"Why are still standing there? Aren't you afraid of me?", she asked again. She got closer to me and then she touched my face. She looks around and saw that everyone are looking at her. She shouted and the chairs and tables flew away. Everyone shouts and cried showing that they are scared. A minute later, some of the students frome the other room came to look what happened to us. When they saw Claudine's face, they we're surpriseand like us they got scared. Luckily, one of them know what to do.
"Step aside, don't get to near you might get hurt", someone said from behind me. I can't turn my head and look at who was talking.
"Oh well, who do we have here?", Claudine said with a creepy voice. Chills are felt in my spine when she spoke.
I have no idea what they did but all I saw is that Claudine suddenly passed out. Luckily, someone catch her before she fall on the floor.
"She'll be fine now, don't worry everyone", someone said. I was so relieved. I was still terrified about what happened, and my feet are still shaking. I lost balance and I fell down on my chair. Tears flowing continuously, and I kept wiping it. Someone touched my shoulder and I got goosebumps. I slowly look who was holding my shoulder, and I saw a boy standing there.
"Are you okay?", he asked. I didn't respond and just look away. They took Claudine to the affirmary and let her rest there. All of us were still in shock about what happened, even the teacher is surprise and can't believe what happened. We are sent home earlier than everyone else because the teacher were aware that all of us are traumatized, and even our teacher can't focus.
Every went home with fear. It was carved in our face the fright we felt. And this day will be remembered by everyone. I didn't went home immediately, I visit the affirmary first. When I opened the door, I saw Claudine sitting on one of the beds. I hesitated if I should walk closer and I just stood there looking at her, she was staring at something and didn't noticed me. I was about to go out and I turned around.
"Where are you going, Pauline?", she spoke. Hairs in my back stood up when I heard her voice. I slowly turn around and faced her.
"I thought you don't want to be disturbed so I decided to leave", I lied. I smiled awkwardly and hope that she won't figure out that I was just lying.
"Is the class over?", she asked again. I nodded as a respond and walk closer to her. I sat beside her as she was staring on something again.
"I know who she is", she murmured. I look at her confused.
"Huh?", I asked. Claudine slowly face me and smiled.
"Nothing", she said. The two of us went silent and it was awkward. The surrounding is quiet, the silence makes me feel like I'm deaf. A minute later, we heard footsteps and the door suddenly opened. We saw the school nurse's confused look as she was looking at us.
"All the students are sent home early today and there will be no school tomorrow. Because of what happened earlier, the school need to control the chaos and heresays that might come out soon after. And you two should go home now because I will close the affirmary soon", she informed us. Claudine and I stood up and walk out of the infirmary. Claudine holds my wrists and dragged me.
"Where are we going?", I asked while she was still dragging me. She stopped from walking and let go of my wrist.
"We are going home", she said as she slowly turn around and faced me.
I didn't respond and she turns around eventually. She walks away and I followed her. She lead me to the bus stop. We sat down on the bench and waited for the bus to arrive.
"Are you still scared of me?", she asked. I was surprise about what she asked me.
"I was scared, but I saw that it's you I'm talking now so I'm not scared anymore", I replied. I didn't lie this time.
"I think I know who possessed me. She is very familiar. I think I saw her before, I can't just recall where", Claudine uttered. I just look at her as she spoke. I don't have much to say so I just stayed quiet. "Everyone will fear me starting today. I know they will. Some might just pretend they don't and some would show it in front of me that they are afraid of me. What should I do, Pauline?", Claudine asked as she sobs. I didn't said anything because I am also clueless. I let her cry her eyes out until she will feel better.
The bus arrived a minute late. We went inside the bus with awkwardness and the two of us are both silent all the way home.
"Take care, Pauline", she said when we got on her stop. She walks away and got off from the bus. She waves at me as the bus starts moving, I wave back and smiled never knowing that it will be the last time I'll be seeing her smile.
The next day, I was just sitting on the couch. I was so bored and I don't know what to do to entertain myself.
My phone rings beside me. I look at my phone to see who was calling me, and I saw that it was Claudine's mom, so I answered the call.
"Hello?", I said. I hear a crying sound on the other line. My heart starts to pound very fast. I don't know how but I kind of know that something bad happened.
"P-Pauline, your bestfriend's gone. She hanged herself in her bedroom", Mrs. Vergara said. My limbs weakened after I hear those words. Tears came flowing nonstop and my hands are shaking. I lost grip on my phone and it land on the couch. I can't believe what i heard and I just hope that this is just a dream. I was hoping I'll wake up any minute now, but sadly, this is reality. I didn't expect that it was the last time I can see her face. I couldn't see her smile anymore, and her laugh will never be heard again. I don't have any clue why she did that to herself.
I did not went to her funeral. Guilt stops me from coming. I blame myself for everything. If I just comforted her properly and if I just listened to her problems, these wouldn't happen. I lock myself in my room these past few days, and I just feel the grief while locking myself in a room.
I can barely stand up. I feel like I just want to stay in my bed whole day. Sadness ate me whole and I can't stop being sad and guilty. Mrs. Vergara said it wasn't my fault, but I can't help but blame myself. I am useless as a friend because I never listened to her problems. I always brush it off every time she would tell me her problems. I was selfish and I took her for granted. And now I'll live with regrets for the rest of my life. If I could just go back and correct all my mistakes.
Summer came very fast. Summer would be fun if she's here. Instead of going to beaches and enjoying the summer, I lock myself. Mrs. Vergara only visited once and she never came back. I know why, she feel something strange but she never told me anything. Creepy things somehow stopped happening when Claudine died, and I didn't know why.