Silence

{14} Unheard

My sudden concern doesn't go unnoticed by Fay and she glances over my shoulder to read the note. Her eyes widen and I can see her start to panic. I close my locker and turn to face her. 

"Hey, hey it's fine. They're not going to do anything." I say, trying to convince myself more than her.

She shakes her head worriedly before writing something down on her paper.

This is serious Aspen, they're bad guys. You have no idea what they're capable of.

"What do you mean?" I ask with growing nerves.

The guy you called buttface, his name is Osirus Paleri. he just got out of juvie a few months ago for attempted murder. The only reason he got out is because his father has connections. The second guy, what did you call him?

"Elegant chicken wing." I reply.

Fay shakes her head in disbelief before continuing to write.

His name is Arlo Dolores. He's a known drug dealer and very powerful within the school. No one messes with these guys and you just pissed them off. 

"Well they freaking deserve it!" I exclaim in frustration.

 Yes, they do but that doesn't mean they wont retaliate and trust me when I say it will only be worse for you.

"What do I do then?" I ask, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Stay away from them, don't wander around alone and keep your head down.

I think over Fay's words for a minute before replying.

"No"

Fay's face flashes with confusion and she raises her eyebrow expectantly. I sigh before explaining.

"These guys, they're power hungry pricks. If I do what you said and cower from them, I'm only doing what they want. I'm going to stand up to them for myself and for you. You don't deserve the crap they put you through. If anyone is hurt in the process it will be me and I'm fine with that."

Fay has a look of shock on her face and before she has a chance to write down her reply, a powerful voice booms down the hallway. 

"The f*ck Aspen, class started 10 minutes ago." 

Fay and I snap our heads to find Jasper with two other guys approaching us. I glance over to Fay who is shrinking behind me with obvious fear on her face. 

"We were just going now." I reply while tucking the threatening note in my pocket.

"What are you doing anyways?" Jasper asks.

Jasper and his friends are now standing in front of us. The one on his left is uninterested and looking down at his phone. The one on his right is giving Fay a strange look. 

"Nothing, we just got carried away, lets go." 

I grab Fay's hand and drag her down the hallway. Soon enough, we're stopped in front of my next class.

"My next two classes are cooking and gym, do you have any of those?" I ask her and she puts up 2 fingers. 

"Gym?" I ask and she nods. 

"Okay, I'll see you there then." 

I give her a smile before turning around to enter my class. Everyone is sitting at their stations chatting away until I close the door behind me, grabbing their attention. The teacher gives me an annoyed look.

"Sorry I'm late, there was a personal matter I had to attend to. I'm Aspen Karieo, the new student." I say with confidence.

"Are you by any chance related to Jasper Karieo?" The teacher asks.