Love and Paper

Chapter 7

"Sure," I smiled and he jogged back to me to collect my number before finally disappearing around the corner.

Harlem, a dangerous place full of the highest number of crimes anyone could ever think of.

Shuddering I shook my head to get rid of my thoughts walking briskly home.

...

"I'm thinking of joining the drama club, what do you think?" Coco asked me while I zoned out on everything she said

"Hey," she nudged me and I stood straighter giving her a smile

"You should,"

Coco wanted to be a model and she jumped at any opportunity that would strengthen her chances. Her parents had not given their consent yet for her to study performing arts. They termed it as a 'wasteful course'. Ethan and her being the power couple, are both attending NYU together.

"Ri, the votes are being counted today," Vivi told me excitedly and we both looked around for Mel before anxiously waiting for the result to be announced.

"Congratulations Melione Murray, let's give her a round of applause," the principal announced into the microphone

"Yes!" she jumps up and we all gather around her to give her a group hug

"Oh my God, I knew you could do it," I beamed squeezing her arm

Melione walked up to give her appreciation speech all the while we were looking for the guys who seemed to be missing from this important event.

"We should get lunch after school to celebrate," Ana suggested

"Definitely," I stated before the rest nod their head

We met up with the boys later apparently they had something to do.

After school, we girls split up into two I and Vivi rode in her car while Mel, Coco, and Ana rode in Coco's Audi. The boys take their own separate cars and we find the largest table at the restaurant before settling down.

For the first time, I noticed the prices of the dishes and my mind goes back to Leon, if he lived in a terrible place like that I bet his food options weren't any better.

I lost my appetite immediately realizing how we spent so much money without caring for others who could probably not afford basic things. My mind went to Leon and how he and his family managed to stay in such a place.

I chose something simple refraining from checking the price of the pie.

"Are you okay?" Justin inquired and I smiled at him before nodding

"Mel, are you sure you're fine with just juice?" Ana asked quirking her eyebrow and Mel gave her a brief smile before nodding

The table was abuzz with chatter and I excused myself when my phone buzzed.

Leon

Hey, congrats on your friend's win.

I typed out a single thanks before focusing my attention on my delicious but slightly overpriced pie and the sound of my friends chattering.

We all made our way back home, but Justin gave me a ride and we settled into a comfortable silence throughout the drive home.

When I get up to my room I notice the house is quiet. I sharply knocked on Roxy's door before peeping to see she is fast asleep with a book on her head

I shook my head smiling before my phone buzzes again

Dad

Hey, I'll be home a bit late today do you think you can do a quick grocery shopping

Me

Sure thing, no problem.

I hailed a taxi making sure to lock the door before leaving for the store. On my way back from the store there are no available taxis because the roads to Manhattan are jammed, that's what I get for living in New York.

The cool breeze brushed against my skin making me shiver and the fast moving cars zooming to wherever they are going calms me a bit and I hear a few cars honking a few meters away.

A tall figure ran past me making the paper bag fall out of my hand and the content scattered all over the ground another figure yells in front of me and my eyes widen before quickly shifting to the side as he tries to catch up with the first guy that bumped into me.

Shaking my head I hurriedly pack the contents back into the bag and something shiny catches my attention I pick it up and notice that one of the guys that bumped into me dropped it. I picked it up dumping it into the bag with the remaining contents and briskly walking out of that area and trying to find a taxi.

A wave of relief washed over me as soon as the taxi pulled over. 

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