Chapter 44: We are in school
My hands were on the steering wheel as I drove down the freeway. Tiffany wasn’t saying much from the passenger seat and I didn’t wonder why.
She wasn’t supposed to be always talking and that was okay. It could be she was thinking about what she did, maybe. And I somehow don’t want to care.
I pulled into the school parking lot and turned to look at Tiffany. She looked at me briefly and reached to open the door.
She climbed out of the car and I watched her for a moment before I got out too and strutted my keys out.
I held my backpack and walked inside the class.
It was a bit rowdy when I walked in with some guys yelling at the top of their voice. This isn’t Highschool for crying out loud! I thought college makes them better.
I had no fucking idea what it was about and I didn’t care to listen. I found my table and crouched to it.
I dropped my bag beside me and slid out my phone. I was about checking my notifications when the lecturer walked in.
“I’m sorry I took a moment,” She apologised and dropped her motes on the desk. “But I’m here now and we shall proceed.”
I’ve never been so conflicted in my head this way. I had a lot of things to think of but somehow, I managed to listen.
She held a marker in one hand and inscribed some words on the board.
After talking for what felt like a few minutes, she paused.
“Do you have any question?”
I looked around but no one in the class seemed to have any question.
“Fine,” she smiled. “The test.”
“What?” I blurted from where I sat. There was no fucking way we’d be writing tests like that.
“Decorum!” She yelled looking at one side of the class. Unfortunately, it was the same row my chair was located.
“What’s the issue?” She asked.
“Uh- I think they just all mean we can’t be having no test innit,” some random guy said in a British accent.
“Yes,” we all responded.
For a moment, I felt good to know I wasn’t the only asshole who was unserious and unprepared for the test.
“Okay okay, that’s okay,” she said. “We’ll have an online test. That way, it buys you time. I’ll fix the date and send it across to you.”
I remained on my seat wondering what the hell I’ve been on. I wasn’t catching up and the whole test thing was freaking me out.
When the bell rang, everyone stood up and began trooping out of the class. It was a reflex action for them to sprawl out the minute they heard the bell.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
I scoffed and ran my hands through my hair. When the class finally fell silent, I stood up with my backpack and walked to the door.
I held the bag firmly and slid out my phone to check the time. I still had some time but I just wanted to buy Tiff son time with her friend.
Despite disliking her, I couldn’t deny Tiffany of a friend else she’d go crazy. Everyone needed their friend and person but I guess I wasn’t part of everybody.
As I reached the corner of the building, I paused and dialed my dad’s number.
I hated to think of the possibility of not having him too but that thought vanished when the call connected.
I looked at the phone for a second to confirm if he really did pick.
“Luciano,” his hoarse voice said. “What is it?”
Finally! After all this waiting!!
I felt so old.
“Shit dad. I’ve been calling you for ages and you never pick up the phone.”
“That doesn’t really answer me, son.”
“I know but I’ve been hella worried.”
“About you or me?”
“Both Dad, damn. I’ve been having really crazy situations here with Tiffany and I’m not sure I can handle all-”
“The word not is too vague to be in your dictionary,” Zino told me.
“But Dad- I can’t seem to take care of this anymore. I even have some fucking tests and they’re driving me crazy. I’ve been so unfocused that being focused now feels like a damn chore!”
“Why are you telling me all of your personal problems?” He asked and I paused to think of it.
Because he was my father and the only person I could really trust and let to see my vulnerable side.
“Because-” I paused when I couldn’t think of the perfect way to say it.
“Call it a quit and be a man. Luciano don’t be useless okay? I can’t do everything for you, I’m already taking care of what Massimo came to do in New York.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Dad, Massimo is in the UK with us.”
I had no idea how that sounded but I needed him to know why I was paranoid.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ve not seen him more than once but he’s here.”
“Fucking hell,” he scoffed. “You couldn’t do your one job well.”
I didn’t respond to that as flashbacks of me and my friend, Massimo filled my head.
We used to be so happy as friends until the whole family rivalry thing started.
My heart skipped and I held my chest for a moment. I was having a panic attack remembering how I shot him.
I quickly ended the call and headed to the car. I slid in and hit the steering wheel with tears in my eyes. I held the gun and attempted to shoot myself but I couldn’t.
What would be the point if I die?
Nothing.
Tiffany would have to go through some shit and maybe get carried away.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and it was Tiffany. I picked the call.
“Open the damn door!” She yelled. I turned to see her outside and opened the car.
“What’s wrong?” She asked when she got in and saw me in tears.
“Nothing, just random aches and uh-”
She reached for my hands and hugged me. “I know school can be tough.”
I gave a small nod cause I knew she wouldn’t get it. It was so much complicated and all I could do was nod.
I reached for her lips and left an appreciative kiss.
She kissed me back but stopped halfway. “We’re still in school,” she reminded.