The door squeaked open, and William stepped into the classroom. A book was in his hand. As he observed his classmates, he anxiously let the book fall. He was one of those awkward boys—the kind of awkward who quickly becomes nervous.
William swiftly grabbed his book from the ground and looked at the professor. His hazel eyes sparkled vividly as the sunlight streamed onto his face through the window. "Sorry, sir, I was feeling somewhat anxious," he said, rubbing his forehead.
"I can see it, Mr. William." Mr. Smith exclaimed curtly. "Would you like to introduce yourself now? Or are you still feeling anxious?"
He swallowed hard and nodded slowly. "Hello, I'm William Addams. I mov… moved here today, and I wish…" he was interrupted when a student unexpectedly came in through the back door of the classroom.
Jessica's expression contorted. "Oh, Ethan," she murmured and sighed.
"They are done for sure today." Rose murmured, looking at Emily, who was behind Ethan.
Ethan straightened up and cleared his throat. "Umm… sorry, sir, we are late." He had spoken in a soft yet profound voice.
Ethan's vibrant green eyes met Jessica's, which were fixed on him with a 'not again' expression. A faint smile appeared on his face. Each time he looked at her, a light in his eyes lit up more vividly. He ran his fingers through his tousled brown hair and waved at his friends.
"Can I ask why you two are late?" Mr. Smith inquired sharply and added, "Like always."
Ethan looked at Jessica and then at Mr. Smith, nodding slightly, "I didn't set up my alarm right," he stated, shrugging.
The entire class erupted in laughter, and Mr. Smith sighed heavily. "Silence," he said quietly and looked at Emily, "Why are you late? And please give me a valid reason."
Emily directed her keen almond-shaped brown eyes at Mr. Smith. She let out a deep sigh and added, "Well, I was busy waking up my brother," she stated, pointing her hand at Ethan.
"It's not a solid reason, Emi," John whispered, quietly.
Emily looked at him intently, then at Jessica, and a sense of warmth enveloped her. Her eyes once had a softness, but now they reveal her icy demeanor. Her feelings and facial cues had always been enigmatic, yet two people always seemed to understand her. Jessica and Ethan.
"I have explained myself enough," Emily stated, approaching the seat next to Jessica with measured, intentional movements, and then sat down.
Following the class, Jessica stood by her locker with Rose, waiting for Ethan and Emily. The remaining members of the group joined them, exiting the classroom together. Jessica strolled and hugged Emily.
"Hug me as well," Ethan said, his arms wide.
Jessica hit him on the shoulder. "She's always late because of you, stupid."
They were chuckling when Jessica noticed William heading to his locker. "He's a new student. Just moved here today, but he appears to be lonely," she mentioned while leaning on her locker.
"Why is it important to you if he seems lonely?" Ethan inquired, jealousy clear on his expression.
"Someone's feeling jealous," Theo remarked, nudging Ethan in the side.
Jessica frowned and approached William. "Hey, I'm Jessica, and this is Rose," she stated, smiling and gesturing toward Rose.
William looked at her for a moment and then gave a nod. "You're my classmates, right?" He inquired, smiling faintly.
"Yeah, by the way, why did you move here during your senior year, though?" Rose asked, nonchalantly.
"This is the town where my grandma grew up. She mentioned she wanna take her final breath here, since it could be any day." William replied and looked down at his hands, "So we moved here and I enrolled here in Sunset Crest High School."
Jessica and Rose had no further questions to ask. Everything abruptly felt chilly. "So which place did you move to?" Theo asked, shifting the topic.
The other also came and stood there with him. Emily scanned William from top to bottom, exuding unsettling energy. He glanced at her and regretted it, so he swiftly turned his gaze elsewhere. "Hillcross Street. That's the place she hopes to move to," William responded with a slight grin.
"Well, that street feels a bit unsettling," Ethan remarked, giving him a strange look. "I've heard plenty of creepy stories about that street, so watch out, buddy."
William nodded, but Jessica's expression told the others it was time to move on to their next class.
They all departed from the school grounds together. Jessica hadn't engaged much with others since hearing about Hillcross Street. She exited the main gates and proceeded straight without saying goodbye.
"Is she alright?" William asked Rose.
Rose merely nodded with a faint smile and looked at Emily. Noticing Jessica by herself, Ethan rushed out to her. "Don't let her be by herself," Rose said to Emily, worried. "John mentioned he couldn't able to accompany her home since he needs to practice with Theo."
"Yeah, I'll handle it," Emily said and looked at Jessica with concern.
Rose turned to William, whose face showed clear curiosity as he looked toward Jessica. "We can walk together, William." She remarked, smiling. "My house is located along Duskfall Avenue."
William smiled, and they walked together to the opposite side of the street in Sunset Valley.
Emily strolled and clasped Jessica's hand in her own with unreadable emotions. Jessica looked at her, then at Ethan, and shifted her focus back to the deserted house they were passing. This time, it wasn't hate that impacted her; it was regret. The weight of guilt within her was so intense that she halted and found herself unable to move.
She gripped Emily's hand firmly and sensed an itch in her throat. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at that house, which constantly brought back memories of that night. The night that changed everything.
All she wanted was to go back in time, to a moment where she had never left home. She dropped to her knees. The street was empty, save for the three of them, and Jessica couldn't stop her tears from falling.
Emily took a seat next to her and hugged her, gently tapping her back. Ethan stayed where he was, feeling the same anguish as he fought to hold back his tears. Then he settled beside Jessica, holding her hand. "Let's go home, Jess," he said, gently kissing the side of her head.
They both helped her in rising to her feet, while Emily used her shirt sleeves to wipe Jessica's tears. "I know it's tough, but you need to let go of it," she spoke, cradling her face in her hands, "It wasn't your fault."
Ethan gently rubbed her back, and she eventually stopped crying as the three of them continued walking together down the street. At one moment, Ethan and Emily needed to turn left onto Fogmoor Street. They exchanged looks.
"I'm okay, you guys can go," Jessica said, giving a faint smile.
"It's okay, we can walk you home," Ethan said, holding her hand.
Jessica gave a faint smile and repeated, "I'm fine, really. I just need a bit of time to myself." She tapped the back of Ethan's hand.
Emily pulled the Ethan shirt gently. "Alright, but you'll go directly home and then text me, okay?" She expressed this with a grave warning look.
Jessica smiled and then finally wrapped her arms around Ethan in a warm, tight hug. She then moved on and turned to the right side of the street, not glancing back at them.
Many things were happening within her. She felt a mix of sadness and guilt, with guilt being stronger than the sadness. It consistently saturated each of her feelings. Her guilt was constantly compelling her to take actions that harmed her. That guilt consistently reminded her that she was the cause of everything that unfolded that night. She was responsible for it all.
Her heart clenched at the memories and the reflections of that time. The suffering they all endured. The suffering she experienced. Her mother's screams from that terrible night stayed with her always. She could never forget those eyes, which stared at her every time she walked down the street.
While she walked, immersed in her thoughts, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. She stopped and glanced back, but no one was there. Jessica initially viewed it as a misunderstanding, but as she progressed a few steps, she noticed a shadow trailing her. Her heart seemed to cease its rhythm, and without glancing back, she sprinted as quickly as possible.