The Queen of Hilltop High ✔︎

Never Again

  "So this number can not be tracked?"

The midnight black haired girl raised her gaze from her laptop to her cousin at the sound of her impatient voice.

She sighed and rubbed her temple with two fingers. "It's not that it can't be tracked." She explained. "It can be but it doesn't lead anywhere. It just comes to a dead end."

The other girl, the one in a red biker's jacket, black crop top and black denim trousers, raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"It's just like the number from which your father got anonymous messages." The first girl said. "I traced it but I can't get anywhere with it. The track always gets a dead end. It's clear that bastard dumped or destroyed the sim cards. I'm sorry Zena. I wasn't much of a help."

The second girl, Zena, shook her head. "No. No. Ava, you did a great job. Thank you, really." She said genuinely. "You are the only one whom I can trust on this job. Please keep an eye on these two numbers. In case they activate again, please inform me straight away."

Ava nodded. "Of course but Zena, don't you think it would be better if you tell Alex about this?"

Zena recoiled as if she was slapped. "WHAT?? No way, Ava. We talked about this." She hissed. "I can't burden Alex even more. He already has too much in him, father's business, taking care of our parents and all."

"The police perhaps?"

"The police is already doing their best to track down Gabriel with the previous numbers we gave them." Zena said. "Do you think saying about this number which is also out of reach, would be any use? Besides, they'd be sure to inform Alex if I tell them about this whole threatening me business."

Ava sighed. "Whatever you think that is right,do it. I will always be there to help you." She said, taking her cousin's hand in hers. "But please Zena, do not let go of the ones you love. Do not shut them out, thinking that it is for the best. Trust me, it would be the thing you repents the most in your life. And I don't want to see you crying over one mistake that'd ruin your life."

 
  Her conversation with Ava kept flashing in her mind again and again as Zena walked up to their meeting place to meet the others. Her hair was let free, cascading down her back in natural waves, her bagpack carelessly slung over her shoulder, with her hands stuffed in the pockets of her dark brown jacket.

Do not let go of the ones you love.

Do not shut them out.

Ava had spoken those words with so much emotions and understanding that it scared Zena.

Was she doing the right thing?

Maybe not.

But what else was she supposed to do?

The past four days had been like hell for her. Lysander had been avoiding her and no matter how much it hurt, Zena had to accept his decision.

The runner up hardest thing to do was to convince Henry and Blaze not to go freaking hellhounds on Lysander. She had brokenly confessed that it was all her fault and pleaded with them to understand which they eventually did.

It was only the previous day she had met up with Ava and told her everything. Ava had done her best to track Gabriel with the number Zena gave to her but it was no use.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't even realize that she had reached her destination. It was only when Mia shouted out her name that Zena was pulled out of her thoughts.