< -- eight -- >

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Opening my locker I searched my bag for something that would substitute for the lunch that I missed. Moving around a few notebooks and crumbled pieces of paper my finger touched what felt like a bag of something hopefully edible.

Grabbing it as my stomach growled I pulled out two precious packs of Eloise's fruit snacks. "Oh, thank fuck."

Stuffing the second pack into my pocket, I opened the first one with my teeth ready to toss it all in my mouth when I was shoved forward making the delicious gummies fall from my hand onto the dirty floor that couldn't surpass the five second rule by one.

Hitting my head on the shelf inside the locker I pulled myself up and out with both hands no longer caring about my prosthetic arm. Turning around Eric, Dru, Derrick, and the guy with braids surrounded me. Four against one. Not bad guys.

To my surprise, Derrick wasn't the one that pushed me standing the furthest away brushing his hair with the most advantage to run if a teacher came. The guy with braids had somehow found a replacement for his shirt and stood as the head of the group. "It seemed like you had something to say back in the cafeteria so here I am bitch."

My mind was still on the wasted pack of fruit snacks that had appeared in my backpack. A pack of fruit snacks that I don't remember putting there meaning either my mom put them there or Eloise did. Fruit snacks that she hates to share even with her friends. I guess she could be sweet.

"Hey dickhead. He was talking to you." The guy in between Derrick and the guy with braids said.

"Oh, so without your little faggot friends and bitch -"

"Yo, watch you fucking mouth when it comes to her Dru." Derrick spoke up from the back.

Great, so now we can connect some names with faces . . . but the damn fruit snacks.

"No, fuck her Derrick." The other guy to the right of the one with braids turned to him. "She dated you for months without giving anything up and then got pissed when you had to fulfill your needs elsewhere." He sucked his teeth. "Fuck that and fuck her."

"Eric, I'm not gonna tell you again to shut the fuck up about her." Derrick pointed the handle of his brush towards him. "You fucking get me?"

"You all seem to need a minute to sort out your personal business." I chuckled pulling out my spared pack of fruit snacks leaning against the locker next to mine.

"Shut the hell up." The nameless one with braids stood in front of me a bit conflicted with where his attention should be.

Raising my hands laughing, I poured the snacks in my prosthetic palm popping one in my mouth to enjoy the fuckshow.

"How the hell are you still defending her?" Eric replied pissing Derrick of more.

"So you don't know when to shut the fuck up?" Derrick pocketed his brush stepping forward ready to punch Eric when Dru turned putting out his right hand to stop him and his left to stop Eric.

"Cut the shit D. Alanzo! Come help!"

Finally! We have names to match all the faces.

Tightening his fist he narrowed his eyes at me. "Yes Alanzo." I tossed back two more fruit snacks chewing with a smile. "Do go help your friends while they're in a crisis." Grabbing my books for my next class I closed my locker as students began filling the hall.

Feeling a tug on my arm I turned back to the man himself. "Don't think this shit is over." He dug his nails into my jacket.

"Get the hell off of me before I break your fucking face."

"Alanzo!"

Letting me go he walked away as did I to go find Ethan and Mike. Going through his schedule in my mind I hurried down the halls spotting Griffin and his cluster of morons. Making my way past them my name was called by . . . the group split showing off Kelsey and her pierced belly button.

"Hey Lars! Lars!"

"Don't have time." I kept walking turning the corner to the stairs. Moving around a couple that was trying to lick each other's tonsils someone slapped a note against my collarbone. Catching the note before it fell I continued my journey to making sure Ethan made it to class.

Turning the last corner I walked by his class spotting him in the first seat in front of the teachers desk sitting up straight with his books stacked at his feet. Pencil in hand he flipped through his notebook then his textbook.

He was okay

Turning around having less than a minute to get back upstairs and to my own class the late bell rang. "Shit!"

"Get to detention Mr. Crawford and remove that hoodie on your way!" I heard a teacher call out. Looking back at Mr. Dex, I waved the note in my hand heading back up the stairs. Pausing in the small walk way I looked both ways before pulling out my hidden hand opening the note without struggle.

Meet me by our doors

- N

Folding the note I stuffed it back in my pocket heading for the door where Neema would be waiting. Never in my two years of skipping school was my heart racing like it was now. Okay wait. Yes, the first time I was a little nervous but that was because I was a newbie. Just a few more times of skipping school within the week, I was a pro but now . . . I had to get myself together.

Neema would be waiting anxiously for me and once I was in sight her nerves would spike. She would think all of a sudden that security would be watching our every move through the cameras. That a teacher would be standing just outside the doors ready to drag us to detention and tell the principle.

A few girls passed by me slipping into the bathroom to skip class like amateurs. Coming around the corner she stood at the end of the hall wringing her hands together. Spotting me coming closer her eyes widened as a smile spread across her face

Pulling her bottom lip under her teeth she nervously waved to me. Smiling at her pure cuteness I checked behind me for anyone finding it empty as normal. Speeding up just a little I decided to have a little fun with Nemma without her knowledge.

Running with one hand hidden is somewhat difficult to those who aren't me but I've been hiding my hand for over a year now, not saying that I still didn't look ridiculous running with my shoulders.

Taking off at almost full speed towards Neema, her eyes widened with fear,"Go go!" I waved my normal hand forward.

"What's wrong?"

"Go!" Just like I thought she would do, she stood there waiting for me to get to her. Grabbing her hand I shoved the door open with my shoulder dragging her out the school. "Where's your car?" I asked dragging her through the parking lot crouched down in between cars nearing the end of the parking lot.

"Lars wait." She whispered tugging on my hand, "Lars!"

Stopping near a silver Nissan Versa I turned back to her, "What's wrong?"

"Um, my car is up at the front of the school." She replied looking at the ground trying not to be embarrassed while I tried not to laugh. "I get here earlier than most students so the spaces are free. Lars!" She smacked my knee when I covered my mouth losing the battle not to laugh. So damn cute. "Don't laugh at me."

Dragging my hand over my mouth I tugged at my piercings clearing my throat in the process straightening my face. "Which one is your car?"

"The Kia Optima in the first row . . . two cars over from Principle Howard's."

Shit

"Okay." I tried to think of a plan that didn't involve us getting caught. It seemed pretty unlikely since the office was at the front of the school and they kept the blinds open to see all those coming and going.

"I knew this was a terrible plan. We should just go back and accept the consequences of being late and trying to skip." Neema began to pull away when I tightened my grip on her hand.

"So here's the plan." A terrible plan but it would kept her out of trouble. "I want you to stay low like this and walk to the end of the street. Once you get to the fence stand up and walk normal, okay? I want you to walk normal until I come get you."

"Are you asking to drive my car Lars?"

"Would you rather be the one to stand in front of the window and have them watch you drive away skipping school?"

"Good point." She nodded taking out her car keys putting them in my hand. "Don't crash my baby in your attempt to escape." She turned around but paused looking over her shoulder. "And don't steal my car."

"Ms. Marshall, you think I would do something so cruel?"

She raised her brow. "I've heard about you Lars."

"Fair enough," I nodded, "but I wouldn't leave my girlfriend behind like that. I have more respect for you. Now go."

Giving me one last smile she disappeared between the cars following my orders. Looking at the key chain there were two silver keys, her car fob, and a braided pineapple hooked on the end. It was a nice addition to the few keys she had. Much more decorative than mine.

Standing up, I walked and searched for Neema's car at the same time keeping my eyes off of the window that may or may not had someone staring at me from the other side. Finding her car I widened my steps unlocked the door once I was within two steps.

Getting inside I was surprised by the red interior holding off the admiring I wanted to do just putting the car in reverse without moving the seat to fit me. Driving around the parked cars and out of the parking lot I headed down the street ready to pick up Neema . . . but I couldn't find her.

Driving to the end of the street I sat at the stop sign unsure of which way to go. "I told that girl to walk normal." Taking out my cell I dialed her number putting the call on speaker. The phone rang only once before her voice whispered my name. "Where'd you go?"

"I'm on Clenton at the gas station."

Shaking my head I turned left heading for the gas station. "Neema, why are you at the gas station three streets over?"

"I thought somebody was watching me from school. You do know they have cameras outside the school."

"I don't think running from the school would have been the best choice and if anyone was watching you it would be me because I was coming to get you."

"Well sorry I'm not a pro at skipping school like you."

"Are you trying to offend me because it's not working. You'll have to come up with something stronger than that babe."

"I wasn't -"

"Why are you still whispering?"

"I . . ." I heard a low thanks, you too.

Turning on Clemson Street I pulled into the gas station stopping at the opened double doors. Neema waved to someone inside before exiting. Seeing me outside I rolled down the window resting my arm prosthetic arm on the inside door rest keeping the other on the wheel.

"You need a ride pretty lady?"

"You're so corny." She laughed walking around to the passenger side. Before she opened the door I tucked my arm back in my hoodie pocket. "So where are we going?" She asked once I stopped at the red light.

"Well, we have two possibly three options."

"And they are?"

"We can go to your house."

"U-Um, I don't think -"

"It's okay." I laughed seeing the panic in her face. "Your house wasn't really an option. I just wanted to see your reaction but then there's my place." I looked over driving forward once the light turned green. "My place is empty so we can go there if you're going to think we'll get caught at every turn but then there's always the arcade."

"The arcade?"

"Yeah, they opened at eleven so we're good. We can go there and eat a little food. You can lose at every game. I'll collect all the tickets and get you a nice stuffed animal that will sit on your bed waiting to be snuggled every night."

Lifting her hand she held up two suckers offering me one. Unraveling the green apple Jolly Rancher sucker she ripped the wrapper off of the blue raspberry sucker tapping our candy together with an added cheers before popping it in her mouth.

"I kind of need an answer today Neema."

Rolling the sucker around her mouth she pulled it out with a pop licking her lips of sweetness. "The arcade sounds fun."

"Great." I turned left on the next street heading for some fun.

"And I'll have you know that I'm very good at arcade games."

"I'll be the judge of that Ms. Marshall. Now let's go have some fun."

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