The next day...

BIRK BIRK BIRK

You yawn groggily and listlessly turn off the clock. You sit on the bed and rub your eyes; in the meantime, the oblivion of the night is fading out. You recollect everything that has happened yesterday and you shake your head: so many emotions to handle. Your eyes rest on your phone, just in case Jeremy has written something... which he didn't. Grunting, you quickly get up and go downstairs.

You barely see your father leaving, while your sisters and mother are still having breakfast.

-Good morning.- You greet them, and two out three reciprocate you merrily. Actually, you would swear you have heard also Kim muttering a "good morning", but maybe it was just your impression. The meal proceeds uneventful, like you are used to, and after that you prepare to go to University. Your mother insists to kiss you on your cheek before letting you out, and you blush. Damn, you feel more embarrassed now than yesterday on the couch. However, you're about to set out when Kim's voice calls you.

-Tom!-.

You turn around and see that she's waving at you from her car. Frowning, you get closer and notice that Tina is already in, so you join her, although doubtingly.

-Thank you.- You say, but Kim just looks at you through the rearview mirror and doesn't answer anything. Well, it's still a surprise. "She must be of good humor.", you reason. You then focus on your little sister, checking her attire, which is pretty bland like yesterday's. Or, at least, the first one.

-Hey-hey, how cheeky today Big Bro!- She giggles at your insistent glance, which you drop instantly. She takes it as an invite to tease you more, so she brushes your hand seductively sliding on your thigh, and then...

Tina turns to your sister who is still driving, apparently unaware; she smiles with serenity, and retreats her hand. This was... unexpected, but you've appreciated it. When you arrive at Tina's school, she blows a kiss to both of you and leaves. You admire her cute butt shaking as she runs into her school.

Now alone with Kim, you take courage and try your luck: -So, how are things?-.

She lifts her eyes again.

-The usual, I guess.- She answers with a tired voice.

-And how about you?-.

You blink your eyes, shocked. You don't remember one occasion in which she has shown any interest in you.

-Ehm... the same.- You lie, not out of malice but only because you have momentarily forgotten all your problems.

-All right then.-.

When you arrive, she locks the car and walks away without saying bye. You guess that certain things don't change, after all. Entering the faculty, you soon meet Jake and her cousin Vanessa chatting next to the wall. Seeing her immediately recalls you of Jeremy (who has a crush on her), and your mood darkens a bit. They don't notice it though.

-Hey Tom.- Jake beats your fist as a welcome.

-Hey Jake. Vanessa.- It's actually the first or second time you talk to her, but you're surely not the first guy that knows her name. She just smiles in response. After some pleasantries, you can't help but nominate him: -Did you have any news about Jeremy?- you ask offhandedly.

-Nu-uh.- He answers, while Vanessa frowns: -Who is he? One of your friends?-.

You can't hide the flickering of your lips. Jeremy has a real deep crush on her and you know for sure that they've talked to each other more than one time. Probably once you two were together. Instead, she seemingly doesn't take him into any account, she doesn't even take note of his name.

Whatever. It's not your problem anymore.

-Yeah, he's Tom's... hey, where are you going?-.

-Bathroom.-.

In classroom, you sit alone for the next four hours, you don't feel like talking with anyone today. Before the last lecture, however, William approaches you. He has a troublesome expression on his face that catches your attention.

-May I talk to you for a minute?-.

-Sure.-.

-In private.-.

You move to the restroom, where Will makes sure that no one is listening. What's with this secrecy?

-I'm sorry if I sound invasive, but how are things at home?-.

You're puzzled by his question.

-Uhm, always the same.- You lie shamelessly.

-Why?-.

-Because...- He scratches the back of his neck and continues: -Two days ago I was in your neighborhood, and I've seen you with your sister. Kim.-.

Realization paints on your face.

-No, she's... I mean, her medic...- You don't know how to come out with, how can you justify that she has pissed on herself? Because by his face it's what he's referring to. But he's not over yet.

-And your little sister... do not get me wrong, it's not that I'm judging, but I've seen her. I don't know why they let her into the school. Again, I'm not against certain things, I'm telling you only because I've heard comments from guys... not very reassuring, if you get me.-.

You fall silent.

-And...- He falters and stutters: -M-My uncle is a bricklayer. He has told me that there is an estate agent who... who has done things with him and several other men. She's a middle-aged woman. Blonde. With big... ehm, easy to remember.-.

Then, finally: -I know that your mom...-.

You leap on him and punches him in his face. He falls like a bundle of old newspapers, and you march out without adding anything. You hear nothing from the last lecture, and after that you can't even say what you have thought about during that hour. You feel giddy, you don't even go to Kim's car and instead decide to walk back home. Or to better say it, you let your feet drive you, like in trance.

As you are walking across the park, it's like your brain is trying to cling to any input it receives to distract itself from your thoughts: the sun among the leaves, the cars passing, some petite redhead girl, some kids playing... wait, you know that girl. You watch closely, and your first impression is confirmed: she's Melissa, Tina's classmate and her enemy. You recall clearly the last meeting you had with her, right in this park. Equally vivid is the slimy feeling you experienced talking to her. Today is with two other girls, just to make the situation worse. And she has definitely noticed you. Great.

You speed up to get away as soon as possible. For a second you have the impression she's calling your name, but you're honestly tempted to ignore her.