Chapter 6

Mariah's POV

I had called Lina and Serena and let me tell you – I don’t think I’ll be able to hear properly for a month. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but I keep hearing this buzzing sound. Eh. Anyways, the two banshees started screaming and before I knew it, they were knocking on my door. I guess they couldn’t contain their excitement.

So that’s me, Lina and Serena. Now one more ticket left. I guess I’ll just give it to Isaac. But I don’t know how to tell him. I’m not sure if he’ll want to go or not.

Anyways, I’m driving to school right now and surprise, surprise. There was Ethan and Natalie sucking each other’s face off in my parking spot. Technically, it’s not my parking spot but I always park there since it’s nearer to the entrance of the building. And I always park there. Ugh! Now, how to get rid of them without making a scene?

I wanted to drive away but seeing them right now made my blood boil. So, I did the most unimaginable thing ever – in my case, at least. No, I didn’t honk at them. I did something more…interesting. I kept driving – not away from them, but towards them. And, man, was that such a sight. As soon as they saw my car moving towards them, they scattered away from the scene faster than you can say ‘STD’.

I just parked my car and got out, trying to avoid any confrontation. But before I could get away, I felt an arm on my bicep and dragged me away. From the side profile, I could tell it was Ethan. I started to panic.

Thankfully. Lina and Isaac came to my rescue. Isaac shoved Ethan away with so much force that he flew a metre away from me. Lina came over to me, analyzing me for any injuries or marks. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan storming away from us.

“What was that all about?” Serena asked joining the group. All three of them turned towards me and gave me curious looks.

I got a little shy and just shrugged and started to walk to class when I was pulled back by my backpack.

“Nuh-uh. You’re gonna stay right here and tell me what on earth happened. I don’t care if the bell rings or if a teacher-" Lina was interrupted by the warning bell. I shrugged out of her grip and continued my way to class. I had Biology first period. The ‘Four Stooges’ timetables were as such:

MY TIMETABLE : Biology, AP Calculus, Eng. Lit., P.E., Spare, Music, Library, Art

SERENA : Geography, Eng. Lit., Art, P.E., Spare, Art, Music, Spare.

ISAAC : History, AP Calculus, Spare, P.E., Gym, Music, Eng. Lit., Art

LINA : Home Eco., Algebra, Eng. Lit., P.E., Calculus, Spare, Art, Music

So, I have at least one of them in all my classes except for 7th period. After 3rd period is BREAK and then after 6th period is LUNCH.

I was reaching for the door of the BIO lab when someone grabbed me by my wrist and covered my mouth, stopping me from screaming, and dragged me to the nearest empty room. I thrashed around trying to break free.

“Now, now. Stop struggling and we won’t have a problem,” my capturer voiced out. That voice that has been haunting me since that night a year ago. The reasons for my nightmares. The reason why the most important person in my life is not here with me.

I turned around and gasped, “Ethan!” I tried to twist my wrist out of his grip but it was no use. He’s in the football team for a reason.

“That was quite a stunt you pulled at the parking lot. I have to admit, that was hot.” He patronized me and moved his head to my shoulder blade. I shivered. Definitely not from pleasure. Rather from fear and disgust.

“I didn’t finish what I started at the party. Might as well finish it now,” he whispered and started sucking my neck. That is definitely gonna leave a mark. Okay, I’ve had enough of this. I swung my knee back and brought it forward to where my eyes can’t see, the NO MAN’S LAND. I may not be able to verbally tell him off but I can at least physically leave an impression.

He fell to his knees from the blow and I took that as a chance to get the hell out of there. I jumped over Ethan’s bending form and got out of the room. He tried to grab for me but I ducked out of the way.

I ran – more like, sprinted – all the way to the other block’s girl’s convenience. If I went to the same block, he would find me. Thank God Isaac and Chase made me take a morning run for a year around the park. They would also send dogs to chase me. They know my fear of dogs.

I reached for the door, entered the girl’s toilets and locked the door. As soon as I entered, I could feel my chest constricting and my breathing unstable. I held onto the sink counter and tried doing what Chase taught me whenever I had a panic/anxiety attack.

‘Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out through your mouth.’

I tried to do the same thing but the anxiety was too much. I dropped to my knees, my hands still gripping the sink and I could feel the world spinning around me. I could hear the banging from outside but it stopped after a while.

I could feel myself drifting away. But before my head hit the floor of the girl’s toilets, I heard a bunch of keys hit the ground and someone placing me in their arms and then I was gone.