The Inevitable

Chapter 16: Shattered

Returning home felt surreal. The sun was shining, and the world seemed blissfully unaware of the turmoil in my heart. Cape Town had been a whirlwind of happiness and pain, and now I was back in the familiar confines of my school, but everything felt different.

As I walked down the crowded halls, I felt a sense of detachment. The laughter and chatter of my classmates faded into the background. I spotted Tatum by her locker, and her smile lit up her face for a brief moment before it faltered.

"Jayda!" she called, rushing over. "You're back! I've missed you so much!"

"Missed you too," I said, forcing a smile.

But Tatum's eyes narrowed, and her brow furrowed with concern. "You look... different. What's going on?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "Just trying to get back to normal, I guess."

"Normal? You've been kind of MIA lately. What's going on with you and Tyler?" She crossed her arms, her tone shifting.

"Nothing," I replied, the bitterness creeping into my voice. "We're done. For good."

"What happened in Cape Town?" she pressed, her concern deepening.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the weekend crash down on me again. "He chose the gunnaz over me, Tatum. I can't be with someone who would put that life before ours."

Tatum's expression softened, but her disappointment was evident. "I just feel like I'm losing you. We used to do everything together, and now..."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I just need some space right now," I said, my voice quiet. The truth was, I was drowning in my own emotions, and I didn't know how to articulate it.

As the days passed, my resolve to stay away from Tyler solidified. I ignored the messages that still came through, each ping a reminder of what I had tried to escape. But every time I saw Aqeelah in the halls or heard her laugh with Tyler, it made my heart ache even more.

One afternoon, I was sitting in the cafeteria, staring at my untouched lunch, when I overheard a group of students nearby talking in hushed tones. My heart raced as I listened, something in their conversation feeling off.

"Did you hear about the shooting last night?" one girl whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

"No! What happened?" another replied.

"There was a drive-by, and someone got hit. It was crazy—"

I sat up straight, anxiety prickling at the back of my mind. I tried to ignore it, but the unease grew. My phone buzzed on the table, and I glanced at the screen. It was a message from Tatum.

Have you heard from Aqeelah? She hasn't been in class today. Everyone's worried.

My heart dropped. I quickly typed back, No, I haven't seen her. Is she okay?

Tatum's reply came almost immediately. I don't know. They're saying it was her family's block.

Panic gripped me. I shot up from my seat, my heart pounding as I rushed out of the cafeteria. The hallways felt like a maze, each step heavier than the last. I spotted Aqeelah's best friend, Lila, standing by the lockers, her face pale and tear-streaked.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Aqeelah was caught in a crossfire," Lila said, her voice breaking. "She didn't make it."

The world around me blurred as I processed her words. It felt like time had stopped. Aqeelah—sweet, innocent Aqeelah—was gone. My mind raced back to the carefree moments we had shared, the laughter that felt so vibrant just days ago.