Fire and Ice

Chapter 3

Alyssa

"You're going to school, Alyssa." Mom said with finality. "I don't care how tired you are."

I buried my head. "Okay, okay. Give me five minutes."

My door clicked closed and I closed my eyes with a sigh. Why was it a thing to wake teenagers up so dang early? It couldn't be healthy.

I rolled out of bed and shuffled sleepily into the bathroom. When I spotted my morning afro in the mirror, I jumped. "Geeze, I look like a troll."

As I was getting dressed, my phone rang and I glanced down at it to see that it was Myla.

"Why are you calling me?" I answered.

"Morning sunshine." Myla muttered. I could almost hear her roll her eyes. "Are you coming today, or not?"

"Mother dear is kicking me out. I'm devastated, you know."

Myla snorted. "Well the school would just miss you too much. You're such a joy, I'm sure Mr. Rosen would agree."

"Funny. Seriously, you never call me. What's up?" I asked, dropping onto my bed.

"My mom finally got me a car! I can drive now!"

I blinked. "That's why you called me? Myla, that information isn't exactly early phone call worthy. I mean, it's cool, and I'm happy, but come on."

"Fine I was... stalling."

"Spill it."

Myla sighed. "I'm pretty sure Brandon found out who left the... gift on his car. He's plotting something, I know it."

I shrugged. "Eh, he can plot away, I don't care."

"He's such a grease rag. I'm just warning you to watch out. That jerk would do anything to get revenge. Just be careful, Alyssa."

I smiled. "Thanks for the concern, babe. But I'll be fine. When you play with fire you get burned."

"And who is the fire in this case?"

"Me, of course." I snorted arrogantly.

Myla laughed. "Okay then. Well have so much fun at school, I'm going to enjoy my ditching day."

"Lucky." I grumbled. "Bye."

"Toodles."

"Alyssa!" Mom's voice screeched, making me cringe. "You'll be late!"

I groaned. Today would just be so thrilling.

* * *

I parked my car in the far corner of the parking lot in my usual spot and climbed out after finishing a good song that came on the radio.

As usual there were streams of students heading inside, chattering too much and too loudly for this early in the morning.

I trudged toward the school. My eyes landed on someone getting out of a beat up, black car. A someone everyone was familiar with.