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Aaliyah frowned, her voice laced with concern. "You really gonna leave your camera?"
I grunted, rolling my eyes. "I didn't mean to, shit. Dominic—the other girl showed up, and honestly, she gave me the creeps. It's like she wants to rip my fucking head off."
"Maybe she does." Aaliyah laughed.
"Oh, shut up." I shoved Aaliyah as we crossed the parking lot to her car. I shouldn't have comforted Dominic. Now it's like I'm back in high school, ducking and hiding from my bully.
"You ain't tryna get your camera back?" There was a peep and a click as Aaliyah unlocked the car doors with her remote.
I stood at the passenger side door, looking across the roof of the car at my friend. "Do I have to?"
Yeah, I'm chicken. Because what if I go back and Dominic's still there?
Aaliyah gave me a look like: girl, be fucking for real right now.
"Okay, okay," I said, gripping the strap of my messenger bag. "I'll go back for it."
"I'll be here waiting, love."
As I crossed the parking lot back toward the building, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was about to make a huge mistake. Go back for the camera, or call it a loss?
The cool evening air bit at my cheeks as I stepped onto the sidewalk, each step heavy with hesitation. The lampposts flickered above me, the dirty orange light casting long shadows across the campus. I passed a couple of students chatting by the fountain, their laughter a stark contrast to the knot forming in my stomach. My phone buzzed in my pocket.
Aaliyah: Girl, sorry, I had to leave. My bro called with an emergency.
There was a faint shuffle behind me, the soft scuff of shoes against concrete, but I shrugged it off as I typed a reply to Aaliyah. Probably just another student rushing back to their dorm. Still, my heart sped up like it knew something I didn't.
Just as I reached the steps of the martial arts building, I sent Aaliyah another text, not paying attention. I heard it before I saw it—the honking of an electric scooter coming my way. The world tilted as a hand shot out, yanking me back into their chest. I was about to thank whoever saved me, but then I froze.
Great. Dominic is my savior now?
"Um, thanks," I mumbled. Dominic looked pained, like she was holding her breath. Her eyes dropped to her hand on my upper arm, and she quickly let go, taking a step back.
"Your camera." Dominic swung her backpack around to the front and pulled out my camera. "Maribel asked me to give it back to you."
"Thanks again...?" I took my camera, my fingers brushing against hers. She pulled her hand back quickly. My body relaxed a little at her demeanor—she seemed different now, standing there awkwardly, hands stuffed in her jeans, just staring at me.
