RED.

Chapter 1 : Paper Chase.

"I'll be back Nana." I said kissing my grandmother's cheek.

"Where are you going? Quiero que te quedes en casa hoy. It's Saturday mija." Her spanish accent was thick as she plead for me to stay home.

"I know Nana, I promise I'll be back soon." I walked out the door making sure it was locked behind me.

I jogged down our porch steps, and walk to our nearest bus stop. As usual it was empty, it was early so I expected it. I took a seat on the bench and put my earphones in.

It was early November so the weather was a bit cold and windy. I just needed to make a quick errand then I can go snuggle under my covers.

The bus finally pulls up at my stop, and I step on. I paid my fair as the doors closed shut behind me.

"Morning." The bus driver said as the machine took my money.

"Morning." I smile while taking my seat at the front.

I pull my beanie over my wild hair, leaning my head against the window.

Twenty minutes later...

I pulled down the string, signaling for the bus driver to stop and let me out at the upcoming stop. The bus comes to halt, and a step off flashing a quick smile to the bus driver as he looked in his mirror.

Even in the morning the area I was in was busy, cars coming in and out of local mall parking lot. I weaved my way through the parking lot eventually making it to the entrance.

"Welcome to Jared, how can I help you today young lady?" The young lady chimed as I walked inside the jewelry store.

"Um hi I wanted to buy the engraved heart locket with 10k." I say pointing to the locket through the glass case.

"Oh nice choice." I watch as she opened the glass case and pulled out the locket. "It's $340, and worth it."

"I know." I pull out my wallet and a black and white picture of Nana holding me while I was a chunky one year old. I was sitting on her lap laughing, as she looked down at me smiling. "Can you put this picture in the locket, I made sure it could fit." I slide it to her.

"Of course." She smiles, and I watch as she carefully slides the picture in place making sure it looked perfect.

I take out 4 hundreds and hand it to the lady. It was half of my paycheck but totally worth it, every since I seen that locket I wanted it. Especially for that picture of Nana and I, she meant the world to me. So it's only right that keep that picture near my heart.

The lady hands me my change and starts to put my locket in it's case.

"Can I put it on?" I ask.

"Sure, I'll help you." She smiles.

I take of my beanie and lift my hair up, she snaps the necklace together and I put everything back in place.

"Perfect fit love." She says placing a mirror in front of me.

She was right, the necklace did look good. She places the case in Jared bag and hands it to me.

"Thanks for coming to Jared. Have a nice day." She says.

"Thank you." I smile and take the bag, then walk out.

As I walk out my stomach growls, and I realize I didn't have breakfast and I was starving. McDonald's here I come. I walk to the escalators and get on waiting till I get to the top.

I walk to McDonald's and ordered my usual breakfast choice, then taking my food and sitting at a vacated table.

After taking a few bites of my biscuit, I feel as though somebody is standing over me.

I look up and for sure I see a familiar face and three unhappy faces surrounding my empty table.

"Well well look who we have here." He says touching my face.

"What do you want?" I snarl smacking away his hand.

"You know exactly what I want. It's been two weeks now." He chuckles.

"Well I don't have it." I say calmly as I began to rise from my seat.

"Sounds like a personal problem to me."

"Look Oscar, I'll get you your money just give me some time."

"You said that last week, Azalea. Pay up."

"Read my lips, I ain't got it." I say coldly.

"You know what that means-" He starts to say but I take off running hearing him say, "Get her ass" behind me.

I was running as fast I could, I couldn't risk getting caught on the escalators so ran down the stairs.

I quickly take off my beanie and jacket tossing it to the side.

Keep running Azalea. Don't get caught. Keep running.

I quickly turn a corner and run into a boy, before I knew it my lips were pressed against his and my arms were wrapped around his neck.

To my surprise he kissed me back, placing his hands on my waist. I hear the sound of Oscar and his goons voices and heavy footsteps pass us right up.

I snatch away from the boys lips, shoving him away from me. I headed down the empty corridor and out of the mall. Just to my luck my bus pulled up, I hopped on, paid my fair, and thanked God I made it.

Not to my bus, but away from Oscar.