Beliefs (Interracial Teen Story)

Johnny

"Well, there seems to be your friend right there," Wes clapped as if it was his birthday as the truck pulled up to the clearing in the woods.

Out stepped Sheriff Boyle, Lucille's father, pushing Azalea out in front of him. Johnny didn't know why, but she looked more beautiful than ever, and he couldn't help but stare, even in this situation.

"Hello there! Our special guest has arrived," Wes cried like a madman.

Johnny looked at Azalea and mouthed he was sorry. She almost mouthed something back, something important, but lightning flashed through the sky and thunder cracked soon after. When Azalea sighed in relief, Johnny knew she was up to something.

"What the hell happened to you suckers?" Wes laughed. Half of the guys had their hands wrapped as if they'd been bleeding.

"She cut us man! She's crazy!" said Porky, the youngest, skinniest, guy there.

"She tore all y'all up but hey! She got what's coming to her." Wes said grabbing Azalea by her shoulders. Out of nowhere, he slapped her against the face. Hard. Blood ran out of the corner of her mouth.

"You make them bleed I'll do the same to you." Azalea seethed with anger. She was shaking and was silently easing her hand out of the bonds.

"You boys don't be out here too late. Call the office when it's done." Sheriff Boyle said then got in his police vehicle and left.

Now it was just most of Johnny's former friends, possibly about to kill him.

"Okay, now. What should we do with you?" Wes said, throwing Azalea onto the ground. A single raindrop fell right onto Johnny's shoe.

He placed his boot on her shoulder. "James, get me a lighter," Wes said never taking his eyes off Azalea. She stared right back.

James retrieved the lighter, and Wes flicked it open, holding it in front of his face.

"Maybe we should burn you. Watch you being set on fire," Wes said. Azalea seemed unfazed. Her hand was almost all the way out of the bonds.

"Let her burn Wes! She corrupted Johnny!" Franky yelled.

"She didn't corrupt anything! I knew what I was doing," Johnny added. Everyone looked over at him.

"Why would you let this happen man? We was best friends. We could have had any white girls we wanted. But you choose this?"

Azalea stared up at the sky, looking hopefully at the dark clouds that hovered above the woods. The air was thick and they promised rain.

"Yes man. She's the only girl I'll ever love, black or white."

Wes clenched his fists. "Don't you say that bullshit Johnny! She's a NIGGER! You can't love a NIGGER! NOW TAKE THAT BACK OR YOU BOTH DIE!"

Wes took a gas can from out of the trunk and started to poor it on Azalea's clothes. He then started to poor it around the tree Johnny was tied to.

"Now take it back or it's over!" Wes held the lighter to the Johnny's face.

"Nothing is over yet." It was a voice coming from the woods. Azalea sighed in relief. There was a cock of a gun.