Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

9

I was calm as I unwrapped the cylinder. My hands digging for my pocket lighter I always kept in my bag. I kept an eye on the boat that was slowly increasing speed to stay with us.

"Uh guys, they're following us," Kie called out.

"Uh, dude, you gotta go faster!" JJ shouted over the engine.

"I'm going!"

"Gun it!"

My eyes widening and my heart racing as I watch one of the men pull out a long pointed object that glinted in the sun.

Speaking of gun it.

"Oh fuck. Drive John B!" I roared out as I grabbed my lighter and pulled the cylinder from my bag. My right thumb flipped the dial as I guided the cylinder's string into the flame with my left. "Bombs away!" I croaked.

Once I got the string lit, I swapped hands and turned. With a small plead, a cranked my right arm back and let the small firework fly. A short booming crack was the answer as I managed to delay them enough for us to get a head start.

"Good hit, wifey! But, uh, why the hell do you have a firework in your bag?" But not enough to completely immobilize them. Because that's when they started shooting.

"Oh shit!"

"Shit! Trust me, JJ, not the most important question." I yelled then let out another sneeze. I groaned as my head began to pound. "B, get down! Oh my gosh I'm gonna kill somebody once we get out of this." I ducked, curling into myself as I tried to think of what to do. We were being shot at and I only had the one firework.

"Oh my God. We're gonna die." Pope was curled up in front of the control stand. JJ and John B behind it. And Kie was on the other side of it.

I checked my backpack for anything else but came up empty. I had nothing. I gave a quick scan of the boat, ducking at the next shot from the shotgun.

"Kie! The net!" I shouted over the noise.

"Shit, Pope, move!"

"Get down, Kie!" John B yelled as Kie began to make her way to the back of the boat.

I stood on shaky legs and helped her stretch out the net, the two of us launching it into the water behind us. My momentum knocking me clean onto the back of the boat. There was one more shot fired as I looked up to watch the net catch in their propeller.

"Oh fuck!" Kie yelled as she grabbed the back of the hoodie and helped me get back to the floor of the boat. My head pounding as I slumped onto the corner.

"John B, we need to get Xena back, asap." Kie roared as she watched my eyes roll slightly.

There was one last sound of gunfire but the guy was a bad shot so I didn't worry about it hitting us. I laughed, completely loopy as I felt too tired to do anything else.

"Oh no." JJ said as he walked over to watch me flutter my eyes.

"Yeah, uhh wo."

"Shit! Xena!"

My head landed on my backpack as I no longer was able to keep myself seated upright. My eyes shut as I curled into myself.

"I'm charging double." I murmured before I passed out. The boat accelerating as I drifted into sleep.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Hi, mom." I murmured sleepily as I blinked my eyes. "Wait? Mom!" I shot up off the couch only to meet the floor with a groan and a pounding in my head.

"You dork. Xena, you're sick. Your friends brought you here about three hours ago. You've been asleep since." I groaned and curled up on the floor.

"Wait, did they get my bike?" I heard a smack as she hit her forehead.

"It's out front. I can't believe that was your first question. Actually, I can. Nevermind. Look, you have a fever. I already called the gym and Murphy told you to take it easy for the next three days."

"Three days!" I went to sit up but found it was more comfortable on the carpet.

"Yes, Xena. Three days. One to get the fever down. Another to relax the third to slowly start back up." I huffed but stayed where I was.

"Fine. Can I have my phone?"

"It's on the coffee table." I cracked an eye open and reached for the small device. My hands pulling open the messaging app from memory as I squinted hard. My eyes looking for the "Blockheads and Kie" group chat.

I'm alive!
What did I miss, bitches?

Do you wish to send this message?

"What the heck?" I rubbed my eyes as I clicked the confirm button. The message sending as I grabbed my glasses and slid them on. My eyes widening as I stared at my phone.

"Oh fuck."

Blocked Number

This number is now unblocked. You will resume receiving messages from this number.

May 2020

Tallen?
xxx-xxx-xxxx

Wait? Did you actually block me?
xxx-xxx-xxxx

Xena?
xxx-xxx-xxxx

You'll be back.
xxx-xxx-xxxx

June 2020

I'm alive!
What did I miss, bitches!
Darling

Oh fuck me.
Darling

That could be arranged.
Asshat

Cameron,
Do us both a favor.
Fuck off.
Darling

I thought you wanted me
to fuck you?
Asshat

If I wasn't sick, I'd come over
and strangle you right now.
Darling

You and I both know,
I'm the one who will
be choking you.
Wanker

If I came over and killed you,
I'd be in the wrong... so
do us both a favor and
jump off your balcony.
Darling

Tempting.
But no.
Did you say you were sick?
Jump Please

Bummer.
Yes.
I think Wheezie passed her cold.
Darling

She had a fever this morning.
Have you eaten yet?
Jump Please

No. I just woke up from a nap.
Not that it's any of your business. And seriously? Why didn't anyone tell me Wheezie was contagious still?
Darling.

You're right.
Wheezie's choice. She didn't want her illness to get in the way of school work. Told me that you'd have done the same.
Asshat

He was right, I have done the same thing. And Wheezie knows that story, but I at least kept my distance from everyone. Wheezie was literally sneezing and coughing on me.

I threw my phone as far away from me as possible without breaking it. A chill down my spine as I replayed the conversation I just had with Rafe. Of course it would be my blind-ass luck to have found the "blocked number" versus the "blockhead and Kie" group chat.

I groaned laying back down on the floor as I realized I had to get up and text the Pogues I was alive.

"Five minutes." I whispered as I curled up with the blanket on the carpet. A pillow under my head as I fell back asleep.