One Way Out

~Chapter 3~

The next day comes too quick. I couldn't even sleep last night. It was twist and turns in my bed until the early morning. I think my mom even came in to check on me. What am I gonna do with Jordan? I exhale to keep my breathing steady. I don't want to over think things. Oh and Mr.Vence. I have to talk to him today too. The sigh I held in escapes me. Can't think about that right now Ana, I say to myself. My inner thoughts are right. It's time for Precalculus.




Ding! The day continues to progress after first period. It's time for lunch. I want to speak with Mr.Vence before I go though. The chance of talking to him after lunch is one in a million. He's a very busy man. Mr.Vence's classroom is in front of me. I knock politely, waiting for him to answer. No answer. I knock again to make sure. Again, no answer. I start to walk away when the door opens. "Oh, Hi Ana", I'm greeted with a warm smile. To my surprise, it wasn't Mr.Vence greeting me. "Um, hi, Marie."




Well this is uncomfortable. Marie is finishing a conversation with Mr.Vence while I took a seat at the desk. Their conversation is understandable a little. I can hear only slight things. "Rest yourself Marie." "Don't get caught in a sticky situation." "Back at you Mr.Vence." Jeez. Totally gross. What is she getting her self into. My thoughts are interrupted by Marie's sudden outburst. "Bye Ana Banana! See ya Later!!"




Mr.Vence speaks as Marie closes the door behind her. "Hello Ana, sorry 'bout that. How can I help you?"




"I wanted to speak to you about the program before lunch, but I see you were busy with something else", I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. He shoots me a look back and opens his mouth,"Yes, I apologize for the troubles. And about the program-" Mr.Vence takes a seat at his desk pulling a chair so I can sit in front of him. "There's going to be a $1,000 dollar fee for supplies and books. You'll be given a laptop, textbook, and workbook. To get in you'll need an original writing piece. This could be a poem, diary entry, story excerpt, etc. You'll also have to do a 5 page essay on Shakespeare. If you want I can help you with that." He smirks at me. I can't help but tremble again. He's starting to make me nervous makes me nervous. I respond trying to put my body at ease. "That sounds nice. I could use help with the essay considering my little knowledge about Shakespeare. In addition, I think I have some saved works on my old desktop computer at home. The money shouldn't be a problem to my father. Anything else?"




"Yes, I have a print out with more information if you'd like to read. Give it to your parents. Once you have the money and essay, I'll send into to the program administration. And you'll get a package with your supplies and more information." Mr.Vence gives me a warm smile. A smile that can capture anyone. I find myself smiling back. "Thank you Mr.Vence. I really do appreciate it." He shakes my hand and leads me out his classroom. The bell was ringing in 10 minutes so i decided to take my time on the way back to the cafeteria.




"Ana! Come here!" I hear a girl call out. "Here, I was waiting for you." I took the coke I was offered into my hand. "Thanks Marie, what were you doing with Mr.Vence?" She blushes, causing me to raise my eyebrow. "I'll tell you later." The conversation is over, and all is quiet. We're leaning on the wall waiting for kids to start filling the halls. Soon after, the halls are packed with children. Marie and I walked the halls together. "You know he likes you right?" I arch my brow at her. "Don't give me that look, you know who I'm talking about. I think y'all should go out. You know, boyfriend and girlfriend?" Should we? I know who she's talking about but, I always looked at him as a friend. He's cute. Maybe there is a chance? I can't help but sigh.




"You hear that?" Marie says, ending the thoughts in my head.




I do hear it. Cheering? "Yea I hear it. It sounds like cheering."




We walk in sync heading towards the noise. Marie and I turn the corner of the hall to find a group a kids hanging around in a circle. "Let's see who it is. Come on, we're going to the middle." Marie suddenly grabs hold of my hand. We push through the crowd of students ,making our way to the center of the circle. I make sure to say excuse me so I don't get stepped on. I'm probably the shortest person in school standing at 5'1. "Oh gosh", I hear Marie gasp. I look at what she's looking at. A copper haired boy is fighting. He has blood dripping from his lip. His shirt is torn a bit. The one doing the damage is no other than Jordan. His eye is beginning to turn purple, and blood is spilling out his mouth. I guess the copper boy had the upper hand when the fight started. The copper boy has Jordan in a head lock now, throwing hard blows to his cranium. I'm about to jump in when Marie holds me back. "Don't." She gives me a death glare that lives me in shock. I turn my head back to the fight to see Jordan on top of the boy, smashing his face. The sight is horrific. With each blow, blood falls from the boy. I decide to jump in despite what Marie had to say. "Stop! Jordan, stop!" I grab his fist holding him back. He looks like a monster. Tears find their on to my cheek. "Jordan, I said sto-" His fist come back one more time. Then he stops. I feel a stinging in my face. Then, all is black, and I can't see anything.




* * * * * *




Ow my head! I wake up to an unfamiliar scenery. In addition, my head is throbbing. I touch my face, going to rub my eyes. Ow! My eye stings at the touch. I sit up right in a bed low to the ground. My stomach growls loudly. "Oh. You're awake. You hungry? Can I get you something?" What? I turn my head towards the voice. Trying to focus my eyesight, I blink a few times. I'm finally able to find my words. "What are you doing here?" I look at him coldly. Not on purpose, of course. Distance is the only thing I'm feeling at the moment.




"Look, I'm really sorry Ana. It was an accident. You know I wouldn't do anything to harm you intentionally?" I really don't wanna hear this right now. I tried to stand, but failed miserably falling on my hands and knees. "Don't.. Don't come close to me." His swift movements cause my outburst. I stay on my hands and knees with my head low. My vision goes blurry. Water droplets fall hitting my hand. "Why? Why were you fighting?" The crackle in my voice is noticeable. My body begins to tremble. He tries to move to me again. "Don't come near me,Jordan I mean it." Again he stops. I look up at him, eyes feeling heavy. I've lost all energy. My body collapse on the floor . I'm so tired and hungry. To think I wasn't going to ever have this feeling again.







"I don't care how stubborn you are." Jordan comes close to me, and holds me in his arms. I'm too tired to fight back. He sits on the bed stroking my back. "I'm not five, you can put me down." He chuckles, setting me down on the bed. "Look Annie-" Jordan is cut off by a women. "Oh good you're awake. Here,I brought you a sandwich and ice pack for your eye. You have a pretty bad bruise there." She smiles warmly at me. "Thanks Ms.Felica, I appreciate it." I thank Ms.Felica, our nurse for caring for me. She walks out the room. I devourer the sandwich and rest the ice pack on my eye. Life is starting come back to me. "You could of gotten seriously hurt Jordan. What were you thinking?"




"I was thinking of standing up for you." Huh? "Look Annie, that boy was saying some disrespectful things about you. I couldn't listen. My blood began to boil and I snapped. I'm glad you jumped in. I could've killed that guy. I just wish you didn't get hurt." I'm lost for words. I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. "Um, Ana, well I like you. I mean more than like. I..um..yeah..well. You mean a lot to me." Where's he going with this? "Well I was wondering if you would go out with me?"










Author's Note: Hey! I'm happy to be starting my first book. It might start off a little slow but it's going to pick up as soon as a certain character makes his appearance ;) ahaaa. Well, please stick around and don't forget to comment/vote. I drive on motivation :D Be sure to share this with your friends also. That's all I really have to say so yea. Thanks!!




I'm also dedicating this to my dear friend for giving me the most motivation and ideas.