Chapter 8-

The game ended, we won with 14 points. The other team had score 7. It was kind of exciting. My adrenaline was racing but in a good way. As the players tackled and strategic moves, the touchdowns and dance moves at the end zone. It was an out of body experience like I was playing the game without a care in the world. The weather was dropping more and more, the breeze hit my neck.  I zipped up my jacket standing from the bleachers.

As I began to step down, Myra called my name again, "where are you headed?"

"Um. Home. I gotta call my mom to pick me up," I said ready to pull out my phone.

"We're all going to the movies to waste the rest of the day. You want to go?" Myra asked with hopeful eyes.  Regina, Carl and Emma all stepped down from the bleachers, standing behind Myra in their own conversation.

"Really?"

"Yeah, of course!" She hit my arm playfully. I took a peak at her friends, Carl giving me a side eye before turning to his girlfriend. Emma crossed her arms over her chest, she had a tired expression on her face.

"I don't think your friends want me around," I spoke in a hushed tone.

"What makes you say that?" Myra asked confused. I didn't want to tell her about what I heard. More like what I didn't hear.

"It's a vibe I'm getting." I shrugged one shoulder.

"They just don't know you. It'll be fun," she assured me.

"I kind of met them," I said, still feeling uneasy.

"They are cool, ok? If you don't feel comfortable, let me know." Thinking of another excuse, but Myra might see through it. I did have to check in with mom.

"Fine, I'll come."

"Yay!" Myra jumped, linking her elbow with mine. "Jordan's coming with us!" she announced.

"Cool," Regina said, linking my other elbow with hers too. "We can even show her the best clothing stores. Do you like H&M?"

"Yeah." I nodded, I've been there once, with Jason. I saw this cute peach blouse on the rack. Jason got it for me. Without pay. I still had it in my closet, hidden in the back. I prayed for that no one knew I had stolen merchandise in my mother's home. I blinked fast, pulling out my phone to text mom about the movies after school. Immediately she replied with a 'come home right after. Have fun.'

We all walked to the parking lot, Carl was going to drive. His car was a clean blue Ford with four seats. I waited for everyone to enter before climbing in. Sitting next to Emma in the middle, I buckled in with my seatbelt, Carl turned on the ignition to reverse out of the parking lot. I began to breathe in and out, squeezing my fist the entire time. Each stop and pause, I felt this dread from my head to my stomach. Shrugging it away, I adjusted myself as the drive continued.

+++
            
We all arrived at the Golden Heights Movie Theatre a few minutes later, piling out of the car, I lifted up my backpack strap and followed them behind.

I read the blue and red marquee sign, an array of movies being played for the afternoon showings,  Myra and Emma wanted to watch Beautiful Boy, the Timothee Chalemet and Steve Carell film. Carl groaned saying "can we watch something else?"

"I've heard great reviews. Please?" Emma begged, pouting her bottom lip and making her eyes bigger than they are. I looked up, I saw the new Avengers movie was playing too.

"What about Avengers?" I pointed up.

"Yes! I like your new friend, Myra. Let's watch that!" Carl boasted, pulling Emma's arm to the queue.

"It's too long, babe, and I don't like comic books," Emma said.

"Then why am I with you?" Carl asked in a humorous tone. She slapped his arm lightly. "Kidding."

"Ooh! John Wick!" Regina jumped, "Keanu Reeves is so hot!" I nodded, agreeing that he was hot.

"I heard he's not doing his own stunts," Myra said.

"Yes, he is!" Carl shouted.

"I wouldn't mind, It's been a while seeing Keanu on the big screen, plus its only two hours," I told them. I looked at the signs for each show, it was starting in fifteen minutes. I wouldn't mind any movie, to be honest.

"Raise your hand if you want to watch Beautiful Boy?" Carl asked. Emma and Myra raised their hands. "John Wick?" Me, Regina and Carl raised their hands. "3 against one. Sorry, babe."

He kissed her cheek, she pouted her bottom lip as he placed his arm over his shoulder.

"All right. But you owe the big tub of popcorn." Heading to the concession line, I stood behind Emma. Myra behind me, she asked "you getting anything?

"A hot dog sounds good. Or a pretzel." I pulled out my wallet as we waited for the other customers. Deciding on a pretzel and Sprite for a drink, we all got our treats heading inside the theater.

There was only a handful of people in the seats. It's a weekday and everyone was either at work, home or school. We all sat in the third row. I was between Emma and Myra, more people came inside before the movie started. I nibbled on a piece of my pretzel as the previews began. Taking a sip from my drink, the first scene began.

The explosive scenes and shootouts were exhilarating, Keanu's character was a visionary and moved swiftly and smooth. I gave the movie a mental review of five stars.

"The part though, with the one pistol and he shot literally everyone in the club! It was freaking awesome!" Carl boasted when we exited the theater. That scene was awesome. I laughed quietly to myself.

"I told you it will be fun to come with us," Myra said nudging my side.

"Yeah, you're right. I guess. Thanks for inviting me," I told her. I did have fun.

"Jordan." I turned to the side of the person that called me, my eyes widened at Kalina's familiar face.

"Hi!" We embraced each other for a squeezing hug. "I told you to text me!" It's been weeks since I left. I didn't get anything from her.

"I just got released today. My cousin picked me up and we wanted to go to the movies." She pointed to the girl next to her, straight black hair and her height, she waved at me and I waved back.

"You look great!" I complimented. Her skin was glowing, hair in a braided ponytail and smiled widely.

"Thanks! You too!"

"Oh. This is Myra. Myra, Kalina." I introduced trying to get away from the subject.

"Hi," they both said, shaking each other's hand. It brought the attention to Carl, Emma and Regina. The three introduced each other as well. Please, they didn't hear what Kalina said. I squeezed my fists praying they didn't.

"What movie did you see?" I asked her.

"The Avengers," she answered.

"We saw John Wick."

"Was it good?"

"Real good."

"How do two know each other?" Emma asked.

"We're old friends," I answered.

"Jordan was my roommate," Kalina said.

"Roommate? I didn't know you went to a boarding school," Myra spoke.

"I mean Sunny Gardens does count as a boarding school, I guess." Kalina giggled after dropping the bomb, not wanting them to know now. I side-eyed her, clenching my jaw.

"Sunny Gardens? The nuthouse?" Carl questioned.

"It's not a nuthouse," me and Kalina said at the same time. Trying to defend where I was for months and people would still think something was wrong with me.

"I'm so sorry, Jordan." Kalina's voice became soft as she looked down. It wasn't her fault, I couldn't blame her.

"It's OK, I wasn't really telling anyone, I'll call you."

"Ok, bye." We hugged quickly before she left us with her cousin. Shit, now I had another awkward situation to face. Turning to them, they looked at me like I was growing another head.

"Was it for the cut on your arm?" Carl blurted out, my eyes widened.

"Dude!" Regina pushed his shoulder hard.

"What? Kyle told me he saw it," he shrugged. I'm not rehashing anything in the middle of the movie theater.

"It wasn't for that."

"It doesn't matter. I still think you're cool. Right guys?" Myra asked. They all nodded in agreement. Being my salvation, thank you.

"It even clears up the rumors now," Emma spoke.

"What?" I asked, frowning.

"Don't listen to her," Regina said, shaking her head, "I don't care."

"Me neither," Myra said too. Carl and Emma just smiled and nodded to me.
I smiled softly at them. Myra walked next to me as we left the theater and went straight to the parking lot. 

The drive back was silent, I continued breathing, squeezing my fists and holding my tears back until Carl dropped me off. "Thanks," I said silently.

"See you tomorrow," Myra said to me. I waved quickly before shutting the door. He drove off, I let out a sigh, dreading for what's to come tomorrow. More rumors. More lies. I didn't trust Carl. Or Emma. A thud hit my chest, I felt a drop threatening to come out of my eyes and it hit my cheeks. I wiped it away quickly.

I noticed two cars in the driveway. One was mom's but I didn't recognize the other one, a blue Toyota. Did Matt get a new car?  I turned the keys and went straight to the living room quietly. I heard laughter, inching in more. I saw two bodies drinking from teacups on the couch. It was mom and Dr. Brett. I wasn't supposed to see him until next week. "Oh, honey I didn't hear you come in. How were the movies?"

"It was good. Why is Dr. Brett here?" I questioned.

"Nice to see you too Jordan," Dr. Brett spoke, "your mom and I were trying to reach a decision."

"Decision?" I questioned, entering the living room. I sat on the armchair and crossed my ankles together.

"I decided against it but your father thought it will be a good idea. It's stupid. He didn't visit her, he has no right!"

"Mom, please. The baby, blood pressure, you need to calm down." So this was why she was mad this morning. "What are you talking about?"

"Your dad had an idea of maybe moving in with him while you're in school," she said while breathing.

"Don't I have to make that choice if I want to?"

"You're a minor-" Dr. Brett started.

"And he can't make that out of the blue. She stays with me and visits him on the weekends. Why is this difficult?" Mom questioned frustrated, cutting him off.

"Which is why I said you should call him."

"No," mom said simply.

I sighed and announced that I was going up to my room. I slammed the door and went straight to bed lying on my back. Dad wanted me to move in with him? He could just come back or Jim could come and live with us. This was all topsy-turvey and sudden. My head was swimming with everything that transpired today, it made me drowsy.
           
The sun hit my eyes, I was outside eyes on high ground.  Standing up I was confused not knowing where I was. I looked around trying to find familiar territory, I felt a hand intertwined with my fingers. My eyes raised up to the person. Shane. The light from the sun hit him perfectly showing how really blue his eyes. I opened my mouth, but his lips kissed mine gently. 

It was sweet and intimate as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Mine over his shoulders pulling him closer. I felt safe like he could be there for me. Heart doing flips, my skin burning from the sunlight and his touch. I let out a sigh of relief.

We pulled apart, Shane's face turned to Jason. My heart dropped into my stomach, the sun settled. It was darker, I saw a lightning strike behind him. I'm trying to let go of his grasp but his hold was very tight. I struggled to fight him off, his grip was so tight, his fingers piercing my wrists, all he did was smirk. I began to cry in pain. He finally let go,  I found myself falling, falling till no end. I screamed for help but no one answered.

I opened my eyes abruptly, breathing hard and holding my chest. I swallowed hard. Looking at the time, it was 7 PM on the dot. The light was still on in my room.

I was feeling lightheaded, rubbing my cheeks and eyes tenderly, I got up and stretched my arms over my head. Placing my feet on the ground I closed my eyes tightly, breathing in and out four times. I smacked my lips, it was dry and had a strange aftertaste. I needed water.