Bullet For A Love

Chapter Two

After changing out of my smelly gym strip, I wandered through the busy hallways to my locker. There, I met Sukaina, my best friend. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her.

"Boo." I said, clicking my tongue.
She looked up at me and smiled.
"What did you guys do in gym?"
I fumbled with my lock as I responded to her.
"Just some kickball. I got two homeruns."
Sukaina shook my shoulder gently.
"Look at you go, you show off."
I grumbled gently, and peaked over my shoulder. Liam was walking by with his friends. I recognized one, Tayden, who was in Sukaina's gym class. Liam noticed me right away and smiled.

"Hey." He whispered.
"Hi." I replied, nearly stuttering. His shoulder brushed my back as he walked by.
"Holy-" I whispered to Sukaina.
Sukaina raised an eyebrow at me.
"Girl, he literally likes you back. Why are you so paranoid?"
I turned back to face her.
"Hey! I'm not paranoid. I'm just.... cautious."
Sukaina giggled and grabbed her books.
"C'mon. We're gonna be late to fifth period."

The day drew on and on, and I felt myself tapping my pencil against my desk. I didn't know what to think. My mind kept going back to Liam, over and over. As it normally does.
The breeze of the afternoon air brushed through the windows of the classroom as I shifted in my seat. I found myself scanning the room, naming my classmates. I just wanted to take my brain off Liam, so I don't actually explode on the inside.
I listed the names of my classmates in my head, and then again. Then again.
Zoe. Malcolm. Judah. Vanessa. Isla. Maryna. Malek.....
The names rung in my head, and I pushed out any thought of Liam. I ran the list through my head again, and then wrote it down on the backside of my notes.
This isn't the best way to get your mind off something, but its creative and it works.
Hale, Arda, Georgia, Sukaina....
Sukaina tapped me on the shoulder from behind me. I whirled around and whispered.
"What?"
"Did you not hear? We have to get into partners for the group project."
I huffed a sigh and paired up with Sukaina. The teacher explained the project and gave us the handouts. I was barely paying attention, but I snapped back into reality when it was time to work.

"Me and Xander were talking about his crush today." Sukaina mentioned.
"Oh yeah. Its still Gavin, right?"
Sukaina nodded.
"Yep. I think I will remain Gavin for a long time. Xander's head over heels for him."
I let out a soft chuckle.
"He likes Gavin as much as I like Liam?"

The name again. I shook that thought out of my head.
"Yep. Just as much as you simp." Sukaina responded, amused.
"Hey!" I raised my voice slightly, feinging hurt.
"I am not a simp."
Sukaina giggled and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Relax, you big baby." She smiled.
I nestled back into my seat and continued the project. Before I knew it, it was sixth period. We had to walk a bit down the hallway to get to our class, but its short and sweet.
I plopped down in my normal seat, and Sukaina shimmied into hers next to me. I really like this seat, we are near the front, but also by the windows.

I spent most of class daydreaming. About Liam. Sukaina had to prod me in the shoulder with her pencil a few times to get me to snap back.
At the top of my sheet, I drew a little heart and then added an L inside.

As the class ended, I jogged back to my locker. Me and Sukaina quickly grabbed our stuff and sauntered over to Danielle and Xander. Their lockers were just across the hallway.
As we were all walking, Danielle and Xander split paths. Sukaina didn't live too far from me. Just down the street from my apartment, actually. So, when she split ways, I waved her goodbye and stepped down the street.
Kicking a pebble, I looked around at the trees. The maroon, saffron and golden leaves were gracefully falling off the trees. Some trees were already bare.
The wind brushed through my hair a couple of times as I turned the corner. Stepping in through the back entrance, I walked into my room and plopped down on my bed. I rolled up the window curtains and unpacked my bag.
Feeling chilly, I pulled on my hoodie. It had a big heart embroidered on it. I remember seeing it in the store and instantly picking it out.
I lay on my back, my head on my pillows as I scrolled through my phone. I went onto all my social media, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. Just double checking.
A few people liked my post on Instagram, but that was really it.
I clicked through my following list and double checked my friends Instagram profiles. Sukaina never posts on hers, as its not worth her time. Danielle only posts rarely, whenever she goes on family trips or hangs out with us. Xander posts almost everyday. He always has something to share.
I clicked through some more. I mainly just follow celebrities, especially the actors I really like.
I went to the search bar and daringly searched up Liam's full name. A couple of profiles came up, but one of them had his face in the photo. I clicked it nervously and scrolled through. I saw a couple of posts with his friends. I chuckled and liked a few of the posts.
I double checked Calum's Instagram. It was just him being normal. Last time I checked, Max doesn't have any social media. He's that kind of guy.

I put my phone down on my chest and stared up at the ceiling. A few seconds later, my phone began buzzing.
Tyler was calling me. My ex, Tyler.

"Strange." I spoke out loud. "I swear I blocked him."

I clicked accept and grumbled.
"What do you want, Tyler?"

But the message that came back was more shocking than I realized.
"Help me."
"What?" I said, sitting up.
"Help me."

I sat there in silence for a good moment. Help him... with what?
"Meet me at the school."
My phone clicked.

I bit my lip, pondering for a moment.
"Meet me at the school."
His voice echoed in my head.
He did sound in distress. I shook my leg as I looked around my room.
I can't leave him in danger, right? Even if he is my ex, he was still my friend once. And a human being, for that matter.
Sighing, I pulled out my phone and texted my dad.

*Can I stay over at a friend's house tonight?*

I read the text to myself. Once I got the seal of approval, I hoisted my parshly empty bag over my shoulder and slipped outside the apartment.

Once I made it to the school, I pulled at the door handle. It was open, surprisingly.
I stepped inside, and the hallways were eerily quiet. The door made a giant slam behind me. Looking around, I saw the two hallways. On a nearby bench, I saw a decently- sized black box.

"Tyler?" I called out.
No response.
"Tyler! This isn't funny!"

"Jacks?"
That was not the voice I was expecting.