Chapter 185 SUNDOWN II

Chapter 185 SUNDOWN II
Bodhi’s Pov

Usually I left home the day before classes started, but I was already on a plane three days before I had to be at any classes. I couldn't even remember the excuse I mumbled to my mother, bag in hand, when she asked me why I was going so early.

The holiday had been quite uncomfortable. It was like being just a little too hot and no matter what you did, you couldn't get cooler even though I barely saw my father because I was barely in the house. I volunteered, have to charities a lot and organized events a lot already but these past few weeks people had started recognizing me in all the shelters around.

That was the way I wanted it, to be away from it all. It cut into my study time a little, but honestly I didn't care. I didn't want to be in the house more than I wanted to be ahead.

Belinda was over a lot too, taking it in stride when I'd tell her I had somewhere else to be and couldn’t spare a couple of hours. She was still calm when it became clear that I'd much rather scoop up kitty litter than talk to her.

I hoped she'd get angry enough, that I'd beside her ego enough that she'd call it quits but as the days went on, she sometimes even offered to come with me and introduced herself as my wife-to-be.

Which she was. There was just one more semester between me and happily wedded bliss, so I'd just grin and bear it.

Elias was the only thing that kept me same. His Mom had taken the divorce hard but was getting better with each passing day and I was happy to hear it. And I was glad he let me rant, even after he said he didn’t want to hear anything about Maverick.

As I stepped off the plane, I felt like I could take a full, cleansing breath for the first time and I did.

I why settled in my room and look around. Everything reminded me of Maverick.

It takes superhuman strength, strength that I'm not sure I'll continue to have, but I keep myself where I'm supposed to be.

_

The days dragged on and on but the weeks passed quickly. I did what was expected of me, the epitome of a perfect student. I went to class, did my assignments and turned them in on time, didn’t fumble when I was called on.

Just the way I was, the way I had always been.

Only this time it felt… lonely.

I had been alone before, it was my usual status quo, but this was different. This feeling that's something was missing dogged my every step, followed me around like a puppy nipping at my heels. It was… kind of miserable.

I saw him sometimes, Maverick. Walking to class, walking from class, walking. Sometimes bruised or favouring one side. He must have gone back to fighting at the club.

I still supported Rocky and his family but it was too risky to send money to Maverick… directly. But the little envelopes I’d tried to have delivered to him, he'd send back. The only things I did for him were any random school payments I could catch before he settled it and the occasional lunch order he might accept.

That was the only way I was in his life, the only way he’d be reminded of me.

His text space was still empty in my phone.

I hadn’t had the heart to text. What would I say?

We were becoming strangers again.

And maybe it was because I was far away, or maybe I wanted to delude myself into believing that he missed me almost as much as I missed him but I sensed a deep feeling of sadness from him.

On and on, this went for months until we were writing exams again. It was as if I blinked and three months went by. And everyday I got out of bed and got dressed, knowing what this brought me closer to.

And then, just like that, I was done.

That was it. No more exams, no more school.

No more Maverick.

But wouldn’t let that happened. I would find a way to tackle my father head-on.

My first act of defiance came almost immediately.

I did something I hadn't ever dond since I went to university. I stayed back after exams, and I decided I wouldn’t leave until we were asked to vacate the premises.

Just thinking about what I was doing gave me anxiety but I started. It was about four days after when I received a call bright and early on a Tuesday morning.

Fuck!

I jolted up, the heart in my chest beating wildly, sure it was my father calling. What exactly would I say to him?

Thankfully, it wasn’t. Air whooshed out of my lungs and they started working again. It was the Dean, Mrs Riverdale and that meant I would live to fight another day.

But why was the Dean calling me?

“Good morning Ma’am.”

“Morning Bodhi,” she said cheerily, “how are you?”

“I’m fine Ma’am.”

“Good. I wonder if you’re still around school premises because I’d like you to come and sign off to get your points for your tutoring. Maverick has signed off that you finished the program so now I just need your signature. Although anytime still works.”

Maverick said I was still tutoring him?

Just his name makes my chest ache. I swallowed down a whine. “Sure, yeah. I’ll come on down today.”

“Thank you. And don’t blame yourself, I know you did your best. Given the circumstances, I don’t think anyone could have done better.”

Um, what?

“A total of just three courses failed,” she continued. “To be honest I didn’t even think he’d pass three. “

The words she said rang a gong in my ears, echoing over and over again. Maverick had failed three courses.

“But he did so well. So thank you.”

Maverick failed three courses. Oh God no. That meant… Maverick wasn’t graduating.

Fuck!