faded.

FOUR

ONIKA

Study hall was the best thing to happen to my senior year. Especially with college applications coming up.

Some days, I just need a break. Like today. I pretty much already had everything finished so I was just going to listen to music and do some research on colleges.

A couple minutes after the late bell rang, the door opened making me look up. A security walked in with Bey. She was wearing red and black plaid pajama pants and a plain black hoodie.

I'm still confused why she left last night. Maybe I could ask her.

The security guard said something to the teacher and I saw Bey roll her eyes.

I couldn't hear what they were saying but our teacher talks so loud and since our class was silent, I could hear him.

"Nice of you to join us, Ms.Knowles. Take a seat anywhere, just please don't cause too much trouble." I think he was being loud on purpose to try and embarrass her.

She rolled her eyes again and walked away. While she was looking for a seat, we accidentally made eye contact and I immediately looked down.

That's so embarrassing.

I kept my head down until I heard the chair next to me being pulled out. I looked over at her and tried to smile as friendly as I could. "Hey." She probably just sat here because I was in the very back of the class in a corner.

She mumbled, "Hi."

Her eyes were really low but they weren't red, I couldn't tell if she was high or not. "So you just got moved into this class?"

She put her head down in her arms and turned to her side to look at me. "No. I've always been in this class, I just never come because it's fucking study hall. It's not like I need to be here. They tracked me down today and forced me to come. "

"Oh, true. It's a good class to get some work done so you don't have to have to do it at home."

I internally cringed after saying home. My mom got in my head and now I think there's a possibility she could be homeless.

"Or a good place to take a nap."

I looked around then whispered, "Are you high?"

Solana talks slow like her when she's high. Except her eyes are usually really red.

"As shit."

"Oh. Well can I ask you a question?"

"Depends."

"Why did you pay for my food and not let me take you home?" That home word again.

She shrugged. "I paid for your food because you gave me a ride."

"But why did you leave without saying anything? I would've taken you where you needed to go."

"Because I didn't need a ride anymore, I was close enough. I have no problem with walking."

"Well the polite thing would've been to say goodbye and let me know you were leaving instead of just walking out. That's not how you make friends."

She chuckled, "My apologies."

I knew she was being sarcastic but I still smiled. "It's okay, just don't do it again. I really like your hair today."

"Stop lying."

I laughed because I was kind of lying. "Well I think I would really like it if you put a brush to it, I like the color though. I think it fits you." Her hair was a little all over the place, I could tell she just rolled out of bed.