There was a collective gasp of dread and concern.

“I’m fine. It’s not my blood,” but I wasn’t really fine. I watched a suicided during our own homecoming football game. I couldn’t stop it. I was only six feet away when the gun went off, and I couldn’t do anything. I was useless.

I walked away from the front door. Leaving my parents behind with their jaws dropped, as I headed straight for the shower to wash the gruesome night off of me.

***

Hopping out of the car I look over to my best friend Riley who was looking very nervous.

“I know you you’re nervous for the half time show, but you’re going to do great!” I tried to cheer her up for her big solo.

“You’re right. I just need to get over myself. You’ve done this before,” she whispered the last part to herself. We continued our journey over to the homes side of the bleachers along with the rest of our peers. The seniors had the first couple of rows, so we went to the next closet set to the field. I don’t usually show up to these kinds of events, but I wanted to support Riley tonight after she told me about her solo.

With five minutes remaining of the second quarter, people were going crazy! We were on a losing streak in the first quarter, 3-14, but now we are in the lead! The score is 24-17, and we are beating our biggest rivals!

“Hey Broke, I’m going to start heading down so when they call me I can just walk on the field, and get this done with,” she shrugged and let out a laugh. Pulling, what I believe was her baton, out of her book bag and down the bleachers to the gate that lets you on the field.

I didn’t expect her to put on a show while singing until she told me in the car. At least that’s why she brought the bag, so she could hide her baton to make it a surprise for the half time show.

At that moment, I saw something shine in the corner of my eye. Gold and silver, sparkly tassels were hanging out of Riley’s book bag. I unzipped the bag and found her baton still lying in there. She never took it out of her bag.

I quickly grabbed it and ran down the bleachers, to the edge of the fence. Waving it in the air I shouted, “Riley! You forgot your baton!” But it was no use, she couldn’t hear me.

Unless she forgot it on purpose. She pulled something out of her bag. What-

I watched in horror as she pulled a gun to the side of her body, as she continued to walk across the field. I dropped the baton in shock. In sink with every gasp that filled the bleachers. Everyone was frozen, not knowing what to do. I on the other hand hopped over the fence, as I watched everything around me move in slow motion. I sprinted as fast as I could towards my best friend. The one who has been there for me through everything. None of the teachers were doing anything to stop me and I was glad. I don’t know what would have happened if they tried.

She was staring right at me with tears in her eyes. I watched the gun in her hand slowly stretch up to point directly at me.

“NO!” Mr. Hasher yelled across the field, and I heard his loud footsteps coming our way. It was no use. I knew my best friend and she wouldn’t shoot me. I kept going. I was almost there to take the gun out of her hand, but realization covered her face once’s she caught on I didn’t care if she shot me. As long as she is safe. So she quickly flipped the gun around, and that’s when I stopped.

Her body fell to the ground with a loud THUD. I felt arms wrapped around my body stopping me from reaching my best friend. I kicked and screamed and thrashed in this persons arms, but they were stronger then me.

My knees buckled to the ground as I felt a tear fall down my cheek, and then another. Suddenly I’m sobbing in Mr. Green’s arms. He knew how much Riley meant to me, and now she’s gone. She’s gone.

That night I rode home with Mr. Green. A close family friend, who is driving me home because I couldn’t stand to be in her car. I can’t even say her name anymore without crying. As we drive home, it hits me that I now get to face my parents, along with Mr. Green, as I’m covered in the blood of my best friend.