JessyThe cafeteria felt like a cage, each noise amplified — laughter, chatter, the scrape of chairs — everything pressing in, suffocating me. I could barely focus on anything except the thrum in my chest, the tight knot of panic forming under my ribs.Then, my phone buzzed. Sharp. Piercing. Mom.I froze mid-step, hand hovering over my tray. Elorm and Jeffery were looking at me now, suspicion and curiosity in their eyes, and I knew they’d notice everything — my racing pulse, the slight tremor in my hands.“I’ll be right back,” I muttered, my voice strained. Each syllable felt heavy, like carrying lead. I forced my legs to move, walking toward the far corner of the cafeteria, my footsteps echoing loudly in my head. Students’ chatter blurred into background noise; all I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears.I answered.“Jessy?” Mom’s voice sounded tight over the phone, laced with concern. “Why haven’t you been calling? Your uncle said he hasn’t seen you in days. Are you okay?”M
Last Updated : 2025-11-22 Read more