Into The Future

FIRST APPEARANCE

"Where are those kids?" Margret said, expressing her displeasure.

It was morning. George was checking the time and was watching a rerun of his favorite TV show.

"What’s this, honey? You are going to be late. You keep watching this program. This is a rerun. You watched this yesterday." Margret complained. "I think the kids are ready." She said as she saw Angie entering the sitting room. "Collins, let’s go."

"Yes, mom," Collins said, and he exited the house to wait for his mother in the car.

"Where is Ian?" George inquired from Angie.

"He will be right out," Angie replied. "But dad, what is the briefcase for?"

On the sofa, her father's briefcase sat just next to him.

"I applied for a loan at the bank last week, and I believe they approved it."

Ian entered the living room, well prepared for his day at school. He eavesdropped on their chat.

"I'm going to invest in a project," George concluded.

"Well, I'm hoping mom knows," Angie said. "You know how she sounds. George, I can't believe you took such a chance without..."

"Angie, stop," George said. "Your mother is aware of it; nevertheless, where is Ian? I'm running behind schedule. "

Ian declared, "I'm here."

George exited with his children, taking his car keys and briefcase.

***

Ian was the center of attention when he arrived at school. Many students were astonished to see him, as if Angie's posts had not alerted anyone to his coming. As he stood in the school's compound, he took a look around. Little has changed. He was downcast, thinking of his mother's and foster father's situation. He sighed and continued on his way. Five girls stood together and conversed. They raced to him as soon as they saw him. They were chanting all around him.

"Ian! Ian! Ian!"

"Hello!" he said to them.

"Hi!" they all said, and the chit-chat began.

"When did you return?"

"Are you planning on rejoining the football team?"

"Are you going to reclaim your position as team captain?"

"You've gotten more handsome."

"How have you been?"

"Could you please explain why you left?"

"Tell us about your trip."

Ian, you owe us a date." They were all giggling and talking. Kelly and Jane were in command.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Ian drew their attention. "I have to get going," he said. "Please excuse me." He walked away, and all the girls turned to admire him.

"Isn't he the cutest?" Jane asked. "He is," the other girls agreed, then sighed. Angie took a forward step. She was only a couple of steps away. Before hearing her name called from behind, she gave them a dismissive look. Her best friend, Lisa, had called. She was walking over to her.

They exclaimed, "Hey!" with a lovely smile on their faces.

"You promised to stop by my house, but you never did," Lisa said as they began walking together.

"You know, Ian is back, and it's been a long time since he's been gone; I just wanted to spend some time with him."

"Hmm! I'm beginning to wonder if you only think of Ian as a brother. "

"What are you on about?" Angie inquired, pausing to look her down.

"I'm just saying you and Ian are a little too close... "

"Enough already, Lisa; Ian and I are wonderful siblings and friends; what the hell are you implying?"

"Come on, I'm not implying anything. I just think you guys should take a breather... " She stated.

"Shh... I don't want to talk about it any further." Change the topic. "

"All right, suit yourself."

At that precise moment, Adam, Ian's successor as captain, Jeremy, and a few members of the football team arrived. They exchanged greetings.

"Hello, girls," they said as a group.

"Hi Adam," Lisa said back, smiling. Angie was scornful, while Adam was hoping for a return of his pleasantry. Lisa smiled once more. "Hey! I heard you guys won a match over the weekend. "

"Yeah, you didn't watch it?" Adam inquired.

"No, you guys never let me in on your updates, and I promised myself I wouldn't forgive you for making me miss that match."

"Oh, I'm sorry; I thought I had posted all of our updates, but no mind; I'll personally inform you of our next update, OK?"

"OK," Lisa said cheerfully.

"You as well, Angie," Adam added.

Angie stated, "I don't know, Adam. Ian is back, and I think he'd like to reclaim his position as captain. It's not just me; everyone else agrees. I'm just curious about how you must be feeling right now?"

Jeremy inquired, "Ian's back?" It was more of a statement than a question. The question was posed in a rhetorical manner. "When I first heard it, I couldn't believe it."

"Angie. Taking away the armband from me will be a team decision, not yours. Furthermore, Ian has been away for far too long; I'm not sure if he can still kick a ball." Adam replied, smiling as he walked away with the boys.

Angie snarled, "Who the hell does he think he is?" Her friend, on the other hand, was ecstatic.

Angie looked at her with a dissatisfied expression on her face as she shook her head and murmured, "Hmm, he's so cute." What is it that she likes about him? She was befuddled.