The Bad Boys Are Back

20

"Where have you been? You reek of smoke." My mother exclaimed when I got home.

I stopped dead in my tracks to smell my clothes. I did smell faintly of something I had been educated my entire life to stay away from.

My mother was staring expectantly at me.

"Uh... I was speaking to Fran, you remember how she picked up smoking?"

"Hm." My mother said contemplatively. "Might have to speak to her parents - "

"NO," I said too loudly, too unnaturally. "I mean, I'm trying to talk her out of it. Don't involve her parents please or she'll know I snitched. I think she's just going through a rough patch, ever since she started hanging out with those kids who came out of juvie..."

"Goodness me," my mother said, holding a hand to her chest. "Why would she do that to herself?"

"I think she's having her rebellious phase," I sighed. "I miss my good friend. Hopefully she'll snap out of it soon."

I quickly made my way upstairs and out of her sight (and smell).

When I was done showering and washing all the bad smells of cigarette off, I emerged from my bathroom with a renewed sense of purpose. I booted up my laptop, to the email page, and I got writing.

Hi Nancy, we spoke earlier about a 'friendship'. Let me know when is good for you to come over for dinner, I'm free nearly every evening. Look forward to hearing back from you. From, Ava.

With a deep breath, I hit the 'send' button.

Nancy's reply was instantaneous. And very formal.

Dear Ava,

Unlike you, I am rather occupied this week. But next week, I might have some dinner slots. I will reconfirm in 3 days time. Are there any details I should be made aware of?

Best regards,
Nancy Wong

I squinted at the screen before I started elaborating on my situation to Nancy. But I of course kept getting distracted by the way Jasper's eyes looked, and the way his hands felt. I couldn't help wondering what his lips might taste like sober.

When I was done communicating with Nancy, I decided to complete Levi's assignment. It took me an hour in total. Reaching into my backpack, I whipped out my trusty journal to see what other subjects of mine required studying. That was when a packet fell out.

A packet of white powder.

What the flipping heck?

I crouched down to scrutinize it. It looked like white crystals up close, it definitely didn't look like something I owned. My mother was right, I should never leave my belongings around - people might throw drugs in there.

My mind was ablaze with so many questions.

I brought my backpack before me, and began a thorough search - in case the assailant decided to frame me with more illegal goods. I couldn't risk it. What if I got searched by a cop? That would be very, very bad.

I found another packet in the front pouch of my bag, one in the side pocket, even one within my sanitary pad pouch...

My heart was racing.

I reached for my phone, dialling Finn's number, and making sure it wasn't on video call this time.

But he wasn't picking up. I told voicemail that he had to call me back ASAP.

I continued searching, while recalling Finn accusing me of possessing his stupid drugs a while back. It couldn't be, it just couldn't. Who would frame a nice girl like me?