𝑅𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑌𝑜𝑢

Chapter 22

I was flustered, dizzy, and dazed. That is until my mom brings me out of it, snapping me out of that cloud nine feeling to this heart racing and scared feeling.

I'm not going to lie my mom scares me to my inner core, it's either the way her lip twitches or how the silence doesn't feel like silence at all. I want to use one of my quick excuses that I keep in my back pocket but I know it won't work this time.

"Mom," I say slowly

"Where have you been Amara?" she asks more calmly than I thought she would,

"I went for a walk," I say half truthfully,

"Don't bullshit me Amara" she checks her phone "Are you going to keep lying or are you going to tell me the truth" she says putting her hands back on her legs,

"I don't know what you want me to tell you, mom"

"You're grounded," she says not missing a beat,

"What!" I say angrily

"Frank is coming to dinner and you're going to give him a chance by being nice" she warns ignoring what I've said,

"Mom!" I try to say,

"We will further discuss your punishment after school" she stands up "In the meantime no track today you'll come straight home and help set up for our family dinner"

Before I can even get another word out she leaves and I know I can't stop her or do anything to stop this punishment. I was so happy being with Miles on that cliff that now, only sadness and anger filled me just like yesterday.

I need to apologize to Ava, hear Neil out, and talk to Coach but before I can even start on that, one person comes to mind. Bella. I run to her room and open up her door to find her sleeping soundly. Not for long due to me shaking her awake waiting for her to fully open up her eyes.

"What the fuck Amara" Bella tries to say angrily but her tiredness gets the best of her,

"Where were you I was worried the possibility of you being dead was taunting me especially when you didn't answer my phone how could you do that you know how--"

"Ok I get it," she says interrupting me while putting a hand over her eyes,

"But seriously Bella. Really?" I ask angrily,

"Lay down it's too early to be interrogated," she says patting the bed beside her. I listen and lay down beside her.

"Now what?" I ask

"Look let's talk about what I did later, right now I'd rather sleep until the very last minute till I have to wake up and go to school"

"Fine. But I will ask later" I promise her while she nods,

"And Frank is coming for dinner tonight"

"Ugh, fuck that guy," Bella says while tiredly lifting her middle finger,

"Mom says we have to be nice"

"Mom says a lot of things" she sighs "can you leave now. Your talking is giving me a headache" she whines

"Fine but we're definitely talking later," I say seeing her nod and I leave her room to mine taking the shortest nap till my alarm goes off and I have to leave for school.

-              - -

The drive to school was pretty lonely Ava is mad at me, Neil I'm not talking to, and Bella...I have no words for her. I have English and for the first time, I'm dreading it, only because I haven't started that extra credit assignment. I'm walking through school alone and I've never felt more lonely.