Insert Witty Title Here :) by S. N. Albright (the top 100 crime novels of all time TXT) 📕

Kevin and I were walking down the hallway alongside each other to 5th period. When, out of nowhere, David Donnelley -a boy who was typically known as the school bully, and had completely disregarded school, leading to the effect of repeating 6th grade- had appeared from around the bend. He had a murderous, yet a sinister smile across his face.

Kevin and I had been best friends since we met in 6th grade. We both had almost every class together, so over the years, we’ve really gotten to know each other. We sat near the door in 4th period so that once the bell rang; we would be first out, avoiding the stampede of other kids.

I had always been rather afraid of David Donnelley. He was never very studious at all, much less pleasant to be around. He made his friends because they were more afraid to be his enemy, or his target.

When he walked around the corner, everyone in the hallway had stopped in his or her tracks. Kevin and I had been in the front of this crowd of statues. At first I wondered why everyone all froze at once. Most people usually just continue walking. But this was different. In David’s hand, held a small, most likely loaded, pistol.

“Hello again, loser.” David spat in my direction, his eyes looking directly at mine. I remained quiet. “Aw, that’s rude. You won’t even say hi to your old schoolmate since 3rd grade?” he sounded insane. He slowly lifted the pistol in my direction. All the color drained from my face. Kevin dropped his books down in front of him on the floor, and walked in front of me. He lifted his fists threateningly in the air, and said, “This isn’t fair. Grace hasn’t even got anything to defend herself. If you’re looking for a fight, don’t touch her. I’ll fight you.”

David seemed amused. He adjusted his head around Kevin’s body in order to, once again, look into my eyes. “I get it, Grace. You’ve gotten yourself a boyfriend!” he paused and looked back at Kevin. “Alright. I’ll bite.” David put his gun in his jacket pocket, and walked towards Kevin, and raised his fists to match Kevin’s. Kevin looked much more afraid than David.

It wasn’t until now that I realized everyone had left and gone to class. The classroom doors were shut now to keep hallway noise out. Teachers had no idea we were out here. Now I was worried.

David continued, “on the count of 3.” He laughed, “…1…2” at this point he quickly pulled out his gun and shot at Kevin’s leg. A loud cry of pain rang throughout the school. But it wasn’t Kevin’s. He only hit the ground and grabbed his leg in horrible pain. It was I who screamed. At this point at least seven teachers looked out into the hallway to see what happened. They saw David with the gun, but he was running towards the staircase down the exit.

The teachers yelled in surprise. “OH MY GOD” screamed Ms. Green. “WHAT HAPPENED?” asked Mr. Knight. “WHAT DID YOU DO?” accused Ms. Finnigan, glaring at me.

But I couldn’t here any of it. The ringing in my ears from the gunshot deafened me, and I was almost blinded by my own tears. I didn’t know what to say. I only instinctively crouched down and grasped Kevin’s right hand with both of mine.

I managed to wipe away my tears, and finally saw how dazed and taken aback Kevin looked. He looked determined into my eyes. I managed to get out, “Are you okay? Where are you hurt?” He looked down to his leg and let go of the injury to see the damage. When he removed his hand he yelped in terrible throbbing pain.

His blood soaked his left pant leg. I almost threw up when I saw it. “Oh, Kevin…”
I looked at him one last time, and dropped my head. “Stop it, please. I can barely take the pain now. Don’t make me have to see you miserable. I couldn’t bare it.” He begged through gritted teeth.

I raised my head back up, and noticed the teachers surrounding us, and the students peering out the door, their jaws dropped in pure awe and disbelief. Mr. Knight called the office and soon he yelled at me to go to class. “Grace.” Whispered Kevin. “Yeah?” I responded. He continued, “I’m dizzy.” Then he passed out, and I caressed the back of his head in my hand to block it from direct contact with the school tile floor. The school nurses ran around the bend holding a stretcher. They had to rip Kevin’s hand away from me. I begged them to let me come, but they refused coldly.

The school seemed to be closing in on me. I scooted away into a small corner and buried my head in my hands. When the teachers came to help, I told them that I wouldn’t move until my mom was waiting outside. I had to get out of here. I had splotches of blood on my shirt when I glanced down. I shoved through the group of teachers an into the girl’s bathroom. I immediately puked in utter disgust.

What had just happened? Everything just all happened at once. I was still processing what happened. All I realized was that Kevin stood up for my life.

I was too numb from the pain and surprise to come back to school the next day. My mom was afraid I’d miss too much work being gone anymore days, so she told me to just keep to myself, and focus on finishing my work, and before I knew it, I was on the bus.

I walked into homeroom, quiet and content. I was worried I’d be swarmed with questions too painful to recall. But, this was worse. Nothing was said. 32 kids, 64 eyes looked frightened and confused in my direction for an hour. Come 2nd period, slightly less. Some stared, most strained to look forward the entire time. These looks slowly lessened gradually as the day slithered slowly throughout the day.

The next day was Friday, the day where I was finally confronted. Amy Terrell, a rather clumsy, nerdy, but friendly girl simply put her arms around me and said, “He’s going to be okay, Grace.” That’s all she said. She pulled back, her hands still on my shoulders. She continued “Are you good?” At this point my eyes watered. I quickly wiped it away to prevent further attention. Then nodded vigorously. “Yeah, thanks. You know, I kind of feel like an outsider lately.” She let go, turned her head 90 degrees sideways. “Oh? How so? ‘Seems that you’d notice how popular you’ve become. If popular is the proper word.” She stopped to think. “They’ve been the topic for a while now. Not that I don’t agree this is pretty serious, but I personally believe a new subject is in order.” She smiled reassuringly.

Monday was better. I was hanging out with Amy at lunch, which was really helpful. She talked to me about Kevin at first. Then, she acted as though this had never happened! I thought I would feel hurt, but really, it felt good to think about something else. Something cheerful. My ears finally stopped ringing from that ear-splitting bang. Maybe it’s time to move on.

“Hey, Grace?” asked Amy. “Yeah?” I responded. “Can I ask you-” she paused, “-a rather personal question?” I felt slightly more uncomfortable. “ ’Depends…” I answered, reluctantly. “Well, It’s about Kevin. What happened? Really?” she asked, as though she were a talk show host. My throat became tight. “Um. Well, Kevin was shot. You know that right?” I recognized that familiar color drainage from her face. “Uh, no. I heard he was beaten up. Shot?” I was surprised. “Wait, how could not have known? Everyone saw. Everyone told. Didn’t they?” She nodded, unsurely. “Well, that’s not the story going around.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What exactly did you here?”
“Well, It was right after 4th period.”
“Yeah.”
“Nathan Polly randomly came up and harshly shoved you over.”
“No. Nathan? He’s so nice!”
“Kevin stood up for you.”
“Well, that’s kind of what happened.”
“There was a big fist fight and Kevin got really hurt. When teachers came, Nathan took off.”
“WHAT? NO!” I felt so bad for Nathan. Then I thought about him. How misunderstood this story has become.
“Is Nathan okay?” I asked, scared of the answer.
“Nathan’s been given so much crap. He has a black eye, and a bandage on his arm. Which doesn’t help his cause. I wouldn’t talk to him.”
“Bandage? Black eye? What are you talking about? He wasn’t even involved! Does he stand up for himself?”
“No. He just accepts it. He ‘apologizes’ all the time. But it doesn’t seem that he really is sorry.”
“Well, duh! He wasn’t part of it! Oh my god. Poor Nathan. I need to talk to him. Do you know where I could find him?”
“No. He remains off my radar. As I said, I’ve been kind of scared of him lately.”

I was disappointed. But what I hadn’t thought of was how this story had been all over the school for 4 days. Then the bell rang. It was 3rd period. “See you later, Amy.” I had Home Economics next.