Jacin came home with James and I after school today. And they worked on their Social Studies homework for an hour. I was reading in my room when Aunt Alya knocked on the door.

“Hey Krys, your dad’s coming over tomorrow and he’s staying for the rest of the week.” She said.

“Yes!” I said. I missed him so  much!

“Oh, and I want you to go with James and Jacin to Apple Knockers. You haven’t hung out with Jacin and James much lately. Oh, and I already gave James $20.” She said. Ugh! Why? I put on a fake smile.

“OK, sure!” I said as I grabbed my phone and AirPods. Then I went outside. James and Jacin were already outside waiting for me. This was so unfair! But I couldn’t say that with James here. Neither he or Aunt Alya knew what had happened between me and Jacin. On the way there, while James and Jacin were talking, I kept a short distance behind them.

Then, when we had reached the dock, James shouted,"Race you guys there!” and he took off running. I was humming to my music when Jacin appeared right next to me.

“Ack!” I said, surprised, and I sidestepped away from him and turned to face him, my back to the street. Neither of us had noticed that I was standing on the curb.

“Shut up!” He said. 

“I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I see you, I throw up. Bleh.” I said, sticking my tongue out at him as I put my AirPods back in their case, and then shoved them into my back pocket. That made him mad. He grabbed me by the front of my shirt, “What’d you say?” He asked. I looked into his eyes. They were filled with fury, and something that I didn’t expect. . .hurt. “When I see you, I throw up.” I said again.

Then, without any warning, he shoved me. I lost my balance and fell backwards into the street. I sat there for a moment, shocked. Then I looked up at Jacin. He was staring at his hands in horror. He started running his hands through his hair, and he kept calling himself an idiot. Then he froze and stared at something in the distance. I followed his gaze to see what had freaked him out so much. 

Then I saw it. I stood up and tried getting out of the way, but I was too slow. The car crashed into me, and I went flying. I’d lost my phone one of my shoes. I think I hit my head. I was trying really hard to stay conscious. The bridge of my nose hurt like heck, and my face felt strangely wet. I wiped my face with the back of my hand, what felt like in slow motion. I looked at my hand. It was covered in red. Was that . . . paint? Then I realized what it was. Blood. I looked up, and I saw Jacin standing over me. James ran over to us.

“Hey guys, what’re you - oh my gosh!” He yelled. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket. “I’m calling 911.” He said. “Oh and Jacin.” he said.

“What?” Jacin asked, his eyes shining with tears. 

“Get her outta the street!” he screamed at him. At least I think that’s what happened. Everything that I heard or saw felt like it was in slow motion. I think Jacin picked me up. I heard sirens and I saw flashing lights. Then I blacked out.