Epilogue
Who knew being silent could cause such commotion?
I sure didn't.
Especially not when the noise preceding and ensuing the silence was so loud.
I guess Newton's Third Law applies to everything. Every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction.
So then shouldn't this reaction be happy? Hopeful? Blissful, even?
But, hey, how could a city's reaction be the opposite of murder?
The University of Chicago has really cool essay questions. Anything from mantis shrimp's range of sight, to super-huge mustard bottles.
How much would living in Chicago be? It's not super safe. Then I wouldn't get the Regents' Scholarship. Yep, can't go there.
Maybe this summer, in Europe I could write to all the essay prompts. Okay, five plus seven times two equals.....
.....
....
I'm not very good at math......
Twenty-six!!
So 26 hours on the plane. Which would be plenty of time to write all the essays. Ruby could edit them even. Perfect.
"Hey did you finish Act Three?!"
My head jerked to the right.
"Oh hey Josh. Um ya I did. Last time I just used some of the podcasts but this time I read the whole thing."
He smiled and laughed. "I'm so glad Anderson does those podcasts, I haven't read a single page!"
I scoffed. "Josh!"
"I know, I know. But hey, I'm getting an A."
I pretended to fake glare at him, even though there was quite a bit of actual resentment mingled with my teasing glance.
My Hamlet book was covered in definitions, characterizations, plot summaries, meanings of puns and highlighted lines. It was so unfair that Josh could listen to the podcasts the night before and get the same scores I did.
Our steps became synced as we walked. Right, left, right, left.
"So did you choose your non-fiction book for term two?" I said to distract myself from our somehow awkward matching strides.
"Ya, it's about this girl with immortal cells. I chose it because it has to do with science and medical stuff. You?"
On the word 'you' he quickly looked me in the eye, then went back to looking ahead into the crowded hallway.
"I'm still researching."
"Well we all know what kind of book Bridget will choose," He said as he opened the door for me.
"Some Shakespearean-related novel." I agreed.
"It's a little creepy how obsessed she is with him."
"I know," I whispered, lowering myself into the desk. "But it might lead her to finally choosing a college major."
The bell rang and Josh nodded his head and took out a pencil.
The rest of class included an awesome class discussion on 'The Ophelia Syndrome'.
Bridget found me first as we walked out of the classroom. Her hair was in its usual fancy updo, reminiscent of Shakespearean-era royalty with just enough of a nod to the 21st-century so that she still had friends.
We walked in silence together to math.
She's that kind of friend. The kind that being silent isn't uncomfortable.
Right in the middle of the bell quiz Bridget was called to the office. After Mrs. Waldren got a phone call as well, she told us I could go with her.
"I wonder why you need to come with me?" Bridget said, her tone not the least bit scared.
"I dunno," I replied, my tone a little more fearful, or at least less convincing than Bridget's.
When we got to the office we saw her cousin Tonya with a film of tears and mascara covering her face.
"Bridget, your family is dead."
Who knew being silent could cause such commotion?
I sure didn't.
Especially not when the noise preceding and ensuing the silence was so loud.
I guess Newton's Third Law applies to everything. Every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction.
So then shouldn't this reaction be happy? Hopeful? Blissful, even?
But, hey, how could a city's reaction be the opposite of murder?
The University of Chicago has really cool essay questions. Anything from mantis shrimp's range of sight, to super-huge mustard bottles.
How much would living in Chicago be? It's not super safe. Then I wouldn't get the Regents' Scholarship. Yep, can't go there.
Maybe this summer, in Europe I could write to all the essay prompts. Okay, five plus seven times two equals.....
.....
....
I'm not very good at math......
Twenty-six!!
So 26 hours on the plane. Which would be plenty of time to write all the essays. Ruby could edit them even. Perfect.
"Hey did you finish Act Three?!"
My head jerked to the right.
"Oh hey Josh. Um ya I did. Last time I just used some of the podcasts but this time I read the whole thing."
He smiled and laughed. "I'm so glad Anderson does those podcasts, I haven't read a single page!"
I scoffed. "Josh!"
"I know, I know. But hey, I'm getting an A."
I pretended to fake glare at him, even though there was quite a bit of actual resentment mingled with my teasing glance.
My Hamlet book was covered in definitions, characterizations, plot summaries, meanings of puns and highlighted lines. It was so unfair that Josh could listen to the podcasts the night before and get the same scores I did.
Our steps became synced as we walked. Right, left, right, left.
"So did you choose your non-fiction book for term two?" I said to distract myself from our somehow awkward matching strides.
"Ya, it's about this girl with immortal cells. I chose it because it has to do with science and medical stuff. You?"
On the word 'you' he quickly looked me in the eye, then went back to looking ahead into the crowded hallway.
"I'm still researching."
"Well we all know what kind of book Bridget will choose," He said as he opened the door for me.
"Some Shakespearean-related novel." I agreed.
"It's a little creepy how obsessed she is with him."
"I know," I whispered, lowering myself into the desk. "But it might lead her to finally choosing a college major."
The bell rang and Josh nodded his head and took out a pencil.
The rest of class included an awesome class discussion on 'The Ophelia Syndrome'.
Bridget found me first as we walked out of the classroom. Her hair was in its usual fancy updo, reminiscent of Shakespearean-era royalty with just enough of a nod to the 21st-century so that she still had friends.
We walked in silence together to math.
She's that kind of friend. The kind that being silent isn't uncomfortable.
Right in the middle of the bell quiz Bridget was called to the office. After Mrs. Waldren got a phone call as well, she told us I could go with her.
"I wonder why you need to come with me?" Bridget said, her tone not the least bit scared.
"I dunno," I replied, my tone a little more fearful, or at least less convincing than Bridget's.
When we got to the office we saw her cousin Tonya with a film of tears and mascara covering her face.
"Bridget, your family is dead."
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