What Was, What Is, What Can Be

Chapter 1

A/N: Thanks to Thyme for betaing, and Sabina and Gina for the picture.

 

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SAINT JAMES ACADEMY--8:45AM

"Well?" Daphne demanded when Justin met up with her on the steps of Saint James Academy.

Justin immediately knew what she wanted to know. He shook his head. "He said no. Refused to be caught dead in a room full of eighteen year olds."

"Sorry, Jus. I know you were wanting him to come."

Justin shrugged with a little smile. "I knew it was a longshot. I was just hoping, you know?"

Daphne nodded. "Well, you still have me. We'll go together. Be each other's date."

Justin looked at her for a long moment, then nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

"Great!" she replied as they walked down the hall of the school. They were almost at the calculus class, that they had together, when a loud noise rang out. Everything and everyone seemed to completely freeze for a split second. Then chaos erupted. Students began running, hoping to make it towards the exit. Students were getting pushed and knocked down. Teachers were just as scared. Justin could faintly hear the principal, over the school's intercom, as he and Daphne ran.

"Students, staff, please remain calm! If you cannot make it safely outside, please head towards a designated lockdown area!"

Justin could hear more shots being fired. The sound was getting closer. "We're not going to make it to the doors!" Justin whispered, slightly out of breath.

Daphne nodded. "I know! C'mon!"

Justin was amazed that either of them could think clearly, especially if Daphne was half as scared as he was. After what seemed like an eternity, they reached a door. Daphne tried the knob, only to find it locked. They both began to urgently bang on the door. "Let us in!" Daphne cried.

The door opened a crack and a girl poked her head out. "C'mon," she said. They hurried inside and the door was shut and locked once again. Justin glanced around and saw a few other students, and a teacher, sitting at the desks. The room's lights were off. One of the faces belonged to Chris Hobbs.

'Oh, great! Stuck in here for God knows how long, with him!' Justin mentally complained. He was slightly surprised to feel a wetness hit his hand. He looked at his hand in confusion. Then he realized that it was a tear. He was crying. He quickly wiped his eyes, hoping nobody had noticed. But it wasn't meant to be.

"You're crying. Gonna piss your pants, too, Taylor?" Chris taunted.

Justin narrowed his eyes at his fellow student. "No," he hissed. "And, I'm not crying. It's allergies."

"Yeah, right," scoffed Chris.

"Enough!" said the teacher. Justin recognized her as Mrs. Hannor, one of the English teachers. "All of you be quiet. Help will be here, soon."

"Whatever," mumbled Chris causing everyone else in the room to glare at him.

Everything remained silent for a few minutes. Then as a loud banging sounded on the other side of the door, they all jumped.

 

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LIBERTY AVENUE DINER--9:25AM

Debbie was serving her son and his friends when a name caught her attention. She hurriedly slapped the last dish on the table and whirled around. "Tom, turn that up!" The customer, Tom, that was sitting closest to the small television complied. The television was now loud enough for the whole diner to hear. As if sensing that it was important, everyone grew quiet.

"Once again, I'm reporting live in front of Saint James Academy. About thirty minutes ago, shooting started. Most of the students and staff were able to make it safely out of the building. However, some remain trapped inside. We ask that any parents that have students at Saint James Academy immediately come down here. We will continue to bring you facts as they are updated."

"Saint James Academy? Isn't that where Justin...?" Michael trailed off. Debbie frantically nodded as she started towards the door. "Where you goin', Ma?" asked Michael.

"Down there!"

"I'll come with you," said Emmett. Debbie quickly left the diner with Michael, Emmett, Ted and Brian right behind her.

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SAINT JAMES ACADEMY--9:35AM

Everyone in the room tried to remain silent. "Open this damn door! RIGHT NOW!" a voice screamed.

A shot was fired at the door, causing the inhabitants of the room to jump. A couple of the girls started to whimper. Justin thought he could see tears in Chris' eyes. A couple more shots were fired, then the door was kicked open. Justin and Daphne grabbed onto each other.

"Thought you could hide from us," snarled a male voice.

Justin's eyes widened when he saw who the assailants were. They were both wearing black clothes and combat boots. They each held rifles and Justin could see guns sticking out of their waistbands.

"Milton? Brian?" gasped Justin. He was surprised, and he could see that everyone else was, also. Brian and Milton were seniors, in a couple of Justin's classes, and usually very quiet. They never seemed to get into trouble. Always turned their work in on time. Kept their heads down. Of course, in retrospect, it was always the quiet ones that people said you had to watch out for.

"What do you think you're doing?" Chris demanded as he stood up.

"What we should've done a long time ago," replied Milton. He quickly strode over and delivered a savage hit, with the butt of the rifle, to Chris' forehead. Chris fell down, unconscious.

"Now, everyone will remain quiet! Is that understood?" demanded Brian. The remaining seven heads nodded.

The window in the room was open and sirens and yelling could be heard. The teacher stood up. "You aren't going to get away with this. How about just letting us go?"

Milton and Brian laughed as if Mrs. Hannor had just told a joke. "How about, not a chance in hell?" replied Milton.

"Why are you doing this?" Daphne dared to ask.

"Why? Because our lives have been made hell the whole four years we've been here! That's why!" yelled Brian. "Just because we're not as popular. Not as rich," he added.

"So has mine. Especially after I came out gay. But I'm not shooting up the school!" exclaimed Justin.

Brian waved his rifle in a threatening manner and hissed, "Shut up!"

"Please," whispered a girl that Justin recognized as Myra Keller, "let us go."

"You want out of here?" sneered Milton. Without waiting for a reply, Milton raised his rifle and shot Myra in the chest. Her green eyes widened in shock, then closed as she collapsed backward.

"Oh my God!" screamed another girl. One that Justin didn't recognize. Milton dropped the rifle and withdrew his pistol from his waistband. "Shut up!" he hissed. The girl didn't say anything else, but she couldn't contain her whimpers.

"Who's next?" taunted Brian.

Brian's eyes landed on Daphne and he took a step closer. He was still holding his rifle but was also holding his pistol. Justin got in front of her, holding his arms straight out at his sides. "No way!" he cried.

Just then, there was noise in the hallway. "Come out, now, and you won't be harmed!" a voice called out.

"Absolutely not!" Brian yelled back, then slammned the door shut using his body to keep it closed. "Let's finish this," he said to Milton.

That scared Justin, who was back to holding Daphne. She was holding tightly to him, her face streaked with tears.

Milton raised his pistol at Daphne, preparing to shoot. "Don't!" Justin screamed as he lunged in front of Daphne just as Milton squeezed the trigger.

 

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