High School Never Ends

The next day, Mike didn’t walk with me to school. He wasn’t waiting for me at the usual spot. We hadn’t spoken since yesterday. The car ride home was completely silent and he wasn’t answering my calls or texts.
When I arrived at school, I noticed his car parked in the car park: Vic’s was nowhere to be seen. Quickly, I rushed around to the spot where we had been eating lunch for the past week. There they all were, all four. I walked up to them and stood in between Vic and Tony facing Mike. The guys tried to grab my attention but I just continued to glare at Mike.
“Maybe we should go and talk, somewhere private?” Mike asked
“I’ve got nothing to hide.” Vic nudged me a bit but I ignored him and waited for Mike’s response
“Fine. What’s up?”
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“I’m no…”
“You didn’t answer any of my calls or texts. You didn’t walk with me and if looks could kill me and Vic would have been in a bloody pile yesterday.”
“I was pissed!”
“Pissed about what!?”
“That you told Vic before me. I told you that you could tell me anything but instead you sneak off with my brother. You didn’t have to hide the relationship from me.”
“Mike I didn’t tell… Wait. What relationship?”
“You and Vic. Together.”
Me and Vic both looked at each before simultaneously bursting into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Mike asked, clearly annoyed by our outburst
“We’re not dating, Mike.” Vic laughed
“But…” Mike began
“I never told Vic about my sister. He knew her.”
Mike expression quickly turned to guilt as he looked down at his feet.
“I’m sorry, I should have…”
“It’s alright.”
“No. I shouldn’t have been such a jerk. Sorry.”
“Eh, what about me!? Where’s my apology!?” Vic exclaimed
“Dude, you don’t get one. Brother rules.” Mike grinned
As soon as the bell rang, signalling it was lunch time, I hurriedly grabbed my things and rushed out of the classroom. However, before I could get anywhere, I was pulled back. I turned around to be faced with Amelia.
“Amelia.” I stated
“We need to talk.” I raised my eyebrow at her. “Now.” She exclaimed
I was pulled out to a quaint spot on the field away from everyone else.
“I warned you about those guys.”
“Yeh and I appreciate that but you don’t control my life.”
“You’re going to get hurt.”
“Since when did you care!” Amelia seemed hurt by this comment
“I always cared. I’m just shit at expressing it.”
“No, you’re just pissed you’re not getting your way.”
“Please Aria. Look, Paige died with a debt.”
“A debt?”
“Meaning she owes more than just her life.”
“They’re after me?”
“No.”
“Wait, what?” I asked shocked
“Paige was very careful to keep you and your family safe.”
“Who then?”
“Vic.”
“They’re after Vic.”
“Yes.”
“So, I should ditch these guys when one of them is about to be murdered?”
“We’re trying to protect you. Anybody who gets in the way will die with him.”
“So basically, your prediction is that all four of the guys are going to be killed.”
“And if you stay with them so will you.” Amelia finished for me
“Hey.” I heard Vic’s voice behind me
He stood next to me and half-smiled in Amelia’s direction.
“Please Aria, do what’s best.”
“I’ll do what I believe is right.”
“Which is to ditch, right?” She asked hopefully
“No. These guys have looked out for me and treat me like one of their closest friends when I’ve only been hanging out with them for a week. The least I can do is stick by them.”
“What?” Vic asked
“Why didn’t you just tell me?” I asked Vic
“Tell you what?”
“They’re after you.”
As soon as I said that, I saw multiple expressions cross Vic’s face before it went blank.
“But they’re not even gonna get close.”
“There isn’t a way we can stop them.”
“If we work together, we’ll find a way.”
Vic smiled gratefully at me.
“You’re not doing this alone.” Amelia chimed in
“Huh?”
“Let me help.”
“Amelia, you’re kidding?” I almost laughed
“Laugh all you want. Yeh I come across as a heartless bitch but somewhere deep down I care. I want to do this for Paige, I owe a lot to her. She treated me as her own sister. Please, let me help.”
I looked over to Vic for help, but he shrugged. Amelia was staring at me with pleading eyes.
“Thank you.” I said. “We’re gonna need all the help we can get.” I smiled at her and she returned a wide smile before dragging me into a tight a hug.
“You do realise that we’ve gotta get another three guys on board with this. Plus, they don’t know anything about this issue with my sister.” I explained
“I think it’s time to tell them.” Vic said
I nodded and we headed for our lunch spot to find the guys.

Notes