NIU school shooting pt. 2

A second shooting took place at NIU two weeks ago. It happened two years and two weeks after the first shooting that took place in Cole Hall. I went to the press conference that took place that morning. I was one of maybe 10 students there. I felt like the only student who wasn't a witness to the shooting. I scribbled notes in a notebook the entire time. Here's what I had to say.

Who in this room has been up since 4:00?

Red, black and blue.

Reporters talk loudly with other reporters. Cracking jokes. Emotionless people reporting emotions.

Solemn students quietly whispering to each other. I am represented by them.

The reporters sigh when it is announced that the president will be late. Like time is more important than life.

A reporter asks the students in front of me if she can get an interview. The students decline. She looks at my notebook and smiles the way one colleague smiles to another; downward.

The president is here with his loud shoes.

The reporters hush. The students remain quiet.

"Isolated incident. Two individuals. Normal operations continue. Information hotlines. Counseling services. Continuous updates. Redundant. Unambiguous. 3:29 am. Stevenson North. 3:30. 3:34. 3:36. 3:48. 4:30. 5:03"

All clear...

John Peters says 2/14 like America says 9/11. The day has been stained.

My vision is blurry. Lack of water? Lack of coffee? I have both. The whites are turning whiter. The darks are becoming brighter.