Chapter 45 Chapter Forty five

Chapter 45 Chapter Forty five
Mira’s POV

I woke up the next morning with a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, like an invisible hand squeezing the air from my lungs. Early morning sunlight filtered weakly through my faded curtains, casting long shadows across the posters on my wall. I lay there for what felt like hours, replaying the conversation with Kem in my head for the hundredth time.
With a deep sigh, I reached for my phone on the nightstand, rubbing my temples as the screen lit up. Kem had already sent the first assignment. A full article due in two days. I sighed again, louder this time, and dropped the phone onto the mattress. My toes tapped rapidly against the sheets in frustration, a restless rhythm that did nothing to calm the storm building inside me. Why did I ever think I could handle this?
I stayed buried under the covers a few more minutes, reluctant to face the day. After what felt like forever, I finally dragged myself up, had my shower and threw on my usual oversized hoodie and jeans, headed downstairs, trying to paste on a normal face for Mom and Aunt Ruth.
Mom was at the kitchen table, scrolling through her phone with dark circles under her eyes. Aunt Ruth hummed an old gospel tune while flipping something on the stove.
“Morning, baby,” Mom said, glancing up with a warm smile that made my chest ache. “You sleep okay?”
“Yeah,” I lied, forcing a grin as I grabbed a banana. “Just school stuff on my mind.”
Aunt Ruth eyed me a little too closely, but she didn’t push. “Eat something proper before you run off, a growing child needs food to develop.”
“I’m no longer a child. I’m eighteen,”
They both burst into laughter.
“Not yet,” Mom teased, her eyes crinkling.
I kissed Mom on the cheek, hugged Aunt Ruth quickly, and slipped out the door.
School felt like walking through a minefield. I kept my head down in the hallways, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Nat was easy to dodge, I saw him once near the lockers and slipped into a different corridor before he could spot me. Chloe seemed quieter than usual, which was a small mercy. 
When I thought I had survived the worst of it, Amber cornered me after the last period. She leaned against the desk next to mine, arms crossed, her concerned frown cutting deeper than any glare.
“I have this strong feeling you’re lying to me,” she bit out, voice low but insistent. “I just feel it, Mira. Something’s off with you lately.”
I forced a smile, shoving books into my bag. 
“I told you, I don’t have access to the site right now. Maybe after the election or something.”
She didn’t look convinced, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Hmm.” But she nodded anyway, stepping back. “Just… reach out when you notice anything.”
I nodded quickly and escaped to the library during lunch. The quiet helped. I found an empty corner table tucked behind the reference shelves, opened my laptop, and stared at the blank document for Kem’s assignment. A sick feeling twisted in my stomach, bile rising in my throat. This deal I signed… it won’t ever end, will it? My hands trembled slightly on the keys as I forced myself to start typing. My own studies were already drowning me, the constant pressure to keep my grades perfect so I could escape this town one day. I am not adding more weight, I had to find a way out of this.
Later that afternoon, Ryan found me near the tech lab and dropped into the seat opposite me without asking, pulling out his laptop.
“Why weren’t you active in class today?” he asked, tilting his head. “You usually destroy those coding challenges. Everyone was waiting for you to drop the winning solution.”
I hesitated, glancing around to make sure we were alone. I leaned in closer, my voice barely above a whisper, I said, “Can I tell you something?”
He nodded immediately, his expression shifting to serious, brows furrowing with genuine concern. “Of course. What’s going on?”
“Kem is threatening me that if I don't do her assignments, she’ll bully me more.” His face darkened, jaw tightening.
“Damn, that’s messed up.” He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his messy hair. “Kem’s always been a piece of work, but this is next level.” He paused, eyes searching mine. “You want me to help? I could dig up some dirt on her-nothing crazy, just enough to make her back off.”
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I don’t want to go there. I just… I feel so trapped.”
“I feel you,” he said softly, tapping his fingers on the table. “I’m sure you’ll figure out a way out of it. Just don’t let it mess up your own studies.”
I managed a real laugh, the sound surprising even me. “Thanks, Ryan.”
“Anytime.” He stood up, stretching. “Have you even had lunch? I feel like you avoid the cafeteria lately. I hardly see you there.”
I smiled weakly. He threw me a wink.
“Let me grab something for both of us. Be right back.”
He jogged off, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. The conversation left me feeling a little less alone, but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.
After the final bell, I was heading toward the exit when Kem stepped out from a side hallway, blocking my path. Her expression was calm again.
“Hey, Mira,” she said softly. “Can we talk for a second?”
I tried to step around her. “I’m busy.”
She moved with me, staying in front. “You know you shouldn’t be avoiding me now that you work for me.” Her voice stayed even, almost gentle. “I’ve been nice.”
I scoffed, not slowing down, my pulse spiking. “I don’t have time for you, and I certainly don’t work for you.”
She sighed dramatically, keeping pace. “Hope you saw the message I sent. If you purposely fail me, I will drag you and your entire miserable family through the mud.”
I halted abruptly, staring at her. My pulse roared in my ears like thunder. Blood rushed to my face, then drained away just as fast. “Fuck off.”
She shrugged, stepping closer, her perfume clogging my nose. “Don’t push me.” Her voice rose just enough to carry to anyone nearby. “Imagine what people will say when they hear your dad’s living in that sad little ghetto, looking half-dead. Sad how the almighty Iroko family has fallen so low.”
My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms hard enough to sting. I could feel the heat of humiliation crawling up my neck, the sting of tears threatening behind my eyes. How dare she? I stormed off without another word, shoulders rigid, each step pounding against the floor.
She stood there, smiling, “Good girl.”
I bit down every ounce of rage boiling within me, swallowing the scream that wanted to rip free. I can’t wait to be done with this place. I veered toward an empty bench near the edge of the grounds, collapsing onto it. My fingers curled against the rough concrete, scraping lightly as I fought to breathe. Chest tight, lungs burning, I sat there for a long moment, staring at the cracked pavement, willing the tears not to fall. Why did everything have to hurt so much?
Finally, I stood, wiping my face quickly, and headed for the school exit. As I pushed through the long pathway lined with wilting flowers and scattered backpacks, Chloe and Amber appeared from opposite sides, cornering me near the steps. Chloe’s arms were crossed tightly over her chest. Amber’s eyes tightened anger as they drew closer.  
I stopped short, my heart sinking like a stone in deep water. “Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, the word tasting bitter. “What now?”