How to Survive to 18

3 Days Prior

It's the morning and the kitchen is alive with the smell of my mother's pancakes. I walk downstairs, following my nose as it tracks down the food. 

"Mornin honey! I made your favorite chocolate chip pancakes." My mom said as she turned to face me with a plate of pancakes. She walked to our round dining room table and set down my breakfast, smiling, then turned back to the kitchen to do something else. 

"Thank you mom!" I say while digging into the food and filling my mouth to the point that I look like a chipmunk. 

"I'm so sorry to break this morning but I got some news for ya'll." My dad bursts into the room with his cellphone in his hand, still on call with someone. 

"Im on a call with the police station, and they said that um, the blood on that rock did in fact belong to Rebecca." My mom at that moment drops a glass on the floor, "And there's more, her finger prints were all over it so it had to be her who put the rock on your bed Nina." 

When I heard my fathers words my heart ached. I knew deep down that all he said was true, even when it wasn't confirmed by the tests, but I guess I was in denial. I hate the thought that someone was in my house, walking around like they own the place. Honestly the scariest part of that is the fact my parents were home sleeping. I don't know what Rebecca is capable of but I wouldn't put hurting my mom and dad past her. How did she even sneak past the police outside our home?

All these ideas and theories raced through my mind as we all ate breakfast together. It was Friday morning and I had school to get too. Missing most the week definitely put me behind in all my classes, Kai was in the same boat as me so at least I wasn't alone. Though he wouldn't be in school till next Wednesday, but the thought still stands. At least I'll see Ally in a normal situation, not a fight or flight one.

I dress up in some denim shorts with a comics shirt tucked in. A jacket on top with a red beanie and black shoes. I grab my backpack and head out to my mom's car. She said that she wants to drive me to school at least today, and honestly, I didn't mind. We got in and she drove.

Five minutes passed and we are now barely 4 minutes from school, I look out the window and see a black car parked on the 4-way intersections right side. It's hiding in some trees, and as we got closer I saw a man looking around at the wheel. Probably some drug dealer waiting for a customer. I though. The lights were green as we neared to my mom didn't press breaks, as we drove forward I look back the the car and make eye contact with the man. A chill flows down my spine and I feel my blood boil. He looked like Ezmour. Just with eyes of a demon, so cold.

I twist my head right back straight and shake it, as if to get rid of what I just saw. My eyes lead to the mirror on the side of my door and I see the black car is right behind us, I gulp. Try to think the best of the situation and breath deep. 

"Dont be that nervous sweetie, I know you missed almost a week but you'll be okay." says my mom, assuming that I'm sweating from every part of my body because of school. When in reality it's because Ezmour is following us. I wonder for a moment if I should tell her to drive me home, where the police are but I don't have the guts. So we drive on. Arriving to school.

I step out and without even saying bye to my mother, I quickly run inside to get out of Ezmour's view. I walk down as calmly as I can, but I can't help but notice all the stares and whispers of the teens around my. They practically made a path for me to walk down with their stance, eyes following me. Of course they've seen all the news, so of course they'd gossip. I get to my locker with ten minutes to spare before class, and open it. Inside I see a paper note that's addressed from Ally, It reads;

Come meet me in the back stairwell of the school. It's urgent and we NEED to talk.

- Ally