CHOKER

Volume 9: The inner

(edited)

*Ana's P.O.V*

      The bright sun broke through the white drapes, pouring into the calm room.  My tired eyes suddenly snapped open, forcing yesterday's events to surface. I was warm and everything around me was sound. My head rested against the firm chest of Xander, feeling the slow rise and fall of his chest.  What time was it? 

      I wanted to soak in the warmth and comfort forever, wrapping myself in its folds until I perished. Was I wrong for wanting to lay here until the end of time?

His hand was placed onto my hips as his pink lips remained slightly parted. He snored lowly, breathing in, and when he exhaled, it was quiet, almost nonexistent. I couldn't help but focus my eyes on his sleeping form. He seemed carefree and at peace like nothing could lead him astray, as no one could betray him. I laid there, soaking in all the glory before time dawned on me. I rose from his warm chest to hurridly look for my phone to check the time. I found it under the bed along with tuffs of dust and an old photograph. 

I clicked it on.

7:45 am, it read, along with multiple messages from Nathan I dared not to answer.

Shit, I'll be late for class.

  I impulsively jumped up, making the sleeping man below me toss and turn. He blew out a puff of air before his blue eyes quickly snapped open. The sun's powerful rays immediately blinded him, causing him to groan in annoyance. The events of last night played in the back of my mind, how worried and kind he was to me. Why? I ignored him waking up and dashed over to my dresser, looking for clothing to put on. 

"Where are you going?" He asked, filled with confusion. Without turning to look at him, I replied, "To class." It was sharp and quick, I was truly in a rush to get away from everything, including this conversation. 

"Well, wouldn't you prefer to finish on online school?" he asked, matter-of-factly. I simply shrugged before finding a simple pair of jeans and a shirt to throw on. Carelessly, I took off the stain if the past and threw on new clothes. I didn't care that he had the full view of my mostly-naked body, I had things to do.

     Xander stood up and walked over to me, not daring to touch me. " I can pull some strings to make you finish early, only if you prove to me that you don't need these extra months of school."

I simply nodded before walking over to the door to put on my shoes. I tied up my sneakers before pulling open the door. "Thank you" was all I said before shutting it and walking out. He has a girlfriend and I'm not his responsibility. I'm trying to catch the killer of my best friend, I don't need him nor anyone else in the way of that.

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       Thankfully the building is within walking distance. I didn't bother grabbing any food and standing trial for having Xander sleep in my room. Kimberly was posted at the end of the hallway waiting for her knight in shining armor to leave the mistress. She followed me all the way to the front door, shooting daggers with her eyes. 

       It was a bright and sunny day outside. The birds were chirping and the smell of coffee permeated throughout the air. I searched the area for a cafe, luckily I found one. I hoped and I prayed that I had money, yet, I highly doubted it. I entered the cafe only to see a long line of customers waiting for their morning brew. I skimmed the line before my brown eyes set upon a familiar face, Nathan's. He was staring back at me, waiting for me to notice him and cut the line. I proceeded to cut the line and meet up with him, he looked bothered by something. 

     "Where have you been?" He asked, demanding an answer. Nathan seemed very upset at me for something I was unaware of. 

" I stopped at your house multiple times to hang out but you weren't there. Your parents have no idea where you were and they gave up caring. I'm your only family and you couldn't even text me that you moved out?" He expressed, filled with hurt and anger.

"I've been going through things, a lot has happened and I've been caught up.  Give me a break," I shot at him calmly. I stared at my best friend blankly, not needing this in the morning. The line started to move quickly, me and Nathan moved up. 

" I've been looking after you ever since that night. All I would like is for you to reply to my text every now and then, would that be so hard?!" He snapped at me. We finally made it to the counter and placed our orders. The cashier told us the total before going to reach for our wallets. I patted my pockets before cursing internally at myself, I left it in my bedroom. Nate stared at me before letting out a sigh. 

"You don't need to pay for me Nat-"

    I was cut off by him paying for the breakfast. He didn't say anything after that. We moved out of the line to go to the waiting area before we knew it, they were handing us our food. 

"Thank you" I choked out, I was still met with silence. We silently ate and drank while walking to the building. We entered the school, aware of our lateness. 

"Meet me after to discuss what's going on with you, and no bullshit!" He snapped before walking off to his class.

  I entered my classroom quickly. Instead of the substitute being the familiar face of Xander it was a different man. He was tall, with black hair and black eyes. He was middle-aged with a receding hairline but held a big smile. 

"Please try to make it on time Ms.Woods. You missed the introduction of two new students who you'll be seeing around, Stacy and Kimberly please raise your hands" He said, calling their names out loud. Stacy tucked away in a corner, and Kimberly, being in the center, both raised their hands.

The gift that keeps on giving...

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  After the long and tiring school day, I hesitated to meet Nathan after class. I wanted to ask some questions about testing out and potentially finishing up a few months early. "Ms. Moore?" I asked hesitantly. "Yes?" she replied, filled with interest. 

"What advice would you give me on testing out or finishing up earlier than intended?" I asked. She shot me a smile and went behind her desk to scribble some things on a piece of paper. 

"The school year just started and you already want to leave me? I can't help but marvel at your desire to be ahead. These are websites and people that you can talk to" and with that, I turned and walked away. I glanced at the names she scribbled down, one of them being Xander himself. 

Who is this guy?

    I made my way outside to meet Nathan only to see him sitting down on a bench with his legs crossed. Once I approached him he stood up, looking down at me. "So..?" he asked before I spilled the beans. I told him some things and left other things out, Nathan wouldn't understand it all. 

"So Xander right?" He asked before I shrugged. He shot me a look before raising an eyebrow, "You can do better than that. Try someone who'll love and support you" Nathan expressed with a hint of arrogance. 

"You mean like Adam?" I pipped up. Nathan's eyes suddenly widened before softening. Nathan loved all of us, we were like a family. Overall, he loved Lina the most. He would go on to tell me how he planned on marrying her one day and how she was his first kiss back in middle school. There was only two problems though, Lina loved Adam and now she was dead.

Hey!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

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