BESIDE YOU

Chapter 20

HAYDON

Yeah sure, I told Demi that I was ready for doing this. But now, as I was driving to school, I seriously doubted it.

My heart was going a thousand miles per second.

It's okay, I tell myself.

But the feeling doesn't go away. So I get myself a Starbucks drink.

I get to school and as I am walking through the hallway, all I can see are the exits we'll use today, the lockers we'll destroy.

I could be charged with a felony in less than 5 hours.

I mean what the hell? It's just spraying some paint over walls. How could that be a serious crime?

But I clearly remember reading an article.

Vandalism is the willful destruction or damaging of property in a manner that defaces, and diminishes the property's value

Defendants charged with a felony can face more than a year in state prison and significant fines.

So basically, I could end up in jail. That too in my final year of high school.

Like what in the freaking universe were you thinking when you got into this mess, HAYDON!

At that very moment somebody touches my arm and I jump in surprise.

"Hey, it's just me. What are you jumping like that for? "

Oh, it's just Laura. I was scared out of my skin.

"Oh, I was just a little taken aback", I say.

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the movie"?

" It's not like I don't want to come. It's more like I can't. There is this stupid thing that I've to do", I roll my eyes.

"Oh, it's okay. We can go to some other movie, another time. It's not like this is the last movie ever going to be made"

"Yeah", I nod.

" And you know what, I don't even think this is such a nice movie. It's just gonna be average "

I smile at her. This girl sure knew how to lift my mood. I just try to forget about the whole vandalism thing and enjoy the day.

As the day goes by, I get more and more nervous. There came a time when I started sweating profoundly. But I felt better during the break.

I have lunch with Laura, Blake, and Vivian. The four of us hang out a lot nowadays, it is like a couple's thing.

And by that, I mean Blake and Vivian. I and Laura aren't a couple yet. Like we are but we are not. It's way too confusing.

That is because of the Demi situation. I know that I've to do something about Laura and Demi.

Ughh, that sounds way too dramatic.

But yeah, I have to do something. Soon.

The break gets over and we are back to attending classes. I get a text from Demi, 10 minutes before my last class ends.

I'm on my way there.

Okay, I type.

I'm starting to panic. I probably should have filled myself with caffeine. Maybe I should have. Ughh, I don't know. I am feeling scared.

The class gets over and half the class rush out. My phone pings.

Go to the washroom near the back entrance. Make sure you merge with the crowd.