Chapter 29: Chapter 29

I ducked my head in vain. A crumpled up piece of paper flew and hit my temple. I could feel myself growing irritated. This had been going on the whole day and I don’t think I can withstand it anymore without kicking someone for it.

Thank God it’s Friday or I wouldn’t have anything to be happy about and feel pathetic, taking it out on one of these jerk-faces and reveal my identity by knocking him out with one punch.

If it wasn’t for the fact that my street fighting is an illegal type of street fighting, I would’ve lashed out on every single bitch that throws me a crumpled paper, which will probably take a long time considering the amount of crumpled papers that has abused my forehead and temples today.

I grumbled out a curse, glaring at my table with a heated stare, willing it to come alive and eat the stupid, annoying baboons.

What the fuck did I ever do to them? I thought in frustration and gritted my teeth. They’re taking their anger out on me because they think that I’m the weakling, the girl who would let people walk all over her.

It was tempting to show them what a Johnson is made up of but the fear of being exposed was crawling up my neck and was gripping my heart tightly. I thought about the expressions that would be etched on my parents’ face should they ever found out what I do.

I rid the thoughts from my mind, picking the paper up gingerly. I knew what the content of it would be. At least, I knew the outline of what they would try to convey in it.

I was just curious in what they came up with this time. Curiosity did kill the cat but I’m not a cat, now am I? It had happened one too many times and I can safely say that I’ve grown.

They said that what you do for 21 days will gradually turn into a habit and in this case, what they inflict to me was a habit I’ve learnt to live with, learnt to ignore.

My eyes skimmed over the paper as I read it. I was about to crumple it back up in my fist but a word and a name caught my attention. I let my gaze linger on it for more than necessary.

Murder.

Bryant.

Murder.

Bryant.

No one would be so cruel as to even graze the subject. Not even Maddison so when I looked around and caught her glare, I brushed it off lightly. She was always glaring at me.

My eyes flitted from face to face in the classroom. Some heads were ducked, minding their own business, completely oblivious to what’s about to happen the second I locked eyes with a smirking Sonia.

I turned my back towards her and faced the board once more, my face sporting a grim look. I could feel the monster inside me rouse from its sleep.

No. Don’t. She’s not worth your time. She’s not worth the risk. I chanted it like a mantra.

My sane side was hanging on to it like it was my life line but my ruthless side, the side that was out for blood was provoking me and egging me on to beat the crap out of Sonia for even bringing up Bryant into this matter.

I got up from my seat and exited the class, earning a concerned glance from the teacher but she decided not to question. I slipped out of the room silently. I needed to find some fresh air and clear my clouded thoughts.

With long lazy strides, I headed to the library and pushed the double doors open with a gentle creak from the rusty hinges. Once I stepped inside, I basked in the smell of old books. The musty air filled my senses and I closed my eyes just to appreciate the serene feeling.

I started walking to the glass doors that divided the balcony and the library itself I slid it open to one side and slipped out through the small space I created for myself.

When I finally stepped out onto the balcony, I sucked in a much needed deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to remain calm and diffuse the bubbled up anger I felt towards Sonia.

I could feel my insides boil and I thought about the note and how she practically accused me of being responsible for my brother’s death.

I’ve heard about it enough times and did not need anyone to remind me anymore.

A tear escaped when I thought about the words she used and I couldn’t bring myself to wipe it away, letting it slide down my cheeks and reach my chin, dangling there for a second before dropping to the floor. I set my head on my arm leaning on the balcony and closed my eyes. I felt the wind nearby. I let it ruffle my hair and tickle my face. How did my life turn out like this?

I used to have friends, a couple of best friends but I doubted that they were genuine ones. I realized the second they left me after the accident.

I lived a sheltered life when Bryant was around. No guy would dare look my way and no one would dare to lay a hand on me.

Even Maddison took the liberty of threatening all the girls to back off from my hind. She was protective and she had power so it only made sense that her words were to be taken seriously by the whole school.

Then that dreadful incident happened. And look where that ended me; being a pathetic pushover to protect my identity of an illegal street fighter. Ironic, isn’t it?

A voice calling out to me caused me to whip my head towards the glass doors that was still ajar from where I slipped through.

My gaze turned to a glare when I saw who was standing there.

Penelope shuffled on her feet and fidgeted with her fingers. She dropped her gaze under my glare and flinched silently.

“What do you want?” My tone was harsh but I was past the point of caring and I wasn’t done. I would never be done.

“What more can you possibly want? Wasn’t it enough? You can tell Sonia to fuck herself. You can go back scurrying to her and tell her that she better watch her back because I’m not going to stay silent and watch as she taunts me with my brother as bait. You can tell that motherfucking bitch to fuck off my case and to sleep with an eye open.” I snarled and she winced at my tone.

I was at the point of no return. I’m not going to stand watch anymore while she makes me feel like crap. Not when she brought Bryant up. Damn being silent to hell. This time, I’ll fight back and this time, I won’t lose for whatever it’s worth.

“That stranger was never there, was he?” She whispered to herself but I narrowed my eyes and glared daggers onto the crown of her head. If only looks could kill.

“Don’t you dare bring that up, that doesn’t concern you anymore.” I told her coldly and turned my back towards her, looking out from the balcony. I knew she was referring to the story I made up as to how I survived the ambush that night.

I heard footsteps approaching but I didn’t bother to tell her to stop. I was too tired to care. It’s been a couple years. Why can’t they just leave me alone?

“They’ll grow tired of it,” they said.

“They’ll stop eventually,” they said.

Well boohoo you mother-lying-geckos, look at what I’m going through now.

“You saved my life that day,” she whispered softly and everything in me wanted to spill it all out. That I brought that danger to her in the first place; that I was dangerous; that she shouldn’t be hanging around with someone like me because I was a bad influence to her. I was a trouble magnet.

I shuddered at the thought of the dream I had that night. I woke up this morning feeling like shit and looking like shit too.

I kept my mouth shut though. One wrong move and all will be revealed. She’s a threat. She’s with the enemy. With the girl who’s life goal is to make my life a living hell for no apparent reason.

“I know you heard my conversation in the hall with Sonia. What I don’t know is how much of it that you’ve heard-”

“I know enough.” I interrupted her and glared at the grass in the distance below us but she continued as if I didn’t even utter a single word.

“I wanted to clear the air for you. Yes, I’m a part of Sonia’s circle of friends-”

“More like bitches,” was my snarky remark and she visibly winced at the term but didn’t bother denying it.

“I can’t justify the things my friends did and justifying them is not why I’m here.”

“Then why are you here?” I snapped, losing my patience with all the beating around the bush shit.

“The point is, yes, I did befriend you because Sonia wanted something to hold against you but I didn’t give her anything. I witnessed what you did for that old man who swept the road in the middle of the night and what you did for me,” she explained, sounding desperate for my understanding.

I was once again reminded of that old man, reminded by how the sight of the tired man sweeping the road caused that tug in my heart. I searched for that familiar tug, anything that can help me vanquish this horrible feeling of betrayal and anger but I found nothing.

I looked at her coldly, my face was void of any emotion but I managed to quirk an eyebrow at her in a challenging manner.

“And why in the world should I believe anything that comes out of your mouth?”

A pinch of hope decorated and lit up her face as she angled her body to face me.

“Because you saved my life,” was her only response as if the answer to all of the problems in the world was that simple.

I scoffed at her response, “That hardly changes anything.” She furrowed her eyebrows at me. “Yes, it does.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Ye-”

The sound of my ringtone sliced through the childish argument we had and I scowled, digging into my pocket to retrieve it.

“Hello?” I snapped into it and raised a hand to halt Penelope’s words.

“Seriously, Pix, you need to get your ass checked up, who knows what Moffat’s corpse can do to your sanity.” Levy’s voice rang through the line and I held in a small smirk.

“I’m a bit busy, dude.” I was being evasive with mentioning Lev’s name because Penelope’s ears were practically prying into the call.

“Alright, alright, chill. I just wanted to remind you about tonight. You should arrive there around 9, don’t be late.” His tone was light but there was seriousness underneath it and despite my conscience coming up with a sarcastic remark, I bit it in and ended the call with a quick ‘Okay’.

“What are you going to do tonight at 9?”

I could feel irritation bubble up inside me. I shot her a warning glare.

“None of your bloody business,” I snapped before turning around and fled back inside the building, leaving a gaping Penelope behind.