Capítulo 39: Makes Him Forget...(Charlotte)
The atmosphere was quiet, and dark. The room was blended into black because of everyone's suits, a congested place, filled with more then half of the town. You know those types of people who everyone respects? That's how Mr. Tremblay is, which is why a lot of people showed up, with some who came on their whole family's behalf: Like me and Dustin. And probably a lot of others as well.
The two of us stay in the corner, watching everyone intently, glancing at Sara and her family talking warmly to Mr. Tremblay.
She didn't meet our eyes at all the whole time, either on the phone or with the other school friends who came with their families as well. Dustin stared at her, shifting from foot to foot, awkward in his loose suit which he had borrowed from his step-dad, Nick.
Everyone was talking, giving their sincere condolences, but also secretly whispering about the incident.
"Look at these idiots." Dustin mutters, "Pretending to be so close to Allen right now. As if it hurts them. You know they only do this to act important and special. It's disgusting."
I purse my lips and nod, not taking my eyes of Sara who walks away nervously when her phone rings.
Dustin walks to the kitchen counter, grabbing two glasses of apple juice, handing one over to me.
"And Sara." He continues to complain, "She's acting like she doesn't know us at all. What's up with her lately."
I bob my head at that too, having no words to explain it.
My ears are perked up, hearing the quiet sniffles of Mrs. Tremblay- Rachel, was it? She must be living hell. Her brother, coming to visit her, only to die so brutally. Dustin is right. She was the only one who was suffering. Mr. Tremblay was there to support her. And the rest of the town? We were just giving fake empty words, as if it'd effect anything.
"Hey, Earth to Charlie." Dustin waves his free hand in front of my face. "Why are you so lost in thought?"
"N-Nothing." I whisper, not wanting anyone to hear my voice, my voice so low that even Dustin has to lean in closer to listen. "I'm just tired."
"Same." He creases his forehead, tugging at his buttoned color. "And this suit is killing me. Let's just say some good words to Allen and leave, how about that?"
"That would be great." I attempt a weak smile but fail to hold it.
We push through some people, mumbling apologize but not really meaning it, until we finally walk to our teacher. If I was feeling tired I have no idea what he was feeling. I stared, shocked, at this eye-bags and roughed up hair. Even his shirt seems crinkly, worse then Dustin's. He had seen us approaching him, and his face lit up with some relief. He seemed like he'd fall with all the stress but somehow he was holding it in.
"Charlotte." He says, "Dustin. Glad you could make it."
His tone is softer, with no hint of sarcasm in it. And that felt so strange.
"Allen..." Dustin says, but shakes his head and starts over, "Mr. Tremblay, I'm really- actually we both are- really sorry for what-"
"You don't need to apologize." He grabs a water bottle, and sighing, "And I'm not saying it cause it isn't your fault. I'm telling you to stop since literally everyone I met today told me these very words."
I almost smile at his attempt to lighten the mood.
"How's Mrs. Tremblay holding up?" I ask, squeezing the glass in my hand.
Taking a deep breath he replies, "Not good. Her mother is here and I'm thinking about making her go back to her home..." He keeps his voice slow and toned down, as if he was talking to himself.
We stay silent for a long time, Mr. Tremblay looking at the bottle in his hands, Dustin's eyes glued on the ground, and my chewing my thumb's nail.
"Hope the person who killed them rots in hell." All of a sudden Dustin hisses. He doesn't realize he had said that words out loud until he finds us looking at him.
"Oh, shit!" He exclaims, opening his mouth to ask for forgiveness when Allen raises his hand and stops him with the words,
"That's literally the best thing anyone told me today."
**********************************
We talked to Mr. Tremblay a little more and eat the served food before realizing how late it is.
"I'm not expected to be home until nine-thirty." Dustin stares at his watch. "Since it's late I'll drop you off. Brought Nick's Jeep."
I shake my head, "Thanks but I'll have to refuse. I'd rather take the long walk."
Dustin raises his brow, "In that dress?"
I roll my eyes, pushing him as he laughed, "Shut up and go. I can take care of myself."
"Not wanting to go early, huh?" Dustin smiles mischievously. "Could it be because of that weird guy in your house? Why is he still here again?"
"Hey, he's not weird." Then I frown, realizing how defensive I sound, "I mean he's ok. I guess."
I remember our weird conversation. Starting off as an argument and turning into something so strange I don't think I can comprehend it.
'The sky makes me forget...' what does that mean?
What does the 'sky makes him forget'? Why does that...scare me for some reason? What hell has he escaped from?
"Really?" Dustin questions, shattering my thoughts. "Charlie, he didn't even tell you guys who he is, where he is. How is that not weird?"
I shrug, "Which is why he's working for us."
"Huh. Interesting."
"And besides," I explain, rubbing my arms in the cold, "I like walking."
"Whatever you say." Dustin says, unconvinced, "You sure though? It's getting dark."
"Yes, I'm sure." I smile at his protectiveness. "I'll see you in school, ok?"
I watch him drive off, giving me a quick wave through the open window before leaving. With my arms folded, I start to make way towards the street, leading to the track that went straight to my home, my boots crunch on the small pebbles.
The night seems eerie, the moon shining bright in the freezing cold. It seems very fitting to todays funeral. Long, painful and dark.
No one in the street but me...or so I thought.
"No...you don't understand." A whisper of a familiar voice rushes in my ear. "This is ridiculous. If I had known what your intentions-"
I walk closer to the sidewalk, towards figure hidden behind a tree.
She stops herself from talking, taking a deep breath. "I don't even know him-"
Know who? What is she talking about?
"I never met-!" She starts to yell but gets interrupted by the person on the other end. "What, how am I supposed to...?"
She chews at her fingernails, a hand passes through her hair. "What do want with- Hello? Hello?"
Tears emerge in her eyes, as she shakes her head, staring at the empty screen of her phone.
"Sara?" I say before I could catch myself.
She looks at me, startled. Her face pale, and her lips quivering. If her of all people, is on the verge of crying, then that scares me more then anything else.
"Ch-Charlie?" She tries to glare at me but fails without tears slipping from her eyes. Looking at the ground, she rubs her bare arms, "What are you doing here?"
"...You're cold." Is all I could manage to say.
"I'll be fine." She sighs, "I have to go."
Her words were dangerously short, to the point. It was clear that she was lying.
She glances at me one more time, as I swallow so many questions down my throat.
Without even wasting another second, she runs. Literally takes off.
A part of me wants to run after her. But...
I don't know.
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