GUILTY OF LOVE

Two

ROSA's POV

I heard the blaring of Claire's horn. She wants to run for school president this year, she thinks it'll look good on her college application so we have to go to school early. Today is the first day of school after the long summer break. I closed my room window and switched off my room light and made sure all the bulbs in the house were switched off before going out. I locked the front door and hid the key in the secret place (inside the flower vase).

"I'm here, I'm here. The sound of your horn could turn my insides out", I said entering her car.

"Have you spoken to Will? I heard that he's back from France" she asked me waiting for my reply

"Hawaii Claire", I corrected my best friend.

"Well, we're going to be late for school if you don't start driving", i added.

"Then put on your seatbelt, and you still haven't answered my question" she started the car and went off in such a speed. This is why we don't let her drive us to school. Steve does the driving to school, she just picks us up. She got her driver's license but I'm still scared to death whenever she starts driving. I wonder how she passed her driver's test.

It took another 15 minutes till we got to Steve's house. He was already outside waiting for us. Claire still blared her horn even though there was no use for it.

"Jesus, I could have died from an heart attack right now", he shouted using his hands to block his ears but Claire stuck her tongue out and continued blaring the horn. She can be annoying as hell.

Steve opened the front door and helped her out of the car. Claire sat in the back seat while Steve was settling into the front seat. He's a perfectionist. He adjusted his side mirror for about three minutes trying to get a perfect angle.

"Will is back from Hawaii", Steve announced

"She knows but she hasn't talked to him yet", Claire said hitting my head.

I winced, pretending to be hurt by Claire.

"You've gotten stronger. I guess working at that gym made you stronger", I teased Claire

"Ha ha ha, very funny. I was a mere receptionist", she said catching up on my joke

"A far better job than being a junior in the new police program", Steve said and we all bursted into fits of laughter.

Steve got into some much trouble with his dad this summer because his dad forced him to volunteer in the first place. It was really funny because of the uniform his dad forced him to wear everyday.

"I was able to save up a little with the lifeguard job though. All I had to do was sit back and relax", I grinned

"Lucky you!" Claire said before giving all her attention to her phone.

We stopped at the traffic light before Steve took a hard left. We were going to have breakfast at the diner first like we always do on Mondays and Fridays. It's kind of like a tradition.

When we got to B&W, it was crowded. Luckily, a couple just got up to leave so we quickly took their table. B&W is one of the oldest diners in Darwins owned by Mr Hank Fisher. About ten minutes after we sat down, Mr Fisher came with our breakfast. He knows our usual breakfast orders every Mondays and Fridays.

"Business is booming today but I'll always have time for my favourite tri-squad", he said

"Thanks Mr Fisher", we all said simultaneously

"Breakfast is served",he announced as a waitress brought our regulars to our table. He then stood watching us

"Smells great, Mr Fisher", Claire complimented and he let out a big smile on his face

"Hmmmmm... tastes so good. Don't let my dad know you cook better than he does or he might just put you behind bars", Steve said. He was still chewing and you could still see his food in his mouth while he talked

"Close your mouth, pig", I scolded Steve. Claire didn't even care about what was going on in her surroundings. She was just gobbling down her waffles.

"I'm starving." I finally told Hank. I like eating with my eyes first before my mouth did the chewing. I took pictures of my food and the cook behind this wonder and updated my i********: story before devouring my food.

"Tell us why you didn't call Will, you haven't seen him all summer and he got back yesterday", Claire held my hand at implored me to talk

"Well, I wanted to yesterday night, but I was so angry... (I stopped for a while to drink my coffee) remember Mrs Smith?" I asked but they shook their heads.

"My neighbour... the old woman...", I tried to remind them.

"I remember her", Claire finally said

"The woman that needs to be taken to an old age home", Steve said before letting out an annoying laughter.

"Whatever (I said rolling my eyes), her grandson moved in last night. He's an asshole...", I found myself telling them what happened between us last night and how he shut his curtains at me this morning

"I was just trying to be polite, that was why I waved at him. Plus, you know how much I care for Mrs Smith. I can't see her in trouble and ignore her", I concluded my story

"I'm sure Mrs Smith understands", Steve said while finishing his hot cocoa.

We then signalled to Mr Fisher to send us the bill and he sent one of his employees to bring it. Steve paid the waitress and tipped her. Then we left the diner.

"What's the time now? I hope we aren't late to school", Claire asked with a worried look on her face

"You didn't care about school when you were eating waffles though", Steve mocked

"Shut the f**k up", she sounded annoyed.

"We're still very early. You made us leave our houses very early. My mom isn't even back from her night shift yet", I told Claire after checking the time on my phone.

I saw missed calls from Junior. My phone was on silent so I didn't hear it ring in my bag. I'll call him later. Steve started the car and were going straight to school.

The car window was down, the feeling on the fresh breeze on my face was so good. I closed my eyes and breathed in the air. It was dry, smelt of dry leaves. I opened my eyes and we were passing Dave's. The big supermarket owned by David. His car was parked outside the store.

"What the... (to myself) park the car",I told Steve

"What's wrong?" Claire asked

"Stop the car... stop the f*****g car Steve... stop the car... stop the car", I kept on yelling at Steve until Steve swerved and parked at the other side of the road.

I was boiling inside, I felt so hot inside, like I was going to explode. I opened the door and stepped out of the car. The air that hit me made me notice that I was suddenly sweating. Each step I made towards Dave's was one of anger, contempt. I finally got to Dave's and tried pushing the door but it wouldn't bulge. I then noticed the closed sign.

I turned around to face his car. There were shattered glasses on the floor, the driver's window was broken, dried blood on the door and floor. His phone was also on the floor in the pool of blood. I was frozen to the ground, shocked, scared. I felt the hair on my skin stand, my breathing slowed, my hands were shaking.

"What the f**k?" I heard Steve say

"My... phone... give me... my phone", my voice was shaking, my throat was suddenly so dry.

I heard footsteps fading off, the car door open and close back. I couldn't move my legs, I kept on standing in front of the car, looking down at the pool of dried blood on the floor and the phone. I started hearing the same footsteps approach me so I stretched out my hand, it was still shaking uncontrollably. I felt my phone on my palm, handed to me by either Claire or Steve. I gripped the phone hard so it won't fall down. I then dialled the only number I could think off at the moment.

"911, what's your emergency?" The phone operator said.

"There's blood everywhere... on the floor...on the car... on his phone. There are... shattered glasses everywhere... but he's not here...", I said

"Where are you?", she asked over the phone

"Where am I? Where am I? Where am...", I kept repeating after her until someone took the phone from my hand.

It was Steve who took my phone, answering her questions. I just stood there shivering, shaking. I felt someone wrapped warm arms around my shoulders. Leading me away from David's car and towards the back seat of Claire's car.

"My phone... Steve, my phone...", I said firmly. He recuntlantly handed the phone to me.

Just then, I could hear the sound of the police sirens. I called the first person that deserved to hear.

"Hey Junior, your dad... (swallowed some spit in my mouth first) David is missing."