Because of You

Chapter 8

Nolen

Bags lined the bottom of my eyes.

That video had left me with so much anxiety that I hadn't slept since.

"Heeeeeeyyyyy," Choochie dragged out.

"Hey," I muttered.

She grabbed my face and probed underneath my eyes.

"Lord, your bags are bigger than Rasheeda's. Did you sleep at all last night," Choochie said.

"No, I couldn't," I replied.

"Why," she frowned.

I lowered my voice and stared at her directly in the eye.

"I got a message last night from some number I didn't know," I answered.

"Who? What did they send you," she questioned, furrowing her brows.

I took a deep breath.

"They sent me the video," I said, putting emphasis on the word video.

"What video," Choochie asked, confused.

"The one Colton recorded of me, and I don't know how they got it because it can't even really be found anymore. I don't know who the hell this person is. It isn't Colton, I know that for sure. I know Colton's number," I said.

Thinking about the whole situation only made my head throb. I wanted to know who this person was.

"Well, do you want to tell somebody," Choochie asked.

"No, not really. I'll just forget about it. I don't think they'll text me again anway," I said.

"You sure," Choochie asked again.

"Yea," I answered, unsteady, putting my things away in my locker and getting ready to go to first period.

"Yo Nolen," a guy called from behind me.

I jumped, dropping my stuff before slowly turning to be met with Aaron.

Shit.

I inwardly groaned.

Stooping to my knees, I picked up my stuff.

Aaron stood over me watching.

His clique wasn't with him for once.

"What do you want," I grunted.

"Nothing," Aaron replied.

He stooped next to me to pick up my pen.

"You look a little shook, what's wrong," Aaron questioned.

His tone held slight mocking.

"Why are you acting concerned? You are a majority of my problem. Stop acting like you give a damn and leave me alone," I growled.

"Ooh, don't be like that," he chuckled.

I flipped him the finger.

He scoffed and walked away.

I shivered.

Everything about him made my skin crawl.

He was just...ugh. Disgusting.

"Nolen," another voice came as I continued to walk down the hallway.

Who could this be!?

"Nolen," the voice came again.

I turned...and found Jacob.

My throat clenched and went dry.