Lesson 4: Plates and Vases

Today was the day. The day where it all began.

Exams were over and we were free until results came out. I knew I'd aced all my exams so I wasn't concerned but I couldn't say the same for all of my peers. Despite the obvious worry on some of their faces, tears were still shed and fond exchanges were still made.

After a long few hours, it was almost time and I couldn't help the smirk on my features. Everyone had planned to go for a meal at a nearby restaurant to celebrate our last day together and we were finally heading there.

My classmates laughed and enjoyed their last few hours together, oblivious that for some these would be their last few hours period.

Luca and I had planned everything to a tee and he'd kept an eye from afar to ensure everything ran smoothly today. I pretended to enjoy to mindless chatter and gossip spewed my way, bantering along with everyone else. They didn't seem to notice my change in demeanour and willingness to converse with them, probably pegging my different attitude as a fondness for school when in reality I was just playing my cover.

Every so often, I glanced at the clock hung at the back of the crowded room and as soon as it struck eight the door slammed open. Perfect.

Four armed men stormed into the restaurant, black ski masks covering their faces and guns in their hands. Panic had quickly spread across the room, people hiding and ducking under tables for cover. I played along, pretending to be petrified like everyone else, watching the scene before me unfold in 'terror'.

The tallest and most buff guy stepped forward, his voice gravelly as he shouted at the innocent crowd. "Where the fuck is she?"

No one said anything, all too confused and stunned to reply. He turned his murderous glare to the hostess hiding behind her podium. "You heard me, where is she?" he growled louder, aiming his gun and shooting at the ceiling lights, glass shattering and spreading across the floor.

The petite woman trembled, her tight black curls quivering with her. "I-I-I don't k-know who yo-you're ta-talking about," she stuttered, quaking in fear.

He took a threatening step towards her, grabbing a fistful of her thick hair to pull her upwards. "Avery Whitmore, we know she's here," he spat out venomously.

Avery squeaked from beside me, retreating further under the wooden table. She was your classic bitch, the so-called queen of the school with lots of minions blindly following her every command. She was faker than the bright orange tan that coated her skin and had an equally disgusting attitude to compliment it. I had a sickening satisfaction in knowing that it was her they were after, maybe I'd deviate from the plan and let her die.

"I-I d-d-don't know w-who that is," she insisted desperately, tears streaming down her face. He looked at her disbelievingly and she started to grovel frantically. "Honest. I-I really don't know."

Without warning, he pulled the gun from the holster on his belt and held it to her temple. Gripping her harshly by the arm, he jerked her forward so she was in full view of everyone in the restaurant. "Avery," he taunted. "Come out, come out wherever you are or else this poor girl is going to have to pay the price." The girl who couldn't have been any older than twenty-two was shaking violently in his arms but not attempting to escape. Smart.

I looked over at Avery, silently begging with my eyes that she stepped forward but she shook her head immediately, refusing without a second thought. Of course.

"Time is running out, Avery. I'm going to count down from ten and if I don't see you she dies," he threatened mockingly, beginning his countdown at a cruelly slow pace.

When Avery still refused to move, cowering further away if that was even possible, I plastered a look of hesitation on my face.

"Ten."

I took one final look at my classmates, all of them not daring to make even the slightest movement. I didn't blame them, they weren't used to this.

"Eight."

Seemingly reluctant, I made a move to slide out from under the table but a hand clasped around my ankle. A guy I didn't recognise was looking at me incredulously, shaking his head in a silent plea but I brushed him off with a small smile, crawling across the floor.

"Six."

Manoeuvring my way around the panelled floor, I positioned myself behind the large man. No one noticed me, all much too focused on what was happening.

"Two."

I hastily got to my feet, ready to lunge from behind.

"One. Looks l—"

Before he could finish his sentence and pull the trigger, I jumped on his back, wrapping my arms around his neck in a chokehold.

He staggered backwards and into the wall behind him, crushing me in the process but also releasing the girl due to shock. She scrambled away quickly, hiding with everyone else.

"You stupid bitch," he wheezed out, losing breath as he continuously thrusted his back into the wall, knocking the wind out of me.

None of his comrades bothered to help him, watching impassively as I strangled their leader.

Not even bothering to concentrate on them, I pushed my legs onto the wall when he attempted to crush me yet again which forced him to stumble forward, losing his footing.

Not releasing my hold on his neck, I yanked him downwards towards the floor, hearing a pleasant thud as his face smashed to the ground. I sat on his back, forcing all of my weight onto him, tightening my arms around his neck. He continued to struggle beneath me, flailing his arms in an attempt to escape but after a minute or so his movements ceased and his body became a lifeless board.

One down, three to go.

I made a show of having a horrified face as I stumbled off of him, turning to face his companions with a look of 'fear'.

He wasn't dead, I'd made sure of that by only applying enough pressure to knock him out, but Jaia wouldn't know that and no one else did either.

The expressions on their faces morphed from impassive to deadly in a matter of seconds and I barely had a chance to catch my breath before all three of them lunged for me at once.

Not anticipating their reaction, I didn't have time to dodge before the smallest one tackled me to the ground, his body mass crushing my lungs.

Using a technique I had learnt from Emilio, I rocked my body left and right to gain enough momentum to lift his body slightly, enough to slide out from beneath him.

His friend noticed this and tried to bodyslam into me but this time I saw it coming and rolled away seconds before he could. Instead of me, he crushed the smallest man. His face hit the floor and he was knocked out cold.

Angrily, he staggered up, reaching into his back pocket and pulled a gun out to face me.

I moved to duck out of the way but a pair of arms grabbed onto me, forcing me in place. The fourth guy — I'd forgotten about him.

The man with the gun smirked wickedly at me, showcasing his rotten yellow teeth. Pretending to look petrified in case anyone could see me, I readied myself to twist the fourth guy's arm and flip his hold but before I could his grip slackened and then he let go of me, dropping to the ground.

What?

I turned around to see the guy from before, the one who tried to stop me from getting involved, with a smashed ceramic plate in his hands. Who was he and why was he trying to help me? I didn't have time to ponder my thoughts because I heard an irritated growl from the only remaining thug as he cocked his gun.

The man with the plate took me by surprise, pushing me out of the way so I was hidden underneath a booth. Hell no, I was not letting him be the hero. Getting back onto my feet, I snatched the flower vase from the booth I was next to and stalked behind the final thug. I was out of his line of vision but he was much too focused on the guy with the plate to notice me either way. Idiot.

Ensuring I wasn't making a sound, I crept around the shadows of the room which was very dimly lit thanks to the first thug who shot at most of the lights when he walked in.

The guy with the plate and I made eye contact for a split second and we came to a silent understanding. Pretending that he didn't notice me, he did a roll dodge to avoid a bullet. Although he escaped that bullet unscathed, the bloodcurdling scream from the other side of the room told me that someone else wasn't so lucky — I hoped it was Avery.

He didn't even bat an eye at the shrieks, continuing to fire his gun at a rapid pace. The occasional screech ripped through the air, meaning the thug obviously hit multiple civilians thanks to his terrible aim.

As soon as I was behind him, I smashed the vase onto his head and he hissed in pain before dropping to the floor. His body went limp and lifeless, a small volume of blood pooling around him.

I breathed out a sigh when I heard the sound of sirens in the distance and walked over to the guy with the plate. "Thanks for helping me," I said with fake sincerity. "I don't think I could've managed that on my own." Lie.

He smirked at me, pushing his inky black locks from his face. "No problem, beautiful. You have a name?" he asked, his eyes looking at me in a way that was supposed to come across as charming but it felt more so like he was assessing me.

"Jaia," I told him, the name feeling sour on my lips. Even after all these months, I hated using my real name. It was odd and alien. "You?"

He hesitated slightly before replying. "Miles. Call me Miles." He sounded so charming and confident but I couldn't help but feel sceptical. Something was very off about him.

I pretended to not have these troubling thoughts as I smiled, flashing him my pearly whites.  "Well, Miles," I started, the name not feeling right coming from my lips. "It was great meeting you." Just as I said this, the sirens cut off and I saw a police officer get out from his car through the restaurant window.

"Likewise, Jaia, and hopefully I'll see you again," he said as the door to the restaurant opened and the police officer walked in, followed closely by many others. I turned to watch him as he went to speak to someone. They pointed to where I was standing and he walked over to me.

"Hello, young lady, I hear you're quite the hero. Care to tell me your name?"

"Jaia. Jaia Prescott and thank you but I couldn't have done it without..." I paused to turn to Miles but he was no longer there. I scanned the restaurant to see countless officers talking to people, people having wounds treated and some being taken away on stretchers but there was no sign of Miles anywhere.

It was like he just...

Vanished.

~*~*~

The story is finally starting to kick off so I hope you liked the chapter!

Stay safe xx