L U R E

Thirty-Five

TRIGGER WARNING: mental health, suicide, mental disorders

We all sat at Jordan dining room table, it had taken his father a couple of hours to get into town, but luckily he was only three towns over.

It was now ma, pops, Jordan's mom and dad, Levi, kai, Trevor and Chris.

"Okay we're all here now, explain why my son is in jail please." His dad says, irritation in his tone.

"Did he tell you I moved schools?" I ask quietly.

"No." His father stares at me quizzically.

"Well I moved to Hilton and got a scholarship there and every since then he's been off his rocker, your son has been manipulating me for years. But when I moved everything changed." I pause hesitantly. "He's been blackmailing me. He assaulted me a month ago and broke my wrist...and he did this to me today." My eyes were downcast on the table.

"He has pictures of me naked among other things that he's been holding over my head and anytime I acted a way that he didn't like he'd threaten to release them. So all of my friends came together and we made a plan that would stop him. We hacked into his phone, and his laptop to get the pictures off, which brings us to today. I was just coming over to put the device into his computer... but when he found out he got violent. And he called me Ana." His fathers eyes widen.

"He did?"

I nod. "It's like he couldn't see me. Like he didn't know who I was. I think he's sick in the head. And I think he needs help." I look at his father with glossy eyes.

"I just feel so shitty because if anyone should've seen that he was sick it should've been me."

"I'm confused how would you know that he was sick?" Kai asks.

"Jordan's mother had Well...she dealt with various disorders Schizophrenia, Psychopathy disorder, high etched paranoia, depression and anxiety she ended up taking her own life when he was twelve. Trevor and Amaya had come into the house that day, I had called and ask her to check on Ana because Jordan had gotten into some trouble with the police. They were the ones who found her body. The doctor said that jordan was more likely to develop some of her traits" His father sighs. "I'm sorry Maya I didn't know he was.." he trails off.

"It's okay. I don't want anything to be used against him not even what happened today. I just want him to get help."

Levi and Kai were silent. I knew that this must've been news to them. I hadn't opened up much to anyone at Hilton. But even if I wanted to I couldn't find the time, everything moved so fast there and with the pressure to keep my grades up, maintain friendships, my asthma coming back, this sudden promiscuous relationship with Levi and Kai and Jordan's harassment it was all too much to handle let alone digest.

"You sure you can handle that John?" My father looks over at him. "Those hospitals are expensive."

"I'll figure it out."

"I can help...I can get a job-" I start.

"Be practical Maya." Pops scolds. "You have to stay on top of school work and extracurriculars if you want to get into An Ivy League."

I felt useless. If I had thought about it...If I had asked him if he was okay instead of Villainizing him I would've known sooner.

We could've saw this coming. If I had just spoken up. Said something to my parents...his father if only I'd-

The sound of my chair scraping against the ground causes everyone to look up.

"I need some air." I whisper. I walk outside with shaky hands.

I round the corner leaning my back against the side of the house.

Mental images of that day we found Ana. Her body was lifeless. A pool of blood surrounding her. It haunted me.

I hadn't realized I was crying until a warm body wraps itself around me. The scent was comforting, a sense of safety and protection in his arms.

It was Trevor.

"I know Maya."

"I hated him Trev." I tremble in his arms. "I didn't even stop to think that he wasn't himself. I was so willing to accept that he was a monster."

"I know Maya." Is all he says.

"If he would've ended up like Ana...I wouldn't have been able to live with myself." I sob.

"It's not your fault." I pull away staring at up at him. "Then why do I feel so guilty?"

I look over seeing Kai and Levi standing at a distance watching us. I was sure that they'd witnessed everything. I hated crying in front of people. I felt obligated to always be strong.

But right now I could smile even if I wanted to.