SASHA'S POV.
I scoffed at Freda as she made her way out of the dean's office, smiling ear to ear as if she had won a goddamn lottery. I was not surprised that they would favour her instead of me, given the fact that she came from a prestigious family, while I, on the other hand, had nothing. It infuriated me how much people were willing to lick the butt of rich people just for some extra cash. Anyways, the tear from her lip and the bleeding from her nose were enough comfort. At least she was the one injured while I was stuck doing community service.
I sat on the stairway, waiting for Henry to come pick me up, pressing my phone to kill the time.
"What's up, sweetheart? What is the matter?" Henry asked as he sat down beside me and placed his arms around my shoulders.
"What took you so long?" I frowned, removing his arms from my shoulders.
"I had a few assignments to do. Did you miss me?" he asked, beaming brightly.
"You wish," I hissed. "Let's go home."
"What is the matter? Why are you acting up?" Henry inquired.
"Me? Acting up? You should go ask your girlfriend," I hissed, while walking towards his car.
"What are you talking about?" he said, furrowing his brows as he stared at me.
"Everyone knows that possessed bitch, Freda, is your girlfriend," I scoffed.
Henry seemed to process this for a while before bursting into laughter.
"What is funny?" I asked, getting irritated.
"Oh! So you are jealous. I know I am irresistible, but I thought it would take you longer to fall for my charm," Henry winked. "Besides, we are no longer dating, my heart belongs to only you."
"Ewwww. I'm not jealous," I crinkled my nose. "Your girlfriend, or whoever she is to you, is getting on my damn nerves. To think the Dean took her side instead of mine pisses me off more."
"Oh!" Realization dawned on Henry. "I'm sorry about that. Do you want me to go talk to her?"
I shook my head. "Damaging her nose was enough comfort for me," I smirked.
"Please don't tell me you guys got physical?" Henry gasped.
"Well, she started it first and I finished it off," I said proudly. "Please pass me the car keys; I'm going to drive."
"Are you sure? I think it is safer if I drive. I know you are a terrible driver. I still remember how you almost killed our professor last semester," Henry teased.
I shrugged my shoulders. "That was then. I am better now, so pass me the keys."
Henry looked at me for a while before reluctantly giving me the keys. "Drive carefully; she is my favourite baby."
I nodded and got into the car. After fastening my seatbelt, I turned over to Henry, who was now sitting in the passenger seat, looking a bit uncomfortable.
"You might want to fasten your seatbelt and maybe say your last prayers; this is going to be a tough drive," I smirked.
I watched as all the blood drained out of his face before he could say anything. I pressed the accelerator and sped off.
"You might want to slow down, Sasha," Henry half yelled a few minutes into the ride, tightly grasping his seatbelt.
"I can't hear you!" I screamed, turning the volume of the music louder.
"Please, Sasha, I have got a lot of things to do with my life," Henry yelled as I increased the speed.
I laughed it off. "I have everything under control."
"WATCH OUT, SASHA!" Henry's scream pierced the air, his finger pointing frantically to the figure suddenly standing in the middle of the road, appearing out of nowhere.
My heart raced as I slammed on the brakes, the screech of tyres drowning out everything else and just as we were barely an inch away from this figure the car stopped.
My heart stopped as the figure raised his head and smirked devilishly at me. He muttered something inaudible before running off into the woods.
My face paled whiter than that of a porcelain doll as I recognized the man.
Henry's voice felt like it was coming from a distance as he repeatedly asked me if I was alright, but I couldn't find the voice to speak.
"Sasha, can you hear me?" Henry asked again, shaking me vigorously.
I gasped, struggling to take in air for the first time since the shock. "I'm... He's..." I faltered, unable to form coherent sentences.
Henry followed the direction of my eyes, which were firmly glued to the woods where the man had disappeared. "Do you know that man?" Henry asked, lifting a brow.
"Yes... No," I stuttered, my mind a whirlwind of confusion.
"I think you are in shock. Let me drive instead, okay?" Henry said softly as he unfastened my seatbelt.
I nodded weakly, feeling the bile rising in my stomach.
"There is no way this should be happening," I thought, feeling completely shocked. "I saw him die."
"Are you okay?" Henry's voice broke through my spiralling thoughts, his concern palpable as tears gathered in my eyes.
"It's just... that man reminded me of my late father," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," Henry said, pulling me into a comforting hug.
I sobbed into his arms as memories of that night flooded back. I thought I had gotten over their death, but my heart was still fragile.
I had told Henry a piece of the truth, but not the whole truth.
That man did not just look like my father. He was my father, wearing the same outfit he did the same night I thought he died. The shock and confusion overwhelmed me, leaving me reeling with emotions I thought I had buried long ago.
Is it possible that my father was still alive or was my memories playing with me?
I lifted my head from Henry's shoulder and wiped my tears dry and with a straight voice. "I'm alright, let's go home now,"
"Are you sure?" Henry asked, his concern still evident in his eyes.
"Yes," I nodded, forcing a reassuring smile.
If my father truly was alive and was trying to warn me earlier, then I needed to be prepared.