Chapter 5: A Friend's Farewell

Rick was still in awe when Ms. Margareth revealed she knew him—and worse, the incident that happened ten years ago. Her words lingered in his mind, pulling at the blurry memories he could barely recover. The fragments felt like pieces of a shattered mirror, each one reflecting a painful image he couldn't yet comprehend. All he knew was that he missed his mom and dad and that life could have been drastically different if not for the nightmare that shattered his world.

It was the last day of the week, and Rick arrived at school earlier than usual. The campus was quieter than he expected, the morning sun casting long shadows across the grounds. As he walked toward the gym for his usual swim team practice, a commotion near the swimming pool caught his attention. A small crowd had gathered, their hushed murmurs punctuated by gasps. Police cars were parked nearby, their flashing lights and blaring sirens slicing through the morning air.

Rick's steps faltered, curiosity pulling him closer. The tension in the atmosphere was palpable, thick enough to send chills down his spine. He could hear fragmented conversations as he approached.

"What happened?"

"They said… it's a student."

"A body…"

His heart raced, the weight of the unknown pressing on his chest. Ignoring the pit forming in his stomach, Rick moved toward the pool area. The sight of the yellow caution tape cordoning off the scene made his breath hitch. Still, he ducked under it, unable to fight the pull of dread and curiosity. As he edged closer, his gaze landed on the black body bag lying near the pool—its zipper closed, sealing away the life that had been lost.

Rick froze, his heart pounding so loudly he could barely hear the voices around him. A police officer's voice cut through the noise, confirming what Rick feared most.

"The victim is a student. Time of death… about an hour ago."

Rick's knees felt weak, and his breath came in short, panicked bursts. A name echoed in his mind, unbidden and terrifying.

"Kevin."

His voice was barely a whisper, but the weight of the name hit him like a punch to the gut. His best friend, the team captain, the one who always pushed them to strive harder and dream bigger—gone. Rick tried to move closer, but an officer blocked his path.

"I need to see him," Rick stammered, his voice trembling. "Please."

"I'm sorry, son. You can't go any further."

Rick stumbled back, his legs barely holding him up. His mind raced, questioning everything. Was it an accident? Or something worse? Kevin had always been the life of the team, full of energy and optimism. It didn't make sense.

Later, in the classroom, an announcement crackled through the intercom, silencing the chatter of the students.

"Good morning, students. Today, we mourn the loss of one of our own. Please observe a moment of silence and prayer for Kevin Reyes. If any of you are struggling with this loss, the guidance counselors are available for support."

Rick barely registered the words. His classmates exchanged uneasy glances, some whispering in disbelief. Tristan, his seatmate, placed a comforting hand on Rick's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, man," Tristan said softly. "I can't imagine what you're going through right now."

Rick nodded numbly, his thoughts a jumbled mess. Kevin's laughter, his encouragement during practices, his endless enthusiasm—all of it felt too vivid to be gone so suddenly.

After classes, Rick and Tristan found themselves on the football field, watching Troy, another friend, practicing with his team. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the field. Troy noticed them and jogged over, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Hey," Troy greeted, his tone subdued. "I heard about Kevin. I'm really sorry, Rick. He was a great guy."

"Thanks," Rick muttered, his voice barely audible. He introduced Tristan to Troy, who offered a small smile before sitting down on the grass with them. For a while, the three boys sat in silence, watching the sun dip lower in the sky. The fiery orange and deep purple hues painted a breathtaking scene, but to Rick, it felt like a cruel metaphor for a life snuffed out too soon.

Eventually, Rick stood and walked toward the middle of the field. His friends let him go, sensing he needed a moment alone. With his hands in his pockets, Rick stared up at the darkening sky, tears welling in his eyes.

"Kevin," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I hope you're free from whatever was hurting you. I'm just… glad I got to be your friend. I'll miss you. I'll cherish our memories and carry your spirit with me.""

That night, Tristan and Troy convinced Rick to join them at the nearby carnival, hoping to lift his spirits. The bright lights, cheerful music, and smell of popcorn offered a stark contrast to the somber mood earlier that day. They played carnival games, competing at the toy gun booth and laughing at their clumsy attempts to win prizes.

"Rick, you're terrible at this," Troy teased, nudging him.

"Hey, at least I'm trying," Rick shot back, a small smile breaking through his sorrow.

As the night went on, they decided to ride the Ferris wheel. The operator directed them into pairs, leaving Tristan to ride alone at first. Just as the wheel began to move, a girl hurriedly climbed into the cable car with him.

Tristan glanced over and immediately recognized her. Fey Santiago. They had a few classes together, but he never really paid much attention to her. She was friendly, always surrounded by people, and for some reason, that annoyed him.

"Hey," she said, slightly out of breath. "Hope you don't mind. Didn't want to ride alone."

Tristan shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Whatever."

Fey flashed him a small smile before settling into her seat. The Ferris wheel started its slow ascent, the city lights stretching beneath them.

"So," she said after a beat, "do you always look this thrilled, or is it just me?"

Tristan smirked. "Not a fan of Ferris wheels."

Fey raised an eyebrow. "Really? Or just not a fan of being stuck with me?"

Tristan turned to her, about to give a dismissive answer, but something in her expression made him pause. The carnival lights reflected in her eyes, and for the first time, he noticed how effortlessly pretty she was.

Maybe this ride wouldn't be so bad after all.