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The next few days for Tomika are a mixed bag. She gets approached by boys now, but she also has to keep up-to-date with the gossiping or face being Chloe’s punching bag. She had already been subject to such, and it’s not a pleasant feeling at all. Still, she’s getting the popularity she always wanted, and that’s what’s best… right?
Tomika eventually learns that Eliza was kicked out of the group for not abiding by the rules and she didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. However, she has come close to doing so as she’s forced to talk bad about people she’s acquaintances with or about people she knows nothing about. Overall, she doesn’t know how to feel about her new status.
Then the intercom comes on, ceasing all conversation.
“Attention, students,” Principal Stefor announces, “I have some tragic news to report.”
He clears his throat while everyone starts to murmur.
“Connor Boniello Hasak, an eighth-grade student here at Junes Landing Middle School, is no longer with us today.”
More confused murmurs surface.
“Connor took his own life just almost a month ago.”
Shocked and distraught gasps fill the air, and some people start to cry.
“We’ll hold an assembly to remember him by tomorrow. If anyone would like to say anything at tomorrow’s assembly, please meet me after school.”
For the rest of the day, the school is silent. No one is sure how to feel or what to say. Tomika starts to tear up. Chloe shoves her as Heather reminds her now’s not the time to really do so. Chloe rolls her eyes and leaves without a single trace of concern.
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The assembly is today. The school is still mostly quiet, but some conversations are able to take place. Tomika has her speech ready. The group doesn’t know that she’s doing a speech because she knows they don’t want to hear that.
The school gathers in the gymnasium and take their seats. Principal Stefor makes a greeting and pulls out a piece of paper, “This is Connor’s suicide note. He has requested to have it be read at his funeral, although it seems appropriate to have it read here, as well.”
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Principal Stefor clears his throat, and reads:
Dear everyone,
So, I guess I really did it, huh? To be honest, I’m as shocked and surprised as you are. Look, I know there are a lot of things I can say as to why I did it, but none of them seem like worthy explanations. In the end, it’s my fault for not wanting to reach out to anyone to try and get help. Why didn’t I do do that? I no one cared. No one seemed interested in wanting to try to help out the mentally-disturbed kid. But, I do want to thank some of the people that somewhat made my life valuable. Nick Barnaby, I know what I said to you the day before I killed myself was harsh, and I should’ve valued our friendship more, so I’m sorry. And now, Tomika. Tomika, nothing is your fault. I got petty when you abandoned me and I didn’t even bother to try and rekindle our friendship. I’m honestly the worst person to ever be friends with and I’m sorry. I wish that we could’ve made up. I mean, I kept thinking to myself, “Maybe if I just talk to her, then maybe she’ll accept me.” But then I realized nothing would be different at all. I know this is a really petty suicide letter but I need to tell people how I felt and how it was all my fault. So, to those who somehow tolerated me, thanks. I wish I appreciated it more than I did, or I’d still be alive.
Sincerely,
Me, Connor Boniello Hasak
The gym remains silent. The principal awkwardly breaks the silence with, “If anyone would like to talk to me about anything regarding this—maybe they feel responsible for his suicide—, just come to me whenever. Now, let’s listen to Tomika Mochrie.
Chloe exaggerates a gasp. She’s shocked, but she’s trying to humiliate her. Tomika adjusts the microphone on the podium, unfolds her paper, and stares at it.
“Start already!” someone heckles.
Tomika crumbles her paper up and lets it drop to the side and begins speaking, “Connor was a great guy. He really was. Sure, he had problems, but he was still an acceptable guy. I remember when we had our first and real conversation, he would call me a nerd. But he didn’t do it to hurt me. It was… affectionate. I really started to get used to it. I wasn’t being insulted by anyone when I was with Connor. We laughed and talked about our futures and interests, and it was like the world just went away, just for a little while. He loved that I was interested in art, especially sculpting, and he wanted to see what my latest bust was going to be but,” Tomika starts to tear up, “he never did. And he never will. That’s why my next bust is going to be of Connor Hasak, and I’ll display in this school so everyone can see his face and remember him. Connor, if you’re out there, somewhere, anywhere, I’m sorry. I’m just,” Tomika can’t continue to speak, but she doesn’t have to.
Nick starts clapping. Soon, he’s got almost everyone clapping. Not for Tomika, but for Connor. Now everyone wishes that they had gotten to know Connor. Even Heather started to tear up during Tomika’s speech. Chloe is completely disgusted by how “cheesy” it was. Eliza also tears up and sees Heather. She runs over to her and gives her a hug. They cry onto each other’s shoulders. Chloe has had enough of this and leaves the gym. Soon, everyone is hugging one another and talking to people they’ve never talked to. This is what Connor would’ve wanted.