Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 30

"So..." Ms Wallace paired another grape and sausage with her cracker. "That meeting with your May? Mae? It was pleasant."

Her nervous chuckle made me know she meant that.

"I'm sorry she found out like that," Sabrina muttered, putting together a small serving for me.

I shook my head and looked back out on the waterway. I wanted to go closer, but I knew that we wouldn't hold ourselves up on the steepness of the hill. I felt like my secret was out around school. I really didn't want to be there anymore. I didn't even want to be at home. I could hear the concern and disspirit in Storm's texts.

I finally huffed a sigh and got a combination from the charcuterie board for myself. I hoped it wouldn't cause harm, but I simultaneously didn't care. I remembered that I had to stop in at the daycare before returning to my dorm today. I was thankful that the weather was cooling down. September felt nice this time around.

"What's up, honey?" Sabrina's voice wafted me back to them.

"I... just wished I could've gone fully under the radar with it. They wouldn't have to know. I don't want them to change my mind." I grumbled and laid back on the blanket.

"Under your circumstances? I don't think they'd do that... based on what you've mentioned to me." Ms Wallace interjected.

"Yeah, you're right. I just didn't used to make the best choices, and I don't wanna second guess this one." I breathed out.

It got silent. I just received light hugs and pats of reassurance and Sabrina discouraging me from lying on my stomach.

We packed up hours later. Sabrina had to go home separately, and Ms. Wallace would drive me back to school. The dynamic of our friendship was weird. People probably saw me as a teacher's pet, but I didn't care in the slightest.

The ride was filled with softly playing R&B songs. The air was calm and cool, matching the sunset. We pulled into the parking lot in time. I found that we both like to go by the "Come back home before the streetlights come on" rule. It felt way safer that way. I turned to thank her and promised to give her any updates on how I was feeling. After our hug, I felt like there was something she wanted to ask me, but she didn't. She gave a tight-lipped smile.

I almost asked her the same question, but I decided against it. I returned the smile and exited the vehicle before her.

I kept my head straight for the walk to the elevator and through the corridors and hallways. I kept picking up his scent, and I was debating on confronting him or getting someone to know. Instead, I quickly got in my dorm and texted all the relevant people I was safe. I checked every partition in the dorm, so I had assurance that no one was in here, then let out a heavy sigh.

Once everything was clear, I got cleaned up and decided to take a nap. As the days passed by, I was getting more tired, and it was worse than the kind you get when you're on 2 hours of sleep studying for a class.

I didn't even check my watch to see how many steps I took today. The last thing I needed was to spiral.

--

Anya's POV(some days later)

I reread Abosk's message over and over.

"Do you need some help? I know a few formulas." I bit my lips, waiting for him to respond.

"No! We're not going anywhere near the scene. Just pray that it doesn't lead back to us."
read by all

I found it weird that Sabrina was even in this chat. In the back of my mind, though, I knew why. I checked the time and thought of sending Bekati a follow-up text. I knew her pain was growing by the day, and so she was more than tired, so I was worried. Her situation stressed me out more than my Afro studies classes, and THAT said something.