H U N T E D ~ T H

11

T O M

I was leaning against the lockets across from Kenner's class, Mack was still in there. The door was closed but I could hear her yelling, she was yelling at a teacher?

I tried to hear what she was saying but I couldn't quiet understand, the hallways wasn't that busy since it was now break. The only reason I'm waiting on her is because I want my jacket back, I don't trust that she won't feet it to Oslo.

Suddenly the door swung open, a very angry Mackayla storming out. "Mack!" Kenner appeared at the door, shouting after her.

"Piss off!" She yelled back, turning around to throw him the middle finger.

"Can we just talk about this!" He tried to reason with her.

"Nope" she popped the p, turning and walking away. Kenner finally noticed me, his eyes widening before retreating back to his class room, slamming the door behind him.

"Mack!" I jogged after her. She stopped, letting out a long sigh. "What was that about?" I asked as I reached her.

"Nothing" she ran her hands threw her hair "now what do you want."

"Is it became we are partners for that paper? Do you really not wanna work with me that bad?"

"It's really none of your business, Holland" She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Mack—"

"Can you just shut up for one second!" She snapped "Yes, it's because we are partners, I don't know if you've noticed but I hate you, I hate you so much! You made my life hell, Tom. Every god damn second of every god damn day!"

"I'm sorry okay!" I yelled back.

"No your not!" She took a step towards me "Your only sorry because you wanna know what I'm hiding! That's it! You don't care about my feelings, your just nosy. You really wanna know what I'm hiding? My brother was murdered, Tom. Killed."

"No" I shook my head "it was an accident, he fell of his bike while speeding."

"No he didn't!" Her eyes filled with tears "He was killed, and they covered it up, they made it look like an accident and all the police, all the newspapers, everyone believed it!"

"How do you know this?"

She let out a long breath, covering her face with her hands. "I'm not meant to be telling you this" Her voice was muffled by her hands "I shouldn't even be talking to you."

"Why not?" I stepped towards her "What is so dangerous that you can't even be seen with me?" She didn't answer, she just stood there with her hands over her face "Mack?"

I put my hands on her shoulders, she fell into me, her head resting on my chest "I can't do this anymore" She was crying "I'm so tried."

"Mackayla" I sighed, wrapping my arms around her small frame "Please tell me what's going on."

"I can't" She shook her head. I pulled her hands away form her face, putting my hand on her cheek and making her look up to me, her eyes were filled with tears.

"Why?" I asked softly.

"Because they'll kill me, and you."

"Who?" My brows furrowed "What are you talking about, Mack?"

She opened her mouth to talk but was cut off when the bell rang, everyone began flooding the halls. She whipped her cheeks, sniffling away the tears "I have to go."

"Wait" I tried to grab her but she was already walking away.

Because they'll kill me, and you.

What the hell have you got yourself into, Mack.

M A C K A Y L A

What the hell have I got myself into. I shouldn't have told him that, Iv risked my life and his by just telling him about my brother.

Never mind the fact that whatever I know puts a bounty on my head. But I'm so tired of keeping these secrets, so tired of living this lie.

I love Mackayla Greeves. She's popular, she has friends, she has a guy chasing after her. But Mackayla Johnstone doesn't, she's a loner, and outsider, she's everything I hate about myself.

I never want to go back to my old life. But I hate living this lie.

"Mackayla!" Fingers snapped in front of my face, bringing me out my day dream. The cafeteria was busy, everyone talking loudly, Nick was waving his hand in front of my face.

"Sorry" I spoke "What did you say?"

"I asked if you wanted to get something to eat after school with me" He asked.

"I have cheerleading" I replied "Maybe another day."

He nodded, showing a small smile as he sat back in his seat. Suddenly Tom walked in, sitting down in front of me like he's been doing for the past week.

I felt my heart sink, anxiety bursting in my chest. "Hey" He greeted everyone.

"What are you doing tonight, Thomas?" Annie asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

"It's just Tom and I'm guessing working on the paper with Mack" He looked to me.

"I have practice" I felt small under his gaze, I cried in front of him, I broke down. How embarrassing.

"Then I'll come by after" He shrugged.

"What about tomorrow?" I asked.

"I'm working tomorrow" he replied "What time do you finish practice, I can pick you up."

"I can drive myself" I was desperately trying to get out of spending time with him "And I don't finish till 7."

Suddenly Coach Sanders walked past our table, she noticed me and Annie, stopping in her tracks. "Glad I found you girls, practice is cancelled tonight, the running team need the field" With a smile she walked away.

"Perfect" Tom grinned "I'll see you tonight then."