WARNING: This story contains graphic content and triggers. Viewer discretion advised.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewpXjP0YxZ
The Next Day186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM0gGZybNK
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. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ281IAE6AtX
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.” 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgTFp3V4rp
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.” 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD52TgzKpz
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.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJNcO89sWe
