3 Meji

I awoke on the Friday before spring break with a terrible feeling. I already hated waking up, and usually I would turn around and sleep another twenty minutes until I was late, but there was that feeling. I couldn't sleep. Something was going on. However, I didn't have the type of parents who'd just let me skip, so I put on my big girl pants and got ready. What could possibly go wrong today? I knew there was something happening, but what? As I was about to rush out the door I turned back and grabbed one more thing, some pepper spray disguised as lipstick I got at last year's women's rally. I felt dumb, but if I had this bad feeling, on top of the feeling I was being watched already, no precaution was too much.

I quickly ran out the door and locked it. My dumb ass was gonna be late again even though I woke up twenty minutes early. My mom would kill me when she found out. I ran past A's house knowing she was on vacation in Ghana with her family. I managed to slide into homeroom thirty seconds before the bell rang. Those track genes finally became of use. The rest of the day was a blur. I hung out with A and I's other friends, but I still felt lonely without her. Yes, I was a cold person, but she was the closest thing I had to someone I actually liked in that hellhole. Finally, the last bell rang and I almost flew out of my seat, I don't think I uttered more than five words the whole day. My teacher was still tryna talk about sum"tHe BeLl DoEsN't DiSmIsS yOu i Do" bullshit. Bitch please. By the time I reached the school doors, I had formed my plan for the night. Go with the driver to pick up my siblings, help them with homework, finish my own homework, order some pizza, watch The Simpsons until my parents got home, pretend to study so my parents don't bother me, listen to Burna Boy while I put on a face mask and chill out a little, then sleep. I had made it through the whole day and nothing happened. I couldn't believe I was tripping for nothing! I continued to walk and turned onto my street. It was a beautiful day and sun always made me uncharacteristically happy. I took my time ,strolling down my street until I was literally snatched by my braided ponytail. I swung and kicked blindly, then tried to fumble for my spray, but it was too late. I gasped as the corners of my vision tinged black and tried to grasp for something, but my hands clamped onto nothing but air. My face was pressed against a cloth and I held my breath in until I couldn't anymore and felt myself slipping away as I inhaled. Some minutes later, I was out cold, and my last thought to myself was : I told you so.