Chp.4

I walk to the bus stop fifteen minutes after Skylar's friends arrived. The bus would be coming in ten minutes. And I stood there, staring at the closed café, wondering who Skylar can wait for. Someone you knew?

The music blared in my ears, ignoring her usual glares. Sometimes I really wish she would have died instead of you. She just doesn't deserve to live. Accusing us all the time. And even if Skylar didn't kill you and someone else did, you could have stood up for yourself. You could have fought the person off. It's still hard to believe you lost a fight.

My phone buzzes, so I take it out of my pocket. It's a message on the school website. Alexa's account. I scoff, clicking at it.

Does the whole Wells family have something to do with the murder? By Alexa Braham.

I roll my eyes at the crap, angrily shoving my phone back in my jean's pocket. Really? How pathetic can this girl get? Always coming up with fake shit. And for what? Just so her lonely blog can get some views. Why the heck is the school not blocking her account anyway?

People are starting to appear, giving me looks as they pass by the waiting group of children. I ignore it all. I ignore Josh staring at me with that stupid look of dread. I ignore a man who I've never seen in my entire life but by the looks of it he probably heard about the 'killer's brother'. And there's Skylar, sneering at me. It makes me feel the rush in my body and I just want to choke the living truth out of her. But I control myself, shrugging to adjust the strap of my bag.

The sun is hidden behind the clouds and the sky is dull. The breeze is cold but I like it. You used to like the wind better then the sun. I never understood why. But now I do. The feeling of someone in the wind with you. The feeling of it touching you. And you take it all in. Because the wind is closer to you than the others.

My thoughts shatter when there's a tap on my shoulder. I expected it to be Josh but he's talking to Ander Marsh. I turn to see Mrs. Jonathan. She used to be my Mom's childhood friend. Used to. Everyone drifted after you died.

She gave me a smile, "I thought it was you. Recognized that cap."

I stare at her, blankly, taking of my headphones. I became so quiet after you went away. So unsocial. I didn't know what to say to a middle-aged woman.

"How's your mother?" She asks, holding a hand of her toddler son, whose eyes were glued at me.

"Fine." I mutter. Why does she care?

"I suppose she's gonna miss New Jean," She continues to rant, "But after what your sister did, I don't think she'll ever come back." Then, she snorts as if she told the most hilarious joke ever.

I grit my teeth. Because she's talking shit. What does she mean 'gonna miss New Jean'? We're not planning to go anywhere. None of them told me we're leaving.

"We're not going anywhere." I snap at her.

She frowns, "Odd. Nicole told me that she saw her going to the estates."

I scowl. I don't even know who this Nicole is in the first place.

"Mommy!" The child whines, "Mommy! Mommy! I want to get some candy!"

"Wait a second, honey. Your mother is talking." She looks down at him.

I hear the engines of the bus arriving and the kids forming a line.

"I better get going." I say, not looking at her. I was about to wear my headphones when she says,

"Here, Give this to you mother." She hands me a book. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It reminded me of your book review you never got to write. I take the book from her, the cover shining. I stroke it gently, before asking.

"Why are you giving me this?"

She snorts again, "Your mother needs all the distraction she can get from that daughter of hers."

And just like that, she leaves. Adding another insult in your growing list. I freeze. Watching her walk away, dragging the child along. Who's still staring at me. I squeeze hard at the book, and then throw it on the grass. Because I don't want Mom to read something that was given by a complete and utter-

The bus horns and I blink in surprise. I run towards the bus, the last one who they were waiting for.

"Hurry up already, kid!" The bus driver spat.

I get inside, sitting in an empty seat. I put my bag on one side and sit next to the window, leaning my head on it. Skylar's voice buzzing with the other kids. So I turn on my headphones.

Why does everyone think that you were the one to do it? To kill all the girls camping. You looked so calm the night before going. I was a bit angry at you because you told Mom about my crush on Sophie. And I wasn't talking to you when you came to apologize. Then you went away.

Forever.

They all call you a disgrace. It hurts me every time I hear it. I heard stories about how you guys looked when found. Stabbed brutally. Simple as that. Stabbed and stabbed. That's how the killer killed you. Watched your blood drip till there was no more. At first, I refused to believe that you died. I locked myself in my room. I didn't get out for weeks. And when I did, you were already buried. I couldn't see you like that. I could never see you hurt.

I swear when I find out the killer, Jesse, I'll damn well stab him exactly how he or she stabbed you. I'm going to be so precise when I do. The killer would be begging and I won't forgive him. Because you're never coming back. I'll make him or her confess that you didn't kill anyone in front of the whole New Jean. That you were the best and never deserved to die.

I would have been deep in thoughts but the bus stopped with a hard break and I'm pushed forward in my seat, hitting my forehead. I groan and swear under my breath as I see the driver growling at someone at the door. But he opens it and someone steps in. It's Sophie Sallow. Skylar's sister. She apologizes to the driver guy and I could see her face is red and she is panting like she had been running.

I take off my headphones, staring at her. She looks embarrassed, the noise in the bus dying down to see her. She never uses the bus.

I lean against the window again, watching the town, as soon as the chatter rises again in the bus. Skylar ignoring her. I'm not worried that she'll sit with me. Because I'm the 'killer's brother'. And I don't want anyone sitting with me either.

I hear a muffled voice and I jerk my face towards it. And I see her standing there, expecting me to set aside my bag. I frown at her. But she's standing there. Waiting for me to put the bag down.

"Hi," She smiles, "You're Lukas Wells, right?" and I'm surprised she asks me that, "Mind if I sit here?"

"I'm sure there're other seats." I say, "This seat is occupied."

"By your bag." She points out.

"Exactly." I say, tartly, "So, if you don't mind, get lost."

She scowls at me and I know she's angry. But I don't care, turning my gaze back at the window. A few seconds later, my headphones are snatched from my head and I yelp. I jump towards the culprit and see her still standing there, but holding my headphones.

"Hey," I hiss, "Give them back."

"Not until you scoot that bag of yours. The bus is full." she answers.

"That's right," I snap, "It is full. So why don't you ride along on your little bike?"

She glares at me with her blue eyes, "None of your concern."

"Look, how about you ask your big sis to let you sit with her?" I suggest, disinterestedly, "She and her friends are literally hogging up the whole back seat."

She turns her head and stares at them, chewing her lower lip, she looks at me again, "No. I'm not going to sit with her."

I raise my eyebrow, "Why?"

She grimaces, "Why are you so interested in my private matters? Don't you want your headphones back?" She holds them in the air, waving them.

I blush with embarrassment, mumbling, "Whatever," before putting my bag on the floor. She smiles for her win and sits beside me. I take my headphones from her and ignore her for the rest of the journey. But, from time to time, I could feel that she would be staring at me with confusion.