HER SECRET DIARY

Episode-5

SUSPECT II : ERIC BENT

Ten minutes after the end of the school day, the parking lot was almost completely deserted. Except for the sports kids, detention regulars and band members most others really didnt care about sticking around, Edgewood definitely wasnt the favourite hangout spot and I shared the same sentiment. The school is pretty old with its founding dating back well over hundred years, its main administrative building was designed on Victorian style architecture. It was creepy and looked like something out of a standard horror movie with it's old rusty paint, high roofing and one too many windows. I was once fascinated by the buildings and interesting history of the school but that was years ago when I was a dumb kid and it kind of grew boring walking past the same old building for seven years straight. Kayla however was a history buff, she always had questions for every single detail and fact about the school, it was one of the reasons she became a student counsellor. It gave her access to old school files and records that she'd spend days going through.

'The more you know the more you gain.' As she would put it.

"Come on Kim let's go we've been here for ages," todd shouted from inside my car impatiently waiting for us to leave. We were the only left with about five other cars.

"I told you to take the bus home I've got lots of things to take care of."

"You cant tell me what to do."

"Fine then sit tight because we're going to be here a while."

He groaned and went back to slaving on his phone. I was also getting tired of waiting for Ron, I knew he had basketball practice which could take up to two hours and yet I agreed to meet him at this time. I could have changed the schedule with him anytime of the day but I didnt and I wasnt the type of person to bail on a plan I'm in on ,it just wasnt my code.

I got off the hood of my car and deciding to find Ron myself, he obviously must have forgotten or worse just didnt care to show up. Anyway I was prepping to chew him up verbally once I found him but i was positively surprised when he came out of the front entrance to the main building in his training overalls.

He was wearing a body fit Nike vest that clung to his skin revealing the outlines of his well preserved and toned body, he had on baggy shorts with his school bag flung over his back lazily but in a cool way and his hair was wet and slicked back. If I was any other girl I would have fallen over in pure ecstasy but I kept myself together.

"Wassup," he nodded at me in his usual manner and I copied back.

He leaned down to peer through the passenger side of my car, "I always liked your ride its classy wassup little man."

"Cool dude," todd said rather in awe of being in the presence of Ron who was sadly a role model for the freshmen and middle schoolers of the academy.

"Well too bad you'll never drive it," I remarked with a proud grin.

Ron laughed, "you always this fierce I was just complementing but mine is way better than yours."

He pointed at his customized red ford shelby GT with glee on his face, he had won this round.

I immediately changed the subject to what brought at us here, " okay about kayla."

"Yeah I just was talking to Mr. Lowry and the vice principal they asked me a couple of questions and said her parents have already filed a missing person's report."

He didnt seem particularly shaken by his statement, maybe he didnt care at all or he was good at covering his expressions or something more sinister was at play.

"You dont seem rattled at all."

He squinted his eyes trying to read me as well, "well neither do you I mean you are her best friend should you be crying or something."

He was now walking in dangerous territory, "you're her boyfriend I guess you should be more concerned about and stop playing around."

"Same difference kim."

I gritted my teeth in anger as he smirked at me, this was definitely going nowhere at all. He was trying to toy with me and I was on a serious mission to find my friend, this proved that he really didnt carethat much about Kayla. I flexed my arm ready to slap him across the face for Kayla but we were torn out of our stare down by loud shouting coming from the building entrance.

"James! James! You sick f**k I swear I'm going to kick your ass today."

One guy stormed towards us followed behind by five other guys including Marcus and Fred.

"s**t," Ron whispered in a low voice but I caught on to his concerned tone. I didnt blame him as his challenger was none other than Eric Bent.

He came up face to face with Ron for a tense three second stare down with neither boy backing down. Even though Eric was a head shorter than Ron, he was built like a tank and I would have bet my money on him walking out of the confrontation still standing as I had seen him in action twice in the past and while he walked out with a small bruise somewhere his victims always looked like they came from a vicious boxing match.

Todd took out his phone expertly and started taking a video of the growing conflict, it was a dumb move and I hoped he wouldn't get caught by the testosterone driven apes who would definitely beat to a pulp. I cared secretly but also I didnt want any hard questions and worrying from mum.

"I've seen the video I know what you did," Eric broke the silence. I kept my distance but I was alert to everything that was being said.

"That's between us it doesn't involve you."

"We'll it does when your boys are laughing off to it in the locker rooms."

Ron gave a swift disappointment filled glare at Marcus and Fred.

"Well why do you even care Bent if I recall Kayla dumped your sorry ass a year ago."