Episode 54: Scene Four
"You're sick, Mason. You are incredibly twisted and sick!" Cliff distanced himself from Mason, his eyes suddenly becoming shifty and nervous. "How dare you say a thing like that to me!"
"I know it's hard for you to deal with-"
"You don't know jack!" Cliff interrupted, putting a trembling hand to his forehead. "I thought you were my friend, man. How could you say something like this to me?"
"It's true, Cliff," Mason said simply, his eyes filling with concern for his friend. Cliff was obviously about to lose it.
"No. I'm going to find Trace and ask him. He'll straighten this whole mess out," Cliff began walking speedily away from Mason.
"You won't find him. Trace isn't talking to anybody right now," Mason called after him rather hesitantly. He didn't want to make it any harder on Cliff than it already was.
"Oh God," Cliff whispered, beginning to sink towards the ground. "Please say it isn't so."
"If I did, I'd be lying," Mason said as he made his way towards his friend. He put a supportive hand on Cliff's shoulder, causing Cliff to look up at Mason with tears in his eyes.
"She's dead because of me."
"I thought it was your sister behind the wheel."
"She was, but I was there. I was probably distracting her like I always do. Trace is going to hate me forever, and I can't blame him. How could I do this?"
"You didn't do anything!" Mason broke in forcefully, giving Cliff an enforcing shake. "This is not your fault."
Cliff jumped onto his feet and began walking towards the doors that lead outside. "I've gotta go, Mason. If anyone asks, I'm not feeling well and I can't make it to the ceremony."
"Cliff, you can't do that! Cliff, you can't...Cliff, wait!" Mason attempted to call out to the boy.
But it was too late. Cliff was already out the door and running down the sidewalk and down the street, away from him and away from everyone else.