MATEO

"What're you talking about?" I ask turning around keeping my face neutral

"Exactly what I said man. Every year Elizabeth leads on the new students into sleeping with her," He replies making me shake my head

"Thanks for the heads up bro," I reply grinning slightly and he nods in return

My mind tells me to turn back around and leave but something in me tells me to get his name.

"Ayo, what's your name?" I ask once the bell rings

Instantly, students start flooding out of the cafeteria from various directions and start crowding around us.

"Derrick, Derrick Hawkins. What's yours?" He answers and I make the mental note to remember

"Mateo," I shout over the chattering of the students

He laughs then waves me off and we both go our separate ways. Directly after it feels like the time slows down and my brain forces me to concentrate on the black inked writing on the walls as it screams at me.

Did you dodge the bullet or step in front of the trigger?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

EMMA

"See y'all later!" I exclaim while walking to the cafeteria exit

Lunch was actually decent today, but the thought of running into the mystery boy still lingers in my mind.

The scenario scares me since it's already happened once and my life already doesn't favor me, so it wouldn't seem out of the normal to h--

"Damn, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," I hear a deep voice rasp

Feeling a sharp pain in my wrist, I choke out a sob looking up with hot tears steadily clouding my vision. Seeing the mystery boy, my blood drains and when he turns his direction towards my wrist, his eyes widen.

"Shit, I'm so fucking sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Do you want me to take you to the nurse?" He rambles making me move past him shaking my head

Hearing him sigh and call after me, I ignore it and rush to find the nearest restroom.

My wrist burns like crazy and she starts to crawl on the walls in the dark and empty room but I push her back and concentrate on the narrowed halls and chatting students.

They all stop what they're doing, turning around to say hi's and hello's, and I smile in return trying hard to contain the pain steering through my arm like waves.

Finally finding the bathroom, I push the door open and roll my sleeves up seeing that the cuts are more puffy than earlier, and I hiss viciously. I turn on the sink allowing the cool water to cascade over them making me sigh in painful satisfaction.

Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I see that I have 4 minutes to make it to my next class and roll my eyes.

"Shoot I'm going to be late," I whisper sighing and walking back to the door

The mixture of pleasure and pain in my cuts has subsided but before I can mentally prepare myself, the door is being pushed open.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" She ask menacingly running a hand through her hair

Instantly pulling my sleeves down, her eyes snap to my wrist raising an eyebrow, and I huff bringing her attention to me.

"What do you want Elizabeth?" I question rolling my eyes making her smile sinisterly

"You know what I want, stop bullshitting," She seethes lowly clenching her fists

"Look, we're seniors now. This has been going on for too long and I think it's best if we to put an end to it," I reply softly gazing over her, and her expression becomes more heated

"You know what the fuck you did bitch. I shouldn't have to forgive you or forget what you did because that day you--," She fires back but stops mid-sentence

Her response makes me raise an eyebrow, but she takes a deep breath and a cheshire grin creeps across her face making goosebumps scatter across my skin in freight.

"Just watch your back and stay the fuck out of my way," She finishes and turns around walking out the restroom

Scoffing, I watch as her frame disappears from sight and gnaw the inside of my cheek.

"Won't be a problem," I mutter before hesitantly walking out next

Noticing that the bell is about to ring, I sprint to my next class, Astrology. It's been one of my favorite classes since my 8th teacher taught me about it, and I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy it this year too.

Continuing to make my way to the room, a huge weight is slowly lifted from my shoulders, but as soon as I step in the doorway, all of the weight presses against my soul as the excitement I once had is ripped away.

Because I also share this class with Elizabeth, Mya, and him.