Playing With Fire

Chapter Thirty-Eight

                                                  Recap

               A question scathes the tip of my tongue, searing and attempting to pry through my lips. Just as I’m about to give into the relentless urge, Layla’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

                “Faye.” She calls out, her voice is calm, but I can hear a broiling commotion in it.

                I glance up, observing how Wes is standing next to her, completely oblivious to what could possibly going on.

                 “Hey,” I greet them both; however, my gaze instantly flickers back to Layla’s.

                When I catch her eye, I see sheer panic. The light blue that usually reflects the calm of the ocean, the center of the hurricane, the life of the sky—it’s gone. Instead, there is a richer, more dark texture that reminds me of a brewing storm.

               She seems to be communicating with me without saying much.

             Forcefully, I rip my stare away from hers and glance back at Ashley. She’s staring at Layla as if she’s expecting her to accompany us.

               “Sit with us,” She says happily, but still with uncertainty.

              Layla flashes her an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, but I need to talk to Faye.”

               I raise an eyebrow, silently wondering what is going on. From the corner of my eye, I spot Travis standing outside the glass door, waiting for Layla to pull me out.

              I dart my gaze back to Ashley, ‘I’ll catch you later, okay?”

                 She beams, “Sure.”

               With that, I gather my belongings and swing my backpack over my shoulder. Layla, however, is already fast walking towards the cafeteria exit. Curiosity and slight precaution enters my system as I silently follow behind her.

                 This can’t be good. 

                                  Chapter Thirty Eight 

                I hurry after Layla’s fast retreating figure while nearly tripping over my own feet. The faster she walks, the more my heart sky rockets. The precaution that vaguely entered my mind in the beginning dominates my burning curiosity. 

               When at last I scurry past the cafeteria doors and into the hallway, I make the effort to jog up to a tense Travis and an out of breath Layla.

             Two frightening questions enter my mind at that specific moment: 1. Why in hell are Travis and Layla cooperating and in on something without breaking into some sort of sarcastic fight? 2. What have I possibly done now?

             “What is going on?” I demand, slightly out of breath from the mini hysteria in my chaotic mind.

                 Layla starts, “The school is going to shut down for a few days.”

             My mouth drops ajar, and I look to Travis for guidance. His vacant expression only confirms her statement.

               “Why would they do that?” I ask, my fingers starting to clam up.

                 For the slightest time, I was beginning to believe that school could possibly be the safest place for me at the moment. And now that it is being shut down, Travis and I have no safe haven.