Bullet For A Love

Chapter Seven

"Are you joking?" I choked.
"Do you want us all to die?"

Calum looked taken aback.
"You got any better ideas?"

Why does everyone keep saying that to me?
I sighed.
"Fine. I guess its worth a shot."

Then, something inside me clicked.
"Who remembers the weird sounds we heard in classroom six?"

Max looked at me funny.
"The one that was like, a locker opening?"
I nodded.
"That was Tyler's locker."
A moment of silence.
"So your saying Tyler may have left something for us?" Sukaina pitched.
I shrugged.
"Its worth a shot. But first, lets all sit and rest. I think we are all emotionally drained."

I plopped down next to Max, who was fidgeting. Sukaina was hungry, so I passed her a granola bar in my pocket.
Leaning back against the wall, I ate one of my granola bars myself. I was dazed about everything. All this running, and now Makoy is dead.
I felt Max put a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey. You doing alright?"
I shook my head slowly.
"Not really. I can't help but think Makoy's death was my fault."
Liam flinched but sat down across from me.

"Jacks, what happened to him is not your fault. He didn't move in time."
Liam tried to reassure me.
Something inside me snapped.

"How can you say that? I barley knew Makoy, but he was your best friend!" I stated, standing up. All eyes fell on me.

I stepped towards a storage closet and closed myself inside. I didn't want to look at anyone.
How can I not shoulder the responsibility that this was my fault? If I hadn't expressed admiration to these boys, then they wouldn't be here. If I didn't have any friends, they wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be here. And most importantly, Makoy would be still alive.

Suddenly, the closet door opened. I grabbed the door handle, but Sukaina's cold hand pushed my fingers off.
Before I could say anything, Sukaina wrapped me in the tightest hug. Liam came in from behind. Then Max. Then Calum. Then Danielle and Xander.

And at that moment, something inside me clicked.
Even if I did have these feelings, I wasn't alone. I never have been.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a small drop fell on Sukaina's hijab. After everyone pulled away, Danielle saw me sniffling.
"Oh stop." She chuckled lightly. "You're gonna make me cry."

Everyone burst out into laughter, syncronized. I wiped my face and chuckled with them.
I felt Liam's gentle fingers against my skin as he wiped the last bit of water off my face. In the corner of my eye, I saw Calum flinch.

"We should do something for Makoy. When all of this is over."
Xander pitched.
I nodded. "I agree. Its best we honor him."

After a moment of debating, we came up with a plan.
"Thats sounds awesome."

For what felt like an hour, we all sat and rested. It was nice to finally stop running. There was the occasional footstep, but it wasn't Tyler. I think he died down a bit after what he did.
Max shimmied next to me on the floor, stretching his legs out.

"It sucks to see you cry, y'know."
He whispered to me.
I looked over at him.
"What?"
"I mean, you're such a strong girl. You've carried a lot more emotion than all of us, adding Tyler hunting us down onto that."
I chuckled at his words.
"You guys are also strong, too. I'm surprised we all haven't clawed our skin off."
Max let out a hearty chuckle.
"Is it weird to say I admire you?"
"No. Not at all."
"I mean, whats not to admire about you, Jacks? I may be tall and strong and whatever, but you're way stronger in the mind."
I giggled, covering my mouth.

Max placed a hand on my leg.

"Just know we are all here for you. Whether we are dying internally or not. We are your friends, right?"
I nodded.

"Thank you."

Suddenly, Danielle jumped up.
"I have an idea! Everyone, form a circle."

We followed Danielle's orders, sitting in a circle.
"Everyone, put your fists in the center."

We all followed her. I could feel the soft skin of Calum and Sukaina against the sides of my fist.

Danielle said, "Alright. Lets make a pact. Even if we all are dying and crumpled on the ground, we can all swear we will never leave each other's side. Even after this is all over."

"Way to word that, Danielle." Liam added.
Everyone burst out laughing.

Readjusting our fists in the circle, I looked over my shoulder and saw Calum staring deeply at me. I gave him a bright smile and nudged him with my free arm.

"Hey!" He smiled, feinging offense.
Liam snickered from afar.

"Everyone! Say I swear, to swear to the pact."
Danielle called out proudly.
"I swear."

"I swear." Liam.
"I swear." Max.
"I swear." Sukaina.
"I swear." I said, squeezing my eyes shut.
"I swear." Calum.
"I swear." Xander.

I could almost hear Makoy say, "I swear".

We all let go of the circle, laughing and smiling.
Friendship. This is whats most important right now. This is what we need the most. To win against Tyler. To survive.

A bit more resting, and Liam sat with me. He had an arm draped over my shoulder, and was constantly checking in on me.
A couple of times I noticed Calum flinching at Liam's movements.

When our rest time was up, it was time to get back to buisness.
Liam found some popsicle- sticks in a drawer. He cut them up and put them in a cup.

"Okay. Whoever gets the longest sticks go to the office. Whoever gets the shortest sticks go to Tyler's locker."

We all selected a stick. I had to run my fingers over the sticks a bit to really feel for it.
"Everyone reveal."

I uncovered the stick and realized.
I got one of the short sticks.

Scanning the room, I noticed Danielle and Xander got the longest sticks. And my locker- looting buddy was Calum.

"No. No, no, no." Liam shook his head when he saw my stick.
"Jacks is not going down there without me."
His voice was tinted with pure determination.
"Calum, give me the short stick."

The room filled with silence as Liam had his hand outstretched. Exhaling, I put my hand in his as Calum stepped back.

"Liam, I'll be fine." I looked him deep in the eyes. "I swear."
Liam exhaled and lowered his hand.
"Just... promise to call if anything happens."
I nodded.

Adjusting my hoodie, Calum was standing next to me. He looked solid, like a stone statue. Not moving or blinking at all. Not a single thought behind his blue eyes.
Danielle and Xander were ushered out first. They waved goodbye and darted down the hallway.
After reassuring Liam one last time, me and Calum set off down the hallway.
He didn't say a word the time we reached the stairs.

"Calum? Are you alright?"
I touched his shoulder with the tips of my fingers.
He shrugged me off.
"I'm fine. Lets go."