by Milda Harris
It was that simple. All those girls who were feigning tears earlier in the night, were full on bawling now. This time, they really meant it. I felt a tear of my own slide down my face. I wiped it away with my hand. I caught Ethan glancing at me. He took my hand in his.
I didn't even hear the next eulogy. Madison's uncle spoke about his niece, but I spent the few minutes, trying to recompose myself, so that I wouldn't burst into tears. I concentrated on holding Ethan's hand and breathing. I felt better. Madison's uncle left the podium.
The spot was vacant for only a second when, to my surprise, Ariel walked up to the podium and looked out over the crowd dramatically, "I felt like I should say something as the new Pep Club president. Madison loved Pep Club and I only hope I can do as good of a job as Madison did. She was an amazing president."
Ariel looked like she was meant for standing at a podium, giving a speech, and I think she knew it. I almost felt like I was watching her on the big screen, in a movie. Ariel could be so confident and self-assured. I really admired that about her and despite the Pep Club campaign I knew she was waging, I knew Ariel really cared about Madison.
"Madison was also a good friend," Ariel said as if on cue and then to my shock, Ariel started faltering in her speech, with the weight of her words, "I actually only met Madison this year, but we really connected. I wish I had known her sooner. It's hard to believe that she's gone. We just went Homecoming Dress shopping and I know she was really excited about the dance and her date with Sebastian. It's just so weird. I mean, we won't get to talk about the dance and how it went or well, anything... She was just really cool."
Ariel got off the stage and burst into tears. Wow. Ariel had feelings. I wondered what she'd say if I ever died and if she'd cry. Ariel ran into Troy's arms. I watched him enfold her in his embrace. It struck me that they seemed to be a real couple now too. They looked great together. Troy stroked Ariel's hair. I hoped he really cared about her. I hoped she really cared about him. I did really think he was a cool guy. Wow, everyone was pairing up and becoming boyfriend/girlfriend. I felt Ethan hand's in mine. Maybe even us.
That was when I noticed the guy standing next to them. It was Ray Newton. He had made an appearance, finally! After the speeches, Ethan and I needed to go over and talk to him. I studied him. Ray was a little cuter in person than in his yearbook photo. Still, he was kind of geeky and I wouldn't have pegged him for the ladies man type. Suddenly, my brain was distracted by the new voice at the podium and I looked away from Ray.
Logan had gone up to speak, "Hey. I knew Madison in junior high...."
Now, Logan was a ladies man. The room grew quiet at his hotness. Logan was silent in return. The crowd gazed at him, adoringly.
Logan drew a deep breath and continued, "There were a bunch of us who used to be really good friends, actually, and then we kind of drifted apart in high school. I feel sad about that. That we weren't as good of friends when Madison died."
Logan looked out at the crowd, silent again. Then he went on as if there was something more he had to say, "The Madison I remember was always laughing. We had a lot of fun together riding bikes - me, Madison, and Julia. The three burritos we used to call ourselves. I thought that was the right word for friends. Madison and Julia teased me about it. Amigos, they said. It became our inside joke."
Logan smiled at the thought. The room smiled with him. Then he abruptly left the podium, as if he couldn't take the memories. Logan disappeared into the crowd of students. I still couldn't get over the fact that Suzie Whitsett, shy quiet girl, knew Logan. That was still stupefying to me. It was so weird.
A few people I didn't know walked up to the podium. They were in Madison's classes or knew her from Pep Club and they all said the same thing - she was awesome and gone too soon. There were a few relatives who made brief speeches too. I filed all of their names away, just in case. My heart felt heavy.
Then Sebastian swaggered up to the stage and stood in front of the podium like he owned the place and I refocused, "I just wanted to say, Madison was a beautiful girl. Peace."
That was all Sebastian said and then he got offstage, giving the Nixon salute again. He wasn't trying to campaign, was he? Ariel had been doing a little of her own campaigning, but at least she said something real. Sebastian's words were completely fake, even if they were so high school. I heard some snickers. Sebastian and his friends should be the ones getting thrown out of the funeral.
I was annoyed to see then that Jenny took Sebastian's lead and was the next person up to the podium, "Madison was a wonderful Pep Club president. She was really and truly inspiring to all of us. She was a model of school spirit that I know I will try and emulate. We miss you Madison. Go Palos Grizzlies!"
Jenny walked away from the podium and it was obvious from the murmurs that she had garnered some votes for her sect by speaking. Politics was such a dirty business and we were only in high school. Need I mention that all of this was happening at a funeral? Over a club? I was really disturbed. The podium was for people who cared about the deceased. Not people trying to overthrow a club president so they could be president. I wanted to do something about it before someone else got up to speak.
I let go of Ethan's hand and made my way toward the podium. What was I doing? I didn't really know Madison and yet I felt a sudden urge to say something about her. Maybe it was because of the high school crap that was airing itself out at the podium, when it should have been left at the high school. Maybe it was because little Lana's speech had inspired me. Maybe it was because I hadn't said anything at my mom's funeral or any other funeral I had been to, for that matter. Right now though, I did have something to say.
I walked up to the podium and felt the eyes of the entire high school student body on me. I should have been nervous. I should have been trying to figure out what to say. I felt my knees start to shake uncontrollably, then my hands.
I had to speak, "I didn't really know Madison Brown all that well. I admit it, but I still felt moved to say something about her. From everyone's eulogies and from the gossip I've heard at school and from members of the Pep Club, I've only heard that Madison was a supremely cool girl. You all know that. That's why you're all here or why you should be here, at least. From what I know about Madison, most of all, she loved the Pep Club. She was all about school spirit and cheering on our high school's sports teams. She helped decorate the Homecoming Dance for all of you. She wanted to make high school an amazing experience, not only for herself, but for everyone standing in this room. I know that everyone is really sad about losing her, but I think we owe it to Madison Brown to make Saturday's football game against the Riverside Raiders so full of school spirit that winning or losing doesn't matter - it's about seizing the day, enjoying a simple football game, and cheering your heart out. I think we owe it to Madison to have a great time and remember that she would want us to keep cheering, keep laughing, and keep a little pep in our step. Let's have some pep club cheer for Madison."
I actually felt good talking at the podium. I could tell that my audience was connecting with what I said. That was when a kid all in black and wearing a ski mask decided to run into the room and throw black goo all over me. I didn't even know what happened. All of a sudden I was covered in the stuff. I wondered if Carrie felt like this at the prom. I don't know what I would have done if it was pig's blood. Goo was gross enough. Was I going to be able to get this stuff off?
Of course this would happen to me. This sort of thing only happened to me. How could they have known I'd speak, though, if I didn't know I was going to speak? Maybe it wasn't meant for me. Then who was it meant for?
There was pandemonium. People were freaking out. I wasn't dead, but I must have looked scary. Suddenly Ethan was standing in front of me, not knowing what to do because I was covered in goo.
"I'm fine," I said, although I think I was in shock.
I wasn't hurt, though. That was the truth. What had happened to the offender? I saw a big crowd in the hallway. I wondered i
f Detective Dixon had caught the guy.
"Kait," Ethan said again.
He had been trying to get my attention while I was distracted by the commotion in the hallway. I looked at him. He saw that I was finally paying attention.
"Let me get you out of here," Ethan said. "We need to clean you off."
I nodded and walked out of the funeral home with Ethan. I was still in shock. My brain felt numb. I didn't want to touch anything in case I ruined it, so I just carefully followed him, trying not to move too much.
The police showed up fast, followed by an ambulance. Ethan and I were just about at his car when we were flagged down by a policeman.
"Hey, wait. I need a statement from you," The policeman said.
Ethan and I stopped to look at him. He was a young policeman with slightly too long for a cop, brown hair. It made him look almost our age, if he wasn't wearing a police uniform. In fact, he couldn't have been that much older than us. His name tag said Quincy.
"I just want to go home," I said.
"We need a statement," Officer Quincy said again. "And, you should get checked out by the paramedics."
"I'm okay," I said, even though I felt myself shaking. "I mean, I'm not hurt. I don't need to see the paramedics. It's just goo."
"Are you sure?" Officer Quincy peered down at me. He had brown eyes.
I knew I was covered in goo and looked terrible, but I was pretty sure I was not actually injured. I was mortified. I was freaked out, but I was not hurt.
"I'm sure," I said.
"Kait, are you sure?" Ethan asked me, stopping to look at me. "Maybe you should get checked out."
I looked back at Ethan and said more confidently, "I'm sure."
"Can I get your statement then?" Officer Quincy asked, all business, despite the too long brown hair.
"Can I give it to you tomorrow? Down at the station? Or you can call me," I said. I really just wanted to go home.
"I'd prefer to take it now," Officer Quincy said and then continued, shrugging, "It's procedure."
Officer Quincy was just doing his job. He was being nice and all, but I really just wanted to go home. The goo was gross.
I sighed, "Fine. Okay, that kid ran into the funeral viewing room and threw whatever this black stuff is all over me like in a scene from a Stephen King movie or book or whatever. It totally freaked everyone out, including me. Done."
"Well, I have some questions for you, actually..." Officer Quincy said.
"And, I want to answer them," I pleaded. I felt like I was going to start crying if I didn't get out of there. "Tomorrow. I need to get home and get this stuff off of me."
"Okay," Officer Quincy said, "But just a few more minutes, please. Give me your information and let me get a sample of this goo and answer just a few questions for me."
"Fine, briefly," I sighed. He wasn't going to let us leave. I'd better just get it over with.
I answered Officer Quincy's questions as quickly as I could. I mean, I had no idea who'd want to do something like this to me. Although, I did hope the police caught them. It wasn't a pleasant experience at all, getting goo thrown on you and that person deserved to get in trouble. Then I let Officer Quincy take a sample of the goo and some pictures to round out the interview. Even though he said it would only take a few minutes, it still took about forty-five minutes before Officer Quincy let Ethan and I go. It was only after Detective Dixon came over and said that it was okay to let me leave and that he personally knew how to get ahold of me, if the officer needed to. Even after all that, the police still wanted me to come in the next day and elaborate. How many more ways could I tell them that there was no reason anyone should be throwing goo on me at a funeral? I mean, really - was there ever a good reason for that? Especially when I was giving a super awesome speech and for once, wasn't scared to talk to my classmates about how I felt.
I really, really just wanted to go home. This whole thing was only going to add to the gossip about me at school and I was so not thrilled. Finally, Ethan led me away toward the car. It was an awkward ride home. We had to lay down fast food napkins and an old shirt on his car seat, so that I wouldn't get black goo everywhere. At least it seemed like the goo was definitely going to come off. That was a positive.
We drove in silence. My brain was in shock. I felt gross. At least we were at my house before I knew it.
"Is your dad home?" Ethan asked as he put the car in park in my driveway.
The house was dark. My dad was probably over at his friend's house watching a game and hanging out. He did that sometimes after work nowadays.
"I don't think so," I said.
"Do you want me to come in with you?" Ethan asked.
"Yes," I said and started shaking.
Ethan helped me get my keys out of my purse and opened the front door. He led me straight to the bathroom.
"Let me grab a couple of things to try and get this goop off you," Ethan said and disappeared into my house.
I just stood there, wondering how I was going to even turn the shower on. Ethan was back quickly with olive oil, dish soap, liquid soap, goo be gone, rubbing alcohol, and a few other bottles of cleaner.
"One of these will work. Take a shower and try them," Ethan said and shut the bathroom door for me, so I wouldn't get anything on the door handle.
I peeled off the dirty clothes feeling a little sad that I was probably going to have to throw them away. I looked at the bathtub handles to turn on the water. I was going to have to do it. I turned on the water and the shower. I stepped in and watched the goo pour down the drain.
It took me forever to get it all off. I tried a mixture of the bottles Ethan had brought me, sticking to the more natural stuff. I didn't need to pour more toxic chemicals on my skin. At least I hoped I got it all off. When I stepped out of the shower, the bathroom had turned into a steam room. I wrapped myself in a towel and took a look at myself in the mirror. Most importantly, my face and hair looked squeaky clean.
I looked down at the dirty clothes that I had thrown on the ground. I couldn't put them back on. Yet, the clean clothes were in my room. Okay. Ethan and I weren't at the Kait wears only a towel in front of him stage yet. I couldn't go in there dressed like this. I stared at myself in the mirror. I was suddenly exhausted. I could see it etched into my face. Okay, I was going to go into my room dressed only in a towel and try not to freak out at the implications if my dad happened to come home. I knew nothing was going to happen...yet. I just wasn't sure if I'd suddenly want it to. I mean, kissing Ethan was amazing but more than that just scared the hell out of me.
I opened the bathroom door, peered outside, just in case Ethan happened to be standing there and almost tripped over a pile of neatly folded clean clothes. Ethan must not have been ready to see me in only a towel either. I picked up the clothes gratefully and shut the bathroom door.
When I was fully dressed in the pajamas Ethan had left out for me, hair dripping, and with no makeup, I walked back into my bedroom. Ethan was sitting on my bed. He took one look at me and ran up to hug me. I hugged him back. Then suddenly we were making out. Yes, it was definitely good that I hadn't walked out of the bathroom in just a towel.
Ethan pulled away from me and air rushed between us, "You okay?"
"Yeah," I said, "Just a little spooked. It happened so fast."
"Yeah," Ethan said.
"Have you heard anything? Did they arrest him?" I asked.
"I just texted Dave and Mike. They might still be there, so we'll see if they text back," Ethan said.
"I know that he didn't try to shoot me or anything," I said, "But I'm still super freaked out."
"Yeah, it was so not cool," Ethan said.
I tried to calm my brain down. I was fine. My brain immediately went to the fact that I hadn't had a chance to talk to Ray Newton. If only I hadn't had goo thrown on me. I still needed to check him out.
Ethan's phone beeped. He looked down at his phone and read a text. He frowned and then looked up at me.
"What?" I asked.
Ethan stared at me, "They just charged Seth Wilcox in the murders of Madison Brown and Julia Morgan."
Chapter 18: Football Following
I couldn't sleep all night. Ethan left when my eyes started drooping, which was only around ten pm. I couldn't help it. It had been a long week and I was tired. Getting attacked in the middle of a funeral will do that to you. Of course, as soon as Ethan left and I actually tried to go to sleep, I found that I couldn't.
My dad got home around eleven and I heard him banging around the kitchen. Scarlett, my cat, was fast asleep beside me. My dad was asleep before midnight, if the silence that settled over the house was any indication. I still couldn't sleep. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Thank goodness tomorrow was Saturday and I could sleep in if I wanted to sleep until noon.
My brain didn't want to stop working. I kept going over the details of the case in my head. It just didn't add up to me that Seth Wilcox killed Madison and Julia. I couldn't put my finger on a reason. It was a gut feeling that I had despite the fact that the police discovered that Seth was the one that had thrown goo all over me, Carrie style. I didn't know what else the police found when they went to arrest him for that, but there must have been some kind of evidence to connect Seth to the murders. Still, it didn't sit well with me.
My brain was telling me that Seth was just as bad as Logan said, but I was having a hard time with it. Guess it didn't matter, popular or unpopular, you could still be high school mean to anyone or each other just because. That fit more to me, that Seth was just being a mean idiot by throwing goo on me, than that he'd also committed murder. I just couldn't put my finger on why.
I got out from under the covers, went over to my desk, and turned on my computer. Maybe if I looked Seth up and did more research on him, my brain would settle down, and I'd be able to get to sleep.
I started with Seth's Facebook page. He was definitely anti-school in all respects, but it's that stupid I hate school stuff. I wouldn't have taken it seriously. On the other hand, I could see why the cops might. Some of those kids were legitimately crazy. With Seth, though, it looked like the I'm too cool for school kind of thing, not like the I want to blow up the school and kill people sort. There was a difference. Basically, he didn't look totally insane. There were normal pictures of him and his family and he volunteered at the hospital and just a bunch of things that didn't fit with the I'm a psycopath persona that people wanted to place on him. Sometimes, of course, all of that didn't matter and you had everyone saying - "Wow, I never would have suspected so and so of this, but here they are with the smoking gun." Maybe Seth would turn out to be another example of that, but I wasn't convinced yet.