Reaching out to people sometimes doesn't work out the way others intend it to. Inez faced the brute force of those consequences when beginning to tackle the wall that was Sebastian.
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Plagued by loneliness since childhood, seventeen-year-old Inez...
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Are You Insane?
Hesitantly, I grabbed my phone and made my way downstairs. It was pretty late in the night. Maybe around eleven when I passed my parents watching television and cuddling together on the couch. They looked back at me, grins on their faces.
"You going to sleepover at Jasmine's tonight?" mom asked.
"Yeah, I have my bag ready so I'll have clothes for school tomorrow," I told her.
Dad looked back at me as well, giving me a thumbs up. "Have fun, Kiddo."
"Thanks, guys, I'm off," I declared, putting on my slip-on Vans and walking out the front door.
My stomach was in a constant state of nervousness. It kept churning like I'd thrown it into a washing machine. I knew exactly why that was. But, there was nothing I could do to calm myself. I had technically just lied to my parents and was about to be taken to an underground fight club.
What was odd about the situation, to me, was the fact that I didn't know if I was more nervous to go because of how dangerous it was, or because I'd be seeing Sebastian in that state for one of the first times ever. It stressed me out for the past few days on whether I should've done it or not. But, I realized that if I truly was serious about helping Sebastian, I'd have to leave my comfort zone and step one foot into his world.
The brisk night air bit into my cheeks as I closed my front door behind me and hiked my bookbag further up my shoulders. It was full of the necessities for an overnight sleepover. Jasmine had managed to meet my parents and get them to like her just in time for our plan to continue. That was the only reason they were fine with me leaving so late at night with a person they just met. She was good at charming people.
As I stepped down the front porch steps and into my grassy yard, a black 2016 Toyota Camry pulled up to the curb. It's window rolled down, showcasing Jasmine. She looked me up and down as I went towards her car and opened the passenger side door, stepping inside.
"You sure you're ready to do this?" she had asked me for the millionth time.
"I am," I reassured her.
"Just know we can turn back whenever you want and head to my place," she explained.
"I know. I'll be fine, Jasmine."
Although, I wasn't too sure about that statement. I never told Jasmine about my fear of violence or blood. Two things of which she told me I'd see once we got there. That's also another reason my anxiety had been running so high the past few days.
"Why do I feel like you're saying that just to make me feel better?" Jasmine questioned, putting the car into drive and pulling out.
"You're being paranoid," I scoffed, forcing a small laugh.
