Chapter One

Jhelani's POV

My bike rumbled to a stop in front of the house that was supposed to feel like home, but It didn’t.

Not yet. Maybe never again.

I swung my leg off, tugged the helmet free, and let the cool night air whip through my red hair.

This is it. My fresh start or my personal hell. Either way, Willow Town is going to give me the answers I need. Whether it want to or not. I thought as I hung my helmet on the handlebars, and took down my luggage before making my way towards the tall building.

Running my fingers through my hair to take away the strands hovering over my face, I took in some details, realizing that Willow Town hadn’t changed much.

Same broken fences. Same leaning houses with cracked bricks, and street lamps that barely see far into the darkness at night.

There was this same smell of pine and cigarette smoke in the air.

When I got to the door, a shiver ran down my spine. It was like I was stepping into a memory I didn’t ask to relive. Like the ghosts of my past were waiting for me on that porch, whispering, Welcome home, Jhelani. Did you really think you could stay away for far too long?

Fuck, what am I even thinking? I hissed, shaking off the weird thoughts from my head and made my way up stairs.

We lived on the top floor of the building so it took a little time to pull my luggage all the way up the stairs quietly without getting the neighbors aware.

When I got to the top floor of my apartment, I took out the rusty old house keys and unlocked the door. Suddenly, my phone beeped with a notification as the door swung open.

I checked what the message was about.

"I've been added into a new group?" My brows drew together.

I have only a few contacts in my phone so who are these people and why am I added into the group chat?

My fingers tapped on their profiles and I recognized them within a wink. They were my classmates from highschool. Some were the good guys, but most of them were bad news. And I mean, really really bad news.

Lisa: Welcome aboard, Jhelani. It took me so much digging to get your contact, girl. How were you able to conceal yourself this much?

I was about to type a response when a message popped in.

Kim: Jhelani is here? You mean the nerdy nerd with a four eyes?

Lisa: Yeah yeah, whatever you guys nicknamed her.

Kim: oh fuck, I can't bear to see those irritating acne and four eyes girl again. I'd puke my guts out and make sure I wash my eyes clean if I do.

Almost everyone replied to Kim's text with a laughing emoji and stickers that wrecked a nerve in me.

Lisa: Please don't start, guys. It's too early to start a fight now. You're going over the top. Not good.

Kim: okay, fine fine. Whatever.

Kat: who added me here and how did you guys get my number?

Lisa: Don't make a scene, Kat. It's just a reunion group for us to meet up and hang out together. Nothing too much.

Kat: oh, I see that's how it is. Now get me out of here, Lisa, and don't dare add me into something as stupid as this! I won't be able to come for any reason, especially not for a dumb hangout. I am too busy doing my nails at the famous Louis Nail tech... Wait. What are you guys talking about? That bitch is here? Jhelani Snowfire?!

I rolled my eyes at the screen and immediately exited the group chat then tucked my phone into my back pocket.

They still haven't changed one bit after three years of graduating. Still the same personalities and behavior that riles me up so bad, except for the fact that I had changed.

I was no longer the nerd they all knew, or the girl who once had an acne and wore glasses that were so big it perched on her nose. Nope.

I got rid of the glasses after getting an eye surgery done, although it did cost a lot. Changed my skincare, got myself some tattoo and extra piercings to my ears. They made me feel good and more confident in myself.

Did I forget to mention that I became more curvy with a very soft feminine body shape?

Hell yeah. My overall appearance changed a lot after my graduation. Almost like a late puberty stage or something.

My thoughts were cut short when the notification came in, that I had been added into the group again, and I swear I almost rammed my phone into the wall next to me out of anger.

What the fuck do they want now? To troll, bully, and get on my nerves like they used to or what?

Me: Why did you add me here, Lisa?

Lisa: What? Why'd you leave without saying a word? I understand that Kim was being a butthole, but don't get too agitated because of him. He does that to everyone, and you know it.

Me: I know nothing.

Lisa: Don't be like that. C'mon, let's meet and hang out in the famous club down town tomorrow. It's Friday so I know it would be fun. Promise me that you would be there.

Me: Sorry, Lisa. I am currently not in town, and won't be showing up.

Kat: oh, please. Don't feel so important. No one wants you there. I bet nobody would give a fuck if a whore like you were to show up or not. Especially after stealing and kissing my prom date in front of everyone that night during the party.

Kim: Now here's some tea, and I am totally sat for it. Lol.

Nicky: A hot, steamy one at that, Kim. Haha.

Lisa: Stop it, everyone. Kat, Jhelani didn't say or do anything to you. You don't have to bring that up. It's been three years already.

Kat: Of course. It's been three years, so everyone expects Katie to forget all about it.

My brows drew together. I didn't recall kissing any ass hole during the party, especially not a jerk who must've shared the same lips with someone as annoying and spoilt as Kat. I would never.

I mean, why would I?

Yet, what Kat said rang a bell in my head. I've always had some sort dream of myself being kissed by a guy during a prom party, but he didn't seem to have a face. His face was a blur every single time.

Me: Lisa, text me the time and I will be there.

****

Friday night came faster than I thought.

The wind slapped against my face as my bike roared down the cracked roads of Willow Town.

I parked right outside the club downtown, swung my leg off the bike, and tugged my helmet free. My red hair tumbled loose in the night air, earning a few whistles from nearby idiots.

“Damn, look at that redhead chick,” one of them slurred, stumbling out of a beat-up car with his buddy. His eyes raked me up and down like I was a damn meal on a silver platter. “Bet she’s a wild one in bed.”

“Mmhm, fire in the hair, fire in the sheets,” the other laughed like a hyena, elbowing him.

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.

Typical. Trash never changed, no matter what part of the world you were in.

I ignored their disgusting stares and strutted past them.

One of them reached out, fingers brushing toward my arm.

“Touch me and I’ll make sure you don't end up with a useful wrist,” I snapped, my voice sharp.

The guy froze, his buddy cackled, and I shoved past without giving either of them another glance.

The bouncers at the door gave me a once-over, hesitated for half a second, then waved me in.

Guess they knew trouble when they saw it.

Inside, the club hit me like a punch.

Neon lights. Sweaty bodies grinding against each other. Music so loud it made my ears hurt. The air reeked of alcohol, smoke, and desperation.

And right in the middle of it all, my old classmates, sprawled around a table like some fucked-up reunion from hell.

Enemies, frenemies, and ghosts I never wanted to see again.

I exhaled sharply, squaring my shoulders.

Time to get this over with.