Jeremy: Can we talk?
Me: About what? What's going on?
"…"
Me: ???
Jeremy: Meet me outside the school.
Me: Why?
Jeremy: My classes are ending soon and we need to talk about Halloween.
Me: Halloween? I'm busy that day.
Jeremy: That's what I heard.
Me: From who?
Jeremy: From Malachai.
***
After yesterday's incident with James, I distanced myself from all of them. Even Malachai. I ignored all his messages, even the ones where he said he was worried about me. He hasn't left me alone since.
Of course, I forgot I'd told him about my Halloween plans… but what can they do with that information? I wonder.
I feel like they're trying to drag Jeremy into something I don't know about. Everything lately feels suspicious — these coincidences, these faces… familiar faces everywhere. A random job opportunity that could open a door to another life. A better life.
I agreed to meet with Jeremy just to see what he had to say.
Today, classes end early because a lot of teachers are out and no one could fill in.
I had already been waiting outside the school for ten minutes and Jeremy was still nowhere to be seen.
James, Malachai, Ryan, and Joshua weren't at school today either — they went away for two days to Joshua's uncle, who apparently has a drinking problem and always smelled like mildew.
I don't know why they went, and honestly, I don't care.
Then Jeremy finally walked out through the school doors, dressed in all white, waving at me. I waved back.
He ran over.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet," he said.
"But what happened? What's going on with Halloween?" I asked.
"Let's go somewhere quiet. I don't want anyone overhearing this," he said with a serious tone. I grew more nervous by the minute.
"I couldn't talk about this with the others — I only trust you. I know a place. There's an abandoned house nearby…"
My ears rang when I heard the word "abandoned house." My breathing got heavier, and flashes of past events that happened there began hitting me like slaps to the face.
With every step closer to the building, my legs started to shake and I felt like I was losing strength. I swallowed, but my mouth was dry.
A horrible thought crossed my mind — could Jeremy hurt me?
No… he wouldn't do that. Right?
As we entered, I stepped on a broken bottle. It reminded me of the beers we used to drink here. The place was filthier than ever — syringes scattered everywhere, a mattress had been dragged in, soaked and smelling like garbage.
There was no one around. Just forest. No one would hear me if something happened.
I'm an idiot. Why did I come here? I need to get out — fast.
"Maybe we should leave this house?" I suggested.
"Umm… sure, if you want," he replied.
We left the two-story abandoned building and walked a bit closer to civilization.
"So… what did you want to talk about?" I asked with curiosity.
"Umm…" he tried to speak, but struggled.
"No rush," I said gently. I knew he would talk once he felt comfortable enough.
"Okay, so… I met with James yesterday and…" he kept pausing, "and he said… he wants to sleep with me this Halloween."