Leading Her from the Darkness

CHAPTER 18

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I wake up to Lily stroking her finger down my nose repeatedly, tickling my face. When my eyes eventually flutter open, they take a moment to readjust to the blinding rays of light streaming through the gaps in my curtain.

I turn my head to face the disturbance, and I can't help but let out a strangled shriek; seeing her face so close to mine that our noses are almost touching. The close proximity had distorted her features. My scream makes her to jerk back quickly, causing her to fall off the bed, landing with a loud thud that surely woke up the residents below.

"What the fuck is wrong with you! I just about shit out my fucking heart!" I yell, peeking my head over the edge of the bed, only to see her rolling around in a fit of laughter.

She snorted, "That would be a sight to see."

"What do you want?" I grumble, wiping the sleep from my sore and tired eyes, causing her to roll hers.

"You have class and you slept in. You're welcome, grouchy ass," she says matter-of-factly. She yanks herself back to her feet, and plops back onto the bed next to me - waving out her hand out in front of her, as she takes a dramatic bow. I look over to the clock that is sitting on the nightstand and my eyes grow wide.

"Shit!" I curse under my breath.

I shoot out of bed and rush over to my micro-closet to grab a pair of ripped, black skinny jeans and a black V-neck. I pull them on quickly, slipping on my grey vans, and gather my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head. I throw on my black-rimmed glasses since I don't have the time to fuck with my contacts or makeup this morning.

"Bye Lily!" I exclaim, hearing her giggle as I rush past her, bolting from the bedroom.

I snatch my brown leather bag that's sitting next to the couch, quickly throwing it over my shoulder, and wrench open the front door; not bothering to lock it behind me as I take off down the stairs.

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I make it to my Creative Writing class with a few minutes left to spare as I plop down in my usual seat next to Avery, with Zach now located on his other side instead of me being seated between them. A switch I am grateful for since returning from my medically advised home detention.

I take a mental note to get the dirt from Lily later, on her and Zach's relationship status, seeing as she hasn't been home for a couple nights in a row now. I'm safe to assume things are still working out.

Avery eyes me quizzically, taking in my appearance as I try to slow my chest's erratic heaving, induced from running the entire fucking way here.

"Were you being chased by an axe murderer or something?" he chuckles, which earns him an eye roll.

"No," I say between my uneven breaths. My ribs ache from the rapid movements, but it's more tolerable now than two weeks ago. Once the raging fire burning wildly in my lungs slightly calms itself to a manageable tolerance, I continue, "I woke up late and cardio is noticeably not my strong suit."

"Clearly," he snorts at my response.

"Shut up!" I swat his arm in retaliation, making him laugh harder.

"Trouble sleeping or something?" he pushes. I know he's trying to have a real conversation, but I'm exhausted and can't fucking breathe at the moment.