Werelove Dusk Conspiracy

Laylah sought refuge in the girls' bathroom. She heard the late bell ring and groaned. Yet, she made no move from the stall she'd barricaded herself inside. She hadn't seen Britta, a first, because her best friend never missed school and always managed to save her from the bullies. She tried to take steadying breaths to calm her racing heart.

Lately, she noticed her panic attacks increased whenever she arrived at school. Most of them happened when Violet harassed her. Thinking of the bully made her stomach churn.

The bathroom door squeaked open, startling her. Laylah tensed, ears straining to catch the voice of the person entering. If it was one of the bullies, she had no escape. If it was a professor, she'd be in trouble. Maybe she would luck out and it would be another student at Citrus Academy.

"Laylah? Hey, are you in here?"

Hearing her best friend's voice, Laylah let out a relieved sigh, unbolted the door and crept out. "Britta!"

She ran to her friend and hugged her. "I'm glad it's you."

Britta laughed and patted her on the back. "I'm glad it's me, too, but what are you doing in here? First period has already started." She stepped away from Laylah.

Laylah hunched in on herself at the frank gaze of her friend and tensed when Britta touched her cheek, still wet with tears.

Britta cursed and then growled, "Laylah? What happened when you got here this morning?"

She flinched, and tried to pull away, but found herself held in place by Britta's sudden, tight grip on her arms.

"It's nothing. I'm tired and cranky and I let things get to me that shouldn't. I need to go to class." She hung her head, stared at her feet and hoped Britta would let it go. She admired her friend's stubbornness, but not when used on her. Britta's probing gaze made Laylah squirm.

"All right, Chica, but this conversation is not over." Britta let go of her arms and stepped aside.

Laylah knew that look. Squaring her shoulders, she walked out of the bathroom with Britta right behind her. They made it a few feet down the hall before it occurred to Laylah to wonder how Britta found her in the first place. "Brit, how did you know I was in the bathroom?"

"Remember when we were little and played hide-n-seek? You always hid in the bathroom."

"Oh." Laylah laughed. "I forgot about that."

"Seems you forget a lot of things, Miss Le Croix."

Laylah knew that voice! She stumbled to a stop, eyes wide as she caught Britta's panicked expression. They were so busted!

"When I'm speaking to you, ladies, you will show respect and face me."

"Mr. Mozar, I can explain!" Laylah quickly faced her history teacher, hand raised in entreaty. Britta stood quietly by her side. "I was feeling sick and went to the bathroom. Britta came to check on me. Please, sir, I'm sorry. We're on our way to class right now."

Mozar eyed the two of them. "Get to class, now, and I won't report you…this time."

She gaped at him, but Britta reacted first, tugging her hand to get her moving. The last she saw of her professor, he was heading toward the teachers' lounge.

"Whew, that was close!" Britta giggled.

After a moment, so did Laylah.