ten·der·ness

ˈtendərnəs

noun

gentleness and kindness.

--

A few weeks passed without any luck with the case and with every passing day Kurt and I became more and more anxious. If we don't figure out who did wrote it then they are as good as dead.

We did get one new note though, it gave a second hint. It said that Jared might know a few things. If I didn't know better I think this person was just framing people. I bet this person is trying to play some sick game with us.

The second note also said if we went to the police - which in the rush never occurred to the two of us - that they would do it without hesitation. Basically a person's life is on the hands of two eighteen year olds that are no way in a position to be doing this sort of thing.

Recently I have also been spending less time with Veronica, both because I have to focus on saving a life and her being grounded for the rest of the month. It is only mid September, so we should be able to hang out after that.

It makes me sad that me and Veronica haven't been hanging out other than in school, but I guess it makes sense. We are nearly inseperable at school, so we should probably try and get used to being away from one another anyway.

I sigh, sadness filling me just at the thought of not having her by my side at every second of the day. No, she'll think I am too clingly if I think that way. I do have to admit it was a sort of creepy thought...

I pick up a pencil and scribble a few notes onto a piece of paper. I need to ask Veronica something soon and whatever she responds with could make or break Kurt and I's investigation.

I groan, but am quickly stopped by a giggle from my girlfriend, "What's up with you?" She sits at her spit across from me, I life having almost all our classes together. It's been that way since fourth grade after all.

"Just missing going on dates with you," I say with a very forced wink which makes her burst out laughing. I laugh a tiny bit myself just at the fact she is laughing.

When she finally calms down she gives me a kiss on the cheek which causes my heart to skip like twenty beats. I love her so much, the simple things she does just makes me so happy.

"You're so cute," She compliments and if it were from anyone else I'd have snapped at them, but it is from her so I simply smile and accept it.

I cover my face as I feel it heat up from how embarrassing she is, "Stop..." I finally mumble not being able to handle all the happiness she gives me.

She laughs a little bit more, "Do you think the teacher will be here today? She has been out a lot lately, do you think she is OK?"

I shrug, "If I were a teacher I wouldn't want to stay here...but no, I don't think she will be here."

She sighs, I can't decided whether it is from relief or annoyance. She really has been in and out and it has only been about a month of school. We should probably ask the principal or someone about why she has been because she hasn't told us herself yet.

Veronica pulls out her phone for a second, "Oh it's from Jenna," She says probably referring to a text she got. She scrolls through a few things before shooting up and looking at me like I am a demon, "Your birthday was last week! I completely forgot, I'm so sorry!"

Stupid Jenna, how did she find out? I was hoping Veronica wouldn't remember, I love her and how she cares about me so much. I love how she has made it a tradition that we always go see a movie on my birthday, but I don't want it to burden her somehow.

"Does it really matter that much?" I ask, growing increasingly more uncomfortable with the situation. I hate my birthday, ever since I was five I have and I don't know about you, but I kinda don't wanna celebrate something I hate with a deep burning passion. My birthday is traumatic, but then again Veronica and I always spend it together.

Her jaw drops lightly as she attempts to comprehend how I could say something like that. I guess I understand where she is coming from, she comes from a rich family so they celebrate everyone's birthdays. I know she doesn't like her birthday that much either since her dad died and his birthday is the day before her own. I can't even imagine what that is like.

"Does it really matter? Of course, it really matters! Don't you want to be celebrated!" She says with the brightest smile I have ever and probably will ever see and it shows how much she cares about me - I hope. "Don't you wanna celebrate the day you were born?"

"Not really," I mumble, "My parents died on my birthday..."

"Oh right..." She mumbles, her smile turning into a sad frown and I know she is trying to comprehend how much I dont like my birthday.

"Its fine," I chuckle as I grab her hands and hold them in mine, her hands are so warm, I love them so much. "We both have bad experiences with birthdays. If you want to..celebrate my birthday then...then you can- we can."

The smile reappears and she is more than happy again, "Great! Later today meet me at my house, my mom works late because she has meeting and I can tell her I have to go to a study group! I'll plan the date, because you always do and it wouldn't be right if you did it for yourself, y'know?"

I nod my head, while she continues talking about how she is gonna make me love my birthday. What she doesnt know is that she already gave me the best birthday present and that is her being in my life. I love her, she is the brightest happiest person I have ever and will ever meet. Don't get me wrong Joy was happy and easily exited too, but it all seemed so fake.

With Veronica she is genuine, you can see it on her face, in her hand movements, her simple tone of voice. When she is passionate about a topic you can hear it in her voice, her pure rage, her sweet love, her everything. Veronica is an open book, she knows that and she accepts it. That is why she is student body president, people trust her with their lives because she is just awesome.

Joy on the other hand was fake. When she screamed about how much she was happy about something it always sounded extra, like she didnt know how much she should actually scream about it. She never really talked about stuff she disliked either, she was sort of just there, always filled with bubbly happiness.

Before we even know it class is over and we have to separate once again. I give her a kiss on the cheek and she smiles, "When will we kiss on the lips?"

I blush at the thought and become extremely flustered, "Uhm, well, hum, when every you, uhn, want?" I say, but it definitely sounded more of a question than a statement, which makes her laugh.

"Love you," She says as she walks out the door into the student filled halls. I wanted to grab her and kiss her, but I am too shy for that, besides she is already gone my chance is gone. I groan as I take my bag and make my way to my science class.

As soon as I enter I am immediately attacked by Kurt as he asks me if I asked Veronica the question yet. I groan as I place my backpack onto my seat. "No, but we are going on a date later so I'll ask then."

Kurt nods his head, "Are you at all anxious about this whole thing?" He asks, sort of out of the blue. I know that Kurt is a dedicated person and likes things being finished early, so this must be absolutely horrible for him.

"I guess," I respond while I pull out some things from my backpack, "But then again I don't know if this is some sick prank or not."

Kurt holds his head in his hands and thinks over what he should say, "I don't think it is," He finally speaks up after about thirty seconds of silence. "I know people are jerks, but a fake suicide note seems a bit much. I just want to know why me of all people?"

I shrug for what feels like the trillionth time today and sigh for the trillionth time today, "I think it was a good decision. Hypothetically speaking if I wrote a letter like that I'd want someone who is passionate and smart to figure out who I am. Someone who will try their best to answer the puzzle and is smart enough to at least get close."

He smiles, "Thanks," He groans, "But never compliment me again, I might fall for you."

"Really? The popular jock falls for the emo loner? What do you think this is some T.V. show?" I joke with a simple roll of my eyes already knowing he is joking. Kurt always makes jokes about how he is gay so this isn't anything new.

He chuckles, but shakes his head, "Didn't you get Veronica though? She is like the second most popular in school." He plops onto the desk next to me while we wait for the others to get here, "You are really lucky a lot of people like her and would kill to get a date with her."

"Really?" I ask, "I didn't know she was that popular...I mean I know she is smart and fucking stunning, but I didn't know I wasn't the only guy that had eyes for her."

He stares at me, slightly unconvinced, "You know she isn't the only one that likes you, right?"

I snort, obviously taking it as a dumb joke. Nobody ever notices me, what would be the point in even doing that. The chances of me giving you the time of day are almost none. "Funny."

"It's not a joke," He says, his face then switching to something with a mixture of concern and confusion, "You mean you never notice that Jen has a thing for you?"

"Jen? As in Jenna Bradshaw?" I say having to hold back laughs, "As if! We hate each others guts!" My attempt at holding back the laugh fails and I burst into an all out cry-laughing fit. Jenna Bradshaw, the most popular girl I school liking me? As unlikely as that is if it were true she wouldn't stand a chance against Veronica. Plus I would never even consider dating her as she is just some stuck up rich bitch.

Kurt shakes his head, obviously disappointed in the fact I couldn't tell - but it really wasn't obvious at all! I don't understand how it could be, all we ever do is yell at one another. I think we've had like one decent conversation. "I guess I am not surprised. Just the way she looks at he is just, not a look you'd give your enemy."

"Please tell me you're the only one that knows," I say trying to make sure that I am not about to get murdered. If people actually know this then I am as good as dead. She is super popular and boys fall at her feet all the time, including Max. Oh Max would beat me up if he found out about this.

Kurt nods his head, "Joy, Veronica, and I are the only ones that know. If you were planning on hiding it from V, then there is no point."

"Good thing I'd never do that," I chuckle and soon realize that the person that sits at the desk where Kurt is at has been standing next to him for a few minutes now. "Sorry, sorry!" I shout as I shove Kurt out of the seat.

"Ow," He says, but smiles like nothing happened and goes to his desk at the opposite side of the class.

I sigh as I think about my lovely girlfriend and how much I miss her. I love her so much, despite us never having our official first kiss together. She just makes the darkest moments of my life brighter and if I could I'd give her the entire world.

I'd die for her if I absolutely had to. God, I want her so bad right now.