What I want to do is lay back down and hide under my covers, but that’s not going to resolve anything. Something flashes by my window, catching my eye.
I jump out of bed and hurry over, wanting to catch whatever was at my window. Of course, when I get there, whoever it was is already gone.
Instead, there’s a picture of Christina and I from yesterday walking out of the school arm in arm, but it’s ripped down the middle.
I open the window and grab the picture. When I flip it over, there’s a message on the back. I put the two pieces together and read them:
This is your last warning. Stay away from her or you will pay the price.
Like hell I will. I’ve gotten these types of threats since elementary school. Granted, nothing quite like this. They were more notes left saying if I stayed friends with her, then I’d get in trouble at school, which I did. But Christina is my best friend and whoever is obsessed with her needs to stop. I’ve never told her about these threats, but unfortunately Charlie found out about them. That’s one reason why he gives me grief over her.
Might as well put it with all the others. I bend down and pull out a storage container from under my bed. I open the lid and put this one in with all the others. It’s almost filled to the top. Whoever it is, is getting more desperate. I guess it’s because we’re getting ready to graduate. It’s ridiculous they’re so adamant they don’t want us to be friends. I put the lid back on the container and push it back under the bed.
The day already began ominously, but this has just pushed it over the top. How the hell am I supposed to be able to concentrate on my task today with this over my head. I’m going to have to shake this from my mind. I can’t focus on this. It doesn’t matter anyway. Christina is my best friend, and nothing will ever change that.
I stand straight and head to my closet. All right, time to pull myself together. I grab the hangers and sort through my outfits one by one. I settle on a pair of dark blue jeans and a flannel shirt. I put my clothes on and pull my hair into a bun on top of my head. I dab some concealer under my eyes and put the rest of my makeup on. I settle for a shade of ready pink lips and head out of my room to the kitchen.
Mom’s standing at the stove flipping over some pancakes. Her blonde hair is down in waves and contrasts against her navy-blue dress. “Hey, honey. I’ve got you a set of pancakes on the table.”
The scent hits my nose and my stomach rolls. Even the thought of eating makes me feel closer to vomiting. “Thanks, but I think I’m going to head on into school and practice.”
She places the hand with the spatula on her hip. “You need food, so you can think straight.” Her hazel eyes scan me. “Oh, baby, don’t do this to yourself. You have this. I know it.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I take a deep breath, attempting to hold them at bay. “I don’t know if I do.”
“Of course you do.” She sets the spatula down on the brown laminate counter and walks over to me. She pulls me into a hug and her soft, floral rose scent hits my nose. “You have always been a confident, loyal, and dedicated person.” She pulls back and stares into my eyes. “You have this. I know you do.” She reaches up and cups my cheek with her hand.
“I sure hope you’re right.” I take a step back and give her a small smile. “I can’t eat right now, but I’ll grab a muffin to take to eat in a little while.”
“All right, fine.” She drops her arms, walks to the pantry, and pulls out a pack of blueberry muffins. She tosses it to me. “Here you go. You better eat them.” She points at me. “I’ll be there today for support.”
My heart drops in my chest. “You don’t have to.” What I want to say is that I don’t want her there, but I can’t hurt her feelings.
“Nonsense.” She grabs the spatula and goes back to flipping the pancakes. “There is nowhere else we’d want to be.”
Wait … did she say— “We?”
She raises an eyebrow and grabs a plate. “Yes, we. Your father will be back from his latest assignment in a few minutes. Of course, he will be there too.”
Great, so now both of my parents will be there to watch me potentially fail my test. Can this day get any better? “Okay, well, I’ll see you both soon.” I walk out the door and take a deep breath. I need space.
Fresh air fills my lungs and I make my way to school. I’m just going to clear my mind and let my natural instincts take over. Reaping should be part of me and not forced. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping.
The school appears soon and I enter the front doors, heading to my locker. I gather my books for the first class. There are a few people hanging around, but most are heading to their own classes.
When I get to Homeroom, Christina’s already there. She’s hovering over an open book with her dark hair hanging down, using it as a curtain between her and everyone else.
“Hey, you.” I slide into my seat beside her.
She looks up and grins. “Hey. How are you?” There is some strain around her eyes.
“I’m fine. Just stressed about today.” At this point, I wish today was over. This whole thing isn’t right.
