WARNING: This story contains graphic content and triggers. Viewer discretion advised.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEf1jIFpbJ
The Next Day176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEBfgFYSFz
It’s funny how my mind seems to have totally erased the fact that just last night, I had to take my boyfriend's life in self-defense. Maybe it was so traumatic that my brain decided to block it out, or perhaps I just didn’t want to face it. I consider skipping school that day, but classes don’t pause for dead boyfriends. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv4tS2ZDZe
Just as I’m about to leave, my phone rings. I glance at the screen, and it displays “No Caller ID.” With a mix of curiosity and dread, I bring the phone to my ear. “Hello?” There’s heavy breathing on the other end. “Don’t go to school.” 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAjHDXf8qg
This time, I gather my thoughts before responding. “Why not?” More silence stretches between us until he finally whispers, “A school shooting.” It sounds like he wishes he could take those words back. “Who dies?” I manage to ask calmly. “Lorraine Whitehead, Courtney Peck, Merle Galvan, Mathew Ellis, Velma Ham, Gabriel Farrell, Jessica McDaniel,” he pauses for a deep breath as if weighing whether or not to continue with this grim list- “And Jackson Cooley.” 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ8emmjlPA
Jackson Cooley? Mia’s annoyingly overbearing boyfriend? “You can’t tell anyone,” the voice insists urgently. “Not even Mia.” Then the call disconnects abruptly. For a moment, I'm tempted to reach out to Mia anyway. But before I can hit dial, memories of Jackson being downright terrible to both Mia and me flood my mind. One thought rises above the rest- “Karma’s a bitch.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq91JvhrxAb
