A group of girls were laughing in the hallway. They stopped when they saw us. Paige grinned at them, "Hey ladies."
One of the girls flipped her hair and smiled back, "Hey emo."
Paige shot back, "Rather be emo than a whore."
I covered my mouth with my hand and tried to keep in my laughter. Even some of the girl's friends were laughing. Paige blew her a kiss and continued walking. The girl stood there with both shock and hurt on her face.
The girl couldn't figure out anything to say until we were at the end of the hall. She yelled, "At least I don't need a nerd to do my homework for me!"
I froze. Is she really saying I'm a nerd because I'm Asian? Paige froze too. She turned around, "Rebecca, you better think about what your next words will be."
"What are you guys gonna do? Go kung fu on me?" she smiled.
Paige got to her before I could. Within three seconds that bitch was on the floor screaming. I made it there two seconds later and watched her desperate attempts to protect her face. Her friends backed away and covered their faces.
Mike showed up and pulled Paige away, "Whoa, girl! Relax!"
Paige broke free from his arms. She fixed her shirt, "She deserved it." The girl whimpered in the fetal position.
He shook his head, "I'm sure she- Hey, are you okay?"
Mike and Paige looked at me. I felt the tears coming and shook my head. Mikey pulled me into a hug, "Sshh, it's okay."
I saw a girl with straight blonde hair come running down the hall. She breathed heavily, "I saw the whole thing. Are you okay? I'm Savannah. Do you want me to call someone?" She had big brown eyes and glasses.
Paige shook her head, "Nope, don't call anyone. She's fine."
I laughed in Mike's chest. Savannah smiled, "Maybe I saw something else. I haven't cleaned my glasses in a while."
"Savannah, you are my new best friend."
I frowned, "I thought I was your new best friend."
Mikey pouted, "I thought I was your best friend!"
Paige chuckled, "All of you are my best friends." She grabbed us in a hug.
Mike grinned, "I am hugging three beautiful women."
I pushed him away, "Now, you're hugging zero beautiful women."
Paige's phone ringed. She groaned, "I totally forgot."
She picked up, "Hey, babe . . . Yeah, I know . . . It's just that- Okay. See you there."
She sighed, "He's mad."
"Who?" I asked.
"My boyfriend. We better go."
Savannah sighed, "Nice meeting you guys."
Paige smiled, "You can come with if you want."
She looked up, "Really?"
Paige nodded, "Yeah."
We followed Paige. Mike tried to put his arms around me and Savannah. Savannah pushed his arm away and went to stand next to me. I slapped him. Mike frowned and rubbed his arm. I smiled at Savannah, "I'm Bria by the way."
She nodded and pointed at Paige and Mike, "Who are they?"
"Mikey and Paige. Are you a freshman too?"
She nodded, "Yeah. I'm trying to learn the ropes, but I'm having troubles."
"Same. Paige is helping me out. She's trying to get me some friends."
"How does beating someone up get you friends?"
I laughed, "Good point."
"What was her name, again? Rachel?"
I shrugged, "I think it was Raquelle."
Savannah laughed, "Raquelle? Really?"
I laughed, "Maybe not."
Paige turned to Savannah, "Hey, Savi. Who's your roommate?" Savi? She's giving her a nickname now?
"I don't have one."
Paige nodded, "That's cool."
I looked around and realized we were in the parking lot. Paige pulled out her keys and unlocked her car, "Get in."
I frowned, "Where are we going?"
She smiled, "My favorite joint."
Savi and I yelled, "Drugs!?"
Mike laughed, "No, it's a hangout."
"Oh." I mumbled.
Paige shook her head, "Freshmans."
Paige drove like a maniac. She swerved at every turn and stopped abruptly. She ran over stop signs and swore A LOT. Savi and I held on for our lives; more literal than figurative.
Paige stopped again and we all flew forward. She mumbled, "Sorry, guys."
I pulled the seat belt away from my neck. Mikey slammed into the door, "Jesus, Paige. Did you even pass your driver's test?"
Paige didn't answer and continued to drive. From the corner of my eye, I saw Savi bless herself and start praying. I followed her actions and started to pray to God too.
Please, don't let me die. Help me survive this car ride. I'm not ready to go to heaven. I don't want to be reunited with my grandparents. Not yet. Please, God. Don't let me die.
I closed my eyes and rocked back and forth in my seat. After a few minutes I heard Paige park the car. I sighed of relief and opened my eyes. Savi unbuckled her seat belt and stepped out the car. I did the same and took a look around. It was a huge brick building. There were giant letters on the wall, but most of them fell off. It looked like it was abandoned.
Savi asked Paige the question I was going to ask, "What is this place?"
Paige smiled and opened the glass doors, "Welcome to the Stone."
I glanced at Mikey. He shrugged. I glanced at Savannah. She pushed up her glasses and walked into the building. I followed her. I froze in shock. I heard the door behind me slam closed.
Paige walked up and put her arms on our shoulders, "Surprised?"
I looked around and tried to count how many people were here. There were a bunch of college students fooling around, red cups, video games, people playing pool, and a bunch of more stuff. It was something you would see in a movie.
Mikey joined the people throwing a football around. Paige grabbed some drinks and gave it to us. She grinned, "Have fun, guys!" Then, she left us to our doom.
Savi sniffed the cup and sighed, "It's just soda."
I laughed and took a sip, "What do we do, now?"
Savi pushed up her glasses again, "I don't know. I never been to a college party."
I took another sip, "Lucky you. I never went to a real party."
Savi pointed at my drink, "Just because it's not alcohol doesn't mean it doesn't have drugs in it."
I stared at my cup in disgust, "Paige wouldn't . . ."
"Hey, she did say have fun." Savi nudged me.
I looked at her, "She also grinned at us."
"I don't think Paige is the type of person to grin at people."
I shook my head, "She isn't."
Savi laughed, "Good luck!" she put her drink down.
I dropped my drink on the floor, "Fuck!"
Savi is to the side >>>
