Agent Jane Doe 1: The Catalyst

...To Be Loved

I wake up to the noise of my holophone vibrating against the wooden nightstand next to the bed. I sleepily pick it up and see that it's a call from Christian. Why call me now, man? I'm trying to sleep.

"Chris? Is this urgent?" I speak into my holophone. "I'm trying to sleep,"

"My mom told me you killed someone, is this true?" Christian gasps.

"Yes, it is. I only did it out of self-defense,"

"Who was it?"

"Bradley...from school,"

"So it's true! You really did kill Bradley. These crazy rumors about this surfaced on Hot Mess. I just thought they were complete bullshit, but apparently not."

"I left town because I'm a wanted woman. I've got a million dollar bounty on my head,"

"Jojo, you understand that the kids are gonna hate you for killing the most popular guy in our grade, right?"

Say what now? Last time I checked, I wasn't thinking about how much the kids at school would hate me for killing Bradley. Since Christian mentioned it, it began to sink in. Ever since this mess started, I've been hoping to return to a normal life. Apparently, that's impossible because the kids won't look at me the way they used to. They'll see me as a murderer who needs to be locked up.

"I see what you mean. Bradley was working for Team Ater---I don't know why, but that's a fact, Chris,"

"I'm gonna have to talk to my mom about this. Goodbye, Jojo,"

"Wait!" I cry, but Christian's hologram disappears in a flash. Next thing, the holophone rings again. This time, it's a call from Jolee.

"Jolee!" I sigh with relief. "How goes it?"

"Jojo, did you really kill Bradley?" Jolee said with an accusatory tone. Uh oh, I'm not liking this.

"Um...yeah? Why are you asking?"

"How could you?! Remember when I told you how much I wanted to have sex with him and the like?!"

"Jolee, ever since I was ousted, I've learned so many things. Get over him. There are better fish in the sea than him,"

"But I can't! Bradley was my one and only crush! How am I supposed to get over him? Can't I mourn his loss?"

"I never said you couldn't mourn, Jolee. What I'm trying to say is that there are other guys out there who will treat you so much better than Bradley ever will. Admit it, you wanted to do this to become popular, didn't you?" I explain hastily as I remember the party at Cynthia's house. Jolee was totally all for me having sex with Bradley. But I also remember what Isabella warned me about guys like Bradley.

"Yes, I wanted to become popular. That's the only way you'll survive in this society,"

"This society is fucked up, Jolee. Open your eyes! The truth may be painful to swallow, but it must be known. I've seen it with my own eyes. There are white supremacist rallies that target people of color. Unarmed black men are getting shot by the police nearly every day! It's time we take a stand against this injustice. I will tolerate it no further. If you don't see eye to eye with me, then I pity you. Goodbye, Jolee," I say before I hang up. It's true, I pity Jolee. She doesn't understand a thing about the problems of society. Something must be done. Great, now one of my best friends has totally turned against me---all because I tried to defend myself.

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Author's Note: What will happen to Jojo and Jolee's relationship now that Jojo has seen the wrongs of society?