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The first red flag of Jennifer’s day was arriving early to school. Who would have thought? The second red flag was Nadia Hart, an acquaintance Jenny hardly talked to, sometimes partied with, came up and asked, “Is this true, J.B?” Nadia asked, waving her phone in Jennifer’s face.
Jenny had zero idea what Nadia was talking about. But then she read the text message, and suddenly it all made sense. “Ah, yes, I always forget that I murdered someone before my morning coffee,” Jennifer quipped, skimming over what it said about the others.
Nadia looked taken aback by Jennifer’s sharp response, but Jennifer was just getting started. “And let me guess, you’re accusing me of killing Alissa too?” Jennifer continued, rolling her eyes. “Because obviously being a troubled child from a broken family and life means I’m a murderer. You of all people should know how messed up I am, right Nadia?” Jennifer barked, starting to round on Nads. She knew she was being defensive, but the accusation stung. Yes, she had a ‘troubled past’, but that didn’t mean she was capable of killing someone. Okay yes, Jenny didn’t like Mr. A, and while she wasn’t close to Alissa, she would never wish harm—she would never have wished death in her.
"Listen, Nadia,” Jenny stepped back, out of Nadia’s bubble that she had stepped into. She didn’t need Nadia, a gossip pinball machine saying that she threatened her. “I have no idea who killed Mr. Albert or Alissa," Jennifer said firmly. “But I can tell you for sure that it wasn’t me. So maybe next time, don’t be so quick to accuse.” Her tone was stripped and icy, and Nadia dared to even blink. They both held their breath for a second, waiting for something dramatic and possibly violent to happen.
Jennifer walked away, feeling a mix of anger and disgust for the situation. It wasn’t the first time she had been judged for her past, but it still hurt, especially to this degree. As she headed to the last place in the school she would usually wanna go, Jennifer vowed to clear her name and find out who really killed Mr. Albert and Alissa.
Jennifer stormed down the hallway, incensed at the calls and whispers that followed her. As she passed each student going about their day, she could feel their gazes latching onto her like leeches, their eyes filled with judgment and disdain. With each passing moment, Jennifer’s frustration grew, her smarts clashing with her anger. This was the last thing she needed in her life right now, but she was determined not to take it lying down.
So close, yet so far Jen was almost to her destination before she heard something absolutely vile. “Hey! You there!” Jennifer shouted, pointing at a kid who had muttered something under his breath as she passed. “What’s your problem? You got something to say to me?” The kid looked up at Jennifer in terror, his eyes wide and pleading. “N-no, I didn’t say anything!” he stammered in response. Jennifer was far from convinced. “I heard you calling me a part of the murder crew! Is that what you think of me?” She stalked closer to the kid, who was now backed up against a row of lockers, his face turning white as a sheet. “I swear I didn’t-”
B A M
But before he could finish his sentence, Jennifer had already turned and marched away, her fists clenched and her jaw set in a fierce scowl. At least she was holding back… somewhat.
As she continued down the hallway, her anger threatening to bubble over the surface, Jennifer couldn’t help but chuckle to herself at the thought of scaring that poor kid. Maybe he’d think twice before making assumptions about her again.
Jennifer’s heart sank as she heard her name called out over the intercom. She had a feeling she wasn’t the only one who had made enemies in the aftermath of Alissa’s disappearance, and the fact that she was being called to the principal’s office made her gut twist with anxiety.
Without hesitation, Jennifer took off at a full sprint towards the principal’s office, not caring who she pushed or how much she barged in her attempt to be the first one there.
As she ran, her mind raced with all the possible reasons for the summon - had they found new evidence? Were they accusing her of something? Was she going to be suspended? yay? Ignoring everyone in the office, she barged into the principals room slamming the door open with an echoing bang and barked her orders before she read to the room at all. “Who the h•ll sent that message and why am I being publicly accused of murder at school?” She screamed, hearing a set of footsteps of whoever arrived at the office second to her.
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