About a week later, I was called into the principal's office. I didn't know why, because I didn't think I'd broken any rules.

Principal Hodgins sat me down, his expression grim, and I was very worried that I was going to get suspended or something because someone may have ratted me out and told him I said there were so many wrinkles in his fat, wobbly chin that it looked like one of those hairless cats' armpit wrinkles. Then he said something I never in a million years would have expected. 

"William Brock was found murdered last night."

I stared, my jaw dropping. There was a moment of silence, and I slowly inhaled, my eyes wide. That's...not what I expected.

"Oh," I said softly, my voice muffled in my own ears. "Oh..."

He nodded, clearly not sure what else to say. "...The police will be here shortly to question anyone who knew him...they said they wanted to speak to you first. Are you okay with that?"

I nodded back at him, dazed. Murdered? Why? Sure, he was annoying sometimes, but he was so sweet...when did he die?? Could I have done anything???

Hodgins was still talking. "...things back to normal as soon as possible."

I nodded again, even though I didn't hear the first part of what he said. "Right."

There was an awkward silence, and then I just stood up and walked out, back to my English class. I sat down hard, and Caspian glanced over, immediately sensing something was wrong because he shot me a concerned glance that I didn't return.

"Do you remember William?" I mumbled, and he went still for a second.

After a moment he whispered back, "The one from art class? He was your photography partner, right?"

I nodded, staying silent.

He paused, running a hand through his fluffy black hair. "....what about him?"

I didn't really respond, scribbling my name harder than I needed to onto my paper. Finally, I blew out a breath and glanced to him, frowning. "Well...he's dead."

His brows shot up and he inhaled slightly, eyes growing wide. "Oh. Oh, that's awful--are you okay?? Do you need a hug? I'm always here, trust me--"

"Was?" I interrupted, frowning. 

He blinked, taken aback, and just blinked at me, confused. "...Pardon me?"

I glanced to him tired. "You said...he 'was' my photography partner, before I even told you he was dead."

He blinked, hesitating only a second before continuing. "...because he hasn't showed up in a week. So...he was your photography partner, but since he hasn't been around."

I stared at him, still in a bit of a shock at what Hodgins had told me, so I didn't know how to respond.

"Audrey?" he said softly, expression softening the more he looked at me. "Are you okay?"

I stood up without responding, gathering my things. "I'm going home," I announced, and my teacher just glanced at me and nodded, even though I'd only been there for about fifteen minutes. I guess he heard about what happened.

Caspian frowned, reaching out and grabbing my wrist. "I--Odj! I want to be there for you--"

I exhaled shakily and tried to pull away, but he squeezed my wrist harder. "Let go, Caspian," I mumbled, but he didn't, just staring up at me. "I'll text you," I assured him, and when he still hesitated, I pulled away again, and he finally let me, dropping his hand. "See you later."

I turned and walked out, and he didn't follow, but some part of me wished he had.