𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰𝒔 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅| 3

2b: Monster.

❝Hate looks just like everybody else, until it smiles.❞

-Tahereh Mafi.
*

Asa

I turned around in time to see Trevor and his gang jump out of his monster G-wagon.

I swallowed the rising lump in my throat.

There were seven of them, three boys, four girls. The elite of Cristan Prep.

Jemi ground his teeth murderously, muscles of his arms and chest, tensed up, veins bulging. And then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled. He did it a couple more times.

"Jem?" I whispered urgently, leaning towards him, arms pressed on the table. "Let's go. Let's leave through the back."

"I'm not afraid of him," He said tightly, through clenched teeth. He swallowed, "I'm not afraid of him, Asa," anger leaking out of him.

I shut my eyes, gulped, my throat, constricted. "I know. I just..." Inhaled. Exhaled. Opened my eyes. "I just don't want a confrontation. Please." I begged.

Jemi blinked at me, then trained his eyes once more on Trev who was helping his best and closest friend of the entire clique, Zamilah, out of the monster truck. His arm lingered on her tiny waist and she smiled at him, a smile he briefly returned, before he gazed at the twins, laughing about something.

I followed his gaze and recognized the twins, Dash and Daya, who were the only ones that ever tried to be friendly with Jemi and I.

The others piled out of the truck, Zami smoothed down her tiny uniform skirt and I watched as she grabbed Daya and took a quick group selfie with the other girls, laughing and talking excitedly with the rest of the group.

Trevor was looking at the his gang with a calm, fond smile on his face and my entire body froze over as they entered into the restaurant.

Someone sucked in the oxygen in the entire room. I felt myself trying to inhale through a toothpick.

Naza. Big eyed, pointy nosed, pouty lipped Naza, noticed us first.

"Oh my God!" She actually screeched, stopping in her tracks, her eyes trained on Jemi and I. "Trev?" She tugged on Trevor's sleeve. "Trev you won't believe this!"

Trev turned around from getting his order, confused at the commotion, and then he followed her finger.

He didn't even notice me.

It was the collision of two radioactive elements. The entire restaurant heated over, about to combust into ashes.

And then, a wicked, evil smile crept up his lips.

He walked over to us, casually, easily. "Cashiel." He greeted.

"Trevor." Jemi spoke through clenched teeth.

"Back from jail so soon? How was it? Good I hope."

I gasped. A malicious grin contorted Trevor's face into something more maniacal. He wasn't even trying to hide the fact he had set Jemi up.

"Better than seeing your face." He was gripping the table tight. He looked like he was about to pop a nerve, skin turning red.

"I'm sure you had a great time with your fellow convicts."

If that statement hurt Jemi, he didn't show it.

Trevor's smile widened, he took a seat from one of the surrounding tables, turned it around and straddled it easily. He folded his arms on the top of the seat and threw the question, "how's my princess doing?"