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Chapter 6- Ember

Monday 6th June 2245, 9:01

I grabbed my bag and headed to music block. I was meeting Clara there so we could rehearse a song we're performing at prom. I sat down in the foyer and got out my guitar.

 When Clara entered the music block, her face was pale and she seemed to flinch when the doors closed behind her. "What's wrong?" I leaped up, sending the guitar crashing to the ground.

"Ava is going to do something stupid." She blurted.

"What?!"

"I don't know, just hurry! We need to stop her." Clara grabbed my wrist and ran down the corridor, dragging me behind. She stopped outside room B27 and the doors slid open. Finn Anderson and his posse, sat on the desks, turned to look at us. Ava was laying sprawled out on the floor. "What the hell?!" Clara raced over to Ava's side and helped her stand up. "Come on, let's go to the medical room." She gave Finn a glare.

I waited for them to leave and then I walked up to Finn and grabbed his collar. I looked him in the eyes then I slapped him across the face. Finn clenched his jaw. "You scared?" I mocked. 

He curled his hands up into fists and aimed for my face. I ducked and grabbed his left wrist, twisting it forwards so he couldn't move. He squirmed in frustration. "Let go, you *****!"

I gripped his wrist harder. "If you even try to hurt my friends again..." I leaned closer so he could hear, "I will kill you."

I released him and walked out of door, leaving him dumbstruck. 

I immediately headed for the medical room to check on Ava, but when I got there, she was gone. A tired-looking nurse said she had gone home to rest, but she would be fine. I let out a sigh and flopped onto one of the padded waiting room chairs.

I sat there staring at the wall for a while. I couldn't believe I actually threatened Finn. He's not even a bad guy. We used to be friends when we were younger. I guess he just tries to be tough because of his dad...

Suddenly, I heard a small voice coming from behind me and someone tapped me on the shoulder. I jumped out of my trance and turned around. It was another nurse. She had light hair and eyes that somehow looked both kind and sad at the same time. She opened her mouth to speak and then shut it again. He eyes darted between me and the wall. "Ember?" She spoke softly. 

I nodded. 

"Your mother just called..." she started. Her hand were shaking. "You father has just been taken to hospital. He was involved in a car accident under the influence of drugs. There's a high chance he won't make it..."

I wasn't surprised. Dad clearly had a problem. Still, I felt my eyes welling up with tears. The nurse patted me on the back awkwardly. How could he be so stupid?! 

This was all too much. I ran out of the doors and down the hallway, into the music block. I didn't wait for the practice room doors to open. I pulled them apart with my hands and collapsed into a crying heap on the floor.