Archie Harris

The sky was a dusty pink when me and Reid drew our conversation to an end, sun quickly sinking behind the abandoned church building.
"Will you come again tomorrow?" She asked quietly as she pulled the last few flowers from my hair, crushing the centers as she did so the petals cascaded down like raindrops over our knees.
"Maybe."
"Ok."
We sat quietly, crushing flower petals between our fingers, staining our skin red. I really didn't want to get up, walk home, but I had to. I waved goodbye and stood up, brushing the flower remains off my school uniform; Reid returned my wave, smiling gently. I liked talking to Reid, it felt like I had a friend. A proper friend, that you can tell anything, and not be afraid that they're judging you.
The pale pink sky faded to a deep purple overhead as I walked home, and stars started to emerge. It gave me a very clear image of Reid, still lying in the bed of flowers, surrounded by petals under these same stars. I hoped she was inside now.

Karma Okeira

I looked at the ceiling, thinking about that moving dot I saw before I closed the lamp. My parents said that I can't speak with anyone, so I'm sleeping alone. It's okay, this happened twice already. I'm used to it now.
The phone buzzed in my hand. I lifted it to my face and looked at the time. Midnight. Perfect.
I tapped in my password, unlocking my phone, and tapped on the Gallery app. The first picture that the screen displayed was the poem I saw in John's book. I read it a few times for fun before exiting the Gallery, moving onto Instagram. Why am I doing it on Instagram? Because almost everyone in the school has it. Even Archie, John, Ray, Erin, Deirbhile, Reid, Blake, Laura...
I checked my profile. No friends. No followers. No posts. Nothing. Good.
I posted the poem a moment later before turning off my phone and placing it beneath my bed. Tomorrow will be different from yesterday, because today is tomorrow. This reminds me of a scenario that felt like years ago, but it's still fresh in my mind. When someone posted something to tease others. That felt so long ago, yet despite this, it still feels brand new. Time is strange and I question it.
Now it's Tuesday. I'm still awake.
~-~
(OOC: I bit short, sorry. Not feeling very creative right now.)

Erin

(Sozzi its a verrrry very short and pointless one)

Tuesday morning, waking before the crack of dawn when the sun is no where to be seen, but the night has a sort of luminescence to it. A gloaming. The daylight always reached the town of Melchondam late, especially in the colder seasons, where a peaceful dusk can be miserably wet and deadly freezing.
I sighed as i rubbed the sleep from my eyes. The toaster popped- I jumped -My mother turned in her sleep in a heap on the couch, lonely lady macaroni mix and a bottle in her arms. Coppery hair spread out on the arms of the chair. Must have been a fun night watching tv until her brain rotted.
I grabbed the toast, pulled on a coat, ignoring my exposed legs, beauty hurts, and headed out the door so i could avoid conversation with the Mrs.
My bag was light, filled with empty folders, unwritten homework and ruined opportunities. I was growing no-where. that was for sure. I'd grow old and die in this town, with a sappy waitressing job until my looks fade. I'd replace her,
Her spot, in front of the blinking screen.

Ray Fon

Last night, my mum said that we'll be visiting Erin on Tuesday. Now I'm shoving stuff down a bag, getting ready for the visit.
My mum was ready to leave. Her dark hair is such a mess, but she doesn't like wasting time on beauty. Well, her smile fi.x.e.s everything.
Well, I wished it did.
"Okay, I'm ready," I tell her, s.l.i.p.ping my arms in between the bag and the straps. She grinned and reached for the door, opening it, before she unlocked the car. I take my time to the vehicle, thinking about school. What if I miss something important? School may be hell, but whenever I skip a day, I feel like I'm losing some precious education.
Then education linked to intelligence, which linked to my dad. He's always saying that school was a pathway to heaven whenever I would complain about it. Ever since a year ago, he stopped saying that because of the amount of time his work consumes. Apparently, he cherishes work more than family now. I guess it's for a good cause, right? At least he's working for the money we need to live, right? The thing is, we have more than enough to pay off everything we need. We're going to become rich, someday. We're going to become a greedy family targeted by money-hungry people someday.
That is, if dad still lives.
I don't want us to become a greedy, rich family, but I don't want him to have an accident. I just want him to stop-
"Honey, are you alright?"
My mum's sweet voice snaps me back to reality. I turn to her. "Pardon?"
"Ray, you're staring at the car's window. You're not doing anything but standing there." She slowly walks towards me and lifts my chin so my eyes met hers. Well, the mask's eyes, at least. Her bright expression slowly turned slightly worried and sad. "Ray, is something wrong?"
I didn't respond. I didn't want to and I don't have to. My opinions have no affect on the world, so there's no point in explaining. I shake my head and turned away from her. At the corner of my eye, her hand still stayed reaching out to me. She doesn't need to worry. Parents worry too much. I'm fine. I'm okay. I'm perfectly okay.
I'm okay.
I'm okay.
I'm ok.
I'm ok.
I'm broken.
"Mum." She stops with her hand on the car's handle.
I continue, "Why is dad never with us?" I know the answer. We know the answer.
My mum smiled softly, trying to assure me with her fake, positive sh!t."Don't worry, he's just working all the time." More like all his life. "He comes back, it's just that you're asleep by then." Yeah, when I don't get to see him. "He's fine. He's a strong man." No, he's a smart dad. "He always comes home fine." Mum, do you sleep as late as him? "He's alright."
I don't believe her, but I entered the car anyway. I placed the bag in another seat and wore my seatbelt, feeling lonely and sad. A great way to start a day. I'll just mask my sadness with fake joy when I meet Erin.
We're going to the hospital. A place where people who are sick or have been in an accident go to.
My dad will be in there one day.

Ray Fon My mum and I were led through the Jade ward and to bed 31, curtains surrounding the room. My mum decided to stay out of the room, which I didn't mind. I played with the straps on the bag and gently pushed the curtains aside, spotting Erin with her eyes closed, sleeping. Or, I think she is. The nurse who led us here told us that she was awake, so I'm doubting that she's deep in sleep. I walked closer to the bed and lowered my face to her ear, whispering her to wake up. When she didn't open her eyes, only humming once, I raised my voice, quietly shouting, "Erin! Wake up, it's 12PM!"
She jumped and opened her eyes, sitting up slightly. She faced me with a frown. "Ray, don't scream like that!"
"I didn't scream," I said as I lowered the bag to my hands. "I just talked loudly in your ears." She rolled her eyes and I chuckled softly. "Anyway, I brought the bag full of the stuff that my mum told me to give you." I passed it to her, which she eagerly accepted, and she unzipped it.
"Thanks, Ray," Erin said as she inspected the items inside. "For many things, actually. You've been hanging out with me a lot and treated me nicely. You've been there for me. It's a nice feeling to know that someone cares about you. Again, thanks." She smiled at me sweetly and zipped the bag, dropping it to the floor next to the bed.
I smiled back at her, but with the mask on, I looked like I was just staring. I then noticed that something was missing. I looked down at her legs... leg. Singular. Sh!t, amputated already?
Erin sighed and fiddled with the blanket, which covered most of her body. "If you were wondering, I'm fine. It feels funny, though. Like, it feels normal since I don't have any nerves there anymore, but it also feels abnormal because there's something missing." She stares at the empty space, sadness in her eyes. I felt a bit of her sadness, too. She's missing her leg, like how I'm missing school. Like how I'm missing friendship. Like how I'm missing dad. Like how I'm missing seeing my face instead of this stupid mask-
I will not take it off.
"Hey, Erin?" She faced back to me. I continued, "So, you said it was infected. Do you mind telling me how it got infected?"
She looked down at the blanket, her shoulders drooping. I guess she doesn't want to explain anything. I added, "If you don't want to tell me, it's perfectly fine. It's a pretty personal question, so I understand if you don't want to talk about it."

Erin

"Thanks, I don't really want to explain." I said. He nodded as we sort of stood in an unnatural silence. Then this 'nurse' came over.
"Hi Erin, who's this?" She asked.
"My friend..." I said softly. Ray did an awkward wave and sat on the seat next to me. I looked at him, worried.
"Okay, tomorrow you may go home. But. You've been in hospital for... 3 or four days now. You can go back in a wheelchair for now. But you will have to make the choice to get a prosthetic. Okay, I'm going to leave you to get good rest." Nurse said. I looked at him. He was turned away. There was something wrong. I might be weak, but I'm not that stupid. It was like he'd drifted into air.
"Ray Hon, we gotta go." Ray's mum called.
"Oh, okay." He said, jumping out his seat." I'll be back Erin!" He walked off, waving at me. I sat there thinking. Wheelchair or Prosthetic? I went off course. Ray came into my mind. I got out my iPhone from my bag that Ray bought me and texted him.
You okay?
I need to take care of him. I know he never sees his dad, and that's worrying me. I checked all my other messages. I had one from my cousins and aunts and...Karma?

Hi Erin...
I understand the extent of your injury now. I didn't think it be that bad. I know I'm wicked, but I feel bad now. Apparently your in hospital, again. You know what. I'll see you soon.
-Karma

Wow. I still don't trust him. But thoughtful?? I'm not so sure. Then the nurse walked in With some food.

Karma Okiera

Tuesday.
School.
Isolation.
Police.
Students.
Investigators.
Teachers.
Everything's the same. I made my way to my locker, avoiding anyone I have spoken with. I'm not allowed to talk to anyone at school. How sad. And stupid. Not that I mind. I can still text. No one said anything about texting.
There was something definitely missing. I looked to my left, realising that Ray wasn't here. His locker is next to mine, so if he was here, he should be next to me right now. Maybe he's skipping school? No, Ray's not the type to break the rules like that. As far as I know, that is. Maybe he's sick? Let's go with that.
Through my thinking, I could hear other students talking. Whispering... gossiping... about...
The Instagram post.
A girl says to her friends, "It's adorable, but it's so ***."
A boy says, "I swear, I know someone with Mason as his last name. Forgot his first name, though. Didn't put it in the poem or the post."
Another boy says, "Arch and J. Mason? Are they in this school? They got some guts to post this *** sh!t on social media."
Slowly, my mouth curved into a small smile. People know about it. Who knew one post from a stranger can spread so quickly? Then again, the internet is strange.
...We still have at least a few minutes until first session starts. Maybe I should pay Erin a visit after school. I texted my parents;
I want to visit someone in the hospital. She's got an amputated leg and is a very caring friend of mine. I'm a bit worried. Please let me visit her. I want her to know that she's not alone.

I softly laughed. Lies. So many lies in that message.
They replied back;
Karma, you shouldn't be using your phone during school hours.

I rolled my eyes.
It's still before school. We can use it before school.

A quick reply from them. I just realised that I don't know if it's my mother or father.
We told you that you can't talk to anymore friends... but you do care for her. Is she who you admire?

No.

Yet you still care for her. Maybe you are changing... that doesn't change the fact that you can't talk to friends in school. We will allow you to visit her. Then no more talking with friends. Clear?

Thanks.

I then messaged Erin that I'll be visiting her after school. I tried to sound as sincere and as sorry as possible.
I tapped send, and the bell rang for first session.

John Mason

Another faint ring pulled me into consciousness. I reached out groggily to silence my phone, only to flail my arm in mid-air. Confused, I forced one eye open.
"Wha-" Sitting up slowly, I realised the red thing I was lying on was in fact a chemistry textbook. I realised a pain in my cheek and reached up to find a pen somehow stuck to my face. I brushed it off and it c***red onto the table, leaving an angry red mark. I'd fallen asleep at my desk. Another alarm blared out from my phone, jolting me into action. I guess three hours of sleep would have to do.

It wasn't until I was slouched on the bus that I had time to read through my texts. There were three from Archie, and I read the first one in confusion:

Roses are red,
Maths makes me sad,
You suck at poems,
But i'm just as bad
X'D

When did you take that photo of us?

Can you send it to me?

With the last one, there was a screencap of an instagram post. I squinted to make out the username it was posted from, then searched them with shaking hands- was it obvious that i'd written that? Who posted it? If my parents see...

I didn't post that- How many people have seen?

I fired a text to Arch, scrolling through the comments-

Jack13-Gross!
MissKittyKath-It would be cute if it was straight... :(
Reid.K- Pretty sure you have to credit the artist, @Anon- Did you ask their permission? XD
TheClosetedCrusaider- (Deirvs) @Reid it's probably best they aren't mentioned...

I smiled; not too bad... at least, not as viral as the video of Archie. And no-one knew it was me. It looked safe, but Arch and I should probably stay away for a few days...Thank God I wasn't popular...

Erin  Omg, my speech marks are question marks. Apologies.
~~~~~~~
?Oh My Fricking god my legs gone numb.? I shouted, hurling myself into a wheelchair. The doctors were so proud. That?s why I love humanity sometimes.
?Okay! Erin, be back in a week to consult your prosthetic business.?Dr said as I wheeled off. I was wheeling down the corridor which my mum when I spotted. Karma. I stopped dead still. My mum looked at me, ?Go get in the car mum.?I said, locking my beady eyes into the view of him. He looked at me, I looked back. Why?
?Why the hell are you here?? I shouted. He looked me and he went to open his mouth.? Look, I don?t even wanna know. I know you?re not sorry, I?m not dumb.? I wheeled off, leaving Karma to just stand there. Alone. I don?t give a damn about him now. I wheeled to the car and mum helped me get in. She looked at me, confused.
?Who was that?? She asked.
?The b?tch who hit me with his bike.? I said. I shook my head and let mum start driving.
?When we get to our road, drop me straight at Ray?s. I?ll make my own way home.? I said. She nodded and we sat in an awkward silence.
.
.
.
Knock
?Erin, wh..why are you here!? Ray said quickly running to get his mask.
?RAY!?I shouted, letting myself in.I wheeled myself into the kitchen as he fixed it on. I looked at him.?I?ve already seen you now. It?s okay.?
?So, why are you here?? He asked. Looking at me, puzzled.
?Suddenly, Karma just...Turned up!? I explained.
?Wow!?He said, pouring two glasses of water.
?Thanks,? I said, taking a sip.
?So he just, walked in?? He asked
?Yep?
?Anyway, you look fab! Are you coming to school tomorrow?? He asked.
?Yeah, remember it?s only 5pm!? I exclaimed.
We wait in an awkward silence.
It felt uncomfortable.