DEAD INSIDE

(27)

"Any news from Jenkins?" Deedee asked me as soon as I came out of Spanish.

I checked my phone again and shook my head.

She groaned. "I thought the Police job was to protect us..."

"Hmm..."

"Ali!" It was Hugo again. I started walking faster.

"What is wrong with that boy?" She mumbled when he called me again a few seconds later.

"Too much sex?" I said sarcastically and she snorted.

We skipped our lockers to go straight to lunch.

I wasn't hungry at all so I followed her in the queue but only got an apple and a soda. In fact, I was beginning to feel the effects of my sleepless night.

"You should eat something more..." Deedee started but I cut her off.

"Sleep is what I need to do..." I mumbled after giving some money to the lunch lady.

We headed to our usual table and surprise, surprise... Not! Hugo was waiting for us.

"Listen, you pathetic piece of shit, and listen carefully because I will only say this once." I paused, looking at him straight in the eye. "Stay away from me. I have no interest in what a scumbag liar like you has to say to me." I was aware everybody was looking at us but I was too riled up to calm down. "Go back to f*cking your whores if it helps you feel better but leave me alone. You are dead to me." His blue eyes were now unnaturally shiny, telltale sign that he was on the verge of tears so I sat down at my usual seat next to Dee with my back to him, effectively putting an end to this meeting.

"They don't know, Ali..." I heard him mutter. "No report has been recorded about your car or all the other threats..." He went on and I thought I'd punch him.

"Is that all you found to get her to talk to you?" Deedee must have felt just how angry I was.

"Dee! I'm serious, it's important she listens..." He pleaded.

"It's Melody for you, Tanner." She interrupted him coldly.

"What's going on?" I groaned when I recognized Scott's voice.

"Do you think I could borrow your car?" I asked my friend who handed me her keys without a question.

"Wait Ali! I'm not lying!" Hugo insisted but I ignored him.

I walked to the office and told Mrs. Hollybrook I wasn't feeling well and that I wanted to go home. I must have looked the part because she offered to call my mother to pick me up. I assured her I would be fine driving and headed back to my locker to get everything I would need over the weekend.

"You need to stop running away from me" I jumped when I heard Scott's angry voice as I exited the school.

I ignored him and headed to Deedee's car.

I groaned when he grabbed my arm.

"Don't. Touch. Me!" I hissed and he immediately released his hold.

He ran his hand through his messy mop of hair.

"Ali, just stop ignoring me, please. It's driving me crazy." He said. "I know you're not running away because of Tanner..." He went on.

I unlocked the white Beetle and opened the driver's door.

"Just f*cking tell me what happened!" He shouted. "Marvin told me for your Mom... Has anything else happened with her?"