I hear them, you know. The way they talk when they think no one is listening, I might be the only one who does. Everybody is so busy trying to say what they want to say. But me? I'm a listener. I'm not eavesdropping, if they didn't want anyone to hear, maybe don't speak so loud. Maybe keep things private, I don't understand why they think their words have meaning. They mostly talk in circles. Saying who slept with who. Who they dont like and why. It's the same thing everytime, just with a different coat of paint. Empty hollow words meant only to make themselves seem smart, seem better. A smart person wouldn't gossip so frequently. They get so lost in conjecture by the time they're done it's like a horrible game of telephone, where the story they end up with is unrecognizable from the source. I don't have anything to offer when they try to drag me in. Of course they talk about me too. The weirdo who never talks, a stupid plain girl. Calling me autistic is their most recent game. But they never talk about me for long. I'm a boring subject, no drama involved, no messy situations. I dont give them the nutrition they need to survive. Today is a little different though, I could tell by the voices. They try to keep up their normal tone, but it's easy to hear the vibrations, the deep unsettled feeling they have. None address it, they try to act as normal. But even their gossip lacks the usual spite. Something happened. I was reading a thriller book on campus grounds, in my usual spot outside on a bench close to the shops, for snacks of course, underneath the shade of my favorite tree. It's my favorite tree because it's large. Its low hanging branches and large leaves makes it hard to see what happens around it. A popular place for couples to come and kiss in the day, and more at night. It never ceases to provide me with entertainment. People are used to me sitting here, almost like I'm invisible, It's comforting. You would be surprised what people do even though I’m always here. Psychology class just ended, one of the latest classes at school, Jessica's group is on the other side of the tree from me. I wonder if they think that just because i can't see them, I can't hear them
“Yeah honestly, she looks as bad as her taste in men is.” Ashley says
“Such a bitch, always acting like she is better than us.” Molly said.
Probably because she is, I think to myself. Their gossip kind of trails off, and an unusual silence fills the air between them.
“So what are we going to do-” Molly asked
“Shht- Dont talk about it now.” Jessica hushed.
Was that supposed to be a whisper, their lack of self awareness brings a smile to my face.
“Or what the autistic girl will hear, I don't think she is even aware that a world exists outside of her books.” Ashley replied.
I don't think they remember my name anymore, not that I care makes it easier for me.
“Listen until we know for sure what happened, we just have to keep quiet.”
Jessica again, her voice is loud and sounds like she is always demanding attention.
“Why don't we ask if she's seen her?” Molly whimpered.
She's at the bottom of the food chain in her group, she hangs around them because it makes her feel like she's part of the prestigious elite, always trying to impress the others. Not that it ever works.
“Ha sure give it a go.” Ashley said rudely.
Ashley was Jessica's second in command of sorts, enforcing the decisions made by Jess.
The sound of her footsteps squishing into the freshly turned dirt came closer, I still haven't looked up from my book.
“Hey, umm. What are you reading?”
She was trying to remember my name.
“Unwilling, it's a thriller about someone who gets caught up in a series of crimes.”
“Sounds fun, Have you seen Britney?”
I looked up from my book and feigned surprise.
“No.” I lied.
“Oh okay, umm thanks, if you see her can you let us know?”
“Yeah.”
Then I looked down at my book. I could hear Ashleys hyena laugh when Molly went back.
“Autism in action right?” Ashley said.
“Haha yeah.” Molly pretended to agree.
“So do you think they found out about what Brit was doing? Did she get expelled?” Molly asked.
“No she would have texted us, besides her parents would have been making a ruckus.” Jess answered.
They are talking about Brits' side hustle, she would often sell drugs here in the night time. They seemed to have lost interest that i'm here again, and they continued talking.
“Did something bad happen? Do you think she-”
“No she is fine I'm sure, maybe she lost her phone, or it was stolen from a druggie.”
She isn't fine, hasn't been for weeks, if her friends paid any attention to her, they could have seen her declining mental state. But these girls know only how to talk. I turned the page of my book and dirt from under my fingernails dropped onto the page. I brushed it off before it could ruin my book. Quite lazy of me, the main character of my book would be so disappointed.
“Well what are we to do? If they find out what she was doing can't we all get expelled?” Molly said with a trembling voice.
“I can't be expelled!” Ashley proclaimed.
“We won't be, we didn't sell anything.” Jess said, trying to calm them down.
Getting expelled is the biggest worry they have?
“Do you think Justin is involved?” Molly asked?
Wow good for you Molly, hit the nail right on the head, but I know what will happen next.
“Why do you think he could be involved? I know you’ve been jealous of my boyfriend because you wanted him first, but shut it right now.”
“No I just saw him with Brit-”
“I said shut up!”
She is worried they were sleeping together. Only one of them is sleeping though. Jessica doesn't want to admit it because she saw them together too. She is denying the fact it could have happened. Funny how she doesn't know about her boyfriend's drug addiction. Or the crowd he hangs out with.
“You know what I'm only trying to help.” Molly said, collecting her pride.
“Molly, you've never been of help!” Jessica sneered. Getting a laugh from Ashley. I heard her walking away from the group after that.
I wonder how good my handiwork was, I was never much of a gardener. When I came back to my spot late at night after grabbing snacks, I overheard the murder of Britney. It wasn’t premeditated. Justin, on drugs and in a lot of debt with some bad people, murdered her after an argument. He saw me after sitting as I always do. Listening to the whole thing. He was worried I'd run and tell, but I've never been much of a talker. Lucky for him this situation was so close to my book, I wanted to try it myself, I said I would hide the body. And I did. I was getting hungry, and it was about time for my evening snack. I looked back at my favorite tree, glad that I got to add to the many secrets that unfold beneath its branches.
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