"I'll make sure to have more stories when I'm back. I've got a lot lined up next term."
"Nice. Can't wait."
I glanced down at my phone, and then I got an idea. "Actually, Fin, you remember my friend Eli?"
"The guy with the camera?"
I snickered. "Yeah. Him. I was about to text him. You want in on it?"
Fin nodded eagerly, so I waved for him to come stand by me. We took a quick selfie, and I sent it off to Eli with:Made it. And Fin says hi. I knew he'd be waiting with the phone in his hand, and sure enough, the three little dots that signalled he was replying showed up almost immediately.
I was not prepared for his response, though:Tell Fin he's the favourite now. You've been demoted.
My mouth dropped open, and I nearly broke into a fit of laughter.
Fin sent me a curious look. "What? What'd he say?"
I couldn't read it out loud with a straight face, so I turned my phone around for him to see it. He laughed, gave a quick wave, and walked out grinning.
His mother hung back with a smile on her face, but it dimmed once her son was out of earshot. "How are you holding up, by the way? I heard you got hurt pretty badly before the first term even started."
The question made my adrenaline spike, but I couldn't really be angry at her. She didn't know my situation. "Yes, I did. I'm fine now."
"That's good. A lot of the parents were concerned when they told us you'd be out for half the year."
I forced a smile. "No need to worry. I'm alright."
She nodded and gave me a sympathetic look. "I'm glad to hear it. Fin'll definitely be happy to have you back."
"Thanks. I look forward to it."
With that, she gave me a final smile and hurried to catch up to her son.
I waited until the door clicked shut behind her before looking back down at my phone.Fuck you, I typed, then hit send without hesitation.
By the time I reached my classroom, I had a reply:Love you, too.
* **
I pushed through the front doors of the school and immediately had to tug my coat tighter around me as a sharp gust cut through the grounds. It felt like the air had dropped several degrees just in the twenty minutes since I got there, drastic enough that I muttered a curse under my breath. And I'd left my bag in my classroom, so I didn't even have that to block any of the wind.
I pulled out my phone and tapped out a quick message to Eli:Heading back now. Be there in ten.Then I stuffed it away again and started walking.
The road was mostly quiet, save for the occasional car passing by or a shout from a kid on the next street. Christmas lights and decorations blinked from several windows, casting soft glows that didn't quite reach the pavement. I kept my head down and picked up the pace, more for warmth than anything else.
It felt fine at first. But about halfway home, a prickle started at the base of my neck. Subtle at first. I thought it was the wind blowing down the back of my collar, but something didn't sit right. I slowed down just a fraction to glance across the road, then over my shoulder.
I didn't see anything obviously out of place or anyone close by. Still, the uneasy feeling wouldn't go away. I turned my gaze forward again and kept walking. Faster this time.
I slid one hand into my coat pocket, and my fingers curled tight around the canister. The other pulled out my phone. Maybe if I called Eli and kept him on the line for the next few minutes –
I didn't even get the screen unlocked. A hand slammed over my mouth, yanking me backwards so suddenly my feet nearly left the ground. My phone flew out of my hand and hit the pavement with a sharp crack.
I didn't need to see him. I knew that grip.
Panic threatened to take over, but I didn't try to fight hishold. I already knew that wouldn't work. Instead, I fumbled with the canister, tore it out of my pocket, and aimed it blindly over my shoulder. A harsh blast hissed next to my ear, followed by a strangled yell.
The hand on my face jerked away immediately, and I heard Marcus stumble behind me. "Fuckin' hell – what – "
