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Chapter 3


The assembly continues, nothing else really exciting happens. As we exit the gym, the unmistakable smell of something metallic fills the air. I hear whispers fly through the hall.

"I always knew he was one of them,"

"I helped him pick up his books when he dropped them once. I regret that."

"He had it coming,"

"Now he's in hell and we don't have to deal with him."

"There are probably more people like him here. None of us are safe."

We return to class and the rest of the day is filled with talk about Lukas. Some more rumors of homosexuals popping up as well.

"I heard Hannah Graystone held hands with Selena Dunard," Nathan Reeds rakes his hand through his hair. The bus turns a corner and rumbles through the street.

"Me too. They say their just friends but it's hard to believe that since they aren't in relationships." I sit back in my seat.

"True. Well... You can't say much about that since..." He chuckles.

"Oh shut up. Dominic and I broke up a week ago." I roll my eyes.

"And that's a pretty long time if you ask me," He glances over at me.

"If you're trying to flirt with me, you might as well admit it." I shake my head.

"Alright, I'm trying to flirt with you." He put his arm around my shoulder. I turn away from him.

"Sorry. Not interested."

"Really. Miss easy, naive, and pushover Erica Freedon. Says no." He leans over.

"I guess I'm just dumb," I turn back to him.

"That's more like it," he takes my hand.

"Just stupid,"

"Yes,"

"Just a woman,"

"Exactly," he leans over and kisses me. I haven't known him long. Just a few months. But I can't really say no, to be polite. He pulls away. The bus rolls to a stop.

"I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" I pull my bag up on my shoulder.

"See you around, sweetie. Bless you." He waves me off as I get up. I step off the bus, along with a few others. They head in the opposite direction. I look across the street to the dress shop, the lights in it are still dark. They always will be. I start down the street, my bag swinging on my shoulders. I walk a few blocks down to my house and walk up onto the porch. I pull my keys from my pocket and open the door. I'm greeted by a familiar face. Daisy jumps up onto me, licking my face. I stumble back onto the porch as she gets off of me. I stroke my hand through her blonde coat and step inside.

"How was your day?" My mom takes my bag off my shoulders.

"It was great! I'll tell you all about it during dinner."

"Good. Bryan is joining us tonight. You have a lot of homework?"

"As always. Thanks, mom, bless you." I pull a few books from my bag and head upstairs. I slip into my room, pulling my phone from my pocket. A million texts from Nathan. Two from Becca. One from an unknown number. I open my phone with the face scanner and go through my texts. Nathan has berated me with sixteen unsolicited photos, ranging from his face to exposed midriff and everything below that. Becca's texts are normal, a few things about the girls in her third period that always seem to comment on her weight. I reassure her that it's just in her head, and they're really just complimenting her. The last number is anonymous.

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