your body is a weapon → brad simpson | ✓

twenty

Walking into school, I keep my head down and my earphones plugged in as I nervously walk down the hallway.

After Brad had left yesterday, I ended up making myself paranoid that he could be behind the attacks—that he's in the gang that's revolting against people.

"Nice to see you're back today," the teacher smiles at me as I walk through the classroom doors. I smile tightly back at her before sitting at the back of the classroom.

I kept glancing between my phone, messages from my dad and Brad lighting it up, the door and the clock. The closer it ticked towards nine, the closer it got to me enduring a lesson sat next to Brad. In fact, I had to spend all day in the same lessons as Brad.

When I have to go to first period, I walk straight out and take the long way. I wanted to stall seeing him as much as I could. As I arrive, I notice Brad sat at his desk.

Before our eyes can meet, I walk to my seat and sit down, keeping my eyes on the books I was getting out of my bag. No music was playing through my earphones as I sit quietly, my lips pursed.

Through my peripheral vision, I see Brad turn to face me, resting his head on his hand. "You okay today?"

I pretend I don't hear him, feeling awful for being so rude. If what I think is true, is true, then I had to keep my distance. What if one day we have an argument and he hurts me? He sure had a reputation for not thinking rationally.

"Jamie?" He says then notices my earphones are in. I continue to pretend I'm looking at my books but he taps my shoulder. I turn to face him, a faux smile on my face.

I take out an earphone. "What's up?"

"I asked if you were okay," he says, his eyebrows furrowing. "Are you?"

"I'm fine," I say before looking down at my books again, flicking through the pages. He sighs and turns to face the front as the teacher begins the lesson.

The lesson was filled with silence as Brad doesn't spark a conversation with me. It made it easier for me to ignore him.

His leg kept bouncing up and down nervously and he was tapping his pencil against the table but the teacher didn't tell him to stop since she's still scared he'll lash out on her.

As I pack my bag and the bell goes, I sling it over my shoulder and make a beeline quickly for the door. I hear Brad close behind me and his large hand wraps around my wrist, turning me around in the middle of the hallway.

I pull my wrist out of his grip, thankful that it's loose. "What?"

"Why are you being off with me?" He asks, tilting his head to the side and I let out a small sigh. "Did I do something?"

"I'm just not in the mood today," I lie. I couldn't tell him that I think he could hurt me if I say something he doesn't like in case he ends up hurting me. What if I was right and he killed me because it's meant to be a huge secret?

"Why not?" He asks, his eyebrows furrowing. People walked around us, not wanting to get on Brad's bad side. "Talk to me, Jamie, I'm your friend."

"We have to go to class," I change the subject, turning on my heel and walking away. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest as I push through the crowd, losing Brad from behind me.

Could those big, brown eyes be behind some of the worst crimes in Birmingham? Could they go from shining with happiness to being dark and dangerous?

+

Brad didn't end up arriving to any classes after we spoke in the hallway and I couldn't help but feel guilty. I didn't want to push him away but I needed to know that he's not behind the violence striking Birmingham before I could trust him again.

Currently, I sit with Cherry at lunch. She saw that I was alone and insisted that I sit with her and her friends instead.

"So are you and Brad a thing?" A girl with black hair asks. Her name was Violet, and she was nice, which contrasted her intimidating posture.

"No, we're just friends," I give her a small smile. Are we really friends when I'm ignoring him and he took the rest of the day off to avoid me?

"He's hot, I'd jump his bones if I got the chance," Cherry shrugs and I laugh halfheartedly. "It's nice to see that you've made some new friends. I heard Brad can be a nice guy sometimes."

I wasn't sure if that's true anymore, considering my new conspiracies. "Yeah, he's really caring."

"Enough about Brad," another girl called Frankie says, flicking some brown hair behind her shoulder. "There's a party on Friday at Jerome's. Are you guys definitely going?"

"You'll end up ditching us for Robbie again," Violet rolls her eyes. "But we're up for it—it's free alcohol." She turns to me with a smile. "You should join us and invite Brad."

Will he have time if he's really behind the attacks? "I guess I might. I don't know yet."

"You should!" Cherry grins. "It was nice having you at my party. You can hang with us, too."

I bite my lip, shrugging. I don't know if I'm in the right mindset to be partying, considering what I saw the other night. Was it safe to be out late and getting drunk?

"You're eighteen now," Cherry says. "It's legal for you to go out and get drunk."

"You're eighteen?" Frankie asks and I nod. "You should buy us some stuff for pre-drinks. Well, we'll give you the money for it."

"I don't have any ID."

Frankie rolls her eyes. "Ugh, you're boring."

I feel my cheeks heat up red and Cherry scolds her friend before turning back to me. "I've decided you're coming the party. We'll meet you there. And invite Brad."

I don't know if I'm going to be speaking to Brad anytime soon, but I nod slowly anyway. "Alright, I'll keep that in mind."

For the rest of lunch, I just lean back against the chair in the sixth form common room where we all sat. I continue overthinking about Brad, joining all of the dots.

If he's in a gang, he'll get loads of money which means that he can afford the house and the car and the phone that he has. It also means that he won't be able to go out on weekends because he'll be out doing whatever he does if he's in a gang.

Is that why he's always sober? So he can be on high alert? So he can defend himself? Or so that if his 'boss' calls, he can do whatever he's asked?

My mind starts racing but the bell rings and I'm pulled up by Cherry and I follow her out of the sixth form common room. She bids goodbye to her two friends before she takes us both to our classrooms that were near each other.

My head was pounding. I don't think I'm used to all this damned thinking. I needed to get this all off of my chest and I think the only person I can rant to right now is Luna and she's always busy at the diner.

I let out a deep sigh.

edited.

hello merry christmas u sexy beasts i hope u have a great day and receive all the presents u want ily