Chapter 23

We both decided to skip school after I came clean. I told her about the gang membership transfer, how I met the demon hovering over my sanity; popularly known as Egypt, the development on my grandfather's case, everything.

Except who Liz truly was because I wasn't willing to take any chances.

When I finished she couldn't utter a single word. I didn't blame her still, it happened whenever she was in shock.

"Is this Egypt of a person holding a grudge?" She eventually asked looking slightly frightened.

"I don't think so, if she did, she could have done anything to me and gotten away with it, the snake" I muttered.

"And she claims Isabella did something?"

I nodded.

She reverted back to silence but it lasted for a few seconds then she asked-

"What if she's not lying?" In a small voice.

I frowned and almost glared.

"What if she is? I pray you never meet that woman Birdie, she's Satan's Envoy and she's not right in the head"

"But why would she lie to you?" She asked softly and I couldn't answer.

She suddenly shook her head like she was clearing a fog.

"Let's stop talking about her. It's not like anything bad has happened you. But George, why are you still in the gang?"

I let out a heavy breath at her question.

"I can't just leave ok? This is not like those street gangs back at home with members who have terrible fashion sense and even worse hygiene, where all they care about is looking tough, snatching purses and selling marijuana. It's not like I can switch towns and not have to worry about them anymore.

"The gang I work for could easily be a mafia or and at the very least they are affiliated with one"

She rolled her eyes at my speech, "You could have hired a Private Investigator George"

"They cost money" I grumbled then sat on my desk.

"Money has never been your problem! You could always ask me to help you out"

I was beginning to get angry.

"Which I would run out of and then proceed to milk you dry"

She pursed her lips and stared into my eyes.

"I know you are only doing this to punish yourself for your grandfather's death, because you think it's your fault he died"

I rose to my feet and glared at her.

"That's not true"

"But it's not. It's just unfortunate that he got in too deep with his search"

Her eyes held sympathy and before I could reply a knock sounded on my door. When I opened it, it was Liz again.

"The next next time you knock on my door, I'll end you" I seethed and she scoffed, her mask as a bitchy teenager glowing.

"How am I supposed to tell you breakfast is ready then?"

She sassed then walked away and I slammed the door shut.

"Are you alright? You look a little sick" I heard Robin's voice.

Maybe ignorance was better for me because the fact that I knew she was wearing a mask made me feel like throwing up.

I couldn't help but lean against the door and hopelessly slide to the floor.

"George?"

"Give me a minute please" my voice shook.

"Oh George" she sighed and engulfed me in a hug.

I broke down in tears and cried from the emotional exhaustion and pain, I cried out of sheer gratitude; gratitude for the comfort she provided me with in my sea of grief, anguish and torment.

I didn't know how long I cried for but I sure was physically exhausted and drained.

Robin advised me to go back to bed and told me she was coming back with breakfast. She took an unusually long amount of time and when I went to check on her, the sight I was met with sent my heart into my stomach.

TOBIAS

"Ten, pay up" Riely whispered to Elliot and when I looked their way, Elliot flipped me off and I raised a brow at them.

Riely gestured at me to come closer and when I did he said-

"Elliot and myself had a bet going; how many times in 30 seconds would Tobias look at the door? I bet 10, he went for 11, and I won"

I shot him a blank look and he shrugged at me, then I turned to Elliot and returned his one finger salute. I tried to concentrate on my reading.

To be honest I don't think I will ever understand why two periods were dedicated to reading and none for a nap. I know my thoughts were giving lazy student, still.

And why didn't Georgia Black come to school today?

I caught myself before I took another glance at the door and tiredly flipped my book to the next page.

The bell rang after a few minutes and I gathered my books like my tail was on fire.

I sent a quick text to my father telling him I was going to Foster's place. I got to his car before he did and when he approached me with a raised brow, I almost had to bite my tongue to stop my impatience from spilling out of my mouth.

"What's the matter with you?" He asked and I ignored him and put on my seatbelt.

"Drive" I ordered.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked clearly taking offense.

"Aren't you going home? Start driving Foster" I said impatiently.

"What the fuck crawled up your ass?" He asked but started his car and drove off.

"Are you like this because of George?" I heard him ask after a few minutes but I ignored him.

"Go ahead and pretend like I don't exist you bastard, just don't get hurt again"

Of course I ignored him again. I wonder when it became a crime to check up on a classmate that skipped school.

We both stayed silent till we got to his house and I climbed out with a single word.

I walked to her door almost trembling with nerves. We barely communicated with each other in school so what right did I have to show up at her doorstep?

I wiped my clammy palms on my jeans and while I was still contemplating between knocking or hightailing the fuck out of there, the door swung open and the hazel eyes of a stranger looked back at me.