faded.

THREE

ONIKA

Working out was my favorite pass time, I loved it.

Every weekday, I do my homework, take a shower, then go to the gym. I use the weekends to not do anything but rest, I deserve it after how much I do during the week.

I don't go hard every day, some days I just walk on an incline or use the stair master for a little. Honestly, I think working out is how I keep my good grades.

Routine is everything to me. My friends think I'm almost a little crazy for how strict I am about it but I don't care.

Today after I finished two different papers, I went to the gym. I worked out for hours, I had a lot of anger to get out. Even though I seemed really nice, it doesn't take that much to get me mad but I hold it in and get my anger out in better ways.

After the gym, I was tired and starving. It was already pretty late so I was just going to get something quick and go home.

Chipotle is my favorite place to go to after the gym, it's a great way to get protein.

On my way there, I noticed someone walking. At first I was obviously just going to keep driving until I realized who it was.

It was the girl from my calculus class, I think Kelly calls her Bey. I've never spoken to her before because every time I'm at their table to work on their project, she's not there or has her head down.

I almost didn't recognize her not in sweatpants. She had on black pants and a back hoodie, she also had on a backpack but not her school one.

Kelly always just says she's tired but from the way Robyn rolls her eyes or makes a comment under her breath, I don't think that's it.

I mind my business because I don't know her, it doesn't have anything to do with me.

There were no other cars on the road so I backed up until my car was next to her. I rolled my window down and yelled loud enough for her to hear me, "Need a ride?!"

It was really late and dark, not safe at all for a high school girl to be walking alone.

She took her headphones out and turned to me with a very confused look on her face. "Huh?"

I waved her over so I wouldn't have to yell and she reluctantly walked over to me car. "What?"

"I asked if you wanted a ride."

"Oh. No, I'm good. Thanks though."

I think this is the most she's ever spoken around me. Usually she just mumbles a couple words to Kelly and puts her head down.

"I really don't mind. People are crazy, you shouldn't be walking alone this late at night. It's not safe."

"And I would be safer in a strangers car?"

"I'm not a stranger, my name is Onika. We have calculus together." I've had to introduce myself to her so many times, she never remembers me.

"I know your name, I just don't know you. What if you're the stranger you're warning me about?"

"I'm a 5'2 high school girl." I chuckled, "What exactly could I do to you?"

"I'm listening to a true crime podcast right now, so a lot actually."

"Just get in and please let me take you home. I promise I won't kill you, we still need you do design our board game."

"So you won't kill me... yet?"

"Yeah, basically."

"That's strangely comforting." She shrugged and got in my car.

I waited until she put her seatbelt on to start driving. "So I'm going to Chipotle, want to come?"