Never Forget Taking the Brown Bomber Jacket

In Which I Get Kidnapped

The next day at school (also my last day) was pretty good; if you count having to take an AP Italian exam “good”.  Of course, Italian seemed to come naturally to me for some reason, so it wasn’t too bad.

            However, when my friends (including Alfred) and I were talking outside afterwards, I noticed that Alfred was staring at Chun-Yan.

            I nudged her, a smirk slowly growing on my lips.  “Looks like the stalker’s watching you,” I whispered to her.

            “That’s creepy-aru!  Make him stop!”

            I laughed.  “Maybe he has a crush on you.”

            She fake-gagged, making me laugh harder.

            A phone rang suddenly, and Alfred dug into his pocket and brought out his cellphone.  “Hello?” he answered it.  “Yeah, one sec.”  He headed into the building.

            “I’m going to the bathroom,” I announced, trying not to seem suspicious as I followed him inside.  He was just at the empty square by the cafeteria; talking quietly to whoever was on the other line (I had my money on that British man).  I ducked behind a vending machine while he back was turned and eavesdropped.

            “Dude, I’m telling you,” he was saying.  “There’s no way that chick’s China.  I swear, you’re seeing things again.”

            What? I thought.  Why were they talking about China?  Was that some girl they knew, or were they talking about the actual country?

            “Come on, dude.  I talked to China the other day.  He’s home.”

            So this mysterious China was a dude?  What a weird name for a guy.

            “Holly, what are you doing?” a voice asked from behind me.

            I gasped and spun around to see Chun-Yan standing there, in plain sight of Alfred.  I pulled her beside me and tried shushing her, but the damage was already done.

            “Hold on, dude,” Alfred said.  “I think they’re…”  He came around the vending machine, not looking at all surprised that we were there.  “Yep, they’re totally right here.”  He looked pointedly at Chun-Yan, and his eyes widened.  “Whoa!  Dude, you were right!”  He hung up and took a step closer to us.  “China, what are you doing here, man?  You said you were home when I called yesterday!”

            Chun-Yan took a step back into the wall.  “What are you talking about-aru?”

            Alfred snorted.  “Come on, China.  Joke’s over.  She was totally going to find out anyways, but thanks for playing along, dude!”

            “I don’t know what you’re talking about-aru.”

            “China—”

            Without thinking, I shoved Alfred away from us.  “Stop calling her that, you racist pig!”  I took Chun-Yan’s wrist and dragged her into the girl’s bathroom, which was just a few feet away.  In there, we could just wait for Alfred to leave since he wouldn’t dare come in.  “He’s the creepiest person I’ve ever met,” I said, trying to console Chun-Yan, who was looking pretty upset.  “A stalker and a racist?  Could he get any worse?”

            Chun-Yan chuckled a bit.  “Hopefully not-aru.  Thanks, Holly.”  She looked at me, and I found it a little strange how she was a bit taller than me.  “Is anyone else in here?”