Nine

Ruby

Ignoring the woman in front of me, I rushed outside, Abby and Jake's warnings about Bryan ringing in my head. After I successfully pushed through the crowd that was trying to get past the entrance, I hurried towards the scene.

It was no doubt the very girl Bryan was talking to.

I definitely can't mistake her unique curls for someone else's. Even the little tug on her lips from earlier was still evident.

Shaking slightly, I took steps back from the scene as my incoming thoughts started to frighten me. The questions in my mind didn't help issues either.

Sirens announced the entry of uniformed men and I watched almost lifelessly as they urged people to move back so there will be more space for the available ambulance.

From where I was, I could see the girl's blood-stained face and I could tell she was almost gone. But I couldn't help but pray for some miracle.

Nobody deserves to die so cruelly.

That statement drew my mind back to the fact that someone might be responsible for the fall. As I raised my head to observe the height of the school building, I perceived Abby's scent.

"Ruby... There you are." I looked towards her and she instantly frowned. " You look pale. Are you okay?"

"Uh?"

It couldn't have been that the girl committed suicide right? But she didn't seem like a depressed person. And then... Why would the next thing she would do after a heated conversation with Bryan is commit suicide?

"Ruby?" My friend shook me out of my thoughts. "I think you need to sit down. You don't look so well." Her eyes flew towards the damaged car. "I guess seeing so much blood makes you feel weird inside." She reached for my arm and hooked it with hers.

"Do you know her?" I asked Abby, my voice a little shaky.

"The girl?" Abby asked sadly before shaking her head negatively. "Did you?" she asked back.

"It is just so sad that she's going to die this way." I sounded really sad.

"Please go back to your classes! We will take care of things from here!" One of the uniformed men said before asking his mates to disperse the crowd.

I don't know if I started walking by my will, but I knew I was approaching the entrance, Abby's arm still hooked with mine.

I couldn't get my thoughts and speculations out of my head. The fact that Bryan Lockwood could be involved in what just happened was crazy enough and a thought that must be considered.

Now, I am considering telling the police what I observed

"Abby?"

"Yes, babe?"

"Do you think she committed suicide?" Our eyes met and she shook her head. "You don't?"

"I mean, I don't know. She might have, she might have not... It is really hard to tell." Nodding, I looked ahead and continued with my thoughts. If it isn't suicide, I'll have to tell the cops what I noticed. I can't afford to keep shut. The fact that I might have a clue might help the girl get justice for her death.

And why do I keep being bothered about Bryan Lockwood?

He doesn't even want me around. Besides, if he has killed someone, he should pay for it. No matter what. No matter who he has in his corner.

Finally coming to a conclusion, I decided to wait for the cops to give their report and till then, my mouth will be as shut as possible.

~

It was after closing already but we were still in school. We were all gathered in the school auditorium and we all could not help but wonder if the reason for the emergency call was in relation to the girl who just died.

Wearing a big frown instantly, I rubbed my chest as it occurred to me that I still didn't know the girl's name. I also felt terrible because I was not able to eavesdrop on her conversation with Bryan. If it was a discussion that led to her death, who knows, I could have helped her in a way.

"Do you think they know what happened already?" Abby asked, her arms hooked with both Jake's and I's. It was quite weird how she hasn't stopped linking arms since the incident.

"I don't think investigations work that way Abby," Jake replied to her. Before she could throw him a harsh response, the sound system came on and the feminine voice of our principal spoke into the speaker.

"Good day, students. I know today has been quite sad and hectic but I want to assure you the incident is being looked into. Right now, Detective Mandy Catch will like to speak to you about a thing or two. So please let's settle down and hear what she has to say."

"Why doesn't our principal ever come out of her office?" Abby started another round of questions. Almost disgustingly, she added, "She stays in that office like there's a secret that must never be found."

Snickering at her comment, I faced the podium ahead where a tall woman who wore a low haircut with pride, was now standing. "She looks so cool." I found myself yelling out. But I couldn't care less if someone heard me. The woman looked so confident, it made me feel good about myself.

"Hello, guys. I am Detective Catch and I-"

"I wonder why her forefathers chose the name Catch. It's so weird. Poor woman." Abby murmured into my ears and I shook my head before turning my attention to the podium again.

"I am very sure it wasn't an easy day for all of you. Such a gruesome sight is not something we wish anyone to see. What happened is indeed sad." The detective's head hung a bit as one of her hands went behind her. "We all-"

"I can't help but imagine what they call her at work. Detective Catch? Catch? Catcher? D.C? I can't just-"

"For God's sake Abby, could you please keep it down?" I hushed her instantly and she murmured something about trying to feel less sad.

"We have started investigations..." The woman's voice came again. "And we are considering every possible option."

"Do you think she was murdered?" A voice asked loudly from a corner.

Sighing at first, the detective said, "We will be conducting a thorough investigation. And very soon we will all know for sure what happened to Maddison."

Maddison. That's her name. "So, if anyone noticed anything abnormal about the victim before the accident, I would love it if you could inform us. That way, we can have better and more direct investigations. It might not be easy to... I know it won't be easy to report things you might have noticed. But please, try as much as you can to cooperate with us. If you can't reach us-"

"I need to go use the restroom," I informed Abby who nodded. Soon, I was outside the large auditorium which was a stand-alone building just behind the school. From where I was standing, I could still see the rear end of the main building's rooftop and my heart squeezed again.

I just have to do it. I have to tell the cops what I noticed.

"Oh! Ruby Powers!" An excited voice called from behind and as I turned to see who it was, I almost missed my step. "I can't believe we are really in the same school. Sorry about the other time, I was deep in thought."

I stared silently at Bryan Lockwood who was in front of me, a huge grin planted on his face. Is it safe to say I felt a bit scared by the grin? It was just so creepy.

"What are you doing outside? Are they done in there?" he asked while his bouncy hair danced.

" Uh..."

"Ah, I see." His shoulder sagged a bit and he scratched the back of his head. "I must have startled you with my reaction earlier. I am sorry. I really hope we can be friends." His large palm found a place on my small shoulder, and I kept looking surprised.

"F... Friends?" I repeated the unbelievable word he used.

"Yes." He held out his hand. "Friends?"

"Uh?" I stared at his hand like it was an alien material. Then, dramatically, I slowly looked up at him and his smiling face nudged towards his hand. I accepted his handshake and said, "Friends."

"It is really sad what happened to Maddison, isn't it?"

"Please excuse me." Afraid I would spill what I observed, I hurriedly cut short whatever word he had to say in addition and raced towards the restroom. And as I did that, one thing sent chills down my spine- the way his smile turned to a blank look after I excused myself.

And that became enough reason for me to reconsider my plan. Maybe I would hold off telling the cops anything for a while.