The Boy Next Door *On Hold*

4

Brooklyn POV
*LUNCHTIME*

I made my way to the bathroom. The halls were empty and Zendaya and Witney were already making their way to the cafeteria.

I was yanked away from the bathroom door and came face to face with Val.

What the heck is wrong with him?

"Can I help you?"

He was starting to get on my nerves. He hasn't given me any space since Friday night. I get that he's my best friend but I don't want to be near him twenty four seven.

"You're sitting with me at lunch." He said.

"You mean you... Your stepbrother and the rest of you're crowd of fuck boys? I think not." I turned to enter the bathroom but was pulled back once more.

"You're sitting with me."

"No I'm not Val. You're not the boss of me. So how about you just go downstairs and eat lunch with your posse."

He looked angry. Really really angry.

"You're sitting... With me." He growled.

I rolled my eyes.

"Alright. Just let me go to the bathroom first. Damn."

Val let me go and I walked into the bathroom. I was freaking out. I pulled my phone out and texted Zendaya. She was a year younger than me but she had a free period when Witney and I had our lunch so she usually ate with us.

Me: HELP ME

Z: where are you?

Me: bathroom upstairs. Val has lost it.

Z: I told you he was gonna crack.

Me: just come.

Daya came charging into the bathroom after about five minutes.

"Bee what's going on?" She asked.

"I don't know. He's been acting weird since Saturday."

"Wait you were with him Saturday?"

I nodded.

"I'm staying with him for the next two weeks because if I don't I'm in for an unpleasant surprise."

I didn't mean for all of that to slip out. Zendaya blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean? He's forcing you to sleepover his house?"

"No. His stepdad."

"You mean Mr. Adams?"

I nodded.

"I'm confused." Zendaya said shaking her head.

"Me too. All I know is that his some people want something from my dad and I'm basically bait."

"Wait how are you bait?"

I shrugged. "He hit me the other day."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah."

The water came on. I jumped back towards Zendaya.

"What that heck?" She asked.

"It wasn't me."

All of a sudden the fire alarm went off. I put my hands over my ears. It was louder than normal. Way louder.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" I yelled.

"I DON'T KNOW! BUT WE SHOULD GO."

I reached for the door but it was piping hot.

"Ouch."

The water was beginning to drip onto the floor.

"What are we going to do?" Zendaya asked trying to turn the water off.

"I don't know but I'm guessing the fire is right outside the door."

As soon as I said that the door burst into flames.

Smoke started to fill the room cutting off the supply of oxygen. I could here the water sizzling from the contact with the fire. Before I knew it Zendaya was on the floor. I tried to wake her up but she wouldn't budge.

Soon enough I felt myself getting weaker. I was coughing a lot and I couldn't see. I began to fall when I felt someone catch me.

"You've got to be careful what you say." they said before I blacked out.