WonderEyes- Wonder the world through my eyes

Mom, Are you okay?

The April sun beat down on Goeth High, turning the hallways into a sticky mess. Alicia slogged through the sweaty throngs, the weight of the day pressing down on her like a Kardashian after a breakup. The ghost of Isis's smirk haunted her, a constant reminder of Friday night's dance disaster. On top of that, her mom was freaking her out.

Mandisa Madeline Dlamini-Lopez, usually a human ray of sunshine, had returned from her business trip looking like a wilted sunflower. Pale and quiet, she moved with the enthusiasm of a sloth on sleeping pills. Alicia had tried – subtly then not-so-subtly – to mention it, but her mom brushed it off with jet lag excuses.

Johnathan, her ever-observant friend, caught up to her as they rounded a corner. His brow was furrowed with concern, a look that mirrored Alicia's own unease.

"Hey," he greeted, his voice laced with worry. "You good?"

Alicia forced a smile. "Yeah, just... tired. Rough night's sleep."

Johnathan wasn't buying it. "Rougher than Isis's crew?"

Alicia sighed, the memory of the party souring her mood further. "Yeah, something like that."

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud commotion near the lockers. Lorenzo, usually the picture of mischievous charm, stood nose-to-nose with Rivers, the annoying kid who always had a chip on his shoulder. This time though, Lorenzo looked like he could erupt, his face contorted in a rare display of fury.

"Leave me alone, River," Lorenzo growled, his voice tight.

Randal sneered. "What's the matter, Lopez? Feeling guilty about something?"

Alicia and Johnathan exchanged a worried glance. Lorenzo rarely lost his cool, and Rivers, despite being a pain, never seemed to provoke such a strong reaction.

Johnathan, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. "Hey, what's going on here?" he interjected, his voice calm but firm.

Rivers, emboldened by the audience, puffed out his chest. "Just reminding Mr. Perfect here that secrets have a nasty habit of getting out."

Before Lorenzo could launch himself at Rivers like a human missile, Johnathan grabbed his arm, surprisingly strong for such a lanky dude.

"Lorenzo, chill," Johnathan urged, his voice laced with urgency. "Whatever he's saying, it's not worth getting suspended over."

The bell shrilled, a welcome interruption to the escalating tension. Rivers slunk away with a parting shot towards Lorenzo, leaving a bewildered silence in his wake.

Johnathan released his grip on Lorenzo, his gaze searching his friend's face. "What was that all about?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

Lorenzo, his anger slowly receding, took a deep breath. "Nothing," he muttered, avoiding Johnathan's gaze.

But Alicia saw the flicker of fear in Lorenzo's eyes, a fear that mirrored the worry gnawing at her own gut. Something was wrong, something bigger than a petty schoolyard squabble.

The rest of the day crawled by in a blur of classes and forced cheer. Alicia kept checking the clock, desperate for the final bell and the comfort of home, even if it meant facing her mom's concerning frailty. When it finally rang, she practically sprinted out of school, Johnathan by her side, their usual banter replaced by a shared sense of disquiet.