Eve: Tale of the Crimson Rose

Chapter 9

   For a few weeks, it's been amazing, I have my best friends and a good school life, plus my parents don't talk to me altogether. I got the part of Peggy in the play, and Chi got the role of Angelica. I don't know how Mona was able to get Eliza instead of Chi, but something tells me it has to do with her pocket and status. I'm kinda happy because if she was the lead, then she would have been with that white trash Jason who is playing Hamilton. This is funny cause they both can't act. I've been working on my lines that mostly consist of me saying, "And Peggy!" I like this class and low-key don't want to go to my next class.  I've been keeping the distance between me and Daniel. I avoid him at the library, and in chemistry, I make it my mission to be everywhere, but today, my brother told me to stay in my seat. So now I have to sit there and act like I haven't been trying to avoid him.

   I take the steps of dread as I walk to Chemistry, I make sure I'm the first one and quickly start writing. Daniel comes in with his friends, laughing and smiling before turning in my direction and putting on a serious look. I, of course, look away and look at my notebook. He sits down and says nothing. I clear my throat and mutter, "Good morning, Daniel." He looks at me and lifts one eyebrow.
"So now you decide to talk to me," he asks, completely ignoring my good morning.
"I have been, uh, busy with stuff," I reply. He stays quiet before looking up at me with that scary, serious look he gives to people when he is, you know, serious.
"God, I don’t get girls, y'all get mad over the smallest things and lie on top of that."
Ouch. "Lie?"
"You're not very good at lying to me," he says. How does he know when people are lying? "So what's the problem?"
"What makes you think we have a problem?" I look at him straight in the eyes.
"Well, you're the first person in this school who asked me to ever explain my reason for something, but if you must know. At the library, you avoid going to where I usually sit, and at lunches, you always look at me and then look away as soon as I look back. Then sit with your back, turning towards me. So what's wrong?"
"Oh wow...I mean I guess there is."
"Is it Ariyah? Please tell me you're not jealous of her or her dating me."
"No, I just think she is a little rude." Why does he think I'd be jealous of her?
"Yeah. That's kinda how she is. The only people she respects are people who have power over her, you know?"
"As in can control her?"
"No, as in is a higher rank than her," he sighs, "can you try to ignore her altogether?"
"Sure," I mutter unhappy with the question. He sighs before going on his phone to look at something. His neutral reaction turned into an angry one. Should I ask? I shouldn't ask, but I want to. But I can't.

   He gets up and asks my brother if he could go outside for a bit. He walks out and starts yelling into the phone. Damn, he is pissed, I should be extra careful and kind around him for the rest of the day. I need to live decently. He comes back to the table, "Sorry about that."
"Oh! No worries," I say, waving it off. For the rest of the class period, he was looking very irritated. After class, we do what we always did and walk to PE, and he pucks up Ariyah. Today, however, after whatever happened on that phone, he was not interested in hugging or kissing her. This did not sit well with her, so she shot me a glare. I love how she thinks I can steal her man. I just shrugged cause I really didn't know what was up with him. Shouldn't she, as his girlfriend, know this?

  At PE, Aura and I are drawing on the sand. Yes, I know it's childish, but it's fun when it's just the two of us.
"Do both you and Chi really have something to do."
"Yes, I have to go to a party for the higher-ups, and Chi has to go to a red carpet event for the new movie that came out," she sighs, "you'll be fine."
"Welp, guess I'm sleeping early today," I joke.
"Omg, this boring," she sighs, "Oh! Let's go watch the boys play soccer. We could rate them."
I burst into laughter, "I like the sound of that." We head to the soccer field where a bunch of girls, including Ariyah, are cheering for the boys on each team. They were all good, but Daniel was the best. His defense was great. He is hella fast and has powerful kicks. I'm not really into soccer, but now I kinda wanna know more about it now. Aura nudged me with a smirk wiggling her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes and smiled.

   After school, I wait for my brother, but he doesn't seem to be there. Minutes turn into hours, and he is still not here. Did he leave the school without me? Sighing, I pick up my bag and start walking home. This place is one of the safest in the world. If you want to kidnap a kid, you have to pay their parents. Which my parents would do. I walk and walk until I see the apartment ahead. Finally! Home sweet home! I knock on the door.
"Oh God," my mom answers, "Eve get out of here. Go to a friend's house or something we have important guests for the night. Can't you... you know. Sleep somewhere else?"
"Wait, what -" I didn't get to finish because she slammed the door shut in front of my face. What the fuck does she mean by that? I don't have a phone. My friends are probably getting ready if not already at their events. I knock on the door.
"DID YOU NOT HEAR TO GO AWAY EVE?!"
Is this even legal?

   I start panicking like crazy, I don't know who to ask. Sitting on a bench, I take out my laptop. Shit shit shit, who can I ask? I scroll through my Instagram and see "Daniel 🤟🏾." I shouldn't... should I? I know he is at soccer practice, so I should head there. After a while of wondering what seems like hours, I get to the sports complex. They were almost done by the time. I watched the remainder of the practice before Daniel spotted me as he went to get water. He gives me a questioning look. I smile for a moment before bursting into tears. He gets surprised before running to me.

   "You okay?"