The Baneflower

Chapter 7

Morley
Today I went to school sober. My family would beat the shit outta me if I got expelled again. Then I realized Kody wasn't in our house and so is a few other members I won't mention. Still, I was late. Very late. Late enough that even Riley wouldn't be waiting for me at the entrance.
Why did she always wait?
I see my friend Jalen smoking with the others on school property. He lifted his hand up in the air and yelled my name.
"Yo Morley, pass the blunt." He joked, his steps were unsteady.
"Godamn, I don't have that money." I holler, the cold wind blowing in my face.
"You don't got the money?" Quince asked, mocking me. My fifteen year old friend that I met long ago in the alleyway was once again asking for every little thing. I roll my eyes.
"Baby you ain't high enough." Quince slurred her words.
"I'm not your baby Quince." I retort.
"Bring the vodka tommorow."
"I'm trying to quit." I muttered.
"You piece of shit." Conner came into the scene and kicked me just enough to cringe. I get ready to punch his neck.
"Stop. He ain't got nothing. He's been living in poverty. No more Kody, didn't you hear?" Jalen snapped.
Conner muttered something under his breath and I left, running.
-
I walk in, without thinking of being polite I stormed into math class in the morning. I see Riley looking all broken. Her brown eyes wandered and she seemed lost.
No one even looked my way.
-
Riley
It was him. Okay, but I don't know why I should even care. Whatever.
He glanced at me once or twice. Whenever I caught his hazy blue eyes looking my way, I looked at the window and ignored him.
I didn't feel like doing anything today.
"You look like you hate everything right now. What's wrong?" Morley asked quietly. I look at him and I don't say "Nothing." because that sounds like something.
"Tired as hell." I mumble, avoiding him and a personal conversation as much as possible. I hated talking about anything that has to do with life.
The last time I've ever told anyone anything was my friend Toby. I told him about how someone I cared about just didn't come back to school one day. I originally thought he just moved without telling me, but it was something else. Something different. So, because of what happened, I simply never heard or seen him again, not a single trace.
"Snap out of it." Morley half talked and half sang.
"What?"
"Oh, it's a song. You probably listen to all the pop songs out there. You look like a preppy girl."
"The hell, you think?" I mutter. I shook my head and corrected him.
"I don't listen to anything." I say.
"Shut up you two!" Ace said from behind Morley. I gave Ace a dirty look and he smirked at me.
"Come outside at lunch. With me." Morley whispered.
"Hah, naw, people will nag me about me and you. We got nothin' together alright?" I whispered back.
"Savage, we're barely even friends." Morley retorted.
"Fine, alright." I say, thinking of how I can explain this situation to Diana, Blake, and Toby. They would be waiting at the bridge.
"I'm going to show you real music. Lyrics, raw connection." Morley promised.
I barely heard him.