I'm walking alone down this creepy alley. And then…
Two arms. A hand over my mouth.
I can't scream.
---
A thousand thoughts rush through my head.
Who is it? Are there more of them? What are they going to do? Am I going to die here?
I struggle. Nothing works.
So I bite. Hard.
?? – OW! What the hell?! Is this girl a cannibal?!
I recognize the voice.
Noah. That idiot.
I turn around, furious.
Me – ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!
Noah – You scared me earlier. I'm just getting revenge. Admit it, you were scared!
Me – Not even close!
(Lying like a pro.)
Noah – Liar.
Me – Shut up.
Noah – You screamed like a little girl.
Me – I am a girl, genius.
Noah – Debatable…
He looks at me with that creepy smirk again.
Me – Gross. You're disgusting.
Noah – The more I annoy you, the better.
Me – You're seriously unbearable.
Noah – And hey, you're not supposed to leave a girl alone at night. Unlike some people...
Me – Some people?
Noah – That guy… L… Lu… Luc-something…
Me – Lucas?! How do you know about that?!
Noah – A little bird told me, darling.
Me – Shove that bird up your—wait. Were you SPYING ON ME?!
Noah – Nooo… I was just passing by. Saw the scene. That girl he was with looked pretty good though—
Me – DON'T FINISH THAT SENTENCE!
He keeps messing with me the entire way home.
Pushes me against walls and trees.
Calls me annoying. Says I look weird.
He just. Won't. Stop.
Finally, we reach my place. And that idiot tries to trip me.
But I'm smarter: I grab him and take him down with me.
Noah – WHAT THE—?!
Me – Thought I'd just let you get away with it?
Noah – "Idiot"? That's my nickname now?
Me – Yep. Or "king-of-the-dumb.com," if you prefer.
Noah – Then I'll call you "Drama Queen," "Gremlin," "Witch," or maybe "Cranky-face"...
Ouch. That one stings.
Even if I pretend it doesn't.
I've got zero confidence in myself. And that kind of stuff cuts deep.
Me – Go insult someone else. I'm going to bed. You're exhausting.
I slam the door in his face.
---
Shower. Makeup off. Pajamas. Bed.
I keep thinking about this cursed night.
Hopefully, I'll never see Jace again.
Anyway, I'm leaving soon.
Pretty sure that guy isn't even from around here.
---
The next morning…
?? – WAKE UP, SLEEPYHEAD!!!
Me – Mmmhh… quiet... I'm sleeping...
Of course. It's Eliz and Neomie.
Neomie – Care to explain the point of your phone if you don't even have it?
Me – Lost it. When a certain someone threw me into the ocean.
They look shocked.
Eliz – At least tell me he was hot?
Me – Super hot. But super dumb.
I tell them everything. They laugh their heads off.
Neomie – Okay girls, suitcase mission starts now! College, here we come!
We sort. Pack. Complain. Cry a little. Hype ourselves up a lot.
---
A week goes by.
I spend time with my family—especially my brother. I'll miss him so much.
Haven't seen Noah again.
Things are calmer with Lucas now.
That evening, it's 7 p.m. Someone rings the doorbell. I go open.
Lucas.
Lucas – Yuri, we need to talk about that night...
Me – I told you. Do whatever you want.
Lucas – Yeah, but it's kind of awkward that you saw us… you know…
Awkward silence.
He's making his sad puppy face. I hate that. Because it works. Every time.
Me – Come in.
Lucas – Are you mad at me?
Me – Of course not. You're my teddy bear. You know that.
He hugs me. Kisses my forehead. I cling to him like I always do.
Lucas – I love you, Yuri. No girl compares to you.
Whoa. He said it. He actually said "I love you."
That's rare. Yay me.
Me – I know,
I know. LOL.
We end up playing Xbox until my parents get home.
---
One week later.
Time to leave.
New adventures.
New city.
New life.