Painful Smiles

Michael was unsuccessful in finding Claudia before his classes started. He left for them in hopes of seeing her afterwards. Those words said also hunted him a lot.

The need for her father to love her would be great on Claudia but for her sister’s boyfriend to refer to her as dirt because he was aware of the cold relationship between she and her father was so cold.

No thanks to Clara who would have added more flavor to her problems.

Michael barely concentrated during class. Claudia would surely be going through a lot by being loved little by her father.

After the class, the teacher came closer to him and he could guess why.

“Michael, are you okay? You were staring blankly all day. Is there something wrong with you?” she asked.

Michael knew his father must have told all the teachers to watch him. If he stared blankly or become uninterested in something he should interest in before.

These were to avoid more suicidal attempts in the future. His father could rest assured, he had less problems now.

He found a way to escape the teacher and went back go his car to see Claudia sleeping inside it. He had left the car open, despite how dangerous that was.

Her bag was still in it.

He felt her forehead. She was hot, her eyes were wet too.

If there was something that left Michael completely helpless was when a friend of his was crying or in pain. He basically didn’t know show to help much.

He phoned the only person he could think of. Tom. His old French buddy. Even as a kid, Tom understood women.

“Oui, who is this?” Tom answered immediately.

“Michael. Did you delete my number again?” Michael sighed.

A soft chuckle came from the other end along with the voice of some women.

Michael rolled his eyes, “Sorry for distracting you from something so important but I need your help in something” he began telling Tom all about Claudia and her father’s unhealthy relationship.

Tom was munching on something but kept making timely “hmms”.

“You see, I think you’ve really fallen head over heels in love, mon garçon” Tom said sarcastically. Michael glared at his phone.

“Or not. But if a girl is feeling sad, they are many things to do to make her happy like…”.

“Depending on the kind of girl, Tom. I’m not talking of one of your pit bulls” Michael retorted.

Tom snickered and continued, “Okay, that was harsh. These girls get paid to be my “pitbulls”, okay? That was really harsh but if your friend isn’t that way then I. Can’t. Help”.

Michael sighed.

“But, but… gifts work on any girl, I guess. Try making her either hippie happie or shower her gifts. You got the money, you just need the woman” Tom added.

Michael felt worms creep up on him. Hippie Happie? He had begged Tom not to use that word when referring to him. That childhood friend of his was as dirty as his old teddy Bino.

“Hope I helped” Tom chuckled at the other end.

“Sure did. Bye” Michael cut the line. Tom did help by adding to all the stupid ideas Michael would be having all day.

It was the end of his class for the day and he needed his car. But cursed would he be if he woke Claudia up from sleep.

He saw Mark and those same juniors sneaking out of school. They just liked breaking school rules. Surprisingly, the gateman let them pass even when he noticed them.

Michael hopped into his car and started the ignition, he noticed Claudia wake up but he didn’t turn to her.

“I’m done with my classes. Heading home” he said to the gateman. The man nodded and let him pass.

Unknown to Mark and his boys, they were being followed.

Michael found Mark and the juniors separating at an intersection, he waited for a while at the middle to see if they’d corner to anywhere.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

The boys seemed to have gone to buy something while Mark sneakily went down a lonely street. Michael wasn’t sure if he should keep on following him by car.

Claudia had gone back to sleep. He parked his car in a safe place and began tracking down Mark by foot. Deeper they went down a dark alley.

It was beginning to give Michael the red sign warning and the mafia vibe. Wherever Mark was going to, was no good place.

At another intersection, there was a note written on the wall with what Michael hoped was red paint and not blood.

“Go left to live. Go right to die”.

Michael was sure it was the warning sign of a territorial mafia don and gang. Not the kind of people anyone should mess with.

His mouth dropped when Mark followed the right way. Quickly, Michael set his phone’s tracker on active just in case he went missing.

His curiosity couldn’t let him return so he might as well get to the bottom of it and maybe find a thing to hold against Mark.

Reasons why Mark would be associated with any mafia were not coming to Michael.

Wasn’t he just a handsome girl’s crush at school who was shifty and rude to everyone? Just like his iconic girlfriend?

There was a loud roar and Michael snapped out of his thoughts. A six feet tall mam was standing in front of Mark with a bloody chain in his hands.

“Tell me you brought it?” he growled at Mark. Mark timidly nodded and brought out a bulk of cash that he had stuffed in his pockets while walking.

“No, it shouldn’t be drugs” Michael sighed while trying to get a photo or video of what he was seeing.

His phone began beeping but he thanked his heavens it was on silent. It was Claudia calling. Michael switched off his videos record and took a specific hiding place.

“Don’t get involved. Bring your butt back to the car or it’ll get whooped” she shouted on the phone. Michael lowered his phone’s volume just in case the big man heard her.

Mark was now returning after delivering the money.

Michael, with his evidence already on him whatever Mark had done, quickly ran back to his car. Claudia must have known about this. He was so curious to know what it was about?