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A walk home is all I have to attain some time for myself, because the moment I arrive at my apartment, Evan will be there, ready to steal every ounce of my freedom and take it as his own Wednesday is his day to see me His day to touch me His day to claim me At least that’s what he claims

A frown etches Ryler’s face as he lowers his head to read the screen of his phone Then, he puts the phone away and signs, "I didn’t know you wereEvan"

Aard silence envelopes us I once told Ryler that Evan and I broke up--and we had--but Evan being Evan retracted the break up forEvan, even though I loathe him

"Hey, are you okay?" Ryler stops in the doorway and blocksyour father? Because I seriously want to make it up to you, Emery Just tell ’s fine" I soing, though Evan hates waiting"

Before he can say anything, I hug my books to my chest, squeeze around him, and hurry down the lonely hallway It’s midterm of the su a break froet a head start--a new start

Run, run, run to soet a new start What’s stopping you?

I keepand begin the short walk hoht beah my hair as I pass people and cross the street By the tiled mess, and my makeup is smeared from the few tears that have escaped my eyes I kick offin theon the wall, I admire my messy appearance

Knock Knock Knock

I squeezeto answer it Evan is never late

I glance atfor the front door If I were being the girl my mother raised, I’d wash erous rebellion

She said I’m crazy, so let them think I’m crazy

When I open the door and see no one is there, my heart lance up and down then to the right at the parking lot No one is around except for Violet She’s standing in front of an old truck, the long locks of her red and black hair blowing in the wind The hood of the truck is up, and it looks like shethe oil

I scratch my head Could she be the one who knocked? We did have a strange drunken ether But why knock and run?

I dare step outside and open my mouth to call out to her to see ifthe stairway But then ainst paper and le, white envelope wrapped in a red ribbon is resting on the mat

"Not another one" I stare at the envelope for a fewit to lance oneon the truck, then duck back into my place

I lock the door then lift the envelope from my chest and unlace the ribbon But I pause as a warers Blood The ribbon is soaked with blood I glance down at ht above ers tre any other way to get an answer, I rip open the envelope and shake the piece of paper out