The Last Lyric•Tupac•

Chapter 6-Palaylay

~unedited for the most part~

Wolftyla the singer (Tyla in the book) in the media. Just to give y'all a bigger idea of what she look like.

Monday morning. The weekend of the forsaken camping trip was over and never to be thought of again. The effects of the treacherous events were still hitting me hard and I felt uncomfortably numb. Everyone seemed to be bummed on Sunday afternoon as we drove another four hours away from the cabin, but I couldn't see myself staying there for any longer and nearly ran out the van once we reached my apartment building. Charles wasn't there which was what I expected and even though we don't talk much-the last thing I wanted was to be alone. But accompanied by who? The boy who shall remain as a non-factor in my life. It was decided.

As I brushed my hair back into it's usual ponytail I felt the weight of today break me down and make my shoulders a thousand times heavier. I haven't even walked out the door yet. I took my time in putting my shoes on with school being the last thing on my mind today. I wish I had a shell to hide. Once I open my bedroom door Charles is standing by the door with his usual brown coat, waiting for me. I wish he wasn't. I wish he was still in bed-too tired for getting up in the early hours of the morning to take me to school. Then i could stay home and soak in my sorrows for one more day.

I debate faking sick for a moment but then decide against it. As I've said before-I was never a good liar.

We get to that stupid building too quick. I make sure to get out of the car in slow motion, hoping that Charles would halt my turtle-like-movements and ask me if I'm alright. I wouldn't have to pretend ill or lie. Because I'm not. I walked into first period-barely even responding when Mr. Barrett gave me a hardy "good morning." I slouched in my usual seat as the class started to file in.

Second period came. Then third. Then lunch. I didn't feel like going to the library today, only because I had finished my book in a hurry once we got back Sunday afternoon-too anxious to save some chapters for the long hours of the day. Sloppy Joe was on the menu for today and my nose turned up at the smell of flavored dead cow. Transferring to this school seriously made me think about going vegan. Everyone in the usual group that I hung out with seemed to have gotten even closer this weekend and I was sure my retreating behavior would lead to some questions. But I couldn't help it. The feeling of rejection made me reactive to my default setting.

I dare to look over to the infamous table only to see Aleah already waving me over. Crap. I'd been spotted and I looked her straight in the face. Is it too late to run? My feet carry me over on their own accord and I force a tight lipped smile, taking a seat across from Lance. He smiles at me and I smile back, tightening my bag over my shoulder.

"I called you on Sunday, girl."

"Oh yeah, I was so tired after the trip I slept the whole day." The lie comes out with a forced laugh and thankfully she doesn't notice. I had sat in my room with my eyes glued to the fine print of my book, the sound of the phone ringing in the distance. No one ever called for Charles so I was sure it was Aleah. But I didn't get up to answer. She nods in understanding then returns to her conversation with Alicia.

"Tyla." Lance calls me. I turn my head towards him and run my eyes over him. As I've said before, Lance didn't speak to me much on Saturday or Sunday and I was sure he and Alicia's sister had something going on but I couldn't bring myself to care. I had very little interest in Lance now and a kiss from another boy was all it took to make me realize that. But the heartbreak that I felt told me that I could feel something for him if I really wanted to.

"Yeah?"

"Um, I was wondering," he almost seems nervous. "If you wanted to go to a movie tonight?" My expression is plain as I stare back at Lance. He barely talks to me the whole trip and now he wants to take me to a movie. Something isn't adding up. Or maybe it's me. Realizing that I've been silent for a few seconds too long, I nod.