Trapped

8

e i g h t

I sighed as I grabbed my new car keys. My parents really outdid themselves this time. If me beating death wasn't enough to draw attention to myself, this car would surely do the trick. I turned it on and watched as the butterfly doors went up. I locked the car and I put the keys away. I grabbed my house keys, and I got my driver to drive me to the closest bus station.

I waited for the bus for fifteen minutes and when it arrived, I hopped on. I got off at the stop in front of my school and I walked on to campus.

"Na'lini! You survived!" someone shouted, and I rolled my eyes.

"Where did the search party find you?" Someone else shouted and I just walked faster.

"You know, I don't think she was ever missing. I think that she's just one big ATTENTION WHORE!" I heard someone say and my head snapped in their direction.

"What did you just say about me?" I asked and they scoffed

"You heard him. Attention whore." the girl standing next to him said and I smiled at her.

"Tanya, is it?" I said and her face dropped.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, and I smirked at her.

"I don't know, maybe the dirt on your shoulder gave it away." I said referring to her gas station name tag and she immediately snatched it off her person.

"Oh, and Ryan. Yes, I know your name too. Who do you think sent that anonymous check that saved your family's restaurant? And no, it wasn't my mother or father. They wanted to take it, but I saved it. So, I suggest you don't bite the hand that literally feeds you. I dare you to say some dumb shit like that again." I argued and he nodded his head.

I put my sunglasses on, and I walked into the building.

"Na'lini! What are you doing here?" Zahra asked and I rolled my eyes. Her voice is getting to be so irritating.

"I'm here to learn?" I said, stating the obvious.

Just then someone came up from behind me and lifted me on to their shoulders. It was Ezekiel, Bryson's best friend. I thought that he'd be a mess, given the fact that his best friend is in critical condition.

"So glad you survived Netty." he said, spinning us around and I grabbed onto his dreads reflexively. "Ow, ow, ow, let go."

"Sorry, my bad." I said, and he just nodded his head.

I expected him to put me down, but he didn't. I caught a glimpse of Chris walking down the hall. My heart started pounding triple time. He was the reason why I came today. I was going to wave, but he looked away from me. I frowned but I shook it off.

"Put me down, playboy." I said, and he chuckled. When my feet touched the ground, I turned to walk away but Zeke pulled me back.

"I'm going to throw a party for you this weekend, to celebrate your survival." he said, and I cringed.

"Zeke..."

"Wassup, baby?" he said and I grabbed hold of both his wrists.

"How are you doing?" I asked and he smiled at me.

"I'm doing great. I'm happy and healthy. What else could I ask for?"

"Okay, if you say so." I said and he flashed me his million-dollar smile. "Oh, and you don't have to throw a party in my 'honor'. I just want to take a break from all this really." I said and he just smiled at me.