The Blackmail Dilemma

Dare Me To Question

The next day at school, my mind waged a war against itself. As I walked in to school early, the flyer safely tucked in my bag, my stomach did somersaults. The picture of the flyer was still imprinted in my mind, and I wasn't sure what to think of my brother. I wasn't sure why this was Stacie's concern. Yet, in a way, she was doing some justice. I just wished my brother hadn't done what he did.

I thought I was the only one who had secrets.

The hallway was slightly crowded at the entrance. Teens cluttered together outside and inside of the doors, and I could barely squeeze my way through. No one spared me a glance, yet I could've sworn everyone knew just what I was about to do. It felt like my brother would arrive at school any moment and scream at me, more angry than he'd ever been before.

I couldn't stop looking around. I couldn't stop my heart from pounding as I stopped in front of Kyle's locked in the next hallway. No one was there to see me. No one would know what I did but Stacie and myself. Cringing, I pulled out the flyer, stuck a piece of tape on it, and slapped it onto the locker.

Stepping away, I could make out my brother's face pressed against someone else's. Why would he kiss Kyle's girlfriend? It didn't make sense. Yet, I was the older sibling. I should've been looking out for him and setting a good example. Instead, I was keeping secrets of my own.

Walking away, I went to my first period class to sit down. No one was in the classroom; not even the teacher. Still, I hung my bag on the back of my chair and slid into my seat. I folded my hands in front of me, patiently staring at the clock. Students would start arriving in bulk soon, and everyone would see the stupid picture.

Maybe I should've tried to make my guilt less obvious. I could've tried to find Stacie or Nina. I could've stayed outside and blended in with the crowd. Yet, I couldn't. Stacie had been on my case for a while, but she had never made me do something to damage a person I cared about. It didn't matter what my brother thought of me; I still cared about him. Sure, he had done wrong, but he didn't deserve for the whole school to know.

Was this to get back at Nel? Was it to get back at Kyle as he discovered his girlfriend was cheating?

Students slowly trickled into the classroom. Stacie and Nina took their seats, Stacie in the middle of us both. She offered me a coy smile, and soon my brother's name was floating around the classroom. They called him vile names while some expressed sympathy for Kyle, others saying he deserved it. The girl was called a slut.

I didn't think any of it was fair.

As the teacher walked in, the room quieted down. She began calling roll, and Stacie whispered something to Nina. Anger rose within me, and I had reached a boiling point. I was so tired of Stacie. I knew I had to protect my secret. I knew she had all the power. Yet, a part of me wondered just what kind of person she was.

I nearly jumped out of my seat as someone sat at the desk to my right. Kalila offered me a smile.

"Hi," she said. "You're Kiley, right?"

I nodded. "Kalila?"

She nodded as well. "I didn't realize you had this class. It's nice to see you again."

I had no words. She met me in the heat of of vengeful act, yet she acted so kind. It was like we had met at the mall the other day, just like normal teenagers. Instead, she had seen me at one of my worst points, and she wasn't sitting there trying to blackmail me.

It made no sense.

The teacher handed out a meaningless assignment. It was passed back by the person in front of me, and I handed the final paper of the stack to the person behind me. Kalila neatly wrote her name on the paper in front of her: Kalila Abbasi. She wrote in plain, but neat cursive.

I couldn't help but notice her gaze flicking to my friends on my left. Her light pink hijab feel over her eyes as she leaned forward, eyebrows furrowed. However, as quickly as she looked, she turned back to her paper and began the assignment.

I glanced over at Stacie. She was furiously scribbling in her stupid sparkly notebook. She tucked her short hair behind her ear as she worked, a smirk worming itself onto her face. Nina peered over her shoulder and giggled before sneaking a glance my way. My stomach churned as I looked away, anxiety rising within me. My chest felt like it was constricting as I pondered what Stacie could be writing in that notebook.

Kalila tapped my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, my hand trembling as I dug for a pen in my bag.

"Here."
I looked up and noticed a black pen laying on my desk. "Thank you."

"Welcome," she said.

We both got to work. I tried to focus my thoughts on anything but Stacie, Nina, their little games, and what they cost me. Their giggles tickled my anxiety, but I tried to push my nagging thoughts so far down that they would stop causing my hands to shake.

After class was over, I grabbed my bag as everyone stood up. I had turned in my assignment minutes before, but my friends hadn't. As they walked to the front of the class, I turned to Kalila with her pen in hand.

She waved a hand. "Keep it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I have plenty," she smiled.

I thanked her and tucked it into my pocket. As I turned to leave, she called out to me.

"Would you like to get lunch together? August and I are going off campus."

"Can you do that?" I asked. I'd never tried.

She shrugged. "We never get yelled at. I don't think they care."

"I don't have any money."

"It's okay, it's on me."

I stared at her for a moment. She couldn't be serious. Why was she being so nice? I didn't deserve her kindness. "It's alright. You don't have to. Plus, I don't think your cousin is my biggest fan."

She laughed softly. "He'll warm up to you. He's really nice, but it takes him awhile to warm up to people."

I let out a breath. What did I have to lose? "I guess so."

She beamed. "I'll meet you at your locker!"

Before I could ask her how she knew where that was, she was already leaving the classroom.

"Who was that?" Stacie asked from behind me, causing me to jump.

"No one," I replied smoothly. "She just lent me a pen."

Nina rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Come on, I have to see Ken."

"Ken?" I asked.

"Her newest crush," Stacie giggled.

I sighed, but followed them anyway.

____

I thought I'd finish this update before work. Today was my last day of schooool. But, I have a summer college class. I'm taking drama. Wish me luck. It's actually pretty cool though. It crosses into writing with the characters and things.

Thoughts? Of Kalila? Of this story? I'm trying, but I've lost a bit of inspiration. I know what I want to happen, but I just need some in between. Anyways, I'm glad people have been reading this story and hopefully enjoying!

Also, just to let you know, if your friends are jerks to you, PLEASE leave them. 

If you like Christian music, I listened to Life In The Death Of Me by Unspoken while writing this! I'm loving it!

Feel free to point out any mistakes! I'm off before I'm late to work!

-Sarah