Part 15
950 Words
Kirania meet Mirza outside of the school gates, where several sleek Black Escalades wait for her.
Mirza says, “ nice outfit “ Kiran stare at the vehicles in shock.
“ Um… is this our security detail? “
“ Actually, it is “
“ Why do we need security? “
“ Didn’t want to take any chances. Now, if you’ll ever stop asking questions, we can get going “ clearly Mirza
Mirza pulls Kiran into one of the Escalades, laughing. Once inside the Escalade, she studies the tinted windows and the fully stocked bar. Suddenly, Mirza’s expression grows dark. He’s staring at her necklace.
“ What the hell, Kirania? Where did you get that? “
“ What, my necklace? “ he nods
“ Uh… my grandma gave it to me “
“ Why would your grandma have it? “
“ It’s a family heirloom “ he reaches for her necklace, but she smacks his hand away.
“ What are you doing? Stop “
“ Fanculo! “
Why is the swearing-in Italian?
“ Mirza… calm down. There’s no need to yell out curse words in Italian “
“ You understood that? “ he goes deathly still, his face pale.
“ What’s your last name? “
Okay, he’s officially scaring me.
“ … Why, what’s yours? “
“ I'm asking questions. You’re giving answers. Do you understand? “ she nods dumbly, scared at the sudden change in his tone.
“ Mirza, you’re freaking me out “
“ Sorry, Kirania. It’s just … “ Mirza’s words trail off as she notices the gun tucked into his waistband.
“ Wait. Why are you packing a gun? “
“ Because it’s part of the rules “
” Of the school? “
“ No. My family “ Mirza rubs his face, anxiety seeping through his usually fool-proof demeanor.
“ Kirania, I need you to trust me. Can you do that? “
“ Of course I trust you “ Mirza visibly relaxes, his whole body loosening up.
“ I won’t let anything happen to you. Not again “ Kiran takes a beat, pondering her past interactions.
“ Why? “
“ What? “
“ Why are you so invested in my safety? “
“ Because … I feel responsible for you “ he’s clearly keeping something from her, but she pushes aside her doubts for now.
“ Okay then. Let’s go “
“ there’s my farm girl. First stop, food “
From inside the Escalade, she watches the guards clear out the store. “ They’re gonna make sure no one else is inside while we are “
“ That sounds… Awesome. I get the whole place to myself? “
“ Yes. Which means you can shop until you drop. Now, go stock up. Make me proud!”
***
She heads into the store, traversing down the aisles with glee.
Choice, choices. So many choices. I should pick… pizza, chips, and soda. Comfort food, all the way. Who needs protein when you have pizza?
She piles frozen pizza after frozen pizza into her cart. “ you could feed a third world country with that much food. She whips around. Nixon’s standing behind her, laughing at the pile you’ve already collected.
“ If my food options are limited to tofu, then I’m gonna need all this food “
“ Well, you can share some with my security if they get hungry on the way back “
He waves at the plethora of guards lining the store.
“ Mirza… who are you? “
“ I could ask you the same question “ he leans down, cupping her face.
“ You have beautiful eyes “
“ Oh, um… I wish they were blue “
“ Blue is boring “
“ Are you calling yourself boring? “
“ Compared to you, I am “
Mirza’s Guard says, “ Hey, Mirza. The guys are getting antsy “
Mirza jerks back immediately, nodding at his guard. He shakes his head, as though he’s shaking off some spell.
“ Let’s go. You’ve already got enough food to not starve between classes “
“ It’s your fault I even need this food “
“ What do you mean? “
“ My key card, you ass! “
“ Stop being difficult. You have two key cards! “
“ Huh. Are you high? Dito tried to steal my card the night you guys planned to drug me. I just thought you didn’t want me back at the restaurant with you “
“ Holy. I think I know what happened. Dito, the rat bastard. He did this “ he leans toward her, apology written all over his face.
“ Kirania, I told you before. I would never do that to you. Don’t you believe me? “
“ I’d rather not talk about this right now “
“ Kirania, please “
“ I’m sorry, Mirza. Let’s just go “ shaking her head, she collects her items and head to the register
The grocer says, “ that will be $100 and 80 cents “ Kirania start to search through her wad of cash, but Mirza stops her.
“ I got this “
“ Let’s go half and half. Dutch, as they say “
“ Fine. So long as you let me pay when we go on an actual date “
- Writer
