10. WHY SPEND MONEY?
1105 Words
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing.
Groaning, I sat up and answered the call.
"You're alive." Claude exhaled on the other line.
"I am, and since you woke me up, treat me coffee." I groaned again, my eyes were still closed.
"See you at Glider's in an hour Sleeping beauty."
"Yeah sure my prince." I dropped the call
I went to my bedside table and scanned the yellow folder once again.
It's the list of students who are part of the basketball team.
Scanning through their photos I saw that guy who triggered Grey the last time.
Funny how they can act as if they are good because they are part of the basketball team but the truth is their parents are paying Joe here to make sure they have the spot for the starting line up.
It's not the skills, it's the money that got them there.
I put the files in a different folder and threw the yellow one in my trash bin.
"Here's your coffee." I saw Claude at the side of the al fresco dining of Glider's/
"Thank you." I squinted my eyes. I felt really tired, I didn't even do anything that requires too much physical labor.
"So you have the files in your bag? Have you checked what's inside?" Claude sipped on his tea.
"Yea. So apparently, our Basketball team is not as great as it is. Those who are in the starting line up? Their are paying our beret boy Joe to make sure their kids make it to the line up."
"Why spend money?"
"Well, Joe has this connection in the NBA. I think you already understand what is happening."
"Oh. So they are paying Joe to put their weaklings to the starting line up, then Joe is going to endorse them to his connection in possibility that they can join the league."
"Well, there's a copy of a conversation in the folder and like what you said, I think that is what's happening." I blew my coffee, I cannot even put my lips on the cup. "But my question is, what does this have to do with the death of my father."
We both stared blankly.
"We don't know for now. I'll forward the files to the team, for now, come here." He leaned over to my place and grabbed my hand.
" Three stars for a job well done." He smiled sheepishly as he inked me with his star marker.
"Wow. This is my prize for sneaking in. A freaking three stars." I glared at him as he left out a soft chuckle.
"And don't forget the coffee."
---
I went to my next class but the student yelled that the professor won't be around today, they just handed some notes and everyone else was out of the room.
I want somewhere quiet so I decided to go to the rooftop, the place that the spoiled brat introduced.
I walked along the hallways, excused myself for walking in front of them as if I interrupted a very important discussion, which is their gossip for the day.
"Finally." I sighed in relief. I placed my bag in my head as my pillow. I made sure that the sun won't reach me here.
Lying down, I closed my eyes and entered my personal space. I feel tired, I can still feel the nervousness I had yesterday. It makes me want to puke but I focused myself on what is happening right now, I am here, at the rooftop, hiding from the sun, the crowd and from the problems.
"Partner." The familiar voice whispered in my ear.
Surprised, I sat up straight. "Hey."
"I was looking for you yesterday. I cannot find you. I only saw Demetry." He looked at me with his puppy eyes, his usual gaze to me. "Demetry told me you are with Daniel."
"Uh, yeah, we ate somewhere." I said tom him. I pulled out a notebook from my bag. I glanced at him. He was just staring at the clouds.
As he fixed his watch on hi wrist. "I went to Glider's, but I did not see you there."
"We went to The Vineyard. He took me there since there are no more available seat for us at the Glider's.."
"Oh. The Vineyard. That was sweet of him." I can feel something from his voice, he sound irritated. As I took another glance at him, he is taking his watch off, then put it back on again.
"Really? It's just that we were both hungry and we have no choice so we ate there. I am not even into steaks, and I'm trying to budget my allowance. I am not as rich as you guys." I tried to talk to him as if it was nothing. Although it was really nothing. I just felt like there is something bothering him but he won't tell me.
Grey is a good man. I cannot say for sure but he looks after me, and I appreciate me. I can read him, his eyes tell me everything.
"Can you eat with me later?" He blurted out as he moved closer to me. His eyes looking straight into mine.
"Where? Later for dinner?" I asked him. I placed my notebook in my bag again.
"Yes. Dinner." He stood up from his seat and brushed the dirt on his pants.
"Okay. I don't have anything to do later." I said to him plainly.
His eyes shifted instantly and smiled at me. That warm smile he always give me.
"See you at the gate later."
"Alright, spoiled brat."
I walked down to the building and went to my favorite place, the vendo machine across the ladies dormitory.
There he is again, buying his soda.
"Daniel." I walked towards the vendo.
"Have you started reading it?" His eyes pierced through me. His smell entered my space immediately.
"Not yet, but I might start later tonight."
He opened his soda can and walked closer to where I was standing.
"Wanna read it later at the Glider's? I'll be going there later, I have a power point I need to finish, for the Student Council."
I remembered my plans with Grey. I gave him a glance, he was waiting for my answer. Why is everyone asking me to go with them. Do they like the company of a boring person now?
"I can't tonight. I'll be having my dinner with Grey."
His eyes stared at me blankly. "Oh, right. Okay."
He just give me another glance then he walked out of the area.
What a really cold unreadable guy.
- Writer
