Chapter 6

Hilda

-Okay, my turn now to ask. I said spinning the bottle.

It stopped between Danielle and me.

-Shouldn't we go check on Freya? She's been gone for too long. Mariana asked, getting fussy.

-I'll go. José said getting up from his spot.

He put his guitar on the sofa and was about to leave when I said:

-One more round. Truth or dare?

-Truth. Danielle replied.

-Boring. The Asian girl responded with a roll of her eyes, surprising everyone.

But I wasn't fazed by Danielle's choice because I knew the rules of this game better than anyone in this circle, and I knew how far the questions can go. Sometimes, they can be more challenging than the dares, making you regret your choice.

-Alright. Let's see. I said, acting like I was thinking. Which one of this circle, did you have the naughtiest thoughts or dreams about?

-Hilda! Danielle gasped in disbelief, but I smirked wickedly.

The truth was, I didn't hate her, I just hated how she let her parents made her the perfect little girl they wanted her to be. Because no matter how different we were, there was no one who could understand her better than me. So, for once, I wanted her to realize that, after all, we were all alike. Foolish teenagers that only want to have fun.

-You answer, or you lose.

-Fine. She replied with a heavy sigh.

She closed her eyes and cringed, as if the words hurt to be said out loud. Luckily for her, we were all interrupted by Freya walking through the door. Only, she wasn't alone.

-Guys, this is Micah. She said as the guy appeared from behind her.

-Is there room for one more person to play?

-Always, as long as they look like you. I teased with a wink. He chuckled and Freya rolled her eyes at me.

They both walked toward us and took seats next to each other’s on the floor. I was buzzed from the sips I had been taking from my flask, but I still could feel the sudden change in José's demeanor as he was standing up on his feet next to me. I glanced up and saw how tense he was, nothing like the charmer José who was playing acoustic songs a few minutes ago.

-I'm going to go. I have things to take care of before curfew. He said grabbing his guitar off the sofa and storming out of the room.

My eyes followed him before they focused on Freya. She looked flushed, but not because of José.

Freya

-I think I just made your boyfriend jealous. Micah whispered in my ear.

I glanced at him, expecting to see a smirk on his face. But there was none. Instead, he was frowning down at me, genuinely expecting my response.

-He's not my boyfriend.

I wanted to say more. I wanted to say that José had no reason to be jealous of him. But somehow, it just didn't sound convincing even to my own ears because I have seen the look on José's face, and most of all, I met his glare and I saw the daggers he was shooting at Micah. I just didn't know why he was acting that way. A part from the casual harmless flirting, I didn't pick up on any signs. Maybe I have been out of the game for too long that I have lost my experience. But with Micah, it was different. The signs were definitely there, alarming but confusing.

-Good. Micah replied and I could notice his features relax, as if relieved by the news.

-So, did you get it? Mariana asked with bright eyes like a child on Christmas.

I had totally forgotten about the dare and everyone around me. And that was one more alarming sign to be considered seriously.

-What do you think? I'm not a loser! I said taking the bracelet out of my front pocket.

She snatched it right away from my fingers and squealed, holding it in the air for everyone to see.

-Jake? Micah said, reading the name on the bracelet.

-Mariana's crush. I explained.

-So that's what you've been doing in the cloakroom.

-It was a dare. I said in my defense.

-Naughty. He whispered the last part in my ear sending shivers down my spine. Then chuckled and shook his head.

I ducked my head down between my shoulders letting my hair fall like a curtain to hide my blush. But I couldn't but smile.

-Oh, I know! Daniel clasped his hands together catching everyone's attention -Are you ready?

-Do your worst. Hilda replied with a wicked grin.

-Alright. Your dare is to send an email to one of our teachers, telling them how you couldn't stop thinking about them. Do your best to make it look convincing.

-Danny she can't do that! Danielle hissed -She'll get expelled!

I was about to agree with her but one look at Hilda's face told me that this was exactly what she wanted.

-I'll do it. Which teacher do you have their email?

-Miss Hayes and Mr. Hardwin.

Hilda seemed a little taken aback, even hesitant for a moment and I thought that maybe she would consider before making a decision. But then, she picked up a flask that my guts told me was full of alcohol, took a long swing from it, before setting it back on the floor.

-Give me Mr. Hardwin's.

-Are you sure? Daniel asked.

-I never back down from a dare. She said tossing her hair over her shoulder before she started typing.

Hilda

I knew that the moment I hit send there was no taking it back. Only, I didn't know that I would regret it. It's not like I have never done something like this before, and I don't know why this time it was different. Usually, I am the one enjoying the uncomfortable look on the teacher's face whenever I do something to embarrass them. This time, it was the other way around.

The minute I walked into Mr. Hardwin's class I felt ashamed and kicked myself for doing something so stupid. I expected him to be angry, or to report me to Mr. Brown. But there was nothing of the sort. If anything, he looked bemused.

-Maybe this time you will do your homework Miss Morgan, since apparently, you couldn't stop thinking about me and my lessons last night. You can't imagine how glad I was to hear that I was helping you sleep a little less stupid every night.

Mr. Hardwin said placing a paper on my desk before moving to the next row. I heard Daniel laughing from behind me along with the few students that were sitting at earshot and for the first time in my life, I wanted the ground to split open and swallow me.

I waited for the lesson to be over and the second the bell rang, I grabbed my stuff and hurried out of the classroom. I heard Daniel's voice calling my name but I didn't stop. I kept walking fast until I reached the garden, where I went straight to the bench, my new hiding spot.

I pulled out a cigarette and took a long smoke as I closed my eyes and tilted my head back. It felt good. The way it felt between my lips and the familiar smell made everything better almost instantly. I didn't know why I was feeling so unsettled. It wasn't me. But then again, since I came to this school, I had been feeling like I was losing a bit of myself slowly, every day. The harder I tried to be more like myself, I ended up being someone I didn't recognize. Nothing I did or said was natural. Everything was calculated, everything was for a certain purpose.

I wanted to feel free again, to be myself with the people who loved me just the way I am. I missed my old life. I missed Andrew and Derek. They would text me from time to time but it wasn't the way it used to be. Nothing was the same anymore and I needed to get out of that rabbit hole if I ever wanted a life behind these walls.

-You should quit. Someone said snapping me out of my thoughts.

I opened my eyes to see Mr. Hardwin standing next to me.

-So, you've told me. I said taking another smoke.

-Then you should listen. He added snatching the cigarette from between my lips, dropping it to the floor and smashing it with his shoe.

-There's a lot from where that comes from.

He sighed heavily then took a seat next to me on the bench.

-Listen, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable earlier. I should've talked to you in private.

I shrugged but didn't say anything.

-I'm not going to report it.

-You do whatever you want. I don't care.

-Maybe you don't. But I do.

I glanced at him briefly before looking back ahead.

-Why? Why do you care?

I heard him take a deep breath before crossing his arms and saying:

-Because you remind me of someone I knew. I didn't do anything to save them before it was too late, but I'm not going to repeat the same mistake with you.

-You don't know me and you don't know anything about my life. I am sorry for whoever you're talking about, but I'm not them and I'm not looking for someone to save me. I'm doing fine on my own. I said standing up and heading toward the building.

A small part of me felt bad for snapping at him like that when clearly all he wanted was to help but that day was just not my day and I was desperate to find myself again. So, I did the only thing I was good at.

I escaped.