The Alliance

Chapter 9

Nevaeh had ignored us for the rest of the week. It's Friday, and I want to invite her to the heaven get-together we're having at Alisha's house. It has been days since my mom and dad fought, and they are barely talking to each other.

I caused this. They were fighting. After all, I slept in, I suck at math and I'm ungrateful.

It's snowing. It's been snowing all week, and it's getting icy. My dad wants me and my brother to shovel, but neither of us does.

I walk into school Friday morning, wanting to go back to bed. I just want to sleep and forget about everything.

I walked into English class, seated beside Nevaeh. For the past week, she's been ignoring my morning greeting, and today I thought it would be different, but then I realized there was a test today, and I sighed.

I wasn't too worried, because English came easy to me, but I was probably going to get a 60-70 percent on it, especially since it's about the terminology in Romeo and Juliet and I didn't study much for it, but it's better than failing, I guess.

The teacher hands us our tests, and after a few minutes of trying to guess what pernicious means, Nevaeh suddenly stands up and takes her bag, opening the door and running out of the room.

Everyone looks at the door that hits the door and is not closing slowly and then shuts.

The teacher looks confused and then goes to sit back down by her desk, "Return to your tests, everyone." She announces.

I inhale slowly, then exhale.

I grab my bag and run after Nevaeh, ignoring the teacher calling my name.

I pause after running a few steps away from the closed door, thinking of where Nevaeh would go.

She can't go home, because she takes the bus and doesn't have a car. Why would she be outside, it's freezing out there...

I book it for the nearest bathroom, hoping that Nevaeh's hiding in there. Even though she thinks I'm overdramatic, a part of me still cares about her.

I walk into the bathroom in case she's not in here, and look underneath all the stalls. I see a pair of feet, and since I don't know if it's Nevaeh, I go to wash my hands, waiting for the person in the stall to come out to see if it's Nevaeh. I wash my hands for a few minutes, and my hands start getting wrinkly when the toilet flushes and the person walks out.

I deflate; it's not Nevaeh.

She washes her hands quickly, tries them, then walks out.

I turn off the sink, drying off my hands, then lean against the wall, wondering where I go from here? Do I just go back to class?

I stand up, wondering where I am from here. I text Nevaeh since we four exchanged numbers last week, but I don't expect her to answer.

I walk around the school for a bit, and I'm not too worried about getting in trouble. Kids walk around the halls all the time.

"Ava?" I hear a voice say.

I turn around and feel relief when it's Mr.Jackson.

"What are you doing?" He smiles, "Vaping in the bathroom?"

I chuckle lightly, "No, I uh- I had English and my friend ran out during the test so I-"

"You followed her?" He asked, and I'm confused by his angry voice, "Ava, you need to go back to class and finish that test. You can't be dragged down by other people."

My mouth drops open slightly, and I'm not sure what to do.

"Is what I would say if I was a mean teacher," He adds, smiling, "Go make sure your friend's okay." He waves me off.