Pieces of us

Chapter Four

It's another very uneventful day. I've accidentally-on-purpose walked past the basketball court three times this week. Fairskinned-curly-hair is there again.

Still smiling.

Still good-looking.

But…

No Nora..

I drag my feet as I walk home. I am really starting to miss my old neighbourhood and neighbours, my former classmates, I particularly miss Janet, my best friend, I still call her every once in a while but I really want to see her again and talk about our favourite books and the annoying but handsome boys in our class, Samuel for instance. I miss my literature teacher Miss Elizabeth, she always used to have the best book recommendations for me.

A loud horn shocks the longing right out of me. In annoyance and with my heart thumping hard in my chest, I turn sharply to see a car. A silver coloured ford edge. Mr Bello? He slows down next to me and winds down the window at the passenger's seat, “Dawn,” he calls without much of an expression. It sounds weird hearing him call my name. “Are you going back to the house now?”

“Yes sir,”

“Alright. Hop in.”

I scratch my eyebrows awkwardly as I get in the passenger seat.

“Use your seat belt.” He says without looking at me.

“Yes sir,” I say again, immediately fastening my seat belt. I was enjoying my walk home and now I'm being driven home without much of a consideration for what I'd prefer. I know I couldn't have said no since he offered me a ride but then..

Well.. this is going to be a long 2 minutes drive.

I turn to the window while holding on to the seat belt like my life hangs on it.

“Are you just returning from the library?” Mr Bello asks, I turn to see his eyes still fixed on the road.

How does he know about the library? Did mom..

“I've seen you there a few times, in case you're wondering how I know”

“Oh,” is he reading my mind?

Wait… how many times has he seen me? “Yes, I'm just returning from the library.” I answer blinking rapidly.

“Hm” Mr Bello responds with a nod of his head. We pull up in front of his big black gate. Mr Jonas the security man wastes no time in letting us in. As Mr Bello pulls the car to a stop, he turns to me.

“Your mom has told you about schooling at Crestwood, has she?”

“Yes, she has,”

“She told me you are a top student at your former school..”

I almost roll my eyes. Of course mom has gone ahead to brag about how her daughter is the best at everything she does.

“Crestwood might appear different from what you're used to. Are you prepared for that?”

“I haven't really thought about that. Schools aren't all the same, right? But I know I can adapt.” Did I just see the corner of his lips tilt up?

“You think you can do well at Crestwood?”

“I know I'm going to put in my best, sir. I will do well.” I'm looking at his face squarely, and for some reason he looks pleased.

“Good,” he mutters. He turns off the car's engine and I take that as my cue to get out of the car.

“Thank you for the ride sir,” I tell him, turning to walk away.

He simply responds with a nod and I turn and leave.