Danger Love Ahead

Chapter Eighteen: Tragedy

(Kira's version)

I didn't pay attention to what Carly was saying. The platinum blond with large brown eyes had been droning on about last week's party at her house. I scoffed in my head. Her party had flopped. Mostly because, I didn't attend it. Trying to cover her wounded pride, she was telling anyone who didn't attend, which was everyone, how awesome it had been. I knew better. She must have cried herself to sleep or something pitifully similar. I didn't care. No. I was too busy watching the girl near the end of the hallway, hiding behind the staircase to the library. Her phone dangled in her hand and her face was all scrunched up. I sneered. She still managed to look pretty. At least she's upset , I thought. But how long would that be? How long before Brandon explains to her why he really lied. They'll kiss and make up. I'll be left here in the dust again. Brandon WAS mine!! I had him first. I'm more beautiful, I'm more popular...I've been here all along. Why did he choose her? I shook my head and turned to grin at the passing cheerleader. The brunette glared at me, almost suspiciously but didn't say anything. She didn't see April behind the stairs and April was too upset to notice Mariah walk by.

"I've got to do something," I whispered.

"What was that?" Carly asked. I ignored her when I noticed April stiffen. She looked like she was in pain. "Kira?" I glanced away quickly when the April looked my way. I remembered when April had bolted off at one time, a while back, after I played a prank on her. It was the same look that she had now. I spied her again but she was gone. No one was beneath the stairs.

"Carly, Melissa, Annie, let's bounce," I announced still looking at the place April had disappeared. 

"Where are you going, babe?" Malcolm asked. I turned to the two boys and blew them a kiss each.

"I'll be back," I couldn't keep the anticipation out of my voice. I was going to make April pay. She thought she could take me. I gave her time enough to enjoy the idea, but now, I guess I have to burst her bubble.

(April's version)

The pain in my sides began to burn and wrap around my lungs. I refused to believe Kira. Brandon must have had a reason. Maybe he was hurt or something...I hissed at a wrench of pain that whipped up my back. I kept my eyes down, concentrating on moving my foot one after the other. I had to leave school. The chattering of students died away after I stumbled out onto the main road. Everything was twirling in a tornado of pain. I wouldn't be able to make it. I heard blaring car horns, engines- all I could do was hear for a while. My sight dissolved into a snowy picture. I blinked at a sign I could see not too far away. Near the park, was the public latrines. That would have to do. I tried to get up but stumbled again, scraping my knees on the pavement.

"Hey! Are you alright!!?" someone called from the roads. I was biting my tongue to hold the cries. I couldn't answer but I waved a thumbs up in the direction the voice came from. I got up again, crouching when the snake of pain ran along my abdomen. Brandon did not lie!! he wouldn't!!

"I have to take Michelle for a check up. Both Mom and Dad conveniently have very important stuff to do."

"What happened to her? Is she okay?"

"She broke her leg. Been getting her classmates over to sign her caste. She's the clumsiest person, I've ever met" He had sounded so convincing. 

"It was either his grand-dad was sick, his cousin had broken a leg...or maybe even, he wasn't feeling well. His so convincing, isn't he? Until you catch him tonging another little bi..."

"Stop it!" I hobbled on my toes trying to keep balance before struggling to the public latrines. I was tired and aching. I felt old and dying. The hot pain burned brighter with my sadness. I was getting disoriented. How did Brandon come to mean so much in so little time?