Away From You | Jiara

Chapter 3

When I wake up, I check my phone to see that it's 2:30 in the afternoon. My first thought is to call JJ, but they don't get out of school for another hour, and I don't want to give him yet another reason to push aside his schoolwork. Instead, I go inside my bathroom and freshen up. I brush my teeth and make my way outside my room. I have no idea where I'm going so, I just wander around until I stumble upon this secluded area. I sit down on the grass and pull out my baggie. I'm close enough to the school that I can find my way back, but far enough that no one will see what I'm doing. I remember watching JJ roll up and try to mimic him to the best of my ability. I survey my blunt once I'm finished and conclude that it's not perfect like his, but it will do. I swear the first hit is always the best, at least to me anyway.

Maybe I should cut down on the weed? But then I remember that JJ would never let me do that. Smoking is our thing and it's one of the only times he'll let his guard down and be vulnerable with me. I really wish he was here right now. Smoking is always better with him around. I sigh and put down the blunt. Just then I feel a presence behind me. I turn around and see that it's some guy with a smirk on his face.

"Want some company new girl?"

"How do you know that I'm a new girl?"

"I've certainly never seen you around before and I never forget a pretty face." He smirks as he says it.

"I was just wishing I had company so it's your lucky day."

He sets his backpack down and occupies the spot next to me. He turns to me and says, "You know smoking is forbidden on school grounds, right?"

I smile and reply, "I won't tell if you won't."

"Me? A snitch? I wouldn't dream of it."

I hand him the blunt and he takes a hit. I subtly watch him as he's doing this... he's cute but he seems like he's trouble. I was sent here for getting involved with trouble, so I don't want to do the same thing here. He hands me back the blunt and I finish it off.

"Why are you over here by yourself?" he asks me.

"I wanted to kill time and get the lay of this place in the process. Two birds, one stone and all that."

"If you want someone to show you around, I'll do that for you."

"My mom told me to stay away from strangers."

"I'm Eli, nice to meet you. We aren't strangers anymore now," he says as he smiles at me.

"Mhm. I'm Kiara, but my friends call me Kie."

"And do you have a boyfriend, Kiara?"

I look at him out of the corner of my eye, "You don't waste any time, do you?"

"It's just a question, since when is that a crime?"

I don't say anything for a few minutes. "No, I don't have a boyfriend."

I'm not facing him, but I can hear the smirk in his voice, "Good to know."

I check my phone and see that it's almost 4 o'clock. I can go and make that phone call now. I get up and say to Eli, "I guess I'll see you around, thanks for the company."

He looks at me and smirks, "Anything for you, Kie."

I just walk away without responding. As soon as I'm back in my room, I sit on my bed and quickly facetime JJ. He answers on the second ring, "Missing me already, princess?"

I smile and say, "Don't flatter yourself, I was just calling to make sure you went to school today."

"Yeah, you know Pope and John B wouldn't let me miss the first day. It was boring as hell though."