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Chapter Four

Chapter Four | The Trouble Magnet Meets the Trouble Maker

Erin

"You're late, Miss Michaels." was Mr. Stowsky's greeting as I burst into the classroom, struggling to catch my breath.

"I-I'm sorry, sir. I had to get my things from the chemistr—"

Mr. Stowsky handed me a detention slip, not bothering to hear out what I was saying.

I was grumbling under my breath when I made my way towards my seat.

"Wow, two detentions in just a week. I don't know if I'll be proud of you or what." Sam drawled out. "What happened? You look like a monster's been chasing you."

I gulped at what she said. "W-Well, sort of..."

She raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Mom called me to the principal's office earlier. I was heading back to class w-when I—I..."

"When you what?"

"IbumpedintoTerrenceBlakeandIaccidentallysnappedathimandheprobablywantstokillmenow." I blabbered out. I don't know if she understood, but by the look Sam gave me, I think she got the gist of it.

"What?!"

"I'll tell you guys about it later." I whispered as I saw Mr. Stowsky giving us a warning look.

"You'd better."

----

As soon as we've arrived at our group's usual table, Sam immediately dropped the bomb at my friends with no hesitation whatsoever.

"I got some news for you, guys. One, Erin got another detention from Mr. Stowsky. Two, she ran into The Terror in the hallway earlier. And three, she talked back at him."

I watched as my friends simultaneously choked on their food at what Sam told them.

"ERIN!" the two of them cried out, looking at me in horror.

"What happened?" Maggie asked as I sat down.

Slowly and quietly, I recounted to them my chance encounter with death earlier, glancing about to make sure no one's going to overhear.

"Erin Anne Michaels! Do you realize what you've just done?" my redhead best friend scolded. "That was Terrence Blake! The most dangerous guy in our school!"

"Did he see your face?" Theo asked, looking like he was about to get sick.

"I don't think so. My hair covered me a bit."

Well, there's nothing wrong with being hopeful, right?

Maggie shook her head at me. "If he sees you again—"

"He won't. I'll make sure of that. Besides, I really don't think he's even here in school most of the time." I said, assuring myself more than her.

"There are hundreds of kids here in West Morgan." I continued. "I mean, what are the odds of me and him meeting again, right?"

"Well, not unless he hunts you down. I heard he's capable of doing that, especially with people he hates." Sam, pessimistic as ever, piped in.

I groaned. "Stop. Please. You're making me feel worse."

She shrugged. "It's possible."

"Maybe you could, I don't know, ask your dad for help?" Maggie suggested.

I shook my head. "Nope. No way. I'd rather hide my face forever in a paper bag than tell this to my father. You know how he overreacts at things like this. He'll probably have Terrence imprisoned on the other side of the country and have him eat nothing but week-old bologna sandwiches. He'll hate me more for sure."