Dead Serious {The Walking Dead}

Death is Painless

Arizona White is like any ordinary teenager, but different. Her eyes aren't big and full of hope and wonder, instead they're closed and cold. Arizona is dead. Most ordinary teenagers aren't dead, according to her English teacher.

"Arizona White, what have I told you about realistic writing?" Ms. Patel sighed, snatching the paper off of Arizona's desk.

I smirked and cracked my knuckles, "It's not realistic if it's about werewolves?"

Ms. Patel handed the sheet back to me and pursed her lips, her eyes squinting down at her watch. "I don't have time for this, Ms. White. You either follow my rules or get out of my classroom."

I bit my lip, "Another detention? My mom is gonna kill me, Adhira. Is there anything else I can do?"

I wasn't the best at getting out of sticky situations, but my English teacher had an eye for my creative mind and usually fell for my repetitive tactics.

Ms. Patel adjusted the glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose and nodded, "I suppose. But it'll be a class effort. Give me a moment."

I smiled and gave my friend Hallie a thumbs up from across the classroom. We normally did everything together, Hallie was like my non-existant sister.

The class went silent as soon as Ms. Patel stood in the front, and their conversations came to a sudden, dying end.

"I want to request something of all of you, and since it's a PA day tomorrow, it may include each and every one of you spending a day at one of your parent's jobs. Then, I want you to come back on Monday with a detailed and precise story to share. Questions?"

I popped my gum and blinked slowly, "My mom works in a hospital, and hospitals aren't my thing."

Ms. Patel smoothed her hands over her skirt and sighed, "Arizona, please. Do this one thing correctly and I promise it will change your life. You're a talented writer, but you need to put your mind to something and finish it."

I rolled my eyes and glanced over at the clock, sitting for another minute until the bell finally went off. English was my last class, and lucky for me, I had to go see my mom at her hospital shift anyway.

Ms. Patel grabbed my arm before I could leave the classroom, waiting until all of the other students slowly made their ways into the hallway.

"Arizona, I know you don't like much. And I know its hard to get through to you, but you're a talented girl who has lot's of potential. I was a lot like you when I was your age. Rebellious, obsessed with boys, and quite gloomy. But you are so much better than that."

I raised my eyebrows and scoffed, "thanks a lot Ms. Patel."

She nodded and I left the room, relieved to be on my way out of the school.

"Hey Arizona, I was just on my way over to Hallie's if you wanna come hang with us for a bit?" Jamie, Hallie's twin sister who also happened to be incredibly hot, smiled at me.

I fumbled with my books and looked up at her, "Uh, sounds fun. But I actually have to go help my mom--"

Jamie cut me off with a giggle, "oh! The hospital, right?"

I nodded, "yeah, just a quick shift. Maybe I can catch you guys later?"

Jamie smiled wider, "oh totally, see you then."

I breathed out a sigh of relief when she finally walked out of earshot. "Fuck. That was hard."

Sammy, my nerdy little guy friend who loved wearing glasses too big for his face, placed a hand on my back. "Good luck tonight, heard the roads are pretty busy with all the construction. My aunt from Utah is on her way to visit me, so I won't be at the hospital."

I turned around and glared at him, "damn Sam, I can't help my mom bandage up people for three hours all by myself."

He shrugged and gave me his stupid live long and prosper hand thing.

Fucking dweeb.

I felt my phone buzz in my hand, and I looked down at the urgent text messages from my mom.

Momzilla: Are you okay?
sent 02:56
Momzilla: Where are you? Arizona?
sent 02:59
Momzilla: Arizona?
sent 03:00
Momzilla: I need you to come quick. There's more than I thought.
sent 03:04

I blinked, my mouth dry and my throat sore. And then I ran.