Chapter 11 CHAPTER 11
The routine now was for us to eat in class because the mere thought of staying around so many people drove me insane.
Naomi came back with our food and Edgar in tow.
Strange.
"Hey sis," he waved, sliding into a seat in front of me and turning to face me.
"Edgar?"
"That's me," he chuckled, "I'm just checking up on you. I know we've barely had time to see if you're settling in well."
"I am," I replied a relieved smile, "Naomi has been doing a great job at helping me out. Naomi, this is my cousin."
"Hi Edgar," she waved shyly at him.
I couldn't blame her, my cousin looks like he breaks hearts for breakfast.
"Heyy, thanks for taking of my sister. We're in the middle of something in our evening classes so we've not really had time for anything else. But we have a party this weekend that you don't want to miss."
"A party?"
"Yes, it's this thing where young people gather together and try to have fun."
"I know what a party means Edgar," I chuckled.
"Good, you're coming with us."
"You've never invited me to stuff like that before."
"You're a local now, it's time we showed you around."
"I can bring Naomi with me right?"
"Ehh..."
"If she's not coming, count me out."
"Damn, you drive a hard bargain. I'll get back to you on that Sis. I'll see you back home," he gave me a thumbs up and headed to the door.
He ran into Kane.
Both exchanged a weird look for a few pregnant seconds before he left and the tall, handsome guy walked in and headed towards me, smiling.
"Sera?" Naomi called, standing up from next to me, "I need to go check something at the cafeteria, I'll be back."
I shook my head at her antics but smiled regardless.
"Hello," Kane said as he slid in right next to me, "sorry I'm interrupting your lunch but I have to turn this in after the break and I want to know if I did it correctly. I would have sent you pictures of it but I don't have your phone number."
"Okay, it's fine. I'm very hungry so we'll have to multitask. Is that okay?"
"Absolutely. Just don't let food pass down the right windpipe," he joked, smiling.
Oh he has dimples, dear lord.
This school had an endless supply of men that made me very aware that I was growing out of my childhood very quickly.
It didn't help that Naomi was always making these jokes about my V-card. She has started doing the act so her language was more... Crude
And heavens above, I wanted the guy sitting next to me to kiss me.
I got my head out of the gutters and focused on the booklet he laid out for me.
"That's not going to work," I pointed my spoon at a figure, "you have to multiply the..."
The lesson ended right as I was finishing my food.
"Thanks a lot Sera," Kane said, standing up. "Are you free tomorrow?"
"What's happening?"
"I was hoping to meet up after school. These short meetings aren't really working well for me."
"I don't know, I'm not really supposed to be out late."
"Oh, that's fine. What about the weekend?"
"I have a party to attend with my cousins, but maybe on Sunday?"
"Oh you're coming to the party?" He asked, shocked.
"Yes, are you?"
"Yes, it's happening in my house actually."
"Really?"
No wonder he threw money so casually at me, his parents must be very rich.
"Yes. Can I come over earlier and then after you teach me, I'll take you to the party?"
"I um... I'll have to get back to you on that."
"Alright Sera, thank you. I have a couple of my friends that want you to help them with their assignments directly."
"Oh that's good if you, telling them about it. They can bring everything, I'll do it and bring it to school tomorrow."
"I love how intelligent you are and also very dedicated to making things easier on your Aunt. Many won't think of things this way."
"You know my aunt?"
"Yes, her and Uncle John work at my dad's company."
It suddenly dawned on me that I didn't really know what my Uncle and Aunt did for work.
Kane left me with more questions than he came with but also more excitement.
It seemed like he liked me but I couldn't be so sure. I've never had a boyfriend before even though everyone was getting into relationships these days.
I just didn't have the confidence required for that.
But now, in a new environment and school, something bloomed in my chest.
Maybe I should put myself out there, afterall, these days, I was having weird dreams that although I don't really remember the details, I woke up needing to change my underwear.
Or maybe I was overthinking things. Sex isn't something I should be bothered about now, college first.
Yes, I'm going to be focused. If anything does happen along the way, I won't say no to love.
I refuse to allow my Mom's life affect mine.
Before, I wanted nothing to do with the concept of love but I had to give myself self therapy.
Her life was hers to live, her decisions were made with eyes wide open and it's her fault for making the wrong choices.
I'm not going to miss out on great experiences in life just because of her.
Naomi came back to class beaming, needy for details. I couldn't help laughing at the normalcy of it all.
I wasn't dealing with drugs littered around every corner of the room, anymore, or men taking more of the money Dad had willed to me and kept in Mom's control.
I wasn't blocking my ear with head phones to block out the sounds of sex and loud, crude language.
No, I was a teenager and my friend was asking me what a handsome boy and I discussed in private.
Yes, this is how life is supposed to be and I hope nothing ruins it for me again.