Somehow, I managed to sleep straight through to the next morning. I’d made it all the way to lunch not having to face Antonio at all without even trying and I’d only seen AJ when I first arrived in the morning. Deanna found me before lunch and walked with me to my locker to put my bag away. We rounded the corner just as Leila was heading toward the stairs, but she stopped to look at us and smiled deviously first. Deanna and I both rolled our eyes and continued on to my locker.
Deanna was telling me about the difficult exam she’d just taken in her Geography class while I fidgeted with my combination…10...44…17. I removed the lock and lifted the metal handle, flinging the thin, green painted door open, and stepped back questioningly when four large pictures spilled out onto the floor. As I stared at the ground, horror crossed my face, realizing what the images were. These were the dreaded pictures of Leila and AJ. I was forced to stare at their bare flesh intertwined in various positions as I stood there helpless.
Deanna stood beside me in shock as both of our eyes looked over the pictures that lie on the ground. I composed myself and gathered them up quickly. One of the photos had a message written on it that read: “You will NEVER replace me!” Deanna stared at me wondering what my next move was going to be. “Dude, if you wanna get her, I’ve got your back.”
I ignored her, folded the pictures and put them in my purse, before walking calmly to the lunchroom. When Deanna and I entered, everyone was already seated, including Leila. She watched me as I rounded the table and took my seat next to AJ. His eyes were on me too as she and I continued to stare each other down. I didn’t even bother to consider Antonio today. I had a one track mind.
Deanna finally got my attention. “Sam, just say the word.” She said as she balled up both of her fists.
“No, I’m cool.” I replied AJ looked confused by the private conversation between Deanna and I. “What’s the matter?” He asked. Neither Deanna nor I answered.
I feigned calm for the rest of the day and headed straight for my car after last period, wanting to avoid seeing anyone. I had so much on my mind.
Leila was in the wrong place at the wrong time. As I walked down the aisle, I saw her walking toward her car without a care in the world. Instantly, my pulse quickened and my feet picked up speed to match it. Before I knew it, I was only a few feet behind her. It would’ve been so easy to snatch by her hair and toss her to the ground, but I wanted her to see it coming. When I reached her, I called her name and she spun around unsuspectingly. My hand was already drawn back, anticipating how sweet it would be to make contact with her face. But nothing compared to the actual feeling of my open palm burning into her flesh. My blood ran cold in my veins with relief as I tried my best to slap the fire out of her. When I was finally able to focus again, I saw a bright red stain forming underneath her skin. The feeling was euphoric. As I drew back again and clenched my fist I felt someone grab me from behind and lift me off the ground where I couldn’t reach her. I stared at Leila who stared back at me with the same intensity.
It was A.J who was holding me. He put me down and dragged me away by my arm as I continued to look back at her. He pulled me in between two cars so that I could focus on him. “What are you doing?” The words came from a place of absolute confusion. It wasn’t a secret that I hated her, but had no idea why I’d just lit into her.
There was nothing to say. I unzipped my purse and pulled out the pictures, glanced at them one last time and closed my eyes in disgust as I shoved them against his chest. When I finally looked at him again, he was still focused on the pictures. His expression was a mix of embarrassment, regret, anger, and disbelief. But he said nothing.