by Raathi Chota
“Still burning my books.” Liam shook his head.
“Are you stupid? You do realize nobody likes you,” Austin said as he turned to Liam.
“Hey! My grandma thinks I’m awesome!” Liam exclaimed as I sighed.
“So do I!” Aidan said next to me.
“Who asked you, Rowley? You’re stupid as well!” Austin said as people laughed.
“Guess what? My ass is the only one in this room that gives a shit!” Aidan replied as the teacher stared at them.
“Why are you two always talking about each other’s asses?” Mr. Gorton sighed.
“Because he farted out glitter once!” Austin yelled out, and Aidan shot up in his seat.
“You said you wouldn’t tell anybody! And acting like a dick won’t make yours any bigger!” Aidan exclaimed as I tried to hold him back.
“Whoa, whoa, even though I’m enjoying this, it’s getting out of hand. One of you has to get out of my class because you’re distracting the other,” Mr. Gorton stated as he stopped Aidan and Austin.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Aidan stated as he folded his arms.
“Me neither,” Austin added.
“Then we’ll let the class decide,” Mr. Gorton said as he placed a hand on each of their chests to separate them. “Whoever wants Aidan to gain freedom, raise their hand?” He announced, and I shook my head as Kelly was the only one who raised her hand. “Whoever wants Austin to get out of my class, raise their hand?” He stated. Everyone raised his or her hand except for Kelly. Austin scoffed as he glared at everyone. “The class has spoken. Just go take a walk and come back when the bell rings,” Mr. Gorton said as Austin walked out of the classroom.
“What? But then it’s lunch,” Austin stated as he stood in the hall.
“Exactly,” Mr. Gorton stated and shut the door. I laughed as he walked to the board. Aidan sat down and let out a sigh of relief as we continued with our notes.
***
I took a few chicken nuggets and added them to my plate, then took the sauce with it. Marcus was in front of me, and I looked ahead to see the two last iced coffee cartons. He quickly grabbed them and added them to our trays.
“Thanks, bro.” I laughed as we paid.
“No problem. So where’s Lana?” he asked as we walked to our table.
“She went home because she got sick. Man, you should’ve seen her,” I said as we approached our table to see Aidan, Carter, and Liam standing around the table.
“You lost?” I asked as I put my tray on the table, then sat down.
“I don’t know. Usually, Lana sits here and then we all sort of just pile in,” Liam answered.
“Well, just sit down. It’s not like it’s the first time she’s not here.” Marcus shrugged as I sat by the wall.
“Actually, it is,” Melissa pointed out.
“Whoa, it feels weird,” Liam said, then sat next to Ethan. Miranda sat between Marcus and me. She looked over my shoulder and raised a brow.
“Where’s Lana? I need to ask her something,” Miranda said as she took out her earphones.
“She went home,” I answered as I ate my food.
“Well, FaceTime her. It’s urgent,” she stated, then took one of Marcus’s chicken nuggets. “I would, but I had Mr. George as a substitute, and he fell asleep, so I was on my phone, then it died.”
“Okay,” I mumbled, then took out my phone to FaceTime Lana. Liam stood behind me as we waited for Lana to answer. A few moments later, she appeared with an annoyed look and a tissue up her nose. “Damn, you look terrible,” I said, and Miranda nudged me.
“Thanks for being honest,” Lana responded with a sarcastic look.
“So who’s at home with you?” I asked.
“My mom gave me this medication and did some home remedies, then she left because the hospital needed her,” she replied with a sniff.
“So you’re alone,” Liam stated as he leaned his head between Miranda and me.
“Yeah, Linda came over a few minutes ago to check up on me. She’s weird. She left her cat here, which is making my flu worse,” Lana said, then got up.
“What are you doing? Get back in bed,” Miranda demanded.
“Relax, I just need a glass of water, and I’m gonna kick this cat out. I don’t like cats.”
“Aww, you miss Scruffy.” Blake popped out of nowhere and sat next to me.
“Not really,” Lana grumbled as we watched her walk downstairs.
“Damn, you walk slower than my grandma,” Liam said, and Lana turned the camera so that we saw her face.
“Yikes, you look horrible, baby girl,” Blake said as I turned my head to him. “What, Nielson? Didn’t know that I call her that?”
“I’m her boyfriend, and I don’t want you calling her that,” I hissed as Blake smirked.
“Well, she likes it. Right, baby girl?” Blake asked as he turned to my phone. Lana glared through the phone as she shook her head. I turned to Blake with a poker look on my face, and he shrugged. “Well, I like calling her that. I don’t need anyone’s approval,” Blake stated, then stood up. I shoved my phone in Liam’s hand and got up. Blake and I glared at each other as I clenched my fists.
“What the hell’s your problem, dude? You can’t go calling my girlfriend that. She’s mine.”
“She’s not your fucking property, dude,” Blake said, then shoved me. “Oh, and if you gotta problem with me calling her baby girl, then it might push your buttons that Levi calls her princess.” My nostrils flared with rage. As Blake opened his mouth to speak, I cut him off and punched him in the jaw. He backed away and laughed. People started to notice. He launched himself at me and hit me on my temple. I shook my head and glanced up to see that he was going to punch me again. I dodged it, then pushed him onto the nearest table.
“Hey!” Kelly exclaimed as she shifted in her seat. Blake groaned as he tried to get up, but I was fast and towered over him as I threw another punch. I heard voices behind me, and out the corner of my eye, I saw a crowd form around the table. After a few punches, he gripped my fist, then lifted himself up. He knocked his head against mine, and I staggered back. He punched me in the eye but was soon held back by Carter and Aidan. I stalked toward him, but Nick and Marcus held me back. Blake and I glared at each other as a teacher stepped in between us.
“What is the meaning of this? Look at you two!” Mrs. Singleton exclaimed as she gestured to Blake’s broken nose and the blood on my face. “Everyone continue with lunch, and you two…to the principal’s office…now!”
Ethan grabbed the both of us and dragged us out of the cafeteria. I blocked him out as he talked about how stupid we were.
“Benny!” Liam yelled as we spun around. Liam and Miranda ran toward us with my phone, and I almost forgot that Lana must’ve seen the whole thing. Liam handed me my phone, then opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Miranda groaned as she looked at me, then Blake.
“Lana’s in trouble. While she was walking, we saw someone in the background,” she stated as my eyes widened. “Then the FaceTime ended.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lana
My heavy breathing was the only thing I heard. My phone died when I spoke to Miranda and Liam, but in time, I spun around to see someone walk past me and down the hall. Again, the person was dressed in black, and I wondered how he or she got in. I was in the unicorn onesie that Aidan got me for Christmas. I felt like a psycho whenever I sniffed. The doors were locked, and my keys were upstairs, yet I was too scared to get them. I stepped forward, then glanced around the living room. “There’s no way out!” I yelled. “If it’s Mike, Christo, or James, you’re gonna get caught!” I added, then ran down the hall into Dad’s office. I quickly locked the door then leaned against it as I exhaled furiously.
I hoped Miranda or Liam had the intelligence to call my parents. I walked to my dad’s desk and searched for a phone or something to protect myself with. Since I found no phone in the drawers, I crouched down to open the bottom one. My eye
s widened as I stared at the shiny revolver in Dad’s desk. The corner of my lips suddenly went dry, and my hands trembled.
The house was so quiet I heard footsteps above me. With every step, the person took, the floorboard screeched. I lowered my head to the revolver and cautiously took it, then stood up. My hands shook. I aimed the gun at the door as I took sharp breaths. I couldn’t hear the steps anymore, which scared me. I put my right hand on the doorknob. I shut my eyes for a moment as I leaned my ear against the door. It’s as if the rest of the world had lost its sound. I only heard me breathe, but not a single soul on the other side of the door.
I slowly twisted the knob and opened the door then looked down the hall. It was empty, yet my eyes trailed up and wondered if the person was still upstairs. I raised the revolver in front of me. As I tiptoed down the hall, my eyes flicked everywhere for any type of movement. I stopped and stood a few feet away from the front door. The living room was on my right, and the stairs were on my left. As I put a foot onto the first stair, a shattering noise erupted throughout the house. I got such a fright that my index finger twitched on the trigger. I shut my eyes and waited for the revolver to jerk from the bullet, but nothing happened. I opened my eyes and let out a sigh of relief because when a revolver was used, the hammer must be pulled back. Out the corner of my eye, I saw the front door open, and someone rushed in. My heart skipped a beat as I raised the revolver.
“Lana, whoa,” Dad said as he stared at me and the revolver. I let out a sigh of relief as I lowered the gun and walked to him. He wrapped his one arm around me and took the revolver with his other hand.
“Daddy, I’m so sorry. I’m so sca—”
“Shh, shh, it’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe now,” he whispered as he rubbed my back. I bit my lip as tears streamed down my face. Dad assured me that it was fine while he caressed me. After a while, I slowly pulled away to see Deputy Paul and Officer Jackson walk in. “Check the house,” Dad instructed them as he put an arm around my shoulder. I watched as they pulled out their handguns. Officer Jackson looked through the kitchen while Deputy Paul went upstairs. “I taught you self-defense, honey, not how to use a revolver,” Dad said as he stared at it in his hands.
“I’m sorry, I just panicked. My phone died,” I mumbled.
“It’s fine as long as you’re okay,” Dad said, then pulled me in for another hug. I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my chin on his shoulder. I looked out the front door to see cop cars flash. Another car pulled up, and the man jumped out and walked up the porch.
“Sheriff Willson,” Detective Kale greeted as Dad pulled away and spun around.
“Detective Kale. What are you doing here?” Dad asked.
“We’re working together now, Willson.” Detective Kale smirked, then turned to me. “Who was it?”
“I-I don’t know. He was dressed in black. I didn’t see him,” I answered, and he rolled his eyes.
“Did he say anything?”
“No, I don’t kn—”
“Leave my daughter alo—”
“How did he get in? When did he get here? Was anyone wi—”
“Detective Kale, I do not give you permission to question my daughter now. As you can see, she was here because she was feeling ill. When she’s better, she’ll answer.” Dad cut him off as Officer Jackson walked in.
“Clear,” she announced, then looked at my dad and Detective Kale.
“Jackson, go with Detective Kale and scout the area. Ask around, because he or she might still be on foot,” Dad commanded as Officer Jackson nodded. Detective Kale stared at me, then left with Officer Jackson.
“Sheriff!” Deputy Paul called from upstairs. “You might want to see this.”
Dad and I exchanged looks, then walked upstairs. Deputy Paul was in front of my room, and my eyes widened. We approached the door, and I glanced up to see my window shattered. The glass was on the ground, and I stepped forward, but Deputy Paul stopped me. “It’s a crime scene, Lana. You’ll have to wait.”
“Go downstairs, sweetie. There are officers there too, so you have nothing to worry about.” Dad smiled.
“Daddy, you don’t think it’s…” I trailed off, then looked at my window again.
“I do. Yesterday, Detective Kale and I found out the name of James’s other crewmember. The one who was with him along with Mike…” Dad reminded me as I nodded. “Yeah, his name is Ernst, been working with James for ten years.”
“Then who’s Christo?” I thought what Noel told me. Then it suddenly clicked that Noel said there were three guys and James. So it must’ve been Ernst, Mike, and Christo.
“James is a dangerous man, Lana. He knows a lot of people,” Dad said, then motioned me to go downstairs.
“Err…okay,” I said and did as I was told while Dad spoke to Deputy Paul. When I walked out of the house and folded my arms, I stared at the officers. Half the neighbors got questioned to see if there were any witnesses. From the corner of my eye, I saw a car pull up my driveway. My shoulders relaxed as I saw Miranda, Benny, Ethan, and Melissa get out of the car. Miranda ran toward me and engulfed me in a hug. I instantly wrapped my arms around her torso as I sniffled.
“Thanks for calling my dad,” I said as we pulled away.
“Of course I would. Oh my god, Lana…I swear when I saw that guy walk behind you, I got such a fright,” she bawled out.
“You scared the shit out of me!” Melissa yelled, then squeezed me.
“Just glad that you’re okay,” Ethan said as his mouth curved into a smile. As I pulled away from Melissa, I saw Benny stare at me with a lost look. He eyed me up and down, then approached me. I looked up at him to see dried blood on his temple and a cut lip. His mouth parted as a cold expression filled his face. He pulled me in for a hug. I didn’t know why, but a tear rolled down my cheek as I leaned on his chest and heard his heart beat fast. He exhaled loudly and stroked my hair.
“Fucking hell, I got so scared. I thought something wa—”
“Ssshh.” I stopped him as I looked up and placed my index finger against his soft lips. “Everything’s okay. I’m all right,” I assured him, then slowly removed my finger.
“Yeah, you’re fine. Everything’s fine,” he mumbled, then kissed my forehead. I held his hand, then brought him down as we sat on the porch steps. Everyone else spoke to the cops while Benny and I watched. As he looked forward, I turned to him and stared at his face. I dragged my finger down his cheek, and he turned to me. He let out a sigh as I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“What happened when you gave the phone to Liam?” I asked.
“I don’t like him calling you that, and he’s acting like a douche lately. You’re my girl. You’re my everything, and every time I see you with him or Levi, I feel like you’re slipping away,” Benny mumbled as I lifted my head.
“But I’m your girl. Not theirs. I don’t even like that he calls me that…” I said as I placed my index finger on his chin, then turned it so that he looked at me.
“I call you babe and bright eyes, but I love to call you by your name, Lana Willson. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
“So you and Blake fought.”
“Yep. Now we’re suspended for the rest of the week.”
“What? Was it really that bad?”
“Not really, but when we got to Principal West’s office, Kelly was there. She just made things more dramatic.”
“So what are you gonna do?”
“Blake and I have to do volunteering for a few hours. We got different shifts so we won’t kill each other. Other than that, I’m grounded till the end of the month.”
“There goes our lazy date. Now I have to watch reruns on my own.” I pouted. Benny laughed as he swung his arm around my shoulder.
“I promise when this month is finished, we’re not doing a lazy date, even though it’s our favorite. I’m going to take you anywhere you want. Just you and me, babe.”
“I’d like that,” I stated as the corners of my m
outh turned up. I kissed his cheek, then turned so that I’d wrap my one arm around him. I leaned against his chest, and I took in the scene in front of me.
They could only stay for ten minutes, then lunch would end. Even though Benny was suspended, his mother wanted him home as soon as possible. The rest of the day I watched TV while Dad sorted things out. Mom came home, but only for a while because she had to do a big surgery. I couldn’t go in my room because they were busy. I got off the sofa and walked to the kitchen to make myself a sandwich. I found Dad, who spoke to a man in uniform. I walked to the fridge and took out what I wanted on my sandwich. As I spun around, the man shook hands with my dad, then left.
“Who was that?” I asked.
“He’s putting in the security system tomorrow. Also, the guy who is fixing your window,” Dad replied as I took the bread out.
“Do we really need a security system?”
“Yes, this is the second time something like this has happened, Lana. I want to keep my family safe.”
“Okay,” I murmured, then made my sandwich.
“Yeah, and you’re not going to school tomorrow.”
“What? Why?”
“You’re still sick, and you just need to…have some rest, with everything going on these past few months,” Dad responded as I sighed. An officer came into the kitchen with a bag, then glanced at my dad. I gave him a smile and walked out of the kitchen with my sandwich. As I walked into the living room, the doorbell rang. I groaned as I put my sandwich down, then walked to the door. When I opened it, I saw Uncle Griff with a concerned look. Outside, I didn’t even notice that the sun already set.
“Sorry I couldn’t be here sooner,” he exclaimed, then hugged me.
“It’s okay,” I mumbled as he crushed me and kicked the door closed. I walked into the living room with him behind. I sat cross-legged on the sofa as I ate my sandwich. Uncle Griff sat down opposite me, then leaned back on the couch.
“Are you okay, though?”
“I’m all right.”
