Chapter 39

ANGEL SINCLAIR.

First thing in the morning, I wake up with a silly little smile. Lorenzo has left a cute good morning message in my inbox. I reply and immediately start getting ready for today's lesson. I'm sure Ashley will be thrilled to hear that.

I have coffee as usual with Dad and Madison, since Bryan isn't here this time. That's exactly why our breakfast was so relaxed today, since it's always Bryan who starts the family intrigue.

If I were Madison, I'd give that boy a break, but she seems to be afraid of him. She doesn't scold him, she doesn't talk to him, she doesn't see a way for him to change his attitude towards us, especially me... Madison literally does nothing. All she's doing is preparing everything so that the wedding is perfect.

Regardless of whether she's a good person or not, I'll never accept a woman in my mother's place. I will never prefer my father married to a woman to being a widower for the rest of his life. But what can I do? He's fallen in love with Madison and thinks she's the love of his life.

My father and mother raised me very well and were great parents, but as husband and wife, they weren't the best. They fought sometimes, but always away from me, never in front of me. They were literally not a happy couple and only stayed together for years because of me. Despite everything, when Mom found out about the disease, Dad wouldn't leave her side for anything. It was a very difficult time in our lives, especially when the news broke.

As I drive, I wipe away the tear that insists on falling. I don't really like remembering it, because it makes me sad. I'll never get over my mother's departure so soon, so I try at least to lead a life in which I don't remember her so much so that I don't get stuck in the memories of the past and make it even worse.

I leave my car in the parking lot and walk to the classroom. Ashley isn't here, she arrives after me. It's strange, because I always arrive after her. She sits down next to me and flashes me a smile.

"I bring gossip," Ashley says, "and it's strong gossip."

"Go ahead, I'm dying to know. Is that why it took you so long to get here?" she nods.

I move even closer to Ashley and she whispers the gossip in my ear.

"I was hiding listening to Bryan's conversation with Cedric, they were talking about drugs," I automatically widen my eyes.

"Drugs?" Ashley nods.

"Yes. Cedric said that Bryan was wrong not to take the drugs somewhere, so the two of them are arranging to do it at the party tomorrow."

"Where will this party be?" I ask.

"At Cedric's house, since he's living on his own now," she says.

"Oh my God," I reply, amazed, "I can only imagine how heavy this party will be. There will be all sorts of people and illegal things."

"I didn't know Bryan was that high. You're going to intervene, aren't you?" I spend a few seconds thinking about the answer.

"Well, Bryan already knows what he's doing with his life, I can't interfere," I say, pretending not to care.

"Bryan was childish, but do you remember how he defended you when you had that thing with Tyler? I don't think you should ignore the fact that he's on drugs. Of course, if it's a worse drug than marijuana," she says.

"I don't know how long Bryan's been doing this, Ashley. I'm not a rehab clinic to kick anyone's addiction."

Ashley just denies it with his head.

"What did you do yesterday?" she asks.

"I have something new to tell you, it's good and it doesn't involve Bryan," I say.

"What happened?"

And off I go to spend minutes talking about Lorenzo to Ashley, until class starts. The two of them need to meet and it's going to be today. As today is one of the rare days when Ashley will be free at break, I arrange a tennis match between the two of us and Lorenzo with his friend.

***

As we arrive at the club, Lorenzo and his friend from the other day come towards us. I'm surprised when Lorenzo kisses me, I just smile and say hello back. Ashley looks at me in surprise and I laugh.

"Lorenzo, Ashley. Ashley, Lorenzo," I introduce the two of them, who shake hands.

"Well, this is Ian," Lorenzo says, introducing his friend.

"I think I saw you at Tyler's party," Ashley says to the boy and a shiver goes through me.

"Yeah, I was there," Ian smiles.

"Can we get started?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"Sure, let's go," Lorenzo says and puts his arm around my shoulders.

I play one game with Ashley and three with Lorenzo, winning all four games.

"I'll always want to play with you now," Lorenzo says, smiling.

"You play a lot too, yesterday I didn't even play that well," I say.

"I just don't play better than you. I think they got on well," he says, looking at Ashley and Ian talking.

"Oh great! That's the only way to get Ashley off the hook," we laugh.

"We can arrange something else with them, maybe a movie or another trip to the mall."

"There's a lacrosse match this weekend, we could watch it together," I suggest.

"Great idea, Angel. And what do you think of a swimming pool now?" he asks.

"I think it'd be great, I've got a swimsuit stashed away here. In fact, more than one, so Ashley can go with Ian too."

"Perfect, then. And off we go," I smile and wave my hand for Ashley and Ian to come closer.

As well as finding a nice guy, I've also got someone for my best friend. Not bad. We'll embark on this adventure together.