His Mafia Protector

Chapter 1: Math and Cameron

Chapter 1: Math and Cameron

Mathematics: noun singular

(Abbreviation: maths, (American) math): The science or branch of knowledge dealing with measurements, numbers and quantities.

Otherwise, also known as a subject which makes Derek Jordan go insane, I thought grimly as I gazed at the question in front of me. 

13. What can be said about the number of continuous real valued functions f(x),f(x), defined on the set of real numbers, that are solutions of following functional equation?

f(x+y)+2f(x-y)=2f(x)f(y).f(x+y)+2f(x−y)=2f(x)f(y)

Like, what in the world?

I groaned as I rubbed my hands on my face. I wish I could see Men in Black 3 which I guess was still on. And really, who could miss that movie? It is one of the biggest movies of 2012, featuring Will Smith as ‘J’ who goes back in time to save his partner, ‘K’ from a rogue Boglodite, Boris. It has time travel, science-fiction, fun, action, thrill and WILL SMITH all in one. How can you not love it? 

I wish I could see that movie now. I wished so hard. Isn’t it so much better than doing some stupid math problems? I mean yeah, I ‘maybe’ am one of the brightest students in this school but still, there are limits. Even a nerd has his limits, y'all.

I glanced at the old-fashioned gold-rimmed brown clock in my room, groaning again and banging my head against the study table in frustration, when I realized it was already 11 pm. I still had 7 questions more. This coursework is insane! Where will I use these god awful functions in my life?

But today, I would have to do not only mine, but Trent's math homework too. Trent Trelawney. He is one of those students who belong in the ‘cool’ category, as his fashion sense is always on point. But do not let the stereotype fool you. 

He is friendly to all and always ready to help. We became friends like that. I was complaining how I hated Chemistry and he was within earshot. He offered to complete my Chemistry homework if I do his Math and ta-da! BFFs. I have known him for three years now. We are in the same class for Math so it basically means I will copy whatever I have, make a few changes and give it to him tomorrow.

Sighing, changing the music so that my headphones can blast some ‘Imagine Dragons’, and taking a sip from the water bottle beside me I went back on working on the brain-squashing worksheet once again, just jamming to 'Whatever It Takes".

I did the worksheet for another hour, hurriedly copied for Trent like always, in a less legible handwriting and mixing some things up so Mr. Dayley doesn’t catch us. I got up from the seat, wincing slightly as my back muscles popped and flopped down on the bed plugging my phone to the charger, sleep taking over me instantly.

I woke up bouncing slightly. Oh yes, that is totally not weird in my household at all. I opened one eye to see my little nine year-old brother, Cameron, jumping up and down my bed, wearing just his dark-blue pants he wears to school. I groaned and with some quick handiwork with my arms, I grabbed the back of his knees and flipped him over, cuddling my brown-eyed brother to me. I smiled as Cameron giggled, trying to wiggle out from my arms. He was so adorable. I hope his puberty phase never comes. 

Briefly I wondered what that would be like. My biggest fear was him turning emo.

“Hey little guy.” I mumbled, my voice slightly muffled with the pillow.

“Good Morning, Derek. Mom is calling you downstairs. She says you are late.”

“What time is it?” I yawned while releasing Cameron and standing up from the bed. Cameron followed my actions and watched me running my hands through my brown hair.

“7:30.” Cameron shrugged.

“7:30” I said in a sleepy haze. “7:30?! Cameron! I really am late!” I almost tripped while rushing to the attached bathroom, shaking my head as I heard Cameron’s laughter behind me.

After doing the needful, I rushed out with only minutes to spare. I hurried out of the room and almost collided with Cameron who was running from his room as me. Both of us brothers were late. We grinned at each other and rushed down the stairs, gently pushing each other to be the first ones down. It was our everyday game.

“Hey mom, dad!” we both said in unison as we entered the island kitchen. Our parents looked up and smiled at us. 

My mother, Dr. Karen Jordan, with her blond hair and brown eyes, had a very high post in a well-respected hospital as a surgeon and my father, Sam Jordan, with his black hair and blue eyes, was a lawyer. 

They had met when one of the persons my father was prosecuting against had tried to kill him. My mother was one of the surgeons who had performed surgery on him. During his stay at the hospital, they had gotten close and dated after he was discharged for a couple of years till they had me, their eldest, Derek Jordan. Their love story was one of fairytales.

I wanted something like that. Not the attempted murder, Gods no, but to love someone so deeply. As they are working in dynamic professions, they have obviously seen a lot of ups and downs. But they are a team. 

Currently, as per routine, my mother had a white coat above her jeans and blouse, and a stethoscope beside her. She was drinking her favorite hazelnut coffee while my father was reading the newspaper. He had a black metallic briefcase beside him. 

I was only able to glance at the headline- ‘ABERDEEN BODY FINALLY FOUND’, due to me being epically late. Normally, dad gives us all an update as to what is happening in the world every morning while eating breakfast. He is firm in his belief that everyone should be more aware of the current affairs. I, for one was not one of them. 

I grabbed two pieces of toast, flinging them from one hand to the other as they were so hot and ran outside. Almost halfway to the end of the driveway, I turned back and ran back inside.

My parents and brother, since mum drops him every day to his elementary school, looked at me weirdly, possibly wondering why I am back. I said four words which made my family laugh.

“I forgot my bag!”