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Witness
Witness
Witness
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Witness

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What happens when you witness the unthinkable?

For two years, sixteen-year-old Cee Cee Montgomery has had a crush on David Johnson, and she’s been waiting for him to notice her, and he does—at a party that Cee Cee wasn’t supposed to be at. But she is. She’s there when David is stabbed and no one calls for help. She’s one of the silent witnesses who bears the guilt of his death, and it’s tearing her apart. Not even her best friend, Stacy Eddings, can help her through it.
Stacy is a silent witness of a different sort. He’s been in love with Cee Cee since he met her, but she never saw past David, and while he doesn’t know she went to that party, he does realize that something is wrong, that sometimes, no matter how painful, the truth has to come out.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 8, 2012
ISBN9781476136189
Witness
Author

Maria Rachel Hooley

Maria Rachel Hooley is the author of over forty novels, including When Angels Cry and October Breezes. Her first chapbook of poetry was published by Rose Rock Press in 1999. She is an English teacher who lives in Oklahoma with her three children and husband. She loves reading, and if she could live in a novel, it would be Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn.

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    Book preview

    Witness - Maria Rachel Hooley

    Witness

    by

    Maria Rachel Hooley

    Witness

    Copyright ©2012 Maria Rachel Hooley

    Cover by Phatpuppy Art

    Smashwords Edition

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

    Chapter One

    David Johnson smiled at me today.

    I was walking down the hall, and one of the other football players ran into me, knocking all my stuff to the floor. As I bent to pick it up, David suddenly appeared--not that I was aware. I thought it was some other dumb jock who'd deigned to help. The only reason I even knew it was a jock was I could see the tail of his jersey. I didn't realize it was David until our hands collided and he said, Sorry, Cee Cee.

    When I saw his blue eyes flash in my direction, I stopped moving and stared like a dummy while he shoved papers back into my notebook and pressed it into my hands.

    Good as new. He gave a smile and headed down the hall to hang out with Jeremy Rogers and Matt Weston.

    I knew I should get up but couldn't. He knows my name, I thought. He knows who I am.

    You gonna stay there all day?

    That's when I saw Stacy Eddings standing nearby, arms crossed over his chest. When I still didn't move, he waved his hand in front of me.

    Earth to Cee Cee. Come in. He glanced down the hall, following my gaze. Johnson's gone, in case you hadn't noticed.

    Trust Stacy to ruin a perfect moment.

    Of course I noticed, I replied, scrambling to my feet. My legs are sore from my workout yesterday, so I'm not moving very quickly.

    I averted my eyes and brushed a strand of hair from my face, which I knew was probably flushed and so not helping my totally lame attempt at indifference.

    You? Work out? Stacy cocked an incredulous eyebrow. Yeah. He laughed. I so don't see that happening. You get leg cramps just watching me run laps.

    Hey, Stacy. Felicia Martinez lightly grabbed Stacy's forearm as she ambled down the hall, a sure sign of possession that couldn't be missed any more than her short cheerleader skirt or long, beautiful, black hair that cascaded like silk down her back. She was, in a word, perfect: a five-foot-two goddess cast down among mere mortals like me and definitely the type of girl David would go for. She was the kind of girl most guys would go for, but Stacy wasn't most guys. Even so, that didn't mean he wasn't nice about his disinterest. Stacy made it a point to be nice unless there was a reason not to be.

    Then something would definitely hit the fan.

    Hey, Felicia. How's it going? He smiled, and only I knew it was the fake kind he reserved for things he merely tolerated. I couldn't exactly blame Felicia. Stacy was really good-looking, with his dark blond hair and bright blue eyes. He looked like the proverbial boy next door--that is, if you lived among male models. This morning, he was even dressed in a long-sleeved denim shirt unbuttoned a white tee. Yeah, if he weren't my best friend I'd go for him, too.

    It would be better if you called me--hint, hint. She winked and squeezed his arm before releasing it, and he shrugged, letting her disappear without an answer.

    I waited until Felicia was out of earshot before I said, Aw, look who has a crush on Stacy.

    Don't remind me. He glanced down the hall. Weren't you headed to your locker? He glanced at his watch. The first bell's about to ring.

    He had a point. Mrs. Levinson probably wouldn't care for me showing up without my lit book, especially when we were right in the middle of all that Puritan crap. Lucky me.

    Come on, I sighed, heading that way. Why was it I had my history book instead? Oh, yeah, there'd been homework--and lots of it.

    Together we wove our way down the hall, which was no mean feat. Somehow my locker had ended up in the senior hall, which I thought would be great. Nope. I'd been late more than once, which meant I had to hurry. Nothing like getting a detention when there were still two more days this week. I had originally thought my locker might end up near David's, but no such luck; it was near half the ag club instead, and even now, as I barely managed to push through, I knew that while the seniors weren't particularly serious about school, blocking the hall was held in high esteem.

    Of course, as I glanced back, I saw the kids were parting for Stacy, like always, probably because he was one of their own, unlike me, a lowly junior. Disgusted but envious, I stopped and shook my head.

    Why don't you save me some grief and go first?

    Stacy grinned. Why? You were doing so well. At this rate, we might actually get there five minutes late instead of ten. Big improvement.

    I gave him an acid look. You think?

    Maybe it's because I'm taller. You're so short I'm not sure they know you're there. He had to slide close to slip past, and this time, with him up front, I had no trouble reaching my locker. Stacy waved at it, kind of like he was on some game show displaying prizes. Want me to open it, too?

    I shook my head. You don't even know the combination.

    Ye of little faith. Stacy grabbed the combination lock and started turning the dial.

    He'll never get it, I thought. I only told him the combination once, at the start of the school year.

    About two seconds later, I realized how wrong I was when he pulled the lock free and popped open the door. Think you can handle getting your books?

    My mouth kind of fell open, then closed again. How'd you do that?

    He leaned against the locker next to mine. I do listen Cee.

    You're full of it today, aren't you? I shoved my history book into my locker and grabbed the one for lit.

    Maybe.

    The first bell rang, making me jump. I'm going to be late! I slammed the door shut, and Stacy put the lock back on.

    I told you so.

    Nobody likes ITYS's, Stacy. I sprang down the hallway, knowing that as long as his legs were, there'd be no challenge in keeping up with me.

    Which are? he asked.

    I told you sos, I snapped, taking in his empty hands. Where are you books?

    I'm an aide this hour, remember? He patted my shoulder and veered toward the office. See you at lunch.

    * * *

    Stacy was already waiting at our usual table. Although I'd gotten a tray, I wasn't sure why. I didn't have a clue what was on it, even though I was looking right at it. I made a mental note to drop a suggestion in the box about not needing picture menus to match entrees. What were we, kindergarteners?

    Stacy's legs were sprawled out under the table, and he was slouched in his chair, completely comfortable as he munched on Funyuns and sipped his Gatorade.

    Nice lunch. I nodded at the table. I figured after school he'd probably hit Burger King or McDonald’s. Those chips weren't going to tide him over for long. He wasn't exactly a small guy.

    At least I know what this is. Did you forget that on Tuesdays they serve something out of a horror film? He pointed a half-eaten Funyun at my tray. That could be someone's cat, so don't blame me when Fluffy gives you indigestion.

    Not funny. I set down my tray and kicked lightly at his feet to get them to move. Can you sit up so I don't step on your gargantuan feet?

    Hand on his chest, Stacy shifted and pulled his long legs under him. It's not my fault I have large feet. I mean, I'd better have size fourteen feet because I'm 6'4. Anything smaller and I'd be clumsy like you."

    Mmmhmm, I managed. I'd no sooner sat down than I saw David was seated at a table not far off. Yes, he had most of the team with him, plus a few cheerleaders, but I didn't care. He was the one thing holding my attention. I looked over at him and smiled, not expecting a response, but he winked and returned the smile.

    ...I asked Felicia to the movies. She's coming dressed in a green bikini.

    I turned and blinked dumbly at my best friend. You don't even like Felicia. And then I thought about it. Yeah, he might like her in a bikini, never mind that it was green. Wait--why would she go to the movies in a bikini? It's November!

    Stacy laughed, and the sunlight creeping through the windows caught the gold cross at his neck, reflecting its glow. It was the same cross he'd always worn, one indication among many of how constant Stacy was. No matter what else changed, he didn't, and I was grateful for that.

    So you are listening. I didn't know if you could manage that while David was in the room.

    Funny. I scowled and grabbed his drink for a sip despite his reaching to reclaim it.

    You do know I have mono, right? He grabbed another Funyun.

    You do not! I set his Gatorade down and picked up my fork, trying to drum up enough courage to eat. The unrecognizable mass in front of me wasn't making it easy, though. It didn't even smell edible.

    Okay, if that's what you think, but don't blame me when you're stuck in the hospital, too tired even to stalk David--not that he'd visit you, anyway. Stacy ate the last Funyun and crumpled the bag into a ball.

    Yeah, well, if I get mono, you'll be right there in the hospital with me.

    He nodded. You could even drool over me instead of David. Maybe you'll like my cute little blue gown.

    I barked out a laugh. So not happening.

    Why not? What's so great about Mr. Jock Itch, anyway?

    Mr. Jock Itch? I echoed, eyes wide as I looked up to find Stacy crossing his arms defensively over his chest. Wow, that was mature.

    Okay, he admitted, slowly nodding. Maybe it wasn't, but it's how I feel. What I can't figure out is why you're so stuck on him.

    I forced myself to take a bite of the mystery meat, thinking that no matter how badly it tasted, it would at least give me a chance to figure out a reasonable response.I tried to think of how to explain my feelings for David but kept coming up empty, so I did the only thing I could: I focused on eating the meatloaf--or at least that's what I think it was.

    Nice, ignoring the question. Stacy downed the last of his Gatorade, his gaze never leaving mine.

    Hey, it's lunchtime, and I'm hungry, I managed between bites. I wasn't hungry, but the topic had left me unsettled, and I wasn't sure why. Normally, Stacy and I could talk about anything, but this--this was too tense for me.

    Okay, let's leave Jock Itch out of the equation. He straightened and leaned closer, drumming his fingers on the table. How about you and I go to the movies this Saturday? I'll even let you pick, and I won't gripe about your rom-coms.

    I paused, the fork hovering as I tried to muddle through the meaning behind his words as his gaze lingered uncomfortably. It wasn't all that unusual for Stacy and me to go to the movies. We often did. No, it was more the way he was asking that jarred me, almost as if it were a date. But Stacy wouldn't seriously ask me out, would he? I straightened. Why else would he ask so soon after mentioning my interest in David?

    Frowning, I set my fork back on the tray, unsure how I felt about that. Did some part of me like Stacy? I had a feeling the answer was yes, but truthfully, since we'd become such close friends, I'd been afraid to go down that road--afraid of where it might lead. It was one thing to start dating a guy and then feel like your heart had been ripped out when things were over but another when that guy happened to be your best friend, and you couldn't imagine a life without him. Yes, we could go out and really click, but it could also end up an epic fail, and I didn't see any way to rebound from that. Who would I even talk to about it? I had other friends, yeah--but he was the one who was important.

    I swallowed hard. We both knew there was an elephant in the room, and there was no point in playing dumb about it. Um, that kind of sounds like you're asking me out. My voice was shaky. I didn't have a clue what he was going to say or how I should respond.

    Okay, he agreed, so what if I am? Would that be so bad, Cee? We've known each other forever. That's got to count for something.

    I forced a smile, knowing he'd see right through it. Yeah, well, maybe we know each other too well for that to be a good idea.

    As I spoke, Stacy cocked his head to one side, and I could tell he didn't like what I'd said. You really think that knowing someone well is a bad reason to start dating? Seriously? He gestured to David's table. I've played on David's team before, Cee. He's not the guy you think.

    Right back to David again, I thought, gritting my teeth. Can we leave him out?

    Sure, but I don't get you. He looked away, obviously frustrated. I could tell by the way he clenched his jaw. I have no doubts we'd be great together. As it is, everybody already thinks we're dating except us. We might as well be. We're always together. Why can't we give it a try and see what happens? His voice was soft and sincere, and in most cases, I could never say no to Stacy, but this fear was a powerful motivator. I wasn't afraid of dating him, per se; no, I was afraid of losing him. If we didn't work out as a couple, I couldn't see us going back to being best friends, and even though being more than friends would have been nice, I didn't want to lose what I had. He was far too important.

    Stacy continued to stare, and I knew he was waiting for some kind of an answer. I didn't think he was going to like the one I gave him. You've got girls falling all over you left and right--girls a lot prettier than me. Why don't you ask Felicia or someone else out? I'm not anything like them.

    Stacy shook his head in disbelief. Which is the exact reason I don't ask them out. I'm not looking for someone like them. I'm looking for someone like you. Thing is, there's only one you.

    Trust Stacy to leave me speechless and remind me of that old crush I used to have on him before I realized how great of friends we'd be. No matter how much it might sting, I knew our friendship was much more important than this dating bug that had bit Stacy, so the answer had to be no, and even though I had enough butterflies fluttering in my stomach to start a Monarch empire, I had to find a way to make Stacy believe what I was saying without losing his friendship, which was going to be hard.

    Stacy, I know you mean well, but we've been best friends for so long I don't think I could see you as boyfriend material even if I tried.

    He grabbed his empty Gatorade bottle and gave it a hard squeeze. Say what you want, Cee. I know you're lying. You suck at it.

    What makes you think I'm lying? I demanded, grabbing my tray to dump it. My trembling fingers needed something to do to keep them busy. Besides, I'd had more than enough and didn't plan on eating cafeteria food on anymore Tuesdays, if this were any indication of what we'd have. My stomach was already revolting, and I had a feeling it was only going to get worse.

    You're chewing your bottom lip again. You always do that when you aren't telling the truth.

    Immediately I stopped, feeling as though I'd been caught doing something bad. It's a white lie, I told myself. I'm trying to keep things good between me and Stacy.

    I'm not lying, I muttered, standing. I didn't know someone was behind me, and our bodies collided. He almost knocked me over, and I held the tray as tightly as I could so as not to spill it.

    Careful there, a male voice said.

    I turned to find David looking down at me. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Great, I thought, he thinks I'm a clumsy idiot who can't speak. Way to go, Cee.

    In spite of the internal monologue, I kept staring. Stacy, on the other hand, was rolling his eyes. I saw him out of the corner of my eye.

    S--sorry about that, I stammered, mesmerized by his blue eyes. They were darker than Stacy's, almost a gunmetal gray, and I saw myself in them, which was beyond weird.

    It's not a problem, David said, shrugging. I didn't think you'd want to end up wearing.... His voice trailed off as he tried to figure out what was on my tray.

    It's meatloaf, I finally said, peering at the brown glop. While it might not be edible, at least it's good for making small talk with David. That's got to count for something.

    David peered a little closer. I'll have to take your word for it because I'm not eating it.

    He gave my shoulder a friendly squeeze, not unlike Stacy had done a million times, but this felt different, probably because I knew he wasn't off-limits. There was a huge difference between not being able to date someone because he was your best friend and not dating someone because you didn't think he knew you had a pulse--or a name, for that matter.

    Well, wasn't that exciting? Stacy said dryly as David walked away. You even got a close encounter with Jock Itch himself.

    Frustrated, I started to dump my tray, figuring Stacy would drop the conversation if I ignored him. Boy, was I wrong. He was right beside me. Granted, his strides weren't as long; they didn't have to be.

    Will you stop calling him that? I hissed.

    If you'll stop looking at him like that, he challenged, throwing his trash away.

    Like what? I dumped the uneaten food in the garbage can, and from the piles of it, I wasn't the only one saying no to food poisoning.

    Like he's the only guy in the room. He's not perfect.

    And you're not perfect, either. I started to leave, but Stacy wasn't finished. He stepped

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