Red dripped love

Dead?! I was in shock when I heard the news that Brooke Sanchez had died. I immediately turned to my older brother Marco, who was the chief of the LAPD, and asked, “How? Why?” “She was strangled to death,“ Marco answered. Marco has wavy light brown hair and brown eyes and has a striking appearance that draws attention wherever he goes. His hair cascaded in loose waves, creating a natural and effortlessly tousled look. The light brown hue of his hair seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, enhancing the depth and richness of his features. As for his eyes, the warm shade of brown exuded a captivating warmth and depth, exquisitely framed by long, dark lashes. They possessed an alluring twinkle that seemed to reveal a combination of intelligence, curiosity, and warmth. My mom sat before me, her long dark brown wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. Her light brown eyes, usually filled with warmth and tenderness, now betrayed a mixture of sadness and shock. Glistening tears welled up, threatening to spill onto her cheeks as if reflecting the turmoil within her soul. The lines of worry etched deeply on her face. Our mother, overcome with grief, asked, “ Oh dear. Where was her body found.” Marco was hesitant to answer but then he said, “School grounds.”This revelation caused our mom to gasp and burst into tears, while dad angrily slammed his fist on the table and said, “That's it! I told you that this school is filled with shady people, especially that Knight family! Valentina, you aren’t going to school.” “Dad, I will be fine,” I said a little quietly. “Yeah Dad, cops are patrolling the area day and night. She will be completely safe,” Marco said.

After a moment of contemplation, my dad finally gave his consent, his worry evident in his furrowed brow and stern tone, "OK, you can go, but if anything even remotely suspicious happens, you find your brother and rush home immediately. Comprende?" "Got it, Dad," I nodded nervously, feeling the weight of his concern. I stepped into Marco's cop car, the familiar scent of well-worn leather and a hint of fresh coffee mingling in the air, adding a comforting familiarity. The journey to school was filled with an eerie silence, the tension palpable, as if the events of the previous night were still present. As we arrived, the atmosphere was eerily normal, with students carrying on as if nothing had happened, their obliviousness unsettling. Walking into the school building, my unease grew, until my best friend Isabella approached me, her unique and vibrant appearance effortlessly commanding attention. Isabella, with her fiery red locks cascading down her back in loose waves, cast a radiant glow that seemed to capture the sunlight. Each strand of her hair possessed an intense and captivating shade of red, resembling flaming embers. Her fair complexion accentuated the stunning contrast of her hair, while her freckles added an irresistible charm to her face. Her hazel eyes, speckled with hints of green, revealed a surprising jubilance. "We should party! She's dead! Woo hoo! Ding Dong, the wicked witch is dead!" Shocked, my eyes widened and my voice trembled in disbelief, "Isabella Flower, how can you be so insensitive? Brooke was a mean girl with long blonde hair who exuded an air of haughty superiority. Her golden locks cascaded effortlessly down her back in perfectly smooth waves. Her icy blue eyes seemed to freeze with a piercing coldness, sending shivers down the spines of those unfortunate enough to receive her scrutinizing gaze. Each strand of her hair appeared painstakingly styled, as if she had spent hours in front of a mirror, ensuring that not a single strand was out of place. The intense gaze in her eyes hinted at a power she held over the people around her, and her expression conveyed a calculated indifference as if she derived pleasure from seeing others squirm under her influence. While she may have been the meanest queen bee, no one deserved to meet their demise in such a tragic manner.

"You can't be serious! Brooke has not only embarrassed you but also humiliated me, and she's been hell-bent on destroying our lives for the past decade. I won't shed a tear for our torturer," Isabella exclaimed, her arms crossed defiantly. I sighed and responded, "Certainly, she may have been a brat, but that doesn't mean anyone deserves to die for it." As I walked towards my locker, Isabella, eagerly anticipating news about my brother, asked, "So, did your super attractive brother share anything about what happened?" I rolled my eyes, knowing Isabella's strange infatuation with him, and replied, "He told me she was strangled to death, and they still haven't caught the person responsible."

I heard a gasp from behind me and turned around, locking eyes with one of the gossip girls who thrived on drama. She didn't waste a second before racing toward her clique to spread the word about what I had just uttered. In mere minutes, I witnessed the vulnerable Lexi, one of Brooke's devoted minions, dissolve into a pool of tears. My heart sank with regret, and I hastily made my way to class. Walking into the room, I was startled to find that Ryder Knight, the notorious school bad boy, had taken my usual seat. Panic coursed through me as I pondered my next move. Ryder embodied an enigmatic energy, his hazel eyes forever flickering with mystery and mischief, flawlessly blending danger and charm. His wavy black locks cascaded effortlessly over his forehead, accentuating his chiseled features - the epitome of a rebel with a magnetic allure. Adorned in a sleek black v-neck that hugged his muscular frame, paired with fitted black pants, he exuded an understated confidence that left others in awe.

I take a deep breath and muster up the courage to approach Ryder, my heart pounding in my chest. Clearing my throat, I address him, my voice filled with both irritation and a hint of intrigue. "Um, you're kind of in the seat that I usually sit in," I say, trying to assert my claim. As our eyes meet, I can't help but notice the mischievous twinkle in his piercing blue eyes and the smirk playing on his lips. With a teasing tone, he offers, "We could always share." Frustration builds within me, and I let out an exasperated sigh before responding, "Ryder, could you just move to another seat?" “OK princess, only if you say these 13 words,” Ryder said. Did he just call me princess, what in the world? “OK, what words? My name is Valentina,” I said irritated. “sure princess, say ‘Ryder is the best and I would love to have his babies someday,” Ryder said with his stupid smirk.

"Yeah, I'm not saying that," I retorted firmly, my frustration evident as I trudged to a different seat, seeking solace. To my dismay, Ryder swiftly rose and settled himself behind me, refusing to be ignored. My sighs filled the air as I opted to disregard his presence, bracing myself for what was to come. Moments later, our rather imposing teacher, known as Ms. Gonzilla due to her towering height and lack of slenderness, entered the classroom, instructing everyone to retrieve their books. In a moment of teenage rebellion, I discreetly flipped her off when she turned her back, relishing in the small act of defiance. Unexpectedly, Ryder's voice sneaked from behind, accompanied by a mocking tone, "Wow, I didn't know you even knew what that finger meant." Irritated, I snapped back, "What," hoping to shut down any further interaction.

“You know since you’re such a goody two shoes I never thought you’d flip anyone off,” Ryder said. I rolled my eyes and said, “You don’t know anything about me. “Yeah but I'll learn everything about you soon,” Ryder said with a smile. “Mhm sure you do you,” I said, focusing on the lesson. In the middle of class, Melody Gross said she needed to go to the restroom. Melody Gross had the appearance of a typical girl-next-door, with dirty blonde shoulder-length hair that fell softly around her face. Her locks had a slightly tousled texture as if she had just enjoyed a gentle breeze. Her brown eyes were warm and inviting, exhibiting a depth that hinted at a mix of intelligence and kindness. They had an amber-like hue that softened her gaze and held a subtle sparkle when she smiled. There was a natural, effortless beauty about her, a charm that radiated from within and accentuated by her simple yet elegant style. I heard Ryder laugh from behind me. He stood up to go to the restroom. A few minutes later Godzilla asked me to go check on Melody. As I walked into the bathroom my jaw dropped in horror.

I froze in terror, my mind racing as I tried to think of a way out. "Oh. My. God," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. Ryder's eyes locked onto mine, and I knew that I had to move fast. "Help," Melody said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ryder pressed the knife a little harder, and I could see the fear in her eyes. "Ryder please," I whispered, trying to keep my voice low. But it was too late. With a swift motion, Ryder slit Melody's throat, and I gasped in horror. I slowly backed away, my eyes fixed on Ryder's cold gaze. "Valentina, please just wait," he said, getting closer to me. But I knew that I couldn't stay there any longer. "Stop," I said, my voice shaking with fear. And then I ran. I ran out of the bathroom and zoomed out of the school, hearing Ryder's voice behind me as he yelled my name. Oh. My. God. How could this have happened?

I turned my head, still running, to check if Ryder was following me. As I did that, I ran smack dab in the middle of someone's chest. I couldn't see because my eyes were filled with tears. "Valley, are you okay? What's going on?" I knew it was Marco because he's the only person who calls me 'Valley'. "Body. Dead... Bathroom... scared," I said, panting. "Breathe," Marco said, patting my head. I slapped his hand and took a deep breath. If I told them it was Ryder, he could come after me. If I don't tell them, I could be an accomplice. I could be protected by my brother and his law enforcement if I told them. Then again, I have no idea what Ryder's intentions were before I marched my ass off into the bathroom. "You know exactly what he was gonna do if you were or were not there," my inner self thought. For some reason, I ignored my gut and decided not to give Ryder up. Not yet, at least. "I found another dead body," I said. Marco's expression got dark, "Where is it? Were you hurt?" "Marco, I'm fine. It's in the girl's bathroom," I said, and just like that, Marco ran into the school. The rest of the school day was off, and I knew that everything was about to change.