The rest of the school day and working at Moe’s flies by, and before I know it, I’m back home crashing on my bed, ready to pass out. I got a text from an unknown number…Trish? Hell no, not dealing with this tonight. I block Trish and text Fang goodnight before falling asleep almost instantly.

 

- THE NEXT DAY -

 

I woke up to the sound of something falling off my desk and a repetitive beeping noise. RAYmba broke out of his enclosure, falling upside down onto the floor; poor guy. I pick him up and dust him off before repairing his container with some spare scotch tape. I glance over at my alarm clock, 5:59 AM? That means-. My thoughts are cut off by the blaring of my alarm, and I quickly turn it off. Weird timing but whatever, I inspected RAYmba one last time for any damage, and besides a scratch, he’s fine. 

 

I shower before eating the last of the sugary cereal left; I need to go get more after school, or now that I have a job, I can buy some real breakfast. I’m sure there’s a gas station around here or something. After I finish up, I grab my backpack and notice a glint in the closet from the rising sun. I move closer to get a better look and see the brass casing of an unspent bullet sitting where I had hidden it loosely almost a week ago. I pick it up and feel chills go down my spine, the same feeling I had that night when Fang had told me what she was going to do…fuck. The pit reopens, but less so; Fang has moved past that. I think, at least. I hope so…. I feel a tear roll down my cheek; it’s too early for this shit. I calm my breathing and head out the door to school. I’ll give the bullet to Naser this weekend. 

 

On the walk to school, I think about what Trish said yesterday during lunch… can’t fucking believe her. All of that to drive a wedge further between Fang and me. All of that to drive her to play the bass…. This is all her fault. I think back to the bullet I saw less than twenty minutes ago; all of this was because Trish couldn’t handle being fucking wrong. 

 

As I walk up the steps to school, I meet up with Fang and talk and laugh until the first-period bell…Naomi is missing from her seat, the first day she’s missed all year. So much for the attendance honor roll. I guess she would need a break after what happened a couple days ago, seeing her gazing out of the window, thinking about anything under the sun. Her sadness is kinda contagious, but whatever. Things have been quieter without her nagging me Naser every two seconds.

 

The period ends, and I head to math. Reed and Trish are also missing from their seats. What the hell? Was there some sort of senior skip day that I just didn’t get the memo for? I finished the packet Mr. Carlesiidewski passed out fairly quickly; maybe I didn’t need Reed’s answer keys after all. As I turned in the study guide to get checked, I noticed a smaller book within the larger book he appeared to be reading. What the fuck…. Raptor Jesus, why did you have to give me eyes. 

 

The rest of the period flashes by as me and Fang text each other, and it seems she has English right now. Seeing her get pissed over Mr. Tsuki is pretty funny. I can’t believe she’s been here longer than I have, and she understands him worse than I can. Which is saying something because I can’t understand a single fucking thing that guy says. The bell rings, signaling the end of the second period, and I meet up with Fang outside the math room, and we head towards the lunch room. 

 

Suddenly I’m flat on my ass after bumping into…Stella? A card falls from…somewhere face down.

 

She quickly picks it up and has a big smile on her face. “Upright Judgment, Anon. Quite the turnaround from Moe’s.”

 

Fang and I look at her, confused, and hear a clear Spanish accent following Stella. How are those two always together? “¡Dios Mio! Are you okay, Stella?”

 

Rosa quickly brings Stella to her feet and glares a little at the tarot cards before looking at Fang and me. “Oh! An-on and Fang! It’s so good to see you two!” Rosa has a huge smile on her face. “It’s felt like so long since we last talked. How are you two? Please tell.”

 

I look at Fang and back to Rosa, “We’ve been fine, Rosa. Thanks for asking; what about you two?” Fuck, why did I say that…I look over at Fang again and see her reaction matches my thoughts.

 

Rosa starts ranting about how the gardening club is doing, with Stella smiling and nodding. Quickly the conversation turns to just Rosa and Stella going back and forth. While Stell and Rosa are distracted, Fang and I can quickly slip away from the conversation and start making our way to the lunch line. We hop in the omnivore lines with no problem until Fang and I discuss where to sit.

 

I scratch my head, “Well, Naomi’s not here, so we can sit with Naser today.”

 

Fang shakes her head a little, “Nah, I’ve talked to him enough already about some stupid shit recently. Kinda just want somewhere quiet.”

 

“Alright, Roof-?” I’m interrupted by a thundering voice threatening to shake the food off my cheap plastic tray. The cafeteria goes silent, and my ears ring for a moment.

 

“ANON AND FANG,” It’s Spears. “GET IN MY OFFICE AT ONCE.”

 

Fuck, what’d we do? Every bad thing I’ve done since I’ve been here flashes through my head…shit. Fang scoffs and starts walking towards the office, tray in hand. I follow close behind her. “What do you think we did?”

 

Fang sighs, “I dunno, some bullshit probably.”

 

As Fang and I enter the office, Spears is turned away from the door, looking outside. He speaks in a much calmer tone than a minute ago, “Take a seat, please.”

 

I plop down without a second thought, followed shortly by Fang, who starts eating her food nonchalantly. She seems familiar with this. “Do you two know why I called you in here?”

 

I glance at Fang, who shrugs at me with a mouthful of her sandwich, “Uh…no, sir.”

 

He turns around, smiling warmly, “Then you are more humble than I thought, Anon. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your progress since prom night. I thought you hadn’t changed at all but look at you now. Great job, son.”

 

“Thank you-” I’m interrupted again.

 

“However, that isn’t why I brought you in here. I wanted to talk about Naomi; she’s out today, taking a break from school. She mentioned you two, so I wanted to hear what happened.” His warm smile fades into sternness.

 

Fang has an “Oh shit” look on her face glancing between Spears and me.

 

- - -

 

Fuuuuuuck, I’m boned. “Uh, yeah… so Naser broke up with Naomi.”

 

Spears interjects, “I’m aware, but I don’t see what that has to do with this.”

 

Maybe let me speak then… asshole. “Naomi thinks it’s my fault that Naser broke up with her. A couple days ago, we got into an argument, and I struck a nerve. She ended up crying, and Anon and I left.”

 

Spears glares at me and nods a little, “Thank you for being honest, Fang.” He shifts his gaze to Anon. “Did you say anything to her?”

 

Anon thinks for a moment before speaking, “Not since a couple days ago, on my way to English, I asked her about Naser, and after that, she looked upset. I didn’t know they broke up when I asked her, though.”

 

Spears grunts and nods again, “Alright…you two are free to go. Enjoy your lunch.”

 

Anon and I scurry out of the office and see… what. THE. FUCK. It’s Trish and Reed. What the fuck is she doing here? Was she waiting for us? I should fucking maul her for what she said yesterday. We’re locked in places like a Mexican standoff, Anon and I on one side and Trish and Reed on the other.

 

- - -

 

What the hell is going on today? First Stella’s cryptic bullshit, then Spears interrogating us, and now this. I look over at Fang, whose claws are extended, and her feathers stand up again like a cat’s hair, ready to fight. I grab her wrist softly, and her head slowly turns to me. I shake my head, and Fang glances between Trish and me before calming down a bit. They’re blocking the hallway to the cafeteria. There’s no way, but forward, so I guess that’s the way we will go. 

 

I take Fang’s hand and try to lead her between Reed and Trish before Reed stops me. “We need to talk, man,” he looks dejected and regretful. I look back at Fang, who looks like she’s on the verge of killing Trish, with murder written in her eyes. 

 

Fuuuuuuuuck, “Fine, what do you two absolutely need to say.” I look at Trish, who looks the same as Reed, regretful and dejected. 

 

Trish speaks up; she sounds like she’s on the verge of tears. “We…I wanted to talk more about yesterday. I never got to express how truly sorry I am. I-”

 

I interrupt, “Trish, I need to talk to you privately.”

 

Trish glances at Fang and me. Fang looks unconvinced, her feathers still perked up. She takes the hint and nods, Trish and I step aside from Reed and Fang.

 

I walk out of earshot and begin talking, “What the fuck were you thinking!?”

 

She thinks for a moment before speaking, “I-I just thought we’d sound better with two basses; I jus-”

 

I interrupted again, “Not that; we’ll talk about that later. What the fuck were you thinking telling Fang of all people that you sabotaged her shit.”

 

Trish sniffles trying to hold back tears, “R-Reed said it would be a good idea to come clean…start anew….”

 

I sigh a little, my voice shaky, “Then you should’ve waited. That wound is still fresh. Fang almost…God.”

 

Trish looks at me, worried, “She almost, what?”

 

I check around to ensure no one’s listening, “Fang wanted to…hurt people after prom night.”

 

Trish’s jaw drops, and she slowly covers her mouth as she slides down to the floor, “...No….”

 

I bite my cheek, regretting telling her, and sit beside her. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it at all. What she wanted to do was mostly your fault. She was doing just fuckin fine with the guitar. Yet you chose your ego over what Fang was truly good at.”

 

Trish covers her eyes, sobbing softly, “no….”

 

I look away from her, “What you did, telling us, was in good faith, I understand, but it’s just too recent. You couldn’t have known, and I don’t blame you for that, but some things you should wait to talk about…long after it’s happened… it’s better that way.”

 

I get up slowly, and Trish looks up at me, “I’d recommend not talking to Fang until after graduation….”

 

I walk away from where Trish is sitting and return to Reed and Fang, who are laughing a little. Glad those two are still cool. I sit with Fang and Reed and start eating my lunch.

 

Reed looks at me confused, “Where’s Trish?”

 

I take another bite of my food, “Down the hall. You should go talk to her.”

 

Reed glances at Fang, who shrugs and Reed walks down the hall to where I left Trish. Fang and I eat silently until the bell rings, and we head to the music. As we sit down, I notice Reed spacing out, focused on a spot on the floor, emotionless. Fang and I talk about anything under the sun. Mostly how much of a bitch Trish is before heading to science and doing another study guide. The rest of the day after that is a blur, and before I head out the doors to walk home, I hear Fang call out my name.

 

“Anon!” I turn around to see Fang waving me over to the NasCar. Naser looking a bit worried.

 

I speed-walk over and start talking to Fang, “Yeah, what’s up?”

 

She glances at Naser and back at me, “Do you want to come to my place to study for the finals?”

 

I look at Naser, who shakes his head, “Yeah, sure, I’d love to.”

 

Fang smiles warmly as we get into the NasCar.

 

Naser glances at me and sighs, “How’s your guys’ day been?”

 

“Well…” I think back to lunch. Should I mention Trish? Fang looks at me and nods violently.

 

“Mention what about Trish?” Naser says curiously.

 

“Trish…on prom night, you know how Fang used a bass?”

 

Naser nods a little, “Yeah, I remember.”

 

“Well, she was originally supposed to use a guitar, but one of her strings broke. We headed to the music room to look for another guitar or some spare strings, but there weren’t any.”

 

Naser looks at me confused, “What do you mean there weren’t any? I’ve been there plenty of times, and there were at least a few guitars, and I’m sure there would’ve been some spare strings somewhere.”

 

Fang interjects, “That’s what I said yesterday! I don’t know how I didn’t notice that they were all missing, but we found out that Trish had stuffed them all, who knows where, and hid them from me. All to make me mad at Anon.”

 

Naser looks pissed as he realizes what I told Trish earlier. I can hear the steering wheel’s leather tighten under his grip, “She…was the reason that you almost….”

 

Fang looks surprised as she just now realizes that Trish, in fact, almost caused her to go on a rampage. Naser continues, “Why would she want to make you mad at Anon?”

 

I decided now would be an excellent place to step in again, “She called me a bad influence; she thought I was trying to take Fang away from her when I wasn’t. Now she’s done two major things just to fuck with me.”

 

Naser glances at Fang and me with a sorry look and sighs, “Well… how’d you two find out?”

 

Fang speaks before I can, “She fuckin’ told us! Just straight up!”



Naser pauses for a moment, focused on the road. “Well, you guys aren’t talking anymore, right?”

 

Fang huffs and crosses her arms, looking out the window, “I don’t plan on it.”

 

Naser nods, “Good, I never knew why she always got so pissed at me.”

 

Fang chuckles a little, “I let her because I thought it was funny.”

 

Naser glares at Fang, “What the hell Fan-!”

 

Fang interrupts, laughing, “I’m joking, you retard; I wouldn’t do anything that evil.”

 

Mhm. Sure, Fang. Coming from the person who almost shot up a school.

 

Fang looks at me, “What’d you say, Anon?”

 

“Uh…nothing.”

 

As we pull into the garage, I notice Fang’s dad’s and mom’s car are there. Fuck how am I gonna get around this?

 

Naser laughs, “Could always drive you home now, Anon.”

 

I stutter a little, “U-uh, nah man, I’ll be fine…I think.”

 

Naser looks at me with a smile, “You sure, man? You look like you’re about to shit yourself.”

 

I roll my eyes and get out of the car and follow behind Fang and Naser. 

 

Naser shouts into the house, “I’M HOME!”

 

Fang’s dad double takes from the tv at me, “What the hell is he doing here?”

 

Fang juts in, “We’re gonna study up in my room for finals.”

 

Fang’s dad pauses the TV, “Unsupervised?” he chuckles. “I don’t think so; sit your asses on the couch.”

 

Fang sighs, “Fffffffffffffffffine, at least you’re not getting kicked out, right?” Fang looks at me with a soft smile.

 

Fang’s dad speaks up, glaring at me, “We’ll see about that.”

 

I hesitantly take a seat next to Fang, and Fang’s dad clears his throat to catch my attention and gestures to put space between Fang and me. I scoot away a little, not wanting to get my skull caved in, and Fang’s dad nods in approval, going back to whatever he’s looking at on his phone. As Fang and I study, her mom butts into the living room, “What do you guys want for dinn-! Oh, hello, Anon! How are you doing?”

 

“I’m doing fine, ma’am. Fang and I are just studying for finals in a few weeks.”

 

“And I trust that Ripley isn’t giving you any trouble?” She glances at Fang’s dad, so that’s his name.

 

“Uh,” I look at Ripley, whose shooting daggers at me, “No, ma’am.”

 

She nods a little, “That’s good. Would you like to stay for dinner, Anon?”

 

Fang speaks up before I can, “He would love to, mom.”

 

Damn, free food? Nice. Fang and I continue to study until her mom yells for everyone to eat in the dining room. I take my seat next to Fang, and Naser gestures for me to move over a chair. I hesitantly move over, and Naser sits between us. Man, they really are taking ‘no premarital hand-holding super seriously. Fang’s mom serves us spaghetti, and we dig in; I’m pretty sure Ripley doesn’t look away from me the entire time. He stares at me even when talking to Fang’s mom or Naser. It’s the same look Naomi had when trying to kill Fang with her mind, except it almost feels like it’s working. Everyone quickly finishes before I do. I rinse my plate in the sink and walk over to the living room as I finish up. 

 

Before I can sit down, Ripley puts a hand on my shoulder. Feels like it’s about to pop out of its socket. I turn around, and he speaks, “Y’know, Anon. How about we call it a night?” I look over at Naser, standing next to the door waiting for me. I glance at Fang, who shoots me a sympathetic shrug. I grab my stuff and head toward the door. Naser opens it letting me out first as he follows behind. 

 

He sighs, “Sorry about dad. He’s just super protective of her, ya know?”

 

I nod a little, “Yeah, I get it, don’t worry.”

 

I slip into the shotgun of the NasCar, and we pull out of the driveway and start making our way toward skin row. As we get closer, there’s a noticeable income gradient as the scenery gets less vibrant and houses turn into apartments that turn into slums. 

 

He parks on the side of the road in front of my complex. “Alright, man, end of the line.”

 

I grab my backpack and give him a nod and a wave, “See ya, man.” 

 

“See ya.” He’s gone before I turn around; I would, too, if I was driving a beat-up sports car around here. Probably the most expensive thing for three blocks. I take a short walk to the local convenience store and grab some eggs and cereal. I’ll give cooking a go tomorrow.

 

As I walk up the stairs to my room, I can’t help but feel a little…I don’t know how to describe it…but I feel sorry for Trish for some reason. No. What she did was fucked, and there is no way she could be forgiven that quickly. I open my door and flip on the lights. I set my stuff down, feed RAYmba and crash onto my bed. I text Fang for a bit before saying goodnight. Hopefully, tomorrow will be calmer than today...
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