In school, Ajax is in the middle of a music class, an elective that he had taken specifically to relax in his last semester of high school. It had no effect or consequence on his university admissions, a twelfth grade class with thirteen students in total; he liked playing his clarinet so he stuck with it instead of dropping it.
Today, a Tuesday in the second week of April during Ajax’s twelfth grade second semester, Ajax’s class was interrupted when a classmate of his was brought out of the class by the school’s vice-principal. Her name was Samantha Chen-Miller.
Ajax didn't know her that well since they were both in different sections of their class orchestra. He was in the woodwinds section while she was a member of percussion, the only member. That day, she had left school and had not returned in subsequent classes.
It was a problem for the class’s orchestra considering her drumming was necessary for their performance, but the teacher actually filled in for her personally. The teacher did not comment on where she was during the time she was away.
During her absence, Ajax learned what had happened to her. Stories were going around about how half a dozen died in a multi-car pile up on a busy interstate freeway. One of the victims was a middle-aged couple whose surnames were “Chen-Miller”. Ajax had seen the story on social media as well, sourced from a local newspaper.
It would not have been surprising to either Ajax or Shaula if Samantha didn't return for classes at all for the rest of the semester. However, she returned two weeks after she had left her music class.
"Why would she stay in her classes if that's what happened?" Ajax asks Shaula. “Maybe it was a different Chen-Miller couple or maybe it was family she personally wasn’t very close with?”
"It's the final semester of her high school, isn't it? If she drops out now, she'll have to redo the whole final semester next year. Maybe she doesn't want that. Her studies might even be the only way she can take her mind off of… everything." Shaula proffers grimly.
The two of them are sitting down beside their lockers, having lunch together. The school was somewhat somber when the rumors spread about Samantha’s parents’ deaths. The newspaper that broke the story did not mention the children of the Chen-Miller couple by name, but there were a few students who knew about Samantha and put things together.
In the middle of their lunch, Ajax and Shaula see the girl in question walking by them through the hallway, a couple textbooks in her arms.
"That's her, Shaula." Ajax whispers, trying to be as discreet as possible.
Shaula watches her leave. She is a gorgeous girl with almond-shaped eyes, about a head shorter than Shaula, with pixie-cut black hair. She turns a corner and vanishes.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"Do you know if she has any friends? I think I saw her in a class of mine last year, but I barely remember her." Shaula considers.
"She seemed to be by herself even in my music class. No one else did percussion except her. She doesn't… seem to be popular, I guess?"
Shaula could tell by her body language. Samantha was very conscious of people watching her, her eyes and cheeks twitching slightly while she walked past. She was trying not to stare at the people staring in her direction, even though it would be natural for her to look at those who were looking at her. It was as if she didn't want to see their pitying eyes towards her.
She doesn't want to be constantly reminded of… Yes… I see.
Shaula has no trouble believing that this girl was the student who had lost both her parents.
"I can't even imagine what she must be going through… Losing your parents must be such a devastating experience." Ajax says, before realizing his mistake.
"I-I'm sorry, Shaula, you probably know that better than anyone."
"Hm? What, I wasn't listening, what'd you say?" Shaula asks, looking up from her phone.
"...Nothing, d-don't worry about it. Sigh. Shaula… Maybe this is a personal question, feel free not to answer but… how did you feel when your parents… you know… passed away?”
Shaula looks at Ajax for a moment in silent contemplation of his questions. Her eyes mirrored the emptiness of a lifeless fish, reflecting an inner desolation mixed with a cold detachment. He withers under her gaze, fearing he has pried too deeply at a sore spot of hers. She simply sighs.
"My real parents died when I was too young to remember anything. I wasn't even there with them at the time apparently. They did die in a car accident too though."
"R-Really? Wow, I had no idea. All of this must be painful for you, huh… Actually, a-are you alright, Shaula? Really… alright?" Ajax asks, genuine worry and sympathy clear on his face. Shaula simply closes her eyes and waves a hand dismissively.
"Like I said, Ajax, they were long dead by the time I had my first memory. I… I do sympathize with Samantha still. My… My foster parents…"
Shaula bites her tongue so as not to speak ill of them. She hates both of them more than anything. Even now, she gets a bit dizzy contemplating how much she reviles them both. But, she isn't ready to unveil the depths of that hatred to Ajax. So she calms her expression and lies to him while mixing in some truth.
"It was… painful when they died. I was never the same. There were moments when I was thinking about suicide too, I'm not going to lie. But, life… slowly went by and the pain started to go with it, even if not completely. That's all I can really say. Though to be honest, I think Samantha is feeling different from how I did back then. Everyone experiences loss differently, right?"
"Yeah…"
Samantha herself is focused on her studies for now. Shaula was right, she didn't want to redo her entire semester. Her late mother had been glad that she had been accepted into university. She was the first person on her mother's side of the family to be accepted into a truly prestigious, post-secondary institution.
When she received an acceptance letter informing her that she had gotten into her first pick, her mother had thrown her a party. It was a nice, relaxed time with just her and her parents, as well as a few of her aunts and uncles who called in to congratulate her.
And now… they're…