Athena Kelly

Jogging was something that I did whenever it was time for me to clear my head. I tried meditation before but my mom gets weirded out by it and I end up far too distracted. Therefore, jogging it was.

After my escape to my bedroom, I changed into some joggers and a hoodie before making my way out. I walked to the park and here I was jogging around the trail.

As much as I wanted to avoid the topic within myself, I couldn't help but wonder why I wasnt accepted. Were my grades not up to their standards? Was my essay horrible? Or maybe it was my lack of extracurricular activities.

I shook my head in dismissal. I still had four more letters to recieve. Until then, I wasn't going to doubt myself. Well, I would at least try not to.

After deciding to not let self defeat subdue me, I started on my way home. I didnt want to be out too long. The walk home was a pretty long distance, at least 20 minutes. There was a faster route, but I wanted to lollygag so I went with the longer one.

As I was walking, I felt a strong brush of air hit the side of me which turned out to be the result of a guy running. He was running as if he was running for his life. After he got past me a few blocks ahead, he turned around in a panic. My natural instinct was to see what the heck he was running from. I had to know if I should sprint too.

When I turned around to look, I saw nothing suspicious. That was until a black car swerved around the corner and sped in the same direction the guy went. I slowed down, not wanting to run into any trouble. My mind was telling me to turn around and go the other way, but my feet wouldnt stop walking in the same direction. I was pretty close now.

From where I was, I could see the guy running try to speed up but whoever was in the car swung in front of him. It was so vicious that he couldnt stop himself fast enough and his body smacked into the car face first. Someone got out and grabbed him, dragging him off on the side of the building that stood next to where they were. It looked like Mrs. Grimes' grandson, Cato. As dumb as it was on my part, it made me curious so I kept walking. I crossed the street but kept going in the same direction. I needed to get home soon. The sun was setting.

When I got directly across from the building I heard three gun shots ring out and my heart started to go crazy. It didnt take me looking to know what had happened. The guy was laid out on the ground and Cato was tucking his gun away. I was terribly afraid of what he would do to me now. I had witnessed some of what just happened. That most definitely made me a target.

So I did what I should have done a long time ago.

I ran.

I heard him shout "Aye" so I ran faster. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or not but I wasn't going to stop.

I dashed down the side walk, praying that he didnt catch sight of me. I found an alley and turned into it, hoping he'd just pass without noticing me. It was dark outside, though it was only five thirty. Day light savings had ended yesterday. I was supposed to be home by now, but curiousity grabbed me by the throat.

Now he was probably going to as well. I didnt hear anything for a while and figured maybe he had ignored the fact that someone had witnessed what he'd done and left the scene.

So I stepped out. What a big mistake that was....

There he stood. At least six feet tall, curly hair gracing the top of his head. His beard was full and his face was hard. It scared me. I know I looked as if I had seen a ghost. My heart was pounding. I was afraid of what he'd do to me.

He just stared into my eyes for a while. I dont know how I managed the courage to look him in his. They were intimidating.

A sinister smile found its way to his lips before he spoke. "Its dark. Where you headed babygirl?"

I couldnt speak. I never could. I always seemed to lose my voice when I needed it the most. I opened my mouth trying to form a sentence but nothing came out.

"You mute or somethin'?" he asked me dropping the smile from his face. I stood quiet and looked away from him, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat.

His hand reached into his back pocket making my chest tighten. I was prone to anxiety attacks and this was about to trigger one. His hand came back to the front of him with a blunt and a lighter. I could breathe again.

I stood awkwardly, watching as he lit it while simutaneously trying to think of an escape route. He took a hit and stepped closer, exhaling in my face. At the same time, the wind blew. I shivered out of fear and due to being cold.

"What did you see?" he asked me.

My eyes widened. I found my voice, although it was as quiet as a mouse. "Nothing" I squeaked out.

He licked his lips and took another hit. His mouth turned up into a smile again. "Come on. I'ma walk you home" he turned around and began walking.

I stood frozen, not knowing what to do. He stopped and looked back at me. "Did I stutter or you'on speak english or somethin' ?"

He was serious. I was still shook. So I did as he said.

I let him walk me home.

He started walking and I followed slowly after him. I started to understand why I didnt get into Howard. I was obviously stupid.

"You still live in the same place?" he turned around and asked me. I was confused. He knew where I lived? I was so forgetful that I couldnt even remember this person that knew where I lived?

"Yeah" I said. He sized me up a bit and licked his lips before nodding.

In the back of my mind, I thought he was bluffing about knowing where I lived but we were easing closer and closer to my apartment building. When we got near it, he stopped and since I was looking down at my feet, I roughly smacked right into his back.

"S-sorry" I stuttered. He chuckled and looked around. I then remembered he was driving a car earlier. He just left it with no worries?

"Listen to me closely. There's two reasons why I ain't kill you tonight. One, I know you. And two, I know you ain't dumb enough to go runnin' ya mouth."

My heart slowed down at him saying he wasnt going to kill me. He continued, "You wont speak of nothin' you saw. Ion give a fuck who ask you. If I find out you told anybody, I wont hesitate to off yo ass. Understood?" he said sternly.

I slowly nodded. He smiled. "Good."

We started walking again and when we finally got to my house, it surprised me when he walked me upstairs and to my door. Only because, I wasnt walking in front of him, he was leading me.

I took out my key to unlock the door as he watched me. I was still nervous though so I was fumbling and shaking. I finally let out a deep sigh of relief when I got the key in the door.

"If you wondering why I aint drive, its cause I knew yo ass wouldnt get in and you wouldnt trust that I wont hurt you. You still dont but fuck it. Goodnight banana girl" he laughed and walked away.

I squinted confused at what he said and turned the key. Then it hit me.

Banana girl? There was only one person that ever called me banana girl.

And now I remembered.

A/N: Might delete the prologue. Its not really needed if its apart of the book....lowkey. 💀 idk.