The following day I found myself daydreaming in class. I was rudely distracted when a note landed on my desk. I quickly looked around to see who would have tossed it.

No eye contact.

I opened the note. 'Lachelle wants to meet you in the alley.'

It's a no for me dawg. I quickly put the note in my pocket.

That note basically read, "Would you like to get your ass beat today? Please circle yes or no."  It's a no for me dawg.

So, when the bell rang I was out.

I had no intentions of stopping at the alley, but I had to run past it to get home. Lachelle however, was already waiting for me and that bitch is fast.

I was now running for my life. I thought I was fast, but then I felt her hand around my wrist. I stopped running and let out a little laugh. I'm going to die.

I looked back at Lachelle. She was angry, and I got distracted again. Lachelle had these pretty dark brown eyes. They reminded me of chocolate. Chocolate doughnuts. I smell doughnuts.

I looked over and saw the little doughnut shop. It's a glorious last meal if I do say so myself. "Want a doughnut?" Yeah, I just offered my killer a doughnut. Maybe she won't kill me now.

Lachelle continued to glare at me. Maybe she hasn't hit me because there is so many people around. Oh. There will be even more people in the doughnut shop. "Please Lachelle I'm hungry. I'll buy you whatever you want."

I watched as Lachelle loosen her grip. "You should probably let go of my wrist. People will get the wrong idea." Granted those people will be correct. Lachelle is currently holding me hostage.

"How do I know you won't run away?" Lachelle whispered.

I don't think I ever actually heard her voice before. It was softer than what I imagined. "You could hold my hand if you want." Yep that was weird. I closed my eyes because clearly I was going to die and not get my doughnut.

I felt Lachelle trace her hand from my wrist and lock her fingers in between mine. "You're not worried that people will get the wrong idea?" Lachelle asked.

I looked down at our hands. Lachelle was gripping my hand so hard that I was convinced I was going to lose my fingers. But, it no longer looked like I was being held hostage. Still I'm not letting her change her mind. I wanted my doughnut. So without answering I pulled her towards the doughnut shop. Actually, it's a coffee shop but only the people who are currently being robbed of their joy drinks it.

"Can I have two chocolate on chocolate doughnuts with the lime energy drink and" I looked at Lachelle and motioned her to order. As she ordered I looked around the store. I spotted a crescent booth by the window that faced the outside.

I noticed that Lachelle finished her order and I turned to pay. I can't remember the last time I ate anything inside a restaurant. People tend to stare at me. I don't like when they stare. It's probably because I was alone and I don't have the confidence to eat in a restaurant alone.

I grabbed my food and sat at the table I wanted to sit at. I couldn't help but think that Jim was going to be so proud that I spend some of the money on someone else.

Wait. Who am I with again?

Lachelle. I spent money on Lachelle. I basically dragged her in here because I wanted a last meal, before she kills me.

I closed my eyes as I leaned against the booth. I wonder why she wanted to meet me anyway. As I kept my eyes closed I was able to smell her coffee. It smelled like vanilla bean with a hint of caramel. "Why does coffee smell so good but taste so bad?" I asked not really expecting an answer.

"Look at the garbage you're drinking." I opened my eyes to see Lachelle pointing to my energy drink.

"It's." I started.

"Stop." I heard an unknown voice say. I closed my eyes again. Do not say it's a last meal fit for a king. Maybe you'll be spared if you are not weird. "People usually put garbage in a trash can." Yeah. I hate myself. Don't be weird. Calling yourself a trash can is weird.

"Probably why you put your cigarette out on me." Okay that was wrong to say but I thought it was funny. "Sorry I ran into you. Then ran from you." Might as well apologize for everything.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Stop talking before she kills you.

"It's fine." Lachelle said as she sipped her coffee. "Its not the first time I had to chase you."

Not the first time? Have we hung out before? Still, I get to live.

My alarm went off in that moment. I set an unhealthy amount of alarms to remind me where I need to be. I need to be home in a few hours.

"Do you have to go?" Lachelle asked with a smile. For some reason I became lost in her smile. I was suddenly no longer afraid to be near her. I shook my head no. "What's with all the alarms?" Lachelle asked.

It was honestly easier to give her the phone at that point. During the day the school bells keeps me focused. Once school is over I tend to wander around aimlessly until I met Jim and was introduced to the world of video games.

I watched as Lachelle went through my phone. It gave me time to eat my doughnuts. She is probably seeing how weird I am.

Let's see on my phone is the Infinity Quest Logo. My mom's number, Jim's number, the school' number, and the number to the pizza place. I also sent the Police to speed dial under the code 911. Maybe I will add this place. 

Picture wise. Wait does my phone even have a camera? I looked at my phone in Lachelle's hand. Yeah it has a camera. Maybe I should take some pictures. 

I couldn't help but smile when I got my phone back. This whole encounter has been nice for me.

"You need to quit wandering off." Lachelle said harshly.

"You got a free coffee out of it." I joked.

Lachelle rolled her eyes at me. Hell, I'll take it. She hasn't punched me in the mouth yet. I watched as she stood up to leave. "Remember to go home."

What's at home? Oh. "Infinity Quest."

I ended up getting up and running out. How did I forget?

***

Last day of school.  Why am I even here? 

I once again got lost in the world of video games the night before. My mom was disappointed in my actions, but I think I made some real progress in the game. As I was focused on Infinity quest there is talks of a fight going down in  the court yard after class. I don't know who is fighting. I just want to get home. However, I got to get to the court yard to get home.

The bell today meant court yard fight.

I got trapped in the crowd of my peers. I was hoping to just get around and go home.

See the courtyard is nothing more than an open area of grass in the center of the school. At the moment in the center of the courtyard  there was a circle of students, and in the center circle was a familiar sight.

Lachelle just punched the shit out of some blond chick. See, this is what I was afraid of. I felt even worse for the red head that tried to grab Lachelle from behind. Lachelle grabbed that girl by her arm and flipped her over her shoulder onto her back. Lachelle then got into a traditional fighting stance.

Yeah, Lachelle really is that bitch.

"Beat her ass." The blond yelled.

I watched as these two guys bigger than me walked into the circle. Now that's not right.

Lachelle didn't seem to be fazed. When the first guy threw a punch at her she blocked it with her left forearm. She then jumped up and kicked him in the chest.

"Oh shit." I heard myself say as I moved closer to the center.

Lachelle was currently going hand to hand with the second guy. I think I recognize him from the school's boxing team. The first time is back on his feet and was running up behind Lachelle.

Oh no. "Down arrow!" I screamed.

I watched as Lachelle extended her right leg out causing her body to distracting drop down to the ground. She was balancing on her left foot. I watched as the second dude ended up punching the first guy in the face when the first guy tried to grab Lachelle from behind.

"Melee! Melee!" I screamed jumping up with excitement. Lachelle is like a bad ass video game character.

Lachelle must have heard me because she stayed low and used her leg sweep the second guy off of his feet.

"Teacher!" Some kid yelled.

My body moved before my mind.

I ran up to Lachelle and grabbed her hand and pulled her. It was the last day of school so everyone was running. I knew the safest place in this whole city.

As I ran through the alley I looked back to see if anyone was following us. I only saw Lachelle smiling and laughing. Someone was smiling and laughing with me?

We ran straight into the game store. "Jim!" I screamed with excitement.

"Walk Alex!" Jim yelled at me.

I still couldn't control my laughter. "Jim, listen."

"Is she holding you against your will young lady?" Jim asked Lachelle.

I looked at Lachelle. She had this nervous look on her face and she was still breathing heavily from laughing and running. She was still holding my hand. Shit.

I closed my eyes as I quickly let go. I just watched this chick drop four kids on their backs. Why would I be different? Why did I bring her here to meet Jim?

My alarm went off.

"Alex!" I opened my eyes to see Jim frowning at me. "Where are you supposed to be?" Jim asked as I checked my alarm "Infinity Quest."

I turned to run but Jim grabbed the back of my shirt. "Are you forgetting someone?" Jim asked harshly.

I looked at Lachelle who was trying to hide her laughter. "Oh. Jim, Lachelle; Lachelle, Jim." I quickly introduced everyone because "Infinity Quest." I yelled.

"Relax Alex. It ain't going anywhere. Set an alarm for an hour." Jim said letting go.

I quickly set an alarm before I forgot. Oh. Mom comes home late.

"Lachelle are you aware of Alex's condition?" Jim asked. I swear Jim is worse than mom. Memory this. Never where I'm supposed to be that. Alarm. Alarm. Alarm. "And that's why she is going to summer camp this year." Jim concluded.

I looked at Jim confused. "Where does it say that?" I quickly started going through the schedule in phone.

Oh there it is. I pack for Summer Camp and leave "Friday!" I yelled in shock.

"Whatever plans you made with this young lady you need to cancel Alex." Jim lectured.

"Infinity Quest Jim." I whined. My heart was broken. I looked at Lachelle who was still trying to hold back her laughter. Of course she wouldn't understand my pain. She's a real life fighting ninja. I only get to pretend to be one.

"Your mom told me to remind you. You have to go to this specific camp. To channel your inner thoughts." Jim informed me.

I gave Jim a blank stare before walking out of the store. "Alex!" I heard Jim yell.

"You can't escape us."  

What is that voice?

I was running. I don't know where I'm going yet but I'll know where I'll be in an hour. Infinity Quest.