The Mysteries of Hillsdale High

Chapter Two

Classes ended and the only thing wandering on my mind was.. what happened?

It had to be something serious because the school authorities were all agitated, but what?

I got my lunch in the cafeteria and went outside to eat on the bench. Crowds were never really my thing.

The last time Pedro was seen, it was on a Wednesday and today's Monday. The fact that the Principal also knows something was strange. Nothing like this ever happens in this town, so why now?

"Is this seat taken?", I glanced up to see who made the statement. Jake Chesterfield.

"It is. Now scram ", I turned my attention to my food.

Jake Chesterfield, the school reporter. He was in charge of writing the school paper, which covered football matches, entertainment, and everything news-related. He's always so preppy, and I wonder what makes him so happy all the time. Maybe it's just a me thing. Yep, a me thing.

"Well, lucky enough for me, I count that as an okay to sit down. You're welcome ", I rolled my eyes.

"What do you want?"

"Going straight to the point I see", he smirked. Stupid dimples. I took this time to observe his facial features. Dusty brown hair that needs a haircut, pale brown eyes that complimented his skin tone, and pink slender lips. He was damn annoying, but I won't deny the fact that he has pretty good genes.

"Well, I'm pretty sure everyone is aware of how boring this place is because we all stay in a small place. No excitement or anything to look forward to, more lectures and surprise tests. The school's paper lacks that spark to catch the attention of people here. But I think I have an idea on spicing things up"

"So why are you coming to me, of all people? What do you want my help with, dude?"

"I know. You'd be the last person I would've picked. Average grades, average life..."

"Gee thanks", I rolled my eyes sarcastically.

"But you have that confident stance that I need to go forward with the brilliant master plan. Pedro Gonzales".

Now that sparked my attention.

"What about him?", I said trying to sound as neutral as possible, despite my eagerness to know the information he has.

"Well, it's pretty evident that the school knows something and we don't. His brother had mentioned to me that he had not been home for a couple of days, which rules out the excuse the principal gave regarding his whereabouts. Something else is going on, and they don't want us finding out about it, and that's exactly why we're gonna get to the bottom of this."

Wait.. did he say "we"?

"We..?"

"Yes.. we. Of course, we both can't do this by ourselves and that's why I enlisted some help with this situation "

"And what makes you think that I'm gonna help you? What makes you think I'll be part of your bullshit plan huh?", I crossed my arms.

He smiled, displaying his perfect set of white teeth. Why'd he have to be so good-looking?

"Well, then I guess I'll just have to reveal the clinic incident."

"Wait.. what clinic in..?"

I stopped in my tracks. He knows. He f*****g knows.

Freshman year, I got into a sticky situation. I could recall that day like it was just yesterday.

I was sick, so I went to the clinic to get some painkillers from the nurse. The nurse wasn't there, so I sat down waiting for her arrival. But I wasn't the only one there. Mr Jenkins, our English Teacher at the time was also present. We both indulged in conversations and at the time, I surprisingly enjoyed it because he was my favorite teacher, who understood me so deeply, more than my family ever would. In the middle of our conversation, he had a respiratory attack. I didn't know what to do. His face was pale and he looked like he was in serious pain. With the little knowledge I had of that, I gave him an inhaler I found on the desk. He used it and calmed down. I sighed in relief knowing that he was okay. I was about to ask him how he was feeling but at that point, he started coughing. It seemed like he was trying to tell me something, but I didn't know what it was. The last thing I heard come from his lips was "It's okay",

and he stopped breathing. The nurse came in immediately and tried CPR on him, but it was no use. He was dead, and we both knew it.

"Don't inform anyone about this. Act like it never happened Molly, for your good ", that was what she said to me.

I was traumatized. No day passes without the loud voices in my head.

You killed him

You killed him

He's dead because of you

"Molly? Molly"

I snapped out of the trance I found myself in.

"What do you want?", I asked him.

"Simple. Just your help in solving this whole mystery. If you comply with me, no one gets to know what happened. If not, well. I don't need to tell you what would happen"

He was such a b***h.

I couldn't let anyone find out. Staying in everyone's good graces and having a clean record is my only way of leaving this town. I can't mess this up.

"Not like I have a choice. When does your "plan" go into action?

"Tomorrow, by 3:30 sharp. The venue's at Willis Park. Be there", he said and walked way

"Be there", I mimicked him in my head.

"I heard you"

Shit.