ATWOTW HIGHSCHOOL 🧡🪴

Kiri

( This part begins with Rotxo leading Kiri into the art room.)

My head was throbbing- the pain becoming worse than unbearable. I could barely see straight at this point- walking in a straight line was an unachievable yet necessary task. Luckily, Rotxo was right behind me guiding me to a dimly lit corner of the art room. I was great full for this, too much light would have blinded me.

I sat still, soaking up the smell of paint and mildew. I was beginning to settle in when the teacher started screaming todays lesson. Quickly, I began my breathing exercises and blinking back the tears. I was going to crack. The pain was only growing- spreading from my temples all through the crown of my head.

As I was going into full on panic mode Rotxo held out a pair of bright orange ear plugs, "Here." I was slightly speechless. Great fully I excepted the ear plugs with a sincere smile plastered on.

After some time had past I started to feel a bit better. Though I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to next period. I forced my mind to tell my legs to get up and head to Teys car. With my head this bad I wouldn't be able to drive home, but at least I could go sleep while I wait for my brothers.

Slowly I picked myself up and started maneuvering to the door. Rotxo put his hand on my arm and whispered, "Where are you going ?" I didn't owe him an answer, so I just walked out of class without a second thought.

Stumbling through the halls I was able to reach the back door. Feeling mentally exhausted I couldn't even push the door open. I closed my eyes in defeat, leaning my head against door.

"Kiri." I recognized the voice- him. My eyes automatically rolled at the thought of him being near me.

"Yes Rotxo ?" I tried to sound annoyed but only ended up seeming pathetic in my response. Too tired to put any power in words.

"Where are you going ?"

"To sleep in Tey's car."

"Then why are you still in the school ?"

"I couldn't open the door..." A rush of embarrassment passed through me.

"Here." He pushed the doors open as if it was nothing. A fresh breeze hit my face. I slowly sighed like this was what I had been waiting a life time for.

"Thx."

"Wait- I know something that will help. Just follow me, plz." Normally I wouldn't have even thought about this request. I would have just simply walked away. But the pain had started to reach my neck- I would do anything to feel better.

"Okay..."

He placed his hand on the small of my back to direct me through the parking lot. Red flags started alarming in my brain- RUN KIRI ! I stopped in my tracks and gave him a 'what the fuck' kinda look.

"I promise it's not like that Kiri. I won't hurt you." I wasn't really 'afraid' of Rotxo. But I knew that if he really wanted to he could physically hurt me.

We continued walking towards a large dark green Jeep. It looked old and worn down- with many little scratches and chips taken out of the paint.

Rotxo lead me to the drivers side - facing away from the school. He pulled out a container of gum. Cracking open the top, he turned the container to face me. Revealing many rolled up joints. I tried to keep my reaction neutral as he placed one in between his fingers. With his free hand he shoved the gum container in his pocket and pulled out a small black lighter. Slowly he lifted the joint to his lips, sparking the lighter till the joint caught fire. He let it set there for a moment before pulling away. Calmly he let the smoke release out his lungs. The harmful yet addictive sent peeked my interest. I stared up at him, with one unanswered question dancing in my mind. It seemed like he understood what I was asking for. Cautiously he positioned the joint to my lips. I gently breathed in- letting the smoke enter my body. My throat began to dry as I broke away from Rotxo's hand.

We continued this leisurely paced smoking till the joint was no more. I quickly realized that my migraine was gone- and better than that. I felt fucking fantastic. Like my brain was on cloud nine while my body was gracing the earth.

We held eye contact for what felt like hours- but was more like mere seconds.

"Do you feel better ?"

"Yes !" I enthusiastically responded about to burst out of my skin.

He chuckled at my response, "Seems like it... you seem happy- it looks good on you." His eyes started to pierce through my soul- these big dark brown eyes. Almost black, even in the sun light.

"Your not that bad." Compliments weren't really my thing. I always had a lot of opinions on others- just not ones I could say out loud.

" Oh- really ? Not THAT bad." His words swayed in a joking like manor.

The whole way back to class we kept turning to each other, which was followed every time by fits of laughing. But after this the rest of the day was a bit of a blur- only remembering the content feeling.

Though by the time I realized how I just fucked up, I was already in bed about to fall asleep. Regret washed over me. How could I do something so reckless ? It was my first day at school and I snuck out with some stranger to smoke ? I had never even smoked before... and now I have to face him tomorrow.

Kiri flopped over in her bed, smashing her face into her pillow. She couldn't help but let the tears run- soaking her pillow more and more with each sob. She felt hopeless, only wanting to return to her easy going state from earlier. This want only led to her crying even more until she finally fell asleep.

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1019 words

Okay so this was a VERY unexpected twist for Kiri... & now I have 0 clue we're this story is going. Like at all- but like I already wrote this & like it & like it fits into the other parts SO HERE WE ARE. But yeah- idk what this will mean for Kiri in the future (or Rotxo) but we'll see ig.