RUN!

41.

   Mum shoves a pack of cherry in my bag when she thinks I'm not looking. It's 8 in the morning and we're both starting our day late which is why I "claimed" I'd skip breakfast but come on! Food is life! There are very few reasons why I'd skip a meal and school is by no means on that list.

"I'll be doing some extra time at the hospital today so don't wait up for me. That doesn't mean you should come home by eleven o'clock. I want you back home when your dad arrives," she states clearly. I nod thrice, dishing myself a bowl of cereal.

"When do you think he'll come?"

"Sometime after 8, so I expect that you'd be rested and you'd have heated the food in the fridge."

"Sure thing ma."

"Make sure you lock everywhere before you go. Love you bye!" She blows a kiss at me before dashing outside. The smile on my face doesn't fade until I remember what today's agenda is.

First thing's first, Jordan. Jordan is my friend, which is why I'd really love to hear a legitimate excuse from her as to why she kept her relationship– or whatnot– from me.

After that  I'll be paying an uneventful visit to the station by God's grace but before all of that I've got a bone to pick with Miss Diaz.

  I clear up my plate, grab my bag and lock the door. It's only when I'm well along the street I dial Reyna's number.

"It isn't even 9," she says as a greeting.

"Don't tell me you haven't woken up yet," alarm fills my voice.

"I wish. I'm dropping my brothers at school. What's up?"

"If you have anything else you're hiding I suggest you tell me now."

"Fuck you caught me," she says drily.

"Reynaaaa."

"What are you talking about?"

"You met Jordan. How did you not know she was the Jordan Avery hated."

"What!?" Reyna practically cries. She seems to take a moment to digest what I just said before speaking again. "First off you big jerk, I never met any of this people. And Avery didn't exactly stalk anyone. Secondly, I didn't put the math together okay? I'm actually very bad at math which is why I'll probably end up as a social worker–"

"That would make sense."

"I just assumed she was another Jordan because she was with you. So technically this is all your fault."

"So what, you're blaming me because you trusted me?"

"I really want to peel your skin out right now."

"Why did they have bad blood? I mean I know Jordan said horrible things about her online but Avery doesn't mention anyone else except Jordan."

"It was personal. They were friends...or Avery felt like they were friends. She'd helped her when she was having an epileptic episode so they'd kind of had a connection over a mutually kept secret. But then Jordan started hanging out with Quinn and the rest is history."

"But Avery never told anyone about Jordan's epilepsy."

"Hell nah, except me for obvious reasons. That's a jerk move."

"Yeah. I'm hanging up now, I'm already at school. See you later."

"I will peel your skin out–"

I hang up feeling like a king and allow myself to imagine the expression on Reyna's face. She's probably cussing richly in Spanish. School is as silent as a graveyard because classes have already started. I'm already late, I see no point in running into my class so I walk casually into the building.