Karma Okeira

This morning, I decided to do P.E. since I was bored. This, I loved doing. I get to hurt people without getting caught. Yay.
I kicked the ball towards the goal, not really trying, and it got blocked by the other team's goalie. People jeered at me for not using my full strength. Now, normally I would say some snappy remark, maybe roast the sh!t out of them, maybe not, maybe hurt them, all that sh!t but I can't. The authorities are still here to make sure I don't do anything crazy and to investigate Aiden's death. Too late, I've already done some damage. When are they going to leave, exactly?
The gym teacher blew into the whistle harshly and the next round began. As soon as someone from their team got the ball, people raced to snatch it off him. I was about to join them but something else caught my attention. I looked over my shoulder and spotted Archie talking to the teacher before walking towards the toilets. He seemed pretty happy talking but then gloomy as he entered the boys bathroom.
Y'know, we haven't talked much. There's no police around there as far as I can see.
I approached the P.E. teacher and asked if I could go to the toilet. Of course he said yes. I dashed to the bathroom, but I didn't need to use it. I just wanted to speak with Archie. See how he's doing. Learn a thing or two.
Drag him away from him.
I stepped through the doorway and spotted Archie washing his hands. What a responsible boy he is. I tapped his shoulder and he calmly turned around, smiling at the sight of me. I realised how cute his smile is. Another reason Mr. Mason admires him, right?
"Hi, Kar-"
"I know about the post."
His face slowly darkened with worry and sadness. I smirked and said, "I just came to check how you're doing. You're okay, right?"
He nodded. They always nod. Such liars.
"Pfft, you're not okay," I chuckled, turning around. "I've been in this situation before. Trust me, it gets worse. The only cure is reporting and talking it out with someone you trust." I made my way to the door but stopped, leaning on it. He followed me, wanting to leave. "I know I may come off as... I don't know, abrasive, but that's just how I talk. I actually do care. If you need to talk to anyone, I'm always free to talk. Online, that is. Not during school hours."
Archie averted his eyes to one side. He thinks I'm sketchy. That's alright, I'll make him think differently. I sighed and changed my expression from sly and confident to something softer and kind. I gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Archie, I'm serious about it getting worse. It always does. I don't want you to do anything stupid if this goes even further. I don't want John to do anything stupid, too. It may be one post, but who knows if this b!tch will do more. If you need anyone to talk to, I'm here."
He shuffled uncomfortably in his spot, glimpsing down at my hand from time to time. I smiled sweetly. "Of course, you're probably not trusting me. That's fine, you don't need to talk to me. But... you should talk to Ray. He's pretty kind and caring. Believe me, you'll feel better with him. Maybe visit his house sometimes. He loves visitors." I turned and opened the door for him, which he stepped out of. I followed close behind. Archie looked over his shoulder and smiled at me, mouthing an "Okay". I smiled back once more before running to my team.
Deirbhile said that we'll have the SAS meeting during first lunch, right?

Reid Keegan

I put my phone down on the table, my instagram profile facing towards me, a lot of sh!t going on. But we weren't going to let that bother us/
"i think its sweet." I said, taking a bight into my apple, trying not to let the scent remind me of her.
Archie laughed, tossing his hair from his eyes, the post didn't bother him, he didn't care if people saw that. But something was up, and I'd been in too many dramas to not guess at what it was.
"Whats up Arch?" I asked, those words so oftenly spoken had a hundred meanings. But he knew.
"It's just- I haven't seen John yet today and I'm worried that maybe he's upset with the post."
"And your worried about what that would mean?" I said, filling the gaps,
"Maybe." But then there's also the person who posted it in the first place."
"Ah yes- The very appropriately named 'Anonymous'." I muttered, people around us were staring, I could feel it in the back of my neck. Well let them stare. Both of us were used to the staring anyway, The popular @sshole with an exciting future in micky D's and the Controversial G@y who seems to be all over the media at the moment. This was nothing compared to the Beanpole post of course, but for some reason I felt like it was getting more attention; Maybe because it was easier to stomach. Who knew.
Archie looked at me, leaning down over his tray,
"Who on earth are they Reid?" he whispered urgently, 'And what do they want."
I nodded, patting him on the head and stood up,
"I'll use my super powers and find out." I declared,
"you better or your fired." He retorted, putting his tray on the rack above the bins.
"Fair enough but I demand a raise."
'deal."
And we laughed
until we walked right into John.

Archie Harris

"Hey!" I chirped, smile falling off my face when I examined John. His eyes were surrounded by dark circles, and a red line adorned his cheek. He looked down to me, smiling warily. "Holy sh!t, John, did someone beat you up?" Reid asked as I reached up to touch the red mark on his face. John caught my hand and pushed it away. "it's just a pen mark," He explained, rubbing his face sleepily. "D'you see the-"
I nodded, reaching up and rubbing the mark with my thumb. It did sort of look like a pen... "it was pretty cute, honestly."
John groaned, batting my hand away and yawning. Looks like he stayed up pretty late working-
"What if my parents find out? My mum's back today..." He ran a hand through his messy hair, untucking his shirt as he moved. I've never seen John this dishevelled; I'd forgotten he wasn't used to attention.
"You can come to mine..." I offered, re-adjusting the straps of my bag awkwardly. I didn't even have to look at Reid to tell she was grinning.
"Nah..We should stay apart for a few days." John sighed, yawning again. "That's ok, right?"
I absolutely hated the idea, but it made sense, and I didn't want to risk outing him.
"Sure!" I forced a smile, and me and Reid continued out of the hall. I tried to look back, concerened, but he'd already ducked through the crowds to sixth form study hall.

Reid Keegan  Archie and I sadly had to part when class resumed after breakfast. I could tell he was unhappy, unhappy wasn't the worst but it still made me angry that someone would do this- would push these too people away deliberately- it also scared me. Who could have gotten access to the poem? Who would betray us?
I settled down in homeroom, science, next to my old buddy Jake Kano. he was covered in bandages, I was surprised he even showed up to school. I remembered what Blake did to him- the snap of the neck. Yet he didn't talk. I didn't know if it was out of fear, stupidity or loyalty or maybe a mix of the three. He grunted a welcome, and as i reached into my mind for a response i suddenly realised just how little I had to talk about with my friend group other then- well b!tching and drugs- how sad.
Just then I heard a nasal voice blaire from the intercom

Hello students this is your principal speaking, we have a very special announcement today.

silence ...

As you may have noticed there are a handful of officers joining us at school today, but there is no reason to be concerned and NO reason to be distracted from your activities and assignments.
Throughout the day we-
*Cough*
We'll be calling out a couple students from class, as part of the Melchondam police investigation-
now on a lighter point, the boys lacrosse team...

I tuned out. The police were questioning students, but for what? there was so much going on I had trouble remember just what exactly those individual things were-
the things i felt would interest the cops the most was either the brandon video- although that would require Archie pressing charges- or the death of Blakes brother.
For either one I had friends being questioned. Maybe even me.

Karma Okeira

I stopped listening to the announcement when it changed to sports. Pulling out students from classes for questioning? Ha, and they said that there should be NO distractions from your activities and assignments.
I made my way to my homeroom behind a few other students and took a seat. Ray wasn't here at all. What should I tell the SAS group about his absence? I don't know... I'll just say that he's sick, like every other student says after the day they were absent.
The teacher began the roll call and I remained silent until she said my name. Nothing too exciting, just twenty minutes wasted on checking who was here and who was not. I observed the classroom and tried spotting the empty chairs that remained isolated behind an empty table. The one next to me belongs to Ray, that one in the corner belongs to Jacqualin, the one in the third row belongs to Samuel...
Eventually, first session began and I had Writing. Great. I'm not the best at writing stories.
Ha, I say that but I've made up a million stories I've told to a million people.
The teacher announced the topic. Snapshots? I thought we covered that years ago. Okay then...
Suddenly, the same voice from before boomed through the intercom.
"May we have Blake Silverstein, Archie Harris and John Mason in the Principal's Office?"
And so, the whispering begins. What rumour are they spreading this time?
I faced down to my paper and closed my eyes, trying to listen to the quite whispers that were deadlier than they seem.
"I betcha that it's about that g@y stuff."
"Nah, man, Blake ain't g@y."
"I heard that the police have stated that Aiden's death was indeed a murder."
"Omg, a murder in our school? Disgusting and horrifying."
I sat there, listening and processing this information through my mind. What pointless, contagious, destructive gossip we have here. I can only imagine what calamity it can cause.
I picked up a pen and pointed it towards the paper. I know what my snapshot will be about. I began to write the title, "I Hear in the Room". And so my writing begins.

Deirvs

The intercom slowly crackles off, and I tilt my head in slight confusion, my pen tapping a rhythm on the wooden desk. "Shhh." A guy sitting next to me hisses, and I roll my eyes, my pen remaining clutched in my hand. Luckily, I sit at the back of the class in Bio, so I stealthily slide my phone out of my pocket, and keep it tight to my lap, trying to look as inconspicious as possible. I tap away frantically, making sure the teacher was facing the board, writing some notes.
Deirvs: SAS meeting. This lunch.
I send it to the chat, and turn my phone off, sliding it back in my pocket, and glancing around at my fellow pupils, muttering about Archie, John and Blake. My eyes then drift to the clock, willing the hands to turn faster.

Lunch seems to come pretty quick, and I wait at our usual table in the library, ten minutes before the designated meeting time, doing some homework. when a figure slides into the chair opposite me. I look up and see Archie, sweater paws covering his dainty hands. He smiles anxiously, "Hey."
"Hi." I smile, and although I'm curious as to what happened, I don't push it. I can always wait until John and Blake come along. "You good?" I settle for.
"Yeah, I guess." He nods slightly, before noticing my homework, "Bio?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"You don't like it?"
"I'd rather eat dog cr.ap and razors."
Archie's mouth twists into a smile, and he chuckles lightly. "Relatable."
We sit in silence for a bit, the only sound my pen scribbling on the paper. Then an idea pops into my head, at first just a small voice of 'wouldn't that be fun?' However, it soon morphs into a larger yell of 'do it!'
"Y'know what SAS needs?" I ask wryly.
"What?" Archie seems genuinely confused.
"Biscuits."
"I- I can buy some?"
"Not just any biscuits, dear Archie, but special biscuits. From the teachers lounge."
His eyes widen, "What, I-"
"I dare you." I interrupt him.
"What-no!" He splutters.
"I double dare you." My eyebrows raise in a challenge.
He bites his lip, "What's in it for me?"
"Biscuits." I state. "Oh, and my everlasting friendship ."
"That's not much." He grumbles.
I laugh, "Honey, people would ki.ll for my emotional support."
He laughs, shaking his head, before sighing in defeat, "Okay."