Peace of Mind

I'm Done With You

Aaliyah sat down at lunch in between Cassie and Maddy and she huffed. Cassie laughed at the girl "What's up with you?"

Aaliyah rubbed her eyes and sighed "I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

Maddy looked at Aaliyah nervously and she played with her bracelet "Are you sure that's it?

Nate told me that you seemed off at the party when he spoke to you."

Aaliyah picked up her bag and stood up "Nate can go to hell."

Cassie frowned at the girl "Where are you going?" Aaliyah shrugged "For a walk. I need to clear my head...I'll be back soon."

She walked out of the cafeteria hurriedly whilst Maddy and Cassie looked at each other with worry and confusion.

When Aaliyah walked out she saw the one person she had been avoiding that day.

Nate Jacobs. He was leaning against her locker with his arms crossed and he looked at Aaliyah with a blank expression.

"Why have you been avoiding me, Aaliyah?"

Nate barely referred to her as Aaliyah so she knew that that he was angry. She smiled "I haven't been avoiding you."

Nate pushed himself off of the locker and slowly walked over to her "There's no point lying to me, Lee. I can read you like a book. Now answer the fucking question."

Aaliyah rolled her eyes "Why are you getting so angry about this? It's not a big deal."

Nate sighed and unfolded his arms "Is this about what I said to you at the party?"

Aaliyah looked down and Nate received his answer.

He stepped closer and grabbed Aaliyah's hands "Look, Lee, I was angry and I took it out on you. I'm sorry. You know I'd never tell anyone about what happened that night. You're my best friend and I love you, okay?"

Aaliyah shook head "I don't know what planet you're living on, Nate....but I would never do that to my best friend. Never. You're just so caught up in your own shit that you don't even see that you're toxic. This gave me a wake up call that I don't wanna be around you anymore. I'm done with you."

Nate looked at Aaliyah with shock and he scoffed "You're done with me? After everything I've done to save your ass."

Aaliyah laughed and started to raise her voice "Are you kidding me? I am grateful for what you did for me that night but is there anything else that you have done for me? I don't think so. I have protected your ass for most of my entire fucking life.

Do you know how many times I've had to lie for you and have been loyal to you...and Maddy. I can't believe that I had to put up with shit for years and yet you stand here acting like everything is okay...that I should just forgive you for everything you've done to me for most of my life."

Nate let go of her arms and started to laugh and Aaliyah shook her head "Why are you laughing, Nate? Do you have any idea how you make me feel? I'm gonna go back to eat my lunch and I never wanna see your fucking face again."

Nate watched as Aaliyah started to walk away and he called out once more "I know about you and Fezco...by the way."

Aaliyah stopped in her tracks and turned around slowly. Nate looked at her and smirked "Remember what I said, Lee."

He turned around and walked out of the hallway. Aaliyah walked back into the hall and sat down next to Cassie and Maddy again.

Aaliyah pulled out her lunch from her bag and placed it on the table. Cassie looked at the girl "You okay?"

Aaliyah nodded and bit into her sandwich. Cassie looked at Maddy for help and she immediately touched Aaliyah's shoulder.

"Why don't we have a sleepover soon, yeah?" Aaliyah smiled at Maddy "Yeah, okay. I'd like that."

Cassie clasped her hands together and smiled at the two girls "Perfect, we'll have it over mine."

When the school day ended Aaliyah got a ride with BB who dropped her off at Fezco's store and she immediately walked inside to see him sitting by the counter.

She walked over to the counter and leaned forward on it "Has Nate spoke to you recently?"

Fezco looked at Aaliyah and nodded "Yup. He came in here and I told him to stop messing with Rue and Jules. He seemed all smug about it."

Aaliyah sighed and frowned "Did you say anything about me?"

Fezco stood up and shrugged "I told him to back off from you. Did he say something to you?"

Aaliyah nodded "Yeah, but I'm done with him now. He can go to hell."

Fezco looked down and bit the inside of his cheek nervously "Who's Corey?"

Aaliyah looked at Fezco with worry and she sighed "I did something terrible, Fez. I don't wanna tell you because you'll probably hate me for it."

Fezco shook his head "I ain't gonna judge you for anything you've done in your past. It's in the past for a reason."

Aaliyah took a deep breath and decided to tell Fezco what happened.

"I had a boyfriend called Corey years back and when he broke up with me I didn't...take it so well. I ended up getting drunk one night and I....crashed into him whilst he was on his way to my house to talk to me.

I called Nate and his dad and they both took care of it. That's all I remember about that night but...Cal Jacobs paid them off to leave town and never speak about what happened and they did. I regret it everyday."

Fezco was taken back by Aaliyah confession and he frowned "And Nate threatened to spill your secret at the party?"

Aaliyah nodded and Fezco sat back down "Imma fucking kill him."

Aaliyah walked over to him and kneeled down next to him "You're not gonna do anything. He's not gonna talk to me anymore, okay?"

Fezco nodded and caressed her cheek "Why you gotta be so beautiful?"

Aaliyah chuckled and stood up "I should get going."

Fezco nodded "Alright. I'll see you soon." Aaliyah walked out of Fezco's store and walked home.

Aaliyah's outfit: