I stood up, grabbing my backpack and leaning on the chair, "Let's go, then."
"Yes. Please wait outside, Casey."
I walked out of his office, plopping onto the bench and looking down at my feet. I barely had time to let thoughts settle, to think about things before he left his office and adjusted his outfit.
"Alright! The principal will meet us there," he said, and I let out a small sigh before getting up once more.
You could feel the pressure in the empty hallways. The kids preparing to leave their classes, to endure one more period before they were released from the bonds of school.
"Casey, would you mind opening your locker for us?" the dean said, principal already there. He had brown hair, slowly turning gray, and the kind of eyes that you didn't want staring at you. Before I could touch the lock, however, someone lightly placed their hand on my shoulder.
"You might not know this, but vandalism is a Class II offense. If we do find what we're looking for, there will be dire consequences." the principal spoke, voice deep and icy.
I swallowed and gave a tiny nod before opening the locker. My body suddenly froze, however, when something dropped on the floor, it's sound echoing through the empty halls.
Slowly, carefully, my eyes traveled down to the floor, and my eyebrows furrowed at a plastic bag stained black and tied with a knot. A bag that wasn't in my locker before. The words left my mouth before I could stop them, and I knew they would probably hurt me more than help me.
"Is that what you were looking for?"