Abducted

24 days: Last football game.

The glare from the sun setting began reflecting off the glitter on Demi's squinting eyes. Her palms felt clammy as she placed them on my shoulders.

"What the hell are you doing? Your palms are sweaty," I shuddered, making my "disgusted" face. She rolled her eyes, gently moving me slightly to the left. "You're perfectly shielding my eyes from the sun because of the height of your bow," she mocked with a smirk. A bow-shaped shadow casted across the top half of her face, making it look like she was wearing a mask. "Bitch, just help with the run-through," I joked.

The team and I carried the run-through sign as gently as possible across the field. I painted the words, "The Vipers Are Making Hissstory," on it. My voice echoed as I counted the stunt groups into an extension. The rest of the team lined up parallel to each other as the "Star Spangled Banner" played in the background.

"Last football game of the season folks. Your Hemingway Academy Vipers versus the Lewis and Clarke Academy Lions..." the announcer said. "Alright, girls and Ken. Last one. Please don't drop me or my best friend," I half-joked, still forcing a small laugh.

"Let's bring out our very own VIPERRRSSSS!!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and screams. I nodded to Demi as we both let go of the edge of the sign as the football team ran through ripping the paper. My girls, Ken, and I all cheered along with the crowd. Once the entire football team made it onto the field for the first lineup, both stunt groups did a quick basket toss. We collected the pieces of the signs running towards the sideline.

~

"Jones passes the ball to Kuntz," the announcer began. "Kuntz passes it to Kahn." "Come on, Kahn." I whispered to myself. "Offense, it's time! To bring across that line!" I called out, signaling the rest of the girls to join me in the cheer. Steven Kahn, our starting quarterback, managed to dodge all the best line backers on the Lions. He swerved making Ricky "The Rock" Ramirez eat shit. "10 yards left," I yelled.

"And TOUCHDOWN VIPERS!!"

"Woo!! Let's go, Vipers!" I yelled.

I could already tell this game would end at a very reasonable time.

-

The buzzer signaling "half-time" went off, almost drowning out the cheers of the crowd. Half-time was the universal break for the cheerleaders and we needed it. We were cold, hungry, and wishing we quit during conditioning. I decided to go to the outdoor bathroom because it was the only place close to the field that was heated and I was shaking in my cheer shoes. When I walked into the bathroom, I immediately noticed a yellow sticky note on one of the mirrors.

"Stay the hell away, Bianca. Or I'll make you." ~Your worst nightmare x.

I stared at the note for a minute, questioning what the note was talking about.

Is this from Minji? No, she wouldn't threaten me. There's no way.

"Hey, you hungry? I got cheese fries and Dr. Pibbs," Demi chimed, interrupting my thoughts. I turned around, trying to play off stuffing the note in my pocket. "Yeah D, let's go."

-
The game was over before it even began. Vipers took the win 59-13. I could hear the band playing the team out as students began hissing like snakes at the opposing team. I stuffed the pieces of the run-through sign in the trash, feeling the exhaustion hit me like a train. Hands wrapped around my waist, causing me to jump.

"Woah, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you," Jay said placing a hand on my cheek. "Damn . You're as cold as a corpse," he joked. "Yeah, I am fucking freezing right now," I complained. He took off his jacket almost immediately, placing it over my shoulders. "You don't have to do this. You'll get cold. Besides, it's so cliché," I joked. "Well, I could take it back. It is pretty cold out here," he teased. I shook my head. "It's already on me, so it's mine now," I beamed. He gave me a soft smile. "Great. Need a ride? I could drop you and Demi off at your house," he offered, dangling his keys in the air. I shook my head, "No that's okay. My mom decided to take us today, so I'm behind my dad's house tonight. I will see you at the party." Jay nodded with a smile before walking off. Right then, I got a text from my mom.

Mommy: I'm here. Go to the front.
Bianca: Ok.

I swung my backpack over my shoulder as I yelled for Demi to "hurry up". She said "bye" to her other friends and made her way over to me. We walked around the side of the school to get to the front, but saw nobody waiting for us. I looked around, taking a step into the street. To my right, I could hear the squealing of tires and then I saw a bright light. A car was coming straight for me.

Am I going to die?

Demi's gross, sweaty hands, gripped onto my arm and yanked me back on to the sidewalk. I fell on top of her, hearing the car speeding off. "Are you okay? Holy shit," Demi asked panting, with concern in her voice. I got off her, holding my hand out to help her up. "Yeah, thank you. You literally saved my life. Your tiny, gross, sweaty hands saved my life," I said, breathlessly. "Ignoring that. But, who the fuck was that? It looked like they were trying to hit you," she shrieked.

The note immediately came to mind. I couldn't tell if it was that person making good on their threat or just a freak almost-accident.

I shook my head, "Probably some drunk asshole not paying attention. I wasn't paying attention and I froze like a deer in headlights-literally." I hugged her, thanking her a few more times. "Of course. I'd never let you get hit by a car on my watch," she said, sincerely. My phone chimed, showing a message from my mom.

Mommy: Sorry. Was running late. Pulling up now
Bianca: What?
Mommy: What do you mean "what"?
Bianca: Nothing. I have a party on the next block tonight. Might be home late. Is that okay?
Mommy is typing...

My mom pulled up in her black Escalade, blasting "Insane Clown Posse" on the radio. "Don't tell my mom about the car. She'll just freak and we won't get to go to the party," I whispered to Demi before walking around to the passenger side of the car. "Hey, mom," I greeted. "Hi, ma," Demi said after me. "Hey, girls. How was the game? Sorry, I couldn't come. I don't like the cold," my mom said as she turned down her music. I chuckled, "I know. I don't like the cold either. The game was good, though. We won. Fifty-nine to thirteen," I answered. "So, a victory party," she said back. I nodded, "Absolutely. Right, D?" I said, making eye contact with her through the rear-view mirror. "Yeah. Victory party super close by. Right next to dad's," Demi added. "Please, mommy. I promise I'll be back by two," I pleaded. My mom laughed. "Two? You're 15. Be back by 12:45am. You can stay out at two when you have a car and your license." I shrugged, accepting her terms. "Thanks, mommy," I beamed. "Aw, save it for the next time you need my permission," she joked.

I turned the volume dial up to let her listen to the rest of her playlist. In my head, I tried to plan my outfit, but I could only think about the car. I didn't even see the license plate or the model. I only saw a dark colored car. The lights were blinding me too much to see the driver.

I wonder if the note and the failed hit-and-run are connected. They have to be connected.