Red Light

11

Monday
Picture: Tasharn

My friends stayed at mine all Sunday, just checking to see if I was okay. I appreciated it but after they left I started to deep how much these things affect me. I can't let this take over my life anymore. It's always me that suffers while these man continue their lives like normal. Well to be honest, Dillon did get beaten up, maybe even crippled. But still, I'm the one that has to live with the trauma of being taken advantage of. I'm tired of the nightmares, anxiety and having to change the way I live. All for what, so I can feel safe? I'm tired, I want to live my life man.

"Kyrah I didn't expect you to come in."

I snap out of my thoughts to see Talia sitting next to me in form, with Felicia.

I scoff. "Why not?"

"Erm, well, after Saturday I thou-"

"Were you even there?" I kiss my teeth. "What were you doing anyway?"

They exchange a look quickly before Talia replies.

"Outside... we were just chilling outside. When things started popping off we couldn't find you lot so we assumed you left... we didn't know you were involved in the beef."

"Ok but we came together in Aaron's car no? You think we would leave without you?"

Silence.

I sigh then run a hand down my face. It's not their fault Dillon took the piss, and more time if everyone was running outside I'd probably do the same. Not without my girls though. But hey, I've only known them for a minute, I can't expect their loyalty.

"Sorry for snapping at you... I'm still pissed at the whole situation. It's not your fault, you did the right thing by running."

"No, no, you're right. We should've looked for you guys first, to see if you were okay."

I shrug. "Well it's done now, let's leave it in the past."

The bell rings for the end of form.

I came in late today, the girls and I overslept - me, Shantae, Zanisha and Justine. We woke up around 6 and had to rush to get ready for school, them lot had to go home first so I'd be surprised if they even made it to form.

Speak of the devil, Shantae's the first person I bump into in the corridor.

"Yooo." She says.

Her eyes are red. We stayed up last night, just talking about life, then ended up falling asleep at 4.

"Hey, what time did you get in?"

"Now."

I nod. "Should we leave?"

She shrugs. "I could do with some more sleep to be honest."

"Same, let's leave after Art."

She nods.

I wait for her to get her stuff out her locker, which is right next to my form room. Mine is further down the hallway.