Page 19 of Wicked Nasty

"Why are you such a jerk, Danny?" she sobs.

I shrug nonchalantly and put my pen in my mouth like a cigarette. "Maybe you should ask yourself the same question."

Becca stifles a laugh in front of me while Ashley sneers at her. "Got something to say, bitch?"

But Becca remains silent, a sinister smile creeping onto her lips as she kicks her feet up onto the desk in front of her.

"Rebecca!" Ashley demands an answer.

Ignoring her, Becca leans back in her chair and speaks with an eerie calmness. "Devils inhabit the quiet waters, babe."

Ashley's face goes pale as she stands up abruptly. "What does that even mean? Is that some kind of threat?"

But Becca gives no reply, simply sitting back with an unsettling smile on her face. "You'll find out soon enough," she says cryptically

With a creak, the classroom door swings open and a tall, stern-looking substitute walks in. His thin lips are pulled into a tight line as he surveys the room, making sure everyone is in their seats. “Hello, hello,” he says in a gruff voice. “I’m Mister Gravas. Your regular teacher is out today, but she has left specific instructions for you all to continue working on your projects. And just a reminder, this project will make up your entire grade for this class.” He nods his head pointedly before taking a seat at the front of the room.

Becca's feet drop from her desk and she quickly gathers her things before bolting out of the classroom. I can't help but let out a curse under my breath as I grab my bag and rush after her, my heart racing with worry.

"What the fuck..." I mutter as I catch up to her in the parking lot, grabbing her bag and spinning her around to face me.

"Yo, what the hell? We have a project to work on," I say through gritted teeth.

Becca shakes her head frantically. "I know, but I just got a text and I have to go."

"Go where?" I demand, feeling annoyed and confused.

"It's none of your business," she snaps back, trying to pull away from me.

But I refuse to let her go that easily. "What's going on? Becca, we can't afford to fail this class."

"I know that," she says with frustration etched on her face. "But this can't wait. Sorry, Danny."

Without another word, Becca jumps into her car and speeds out of the parking lot. Frustrated and worried, I look around before quickly getting into my car and chasing after her down the highway.

This girl is driving me crazy. Why am I following her like this? Why am I risking getting a speeding ticket just to see where she's going?

But despite my inner turmoil, I can't help but feel a deep sense of concern for Becca and whatever it is she's running towards.

The sleek, black car glides to a stop in front of a grand home, its gates closed with a couple standing in front of the ornate doors. The couple that stands in front of the house are popping open a bottle of champagne and sharing a kiss as a real estate agent snaps a picture of them.

Looking around, I notice the bright red 'SOLD' sign planted proudly on the ground. Becca steps out of her car, wiping away a stray tear before ripping the sign from the ground and tossing it into the street. I watch as she gets back into her car and speeds off.

"Jesus Christ," I mutter under my breath, struggling to keep up with Becca's reckless driving.

She quickly exits onto the highway, but then takes another sharp turn into a truck stop. I park my car up front and observe from afar as she pulls up next to a massive semi-truck. Becca seems completely lost in her own world as she shuffles around her car.

Finally, she gets out and spreads out blankets on her back seat, creating a makeshift bed. She covers the windows for privacy before settling into her car for the night. And then it hits me - Becca is sleeping in her car.

She's homeless...

My phone suddenly rings, jarring me out of my thoughts. It's my dad's face that appears on the screen, and I quickly answer.

"Hey, dad."

"You have to come home. I know you're at school right now but-"

"I'm on my way. Don't worry."

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