West Coast

"You call yourself a bitch?" Maria gaped over the cafeteria table, her elbows leaning heavily on the wood. Chelsea tossed her hair across her right shoulder and leaned heavily on her boyfriend's- Ryan- shoulder. "So others don't do it behind my back."

Isn't that a quote from some movie?

I sighed and watched the two converse back and forth, debating on whether or not they should ditch English next period. I'm sure both of them would go, they were both great students. Better than me, actually, and I'm taking lower classes than them. Luckily for me, I had eighth period off.

The conversation with my father this morning came back to me. I barely remember what it was about- something about college and how he wanted me to become an engineer when I wanted to be a veterinarian. He had gotten me into some camp that I refused to go to and I guess it just escalated from there. I dreaded to go home in twenty minutes. To see that angry disappointed round face of his.

Nathan slid into the seat next to mine, bumping my shoulder with a friendly smile. I snapped away from my gloomy thoughts and focused on him. We weren't dating but both of us liked each other. None of us had the guts to make the next move. Its been like this for almost a year and a half now. I just wanted him to ask me out. Or kiss me. That would be good too.

"Hey." He chirped, smiling again. His blue eyes danced in the light from the fluorescents. "Hi." I said back. He leaned closer to me, eyeing the couple in front of us. They were now kissing each other's necks.

"Is it just me or does that relationship look fake."

I shrugged and leaning away from him. His presence put me on edge enough. I didn't need him any closer or I might faint. Literally.

"I'm pretty sure it was a dare for both of them. If they can fool people longer than a month that they're dating, they each get 75 bucks. Or something."

Nathan wrinkled his nose and I smiled involuntarily. He really was adorable.

"It even smells like hate."

I chortled. Actually choked on spit, gurgled some of it, and then laughed at the same time. Nathan and everyone else on our side of the table turned their eyes to me, open jaws hanging low on the table. My eyes widened and I blushed a mad red.

Well shit.

"That was cute." Nathan said after my moment had passed. I breathed out heavily, shaking my head a little at the same time. "No it wasn't. Don't lie."

"I wasn't!"

I sent him a sharp look and his hands flew up in surrender. I smirked. He opened his mouth to say something but the ringing of the bell interrupted him. His face fell and he hoisted his bag over his shoulder.

I grabbed my own bag from the floor and took two steps to the left. Better get walking before the sun falls and weirdos show up in the back alleys.

"Bye Nathan."

"Uh, bye." He sputtered, rubbing his neck and watching me out the back doors.

California sun beat down on me and for once I was a little happy about the outdoors. The only time I've been happy with the weather was when we went to Colorado to visit family and it started snowing. I want to move there, somewhere cold.

But nope. I'm stuck on the West Coast.

The alley two blocks away from the school was a wonderful short-cut leading only another two blocks from my house. I felt stupid for using both an alley and not having my license. I was turning eighteen in four months and I just got my permit.

Two trashcans blocked the entrance, leaving only a small foot or two to squeeze past. The old street smelled like rubbish, with rotting food and wet papers and other trash. Other objects littered the sides of the alley but the main path was overall cleared. A couple times I had to step over broken glass or beer cans.

When I was nearing the entrance I heard ruffles. At first it didn't frighten me. I've walked in on a couple things happening back here- a couple having sex, men scuffing, smokers, drinkers- I've learned it's best to continue moving without a second glance or a comment.

As the ruffles got more distinct, my heart rate kicked up a few notches. It was incredibly easy to tell that whoever was here was fighting. Heavy pounding could be heard against cracking bone. Whoever was throwing the hits was relentless.

A couple more feet and the scene was being displayed before me. In fact, it was quite obvious the man on top was going to kill the one below him if he didn't stop. Usually it was a petty fist fight, only a little blood. This time... This time it was almost hurtful to watch.

The one throwing the punches had long frazzled curly hair, a chestnut brown that was darker with the lack of light in the alley. His shirt was baggy over his slim toned torso and his black pants hugged his skinny legs nicely. The biceps on his arms flexed with every hit and his jaw was locked, creating a powerful and intimidating look across his tanned and handsome face. The person below him lay unconscious, blood and bruises sprinkling over the features. I could only gather a few glimpses from where I stood.

I knew I needed to leave. To get the hell away from here before he sees me and I get myself in trouble. He was killing him. And if he could kill that bulky sized man, he could easily snap one of my bones with a single blow. As much as I wanted- needed- to leave, I was frozen in place. Fight or flight and I sure as hell wasn't choosing to fight but I wasn't flying away either.

Minutes passed. The dominant man raised his right fist high, pausing only a second before letting it fall to his side. I watched his chest push forward and pull back in furious attempts to provide oxygen to the rest of his lean body. Slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned down, pressing two fingers first to the man's wrist and then his neck.

Checking for a pulse.

When satisfied, he pulled away looking up at me immediately. Our eyes locked, the forest green specks glowering slightly at me, everything in his composure tight and ready for action. He didn't look angry to see me here; but he didn't look pleased either.

"What did you see?"

"Is he dead?" I asked breathlessly, ripping my gaze away from him to the unmoving body at his feet. The man shifted to cover the scene. I found his stare again, holding my breath and trying not to cry out for help. He simply nodded.

It was then that I was a witness to a murder. I had the choice to try and outrun this guy with a four pound backpack or the choice to shut up and never speak about it. It was just the fact that I had the chance to stop it... I knew I would regret these last few moments. I would dream about it, coming up with different scenarios in my head as to what I could've done differently.

"You just killed someone." I said unsteadily.

"Its not my first. It won't be my last."

My breath caught in my throat.

I turned away from the scene, reaching up and rubbing my eyes and then turned back. He still stood above the dead man, eyes peeled open and watching me curiously. Ready to pounce if I decided to move away.

What the hell was I supposed to do?

Notes