4

-So you hit Cara Styles?- My mother asks with her mouth open- That girl is a bitch.

-Mother! - she exclaimed as I laughed at her behavior.

-She had it well deserved- she says, clashing my hand with hers as she watches me leaning on the chair and with the kitchen towel in her other hand.

-But that's not the important thing, I'm telling you that I saw the man who killed Ali- she murmured in a lower tone.

My mother sighs.

-Honey, you hit yourself very hard ... Are you sure it was him?

-Sure- I say carrying the breakfast plate to the kitchen- Yesterday I was waiting for my mother all day, but she was in an operation and she arrived very late so I had no choice but to tell her now, just before going to high school.- He took me out of the car, I will never forget his face.

-You should listen to Lailah, Monique- Jim says as he starts to wash my plate- When she's sure of something ...- she sighs. I raise a hand to shock me, but he raises his hands full of soap and suds and shakes his head.

-Anyway, we don't know his name, or where she lives ... We can't report someone like that. We need proof... -I go to my mother already with the backpack hanging on her shoulders and support my hand on hers.

-I am in charge of that- I say before kissing him on the cheek. Then I say goodbye to Jim and go out the door, since today I wanted to walk.

I stop in front of the zebra crossing, since the traffic light is red, when a huge motorcycle stops in front of me.

So the driver takes off his helmet and I can see the boy from yesterday. The man who bumped into us at the prom.

Anger begins to build inside me.

-Can I take you, precious?- he asks mockingly. I don't even know what to say. That's the last thing I expected him to say.

-No, thanks- I say with disgust- Oh shit, that sounded very polite- And I hope you crash against some car- I add later.

He doesn't seem to be a bit amused, but he still smirks.

-You miss it, thousands of girls would like to have this opportunity.

He doesn't know what he means by saying that, but he just makes him want to kick his bike until the light turns green.

-Well, you go bother them, don't even talk to me.

He seems to finally understand that I don't want to hear from him, so he puts his helmet back on and leaves without saying anything else. What an idiot.

Finally I cross the street and after a while I arrive at the institute. I am heading to language class when a girl bumps into me and makes me drop all the books on the floor.

- Oh my God, I'm so sorry!- she apologizes while she bends down to help me pick them up.- I'm a huge clueless, I swear I hadn't seen you.

I stop to observe how pretty she is. She has huge blue eyes and blonde hair that falls to her shoulders, not to mention that she pokes me a head and a half. She is wearing ripped black jeans, ankle-length biker boots, and a black leather jacket.

-Lailah Gozt- I try to shake his hand, but the books I'm carrying prevent it.

-Oh don´t worry. -She says referring to my failed greeting.- You see, I am new, and I don't know almost anyone. she - she pauses.- Do you know where the language classroom is?

I nod.

- I'm going there, you can come with me- I say as I turn the corner of the hall, without imagining who I was going to bump into.

Cara Styles and the killer, putting an arm around her shoulders. We both looked at each other in disgust. Are they together? The truth is that I do not know, but if they are, they should give the award to the most cruel couple of the year.

The four of us stared at each other.

-Gigi. -said the boy in the form of greeting. Does he know her?

- Lailah- Cara says in disgust.

-Lailah?-  asks the boy looking at me.

-Expensive. -I say with the same disgusted tone, I do not intend to be less.

- Azael-  Gigi suddenly says.

-Azael? -I ask.

What kind of name is that? God, this is a complete mess.

Then Gigi apologizes and grabs Azael's arm to lead him a little further, just enough that we don't hear them and they start whispering things, leaving Cara and me alone.

-Who is that bitch with my boyfriend?- she asks, looking her up and down. It is clear that she is envious of him.

-Your boyfriend? - I ask confused. This is going from bad to worse.

-Yes. Any problem?

-None. It just amazes me that someone can be with a person like you.

Although knowing the kind of person that Azael is, the truth is that I am not surprised at all.

This she is about to answer when Azael and Gigi return. The boy seems to be pissed off, as does Gigi, but she is camouflaging it when she gives me a smile.

-Let's go to tongue? -she asks as if nothing had happened, hooking her arm with mine. I nod a bit puzzled by the sudden confidence and start walking, leaving them behind.

- We have to talk ...-  I get to hear Azael say to Cara before we leave.

Azael

-We need to talk- I say to Cara crossing my arms.

-I can not believe it!- she yells in her shrill voice. I can't stand it.- That's the girl who broke my nose yesterday and you haven't told her anything!

-What a Girl? Gigi? - confused question

.

-No stupid! Lailah!

What a weird name. That she broke Cara's nose? Then I smile when I imagine it. I wish I was there.

-I would have her motives - I murmur with a shrug.

Cara looks at me dumbfounded, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes, as if she doesn't believe what I'm saying.

-What did you want to say to me?- she asks looking at her false nails.

That disgusting, they are very long.

-Ah, we're done.

-What? - she asks, blinking several times.

-I told you clearly that I didn't want anything serious. I just wanted to fuck and I've already done it, quite a few times by the way. Besides, I don't feel like you're bugging me and texting me all the time.

-Okay, no more messages, I won't bother you- she says with a grimace.

It's sad how someone can be so desperate for a shred of attention that they have to lower themselves to this level.

-No, Cara. No messages or anything. I don't want to know anything more about you, period.

This is partly a lie, but Gigi was right in what she has told me before. I can't pretend to make this Lailah fall in love if I'm dating Cara. It's hard enough to add obstacles.

With that said, I turn around and leave.

-Azael this conversation does not end here! - shouts Cara from behind. I don't even bother to turn around.

I look for the classroom that touches me but I see that a message enters me on my mobile. He is my father. I swallow hard.

"Code 506, come to the West Coast warehouses now."

Lailah

-Can I sit with you?- Gigi asks me with a tray full of food in her hands- I would understand if you told me no, I know I'm very heavy, but I have liked you and I don't have many friends.

-Of course.

She drags the chair next to me and sits down, placing the tray on the round table in the cafeteria.

At that, a tall blond boy comes to our table and sits next to Gigi. He's one of the soccer team, Liam.

-Hey, you're really hot.

-Do not tell me?- she says without any expression on her face. She must be used to being told things like that.

-What if we go out there sometime?- he asks a little nervous.

-Sorry, I only date men.

Liam gulps and gets up from the chair, nodding. He just left her pretty bad, really.

- Well, if you ever change your mind, give me a call- He pauses and looks at me with some fear and compassion, as everyone has done since I returned to high school- Bye, Lailah -I say goodbye with a nod. With that said, he goes to his table and I can see the other guys boo him and throw a piece of Sandwich at him.

-Wow. Haven't you been a little harsh on him?

-Can be. But right now I don't want to focus on any boy and less on teenagers full of hormones who are only looking for one thing.

I don't say anything and a silence forms between the two.

-How do you know Azael? - I ask him while I stir my salad. She makes a slight face as she bites into her chocolate cupcake.

- He is my best friend- she answers sincerely. Well, I expected something else.- It's good, right?- she asks me, looking at me with complicity.

-Ehmm, I ... no. I did not say it for that. - She answered somewhat uncomfortable. She starts laughing when she sees my expression.

-Quiet, I won't tell him anything -she tells me with a wink.

Great. Just the last thing she needed. That the best friend of the killer of my best friend thinks that I like him.

At that, Jason arrives and sits next to me. I haven't told him about the Azael affair yet and I think he should know about it, but I don't know how to do it without getting upset. I know how guilty he feels about Alison, even if he doesn't want to show it.

-Who is this hottie?- she asks, putting an arm around my shoulders while she looks at Gigi.

-Jason!- I complain as I watch him devour Gigi with his eyes. But she nevertheless laughs.

-I'm Gigi Hilton- she says, extending her hand to Jason - He grabs her and plants a kiss on top of her.

-Jason Cooper. -answers proud. I roll my eyes- By the way, are you going to Jay Adams's party this Friday?

-Do not- I murmur without thinking. Absolutely not.

-Yes.- Gigi answers at the same time that I.- Come on! -She complains .- How not?

-Those parties are always the same. A cluster of drunk and drugged people rubbing themselves.

-Come on, don't be a party pooper!- Gigi says with a smile- It won't hurt to go out and meet guys.-She says hitting me a little playful nudge.- We could go together, it will help me to meet more people.

- Gigi is right- I cast my murderous gaze at Jason- How long have you been without ...? -I don't let him finish because I cover his mouth with my hand.

- I'll think about it- I finally say so that they leave me alone. They exchange knowing glances while smiling.

-Shall we meet at your house to do your homework?- Jason asks with some melancholy. We always used to do that when Alison was around.

-Voucher. -I answer, looking at him in the same way.- If you want you can come- I say to Gigi. I don't know her very much, but we seem to have gained confidence too quickly.

-I will think about it. -She says using my own words.

(...)

When we left the institute, the three of us walked towards my house when a somewhat wrecked red truck pulled up next to us, in the middle of the road.

-Gigi!- yells a pretty handsome boy with platinum blonde hair. He is full of tattoos and wears a piercing on one side of his nose and the other in his ear.

-It just can not be. she says before turning and facing the boy. We too turned around in surprise.

-What is wrong with you? I've been calling you for a week.

-I told you not to call me anymore. Ours is over, Mark. You said it yourself. You only wanted me for that, right? -I can see how his eyes get wet.

-You know it's not true. -answers the boy. She shakes her head. He looks like he's going to say something but he holds it back, he's wondering whether to say it or not, when he finally speaks.- I love you- she blurts out suddenly.

Gigi lifts her head in amazement and a tear falls down her cheek.

-Do not mess with me.

-I'm really telling you. That's what you wanted to hear, right?- he pauses. Jason and I looked at each other confused. This looks like a soap opera.- Well, I already said it, I love you Gigi. But if you prefer to be with your idiot friend I ...

She interrupts him by grabbing him by the cheeks and bringing her lips together with his and this goes from being a soap opera to an erotic movie.

- Well guys ...- I murmur uncomfortable. They continue to absorb each other.- We better go ...- 

Gigi doesn't seem to hear me, she's too busy with this Mark. Jason nods at me for us to go away and not disturb them and we both start walking.

The truth is that they make me envious. I also wish to have something with someone like what they have. With so much drama and passion ... I have always felt that I am not the protagonist of my own life, as if my life was focused on the lives and stories of those around me and that exasperates me. It's weird, but it's what I feel. The most exciting thing that has happened to me lately is facing Alison's killer and it's not a positive thing at all. Plus I have to tell Jason and I don't even know how.

- Jason, I have to tell you something important.

-You know you can count on me for anything, right?

-Yes, that's why I need you to do me a favor.

-Whatever small

-Do not freak out. -I warn you. He looks at me confused.

-What? Why?

- Jason ...- I murmur. I tell him not to get upset and get upset.

-In agreement! - him raises his hands in peace sign - I'll try not to, but tell me.

-Do you know who Azael is?

He looks at me with a terrified face.

-Azael Grimm? The new? - I'm not quite sure it's called that, but I nod my head because there aren't many people named Azael in this country. So much less in high school.

What's more, I think there is only one person in the world named like that and that is him.

-What's the matter with him?

- He's the one who bumped into us on the day of the dance, Jason- I say bluntly.

Jason swallows hard and a nervousness takes over.

-Lailah, I don't know if you know what you're saying.

-Jason was him, I saw him. He dragged me out of the car. He told me himself! -Inside my best friend's head it seems that all his neurons have started.- And I am going to report him, I already know his first and last name, I know that he goes to my institute and is a year older than me, no I think it is very difficult to identify it.

-And I don't think it's a very good idea- he murmurs.

This is not my best friend. My best friend would have gone straight to smash that ... that piece of ...

Breathe Lailah.

-But what do you say Jason? He killed Alison! We are not going to sit back and do nothing!

-Shit down! - He says stressed- You can't report it just like that, it's going to screw up your life.

-I don't care, I'm not going to let him get away with it.

-You should. You can get into a lot of trouble if you do it ... he's dangerous.

- You're not going to make me change my mind- I say, raising my head and crossing my arms- I'll be the one to screw up his life, I can assure you.

-As stubborn as ever- he says with a hint of amusement, giving up.

-I won't rest until I see you behind bars.

-Don't screw me.

-What? - I asked confused as I arranged my books in the lockerwhen Gigi arrived flustered.

- You have denounced Azael - she says with a terrified face.

- Yes ...- I say, waiting for him to continue talking as I close the locker.- Has he told you?- I ask when I see that he doesn't say anything else.

- Yes, he told me yesterday on the phone and he didn't seem very happy- We both started walking down the hall- We better not meet him today- Although as I understand it, he deserves it.

That means Gigi knows about the accident.

In that, Azael appears through the double doors of the entrance of the institute, opening them with a bang. Several exclamations and whispers begin to sound down the hall and when I look at his face, I understand. His eye is extremely purple, his jaw is swollen, and his lip is split. And all of that tells me that he hasn't had a good day.

Then his gaze is fixed on me.

Time to run.

I lower my head and bend my knees a little to look shorter and begin to walk briskly toward the literature room, trying to sneak past the crowd flooding the hall.

-Hey you! -His voice from him is unmistakable, but I pretend to be crazy and keep running. Everyone looks at him except me. - Don't be an idiot, you know he is addressing you ... Lailah.

When he says my name I stop short, my limbs are completely jelly.

-I think you said something.-she murmured. He makes a face in response to my irony.

-I got a very ... -It seems that he is looking for the right word.- Not very pleasant to receive.- he says with tinkle.- And I think you have something to do with it.

-You don't have the guts to come and ask me why I have reported you, right?- I ask rhetorically, raising my head and folding my arms. My heart is going a thousand an hour.

Several students who are already heading to their respective classes look at us without dissimulation.

He does the same, shaking his head and taking a step forward, coming closer to me, his features hardened and his brow furrowed, his gaze makes me want to shrink, but I remain as I am.

-So ... I think we'll see each other in court tomorrow, right? -I say putting one of my most false smiles. I hope he chokes on all the bitterness in my voice.

-Is it a date? -This question takes me by surprise. After processing it, I want to yell at him if he has any mental problems all over his face, but I hold back.

-Oh, don't hesitate. -I say sarcastically moving away from him, to go to advanced literature, but he follows me behind. -What are you doing?

-Go to class- he says coldly. I stop to watch him. He is wearing gray sweatpants and a black short-sleeved T-shirt with sneakers, while I'm all warm and freezing to death. It will be that those blows that he takes on his face have left him worse than he was.

-What happened to your face?- I say without further regrets. He doesn't even bother to look at me.

-Boxing. -He answers without more. But something tells me that he is not telling me the truth.- Am I seeing that you care about me?

- You wish. I wish I had been the one to hit you- I say with some feigned sadness, but I really wish I had hit him.

-Your? Hit?- He says puzzled, then lets out a dry laugh- I'd like to see that.

Did you just say what he just said?

I don't think twice and I direct my fist directly towards his face, but he dodges it and I take the opportunity to hit him in the stomach, causing him to let out an almost inaudible moan. I really want to give him another blow, but my hand hurts, this boy has a very hard abdomen, gosh. He waved my right hand in the air before he could see me.

- You have a good hook- he says with an arrogant smile on his face. Why the is he smiling at me? It just drives me crazy.

I shouldn't even be talking to him.

When we get to the advanced literature classroom, I see that he enters with me and I frown, he does not seem like the typical boy interested in literature.

-They come late. -said the teacher reviewing some papers on his desk. Not even he has seen us!

-We were only five minutes late- replied-The limit is ten.

- Are you questioning me miss?

-Don't screw me, we were on time- Azael suddenly says.

I don't know whether to be surprised by his tone and the words he uses of him or why he is defending me in a way.

-Excuse me? -for the first time the literature teacher, who I don't know his name, directs his gaze towards us, lowering his glasses down the bridge of his nose. His eyes are so small that he reminds me of a mole and a few strands of white hair fall over his forehead.

 - He already heard me- Azael answers coldly.

All the students in the class are looking at us and I think this is the first time that I have been in a class totally silent. I'm sure I have to be redder than a tomato right now. And I don't know what the hell Azael thinks he thinks to talk to the professor like that, but he's going to get us both expelled. 

-Expelled.-murmurs the professor. Perfect.- I want to see you out of my class right now. 

-It will be a pleasure- he answers. I can barely speak, but I manage to mumble a little "sorry" before closing the classroom door behind me. I hope at least he heard it.

As soon as I leave, I lean on the lockers and drop until my ass touches the ground. This is a complete disaster.

I look at Azael with narrowed eyes and wide open nostrils, that he is in the same position as me but right in front of me, across the hall. I want him to feel my fury. 

-What the fuck are you doing?- He asks, looking at me confused and frowning. It has not worked

-No, what the fuck are you doing?- I ask angrily- What was that for? 

-I was just defending you- he says innocently with a shrug.

-Shit defending me! You got us kicked out! -I put a hand to my head and take the opportunity to move my hair to the opposite side.

-Look at it on the positive side ... We can spend the whole of a class together.

-Oh, that's the most positive thing I've ever heard- I say sarcastically, dramatizing and raising both hands in the air. At least that way I hide my nervousness a bit.- I'm sure your girlfriend and my dead friend are very funny.

I feel the rage running through my veins. First the motorcycle and now this. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with this guy.

-I have no girlfriend- He pauses, completely ignoring the rest of my comment- In case that's what you wanted to know.

- My God, you are unbearable!

- Where are you going?- he asks. He can be told from a distance by his tone of voice that he doesn't really care. He unconsciously licks her injured lip and I look up there, but I quickly pull her away.

-Away from you! - I yell as I disappear down the hall.