But Only In Red Ink || #Wattys2017

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Yeah, uh, everything is fine, it's just that it's homecoming night. So many people are out there. There's no telling who the hell is out there or what kind of trouble he could get into." Why the hell was I covering for Michael? There was no telling if Michel was going to do something or not. I prayed he wouldn't.

Coach Cumberlorde nodded in understanding, then jumping to the door at the sound of a gunshot from the parking lot. I almost followed him out the door but Ms Whiteside stopped me. "We need to make sure it is safe before you go out there," she said.

We sat, waiting for Coach to comeback and listening to sirens and loud commotion. My dad soon came into the room, breathing heavily. We all stood to hear what was going on.

"Ryan was just jumped and shot," Dad announced. Ms Whiteside and I both gasped at the news. "The ambulance said he was going to be fine. They're-"

"Jumped and shot by who? Were they caught?" My voice rose along with the tears that came to my eyes.

"Just a group of boys from the damn Christian school down the road. Now you see why I never let you go there."

I was so hurt that this happened to Ryan but less hurt because it turned out that Michael had nothing to do with this.. or did he?

I was sure that if anything, Michael would do something like this himself if he wanted it done. And he would want it clean. That's how he got away with Mrs. Fassbender's murder. Cleanliness. And these boys got caught. My Michael was too quiet to be caught. I would call him mouse if he wasn't so big.

Not what I meant.

I sighed deeply. "We need to go to the hospital. I need to be there with him."

Dad shook his head. "No, you need to come home. I need to make sure you're safe."

Lights came in and hugged me. "That was so scary, bruh. I saw them jump on the kid and we was finna stop it but then they pulled out the gun and just started shootin'!"

"How many times did he get shot?" I looked at my family in shock.

"It only hit him once," Dad said. "But don't worry about that, okay? He's gonna be okay. I promise. We'll go see him in the morning. Right now, we need to get in the car and get home."

"Hol' up. What about the party?" Lights looked up at the tall English man. "We did all this plannin'-"

"Lights, just cancel it and then your crew can come over but just them. Becky can come too."

She nodded. "Ight. But look, this ain't cuttin it next year. If I win next year and somebody get shot, we ain't canceling shit."

"Lights, can you show some respect for Ms Whiteside?"

"She's Imani to you, Daddy. Ion know why you acting like we just some regular students. We know y'all be callin each other by y'all first name. Ronald, Eugene, Nadine, Brenda! I do not fuck wit Brenda, daddy-"

I rolled my eyes, getting frustrated. "Can we just go already?"

"Yes, actually. Hurry up and get your things," Dad instructed, watching me pick up my bag and shoes. He thanked Ms Whiteside for keeping an eye on me as I walked to the door. She informed him that it wasn't a problem and sat back down.

My father walked me and my sister to the car and drove us home as soon as we got in.

The rest of the night was calm but a bit wild. Our friend group didn't even really need half the school to be lit. They made a party out of just the eight of us real quickly. Playing loud music, laughing, cutting up, pissing dad off. The usual.

Half way through the night, I'd went up to my room and called Ryan to check up on him. He answered groggily but with what sounded like a smile.

"Hey, my queen! How does the crown fit on your self?" I could tell he was drugged by the slur of his words.

"It fits fine, thank you," I smiled a little. "How are you feeling? Dad won't let me come and see you."

"I'm fine, it's fine. I'm just glad you called me, princess." I could hear voices in the background. "Ugh, I gotta go. Nurse says I can't be on the phone right now. Good night, gorgeous. I'll see you in the morning."

I giggled and nodded. "Alright, bye, Ryan.." I hung up and sighed softly, laying back in my bed and closing my eyes. "He's gonna be just fine," I whispered to myself. "Just fine."

The next morning I woke up to the smell of bacon and pancakes. Everyone stayed the night, but it was too quiet for them to still be there.

I got up, fixed my hair wrap, and slipped on my pink puma slides before heading downstairs. Once I got into the kitchen, I noticed everyone was sitting or standing around the kitchen island, slouching and eating slowly. No one spoke a word.

Dad set my plate down in front of an empty stool. "Sit down, T. There's something we have to tell you."

I nodded and did as he said. I dug into my plate, glancing around.

Dad took a seat next to me. He cleared his throat and looked at me with his sad blue green eyes. "Ms Whiteside stopped by the hospital this morning to visit Ryan," he sighed. "But um.. when she got there, he wasn't there."

I frowned a little. "So what? He got up and left last night? He was kidnapped?"

My Dad shook his head. "Not quite.."

"Then what do you mean?"

He glanced at Becky, who nodded him to go on. "Ryan passed away in his sleep last night, Tia."

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Aw shit. Not Ryan 😩 he was my boo. I'm playin, Hey Inkies!

Do y'all think Michael has something to do with this or nah? Cause idk if he does or not 😂

I don't even remember the last time that I updated but it couldn't have been too long ago. But I've missed y'all! And guess what? This book is coming to an end soon 😩

I know I know but It's taking me forever to really finish it. But great things die sometimes.

Love y'all! Comment, Vote, Share!

~Shann