CHAPTER FIVE: MONA

Earlier that day

"Hey Mona, I'm going home early today, I can't go with you to the library," Victoria says as she fixes her things in her bag. She went here from the other section just to tell me that. She hangs her bag on one of her shoulders, while looking at her phone as she types something. She's been a little distant with me this week, I can sense her anxiety since Monday.

"Is everything okay, Vicky?" I can't help it, I'm a little worried about her. While I talk to Vicky, I can see Jake from my peripheral vision, also fixing his things getting ready to go home. I was about to ask him if he wants to pair with me for the final project in History. But I can't ask him now, my focus right now is Vicky. "What? No. I'm good Mona, really." Victoria's not even looking at me, she's holding up her wrist checking her watch, her watch doesn't even work, she's so obvious trying to avoid my question. I'm starting to get annoyed. I feel like my best friend do not trust me that much to actually tell me what's wrong. "Okay, you do you," I tell her. She just smiles and starts walking out the classroom.

Jake left already, I should've just asked him about pairing for the final project, why did I even waste time to try and talk to Victoria when she's THAT annoying. Ugh. I pick up my bag and I'm just gonna go alone to the library and study for tomorrow's long test.

I walk towards the elevator to push the up button and wait. The elevator door opened when I see Victoria still sitting on the bench outside the building, she must've forgotten our building's walls are fucking glass. I keep staring at her, the elevator closed on me. Nice. Someone stops in front of her, she looks up to him and I couldn't recognize the guy at first but that was Amy's ex-boyfriend, the one who got caught having marijuana inside his bag. What the hell is Victoria doing talking to that guy. He handed a small pouch to Victoria, and she smiled. When the guy walked away, I can see Victoria put the pouch in her pocket.

I don't know what's gotten into me, but I started following Victoria, all I know is that this street we're walking on, is not the way to her home. So, where the hell is she going? I saw her enter a small store, while I sit on a bench here, I'm too far for her to see me here, and she's basically blind with her vision problems. I sound mean towards her with all my thoughts, but I'm just really annoyed with her life choices, and the distance between us two actually started last week when she keeps on cancelling our plans together after class. But it was last Monday when she started talking less around me, like she's trying to end the conversation as soon as possible. We only hang out when both our classes have vacant time, or whenever it's break time, and that, she cancels too making up excuses.

It's been almost an hour, she still hasn't come out that small store, but I know she'll come out no matter what. I won't waste time just by sitting here, so I pull out my phone and view my notes to study for the long test tomorrow.

I saw her come out the store, and it's been what? 2 hours? What the hell did she do inside that fucking store for 2 hours? I check my phone and it's 8:30 P.M. I type a message for my mom, so she won't worry about me getting home late.

'Hey mom, getting home late tonight. Don't worry, I'll be in the coffee shop near the campus to study for a test. Luv u.' I hit send.

Yes, I lied, because how am I gonna explain to my mother that I am following—no, I'm basically stalking my ex (hope not) best friend, because I saw her get something from an addict? I'm just praying to God—if he's real—that Victoria isn't doing illegal stuffs. Is this why she's ignoring me? Because she knows I won't tolerate her? I mean who would?

Victoria starts walking and yes, I'm still following her. She turns left on the street that I'm not mostly familiar with, then stops under the biggest tree on the side. I stop far enough for her not to notice me. It's like she's waiting for someone, she keeps on checking her phone, looking both sides of the street. I recognize the big structure behind her, it's the old Catholic church around here. I wasn't aware of this place because I'm agnostic, but sometimes I try to say a prayer out of desperation hoping there really is a God—like right now I'm hoping He's real cause my gut is telling me that Vicky isn't up to no good.

I check the time, it's already 9:00 P.M? I need to go home. I'm not wasting more time here, why did I even follow her? I turn around to walk back from here when I hear Victoria scream. I turn around and I see her struggling from three men tugging her to get her inside their vehicle, all of them armed. I'm now sitting behind the tree with high bushes and grass, hiding like a bitch. What should I do? I need to call for help. I need my phone; I need to dial 9-1-1. But I didn't. I froze from where I am, I dissociate from reality staring nowhere, until the men and Victoria aren't there anymore.

I found myself running so fast trying to dial anyone from my phone, and the first name I saw was Jake's. I clicked dial.