*Geek Boy*
At 10:00 pm on a Friday night, I was sitting the office of Devin Humble Protection Orphanage, typing on my Windows laptop.
The orphanage couldn't afford employees so on Fridays I volunteered to manage their monetary and economic status. On Sundays, I tutored the small class of children within the institution. And on any other days I had free I played the makeshift Electrician.
My mother didn't particularly approve of my job. She figured that my time could better be spent studying or attending revision classes. She'd allowed the compromise once I told her that it was only a few hours a week and I would still attend my classes. The fact that it would look good to Universities helped a little.
Every night, including today, I ensured I was be in bed by eleven and woke up by 6:00. Seven hours of sleep ensured retentive memory and healthy brain activity.
My schedule followed the same pattern every day.
Except for tomorrow.
My heart sputtered and stopped just thinking about her.
I rubbed my blurry eyes as I glanced up at the clock at the far end of the room. 10:05. What was Ellie doing right now?
Her face as she gazed at me was ever emblazoned in my mind. The way her lips parted and red tinged her cheek as I brushed her hair back would never be forgotten. A sigh escaped my lips. What had I done to deserve her attention?
I knew Ellie, and I knew I couldn't deserve her. She wasn't just a beautiful face, she was conscientious, kind, brave and loyal. Throughout the last seven years, I'd seen her defend not just me. I'd seen her protect those she owed nothing to. And every time I watched her stick up for someone being bullied, my heart would expand ever larger. And so would my affection.
I still couldn't believe it.
For the first time in seven years, I'd had a genuine conversation with Ellie Kent. In fact, I'd made her laugh.
The sound of giggling still floated in my mind, making my cheeks burn.
Did her friends hear that wonderful laughter often?
I bit my lip as I imagined her face again. Probably. She laughed like it was an habitual action. Her lips naturally tugged into that beautiful smile.
What I would do to be close to her, to have her attention.
Seriously, Will, get to work.
I turned back to the computer screen.
"Will? You're still here?"
Ms. Marsh, school library manager and care lady at the orphanage, strode out from the hallway leading to the dorms. She tightened her old grey robe as she padded into the room. Her slippers slapped the ground as she walked.
I nodded. "Yeah. I need to finish up on accounting for tax."
Ms. Marsh sighed. "You shouldn't spend all night here, son. You should go home soon, OK?"
I nodded again. "I will."
She paused and I glanced up. A smile was inching across her face. "So, how long have you been crushing on that girl?" Her eyes twinkled. "Ellie Kent right?" she asked.
I felt my face heat up. Was I that obvious?
"Seven years, ma'am," I replied.
She whistled. "Now, that is a manly stretch." She smiled. "Have you told her?"
I shook my head, my gaze dropping to my feet. "No," I said. "She would never feel the same way." The last part came out as a mumble.
"You'd be surprised," Ms. Marsh murmured.
Before I could ask her what she meant, she was already heading back the way she'd come.
"Go to bed soon, OK?"
Then she was gone.
I sighed as I leaned back, glaring at the ceiling. Despite the happiness that coursed through my blood from today's interaction with Ellie, exhaustion weighed down my muscles.
Was Ellie feeling the same way?
Probably not.
I sat up as my phone vibrated. I lifted it up, frowning at the unknown number.
My finger slid over the answer button. "Hello?"
"Hi, is this William Johnson?" a female voice asked.
I straightened. "Yes. Who is this?"
"This is Maia Parkinson from New Beginnings Rehabilitation Centre. I am calling regarding Mr Jed Johnson. You are listed as his second contact. Is that correct?"
I rubbed tension from my neck. This was not happening.
"Yes," I replied, my voice tense. "What is this concerning?"
"I am calling to inform you that in a month, the jurisdiction forcing Mr Johnson to attend our clinic will have expired."
This wasn't happening.
"And then?"
"In a period of twenty-seven days, we will have no choice but to release him, whether or not it is in his best interest."
I cradled my head in my hands. This was the worst time for this to happen.
"Do you believe it is in his best interest?" I muttered.
"Pardon, sir?"
"Do you believe it is in his best interest?" I repeated.
The lady hesitated. "I'm afraid I do not have the position to make that judgment."
"I want to hear your opinion. Do you think it is in his best interest?"
She hesitated again. "From my experience, clients placed with us as a result of the judicial system are often released too early for the course to have a true impact. We usually need more time to truly socialize our clients for going back to the real world."
You've had a year.
"I see."
"However, do not take my opinion as law. To hear a more informed opinion, you will have to speak to one of the clinical staff who are in charge of Mr Johnson."
I sighed.
"And there's no way you can hold him any longer?"
"Not unless his sentence is lengthened by the courts or if he proves to be a danger to more people. The only way we will be able to keep him here is if he chooses to stay voluntarily."
Which he won't.
I sighed, scrubbing a hand down my forehead. "I see."
Silence.
"Have you called my mother?" I asked.
"Pardon, sir?"
"Have you called my mother?" I repeated. "Lydia Johnson? Have you called Lydia Johnson?"
"Yes," she replied. "She did not answer the phone."
Because she was working.
"I see." I sighed. "Thank you for calling me."
"No problem sir."
I hung up.
Jed was coming out of rehab.
The shiver that raced down my spine wasn't positive.
Just a few minutes later, my phone rung again. I groaned as my Mother's name popped up on the screen.
"Will," she said as soon as I picked up. She paused, but her unsaid words floated into my ear anyway. "Did she call you?" Her voice was slightly irritated.
"Yes."
I heard her sigh over the phone. "I see. She shouldn't have done that. You're too young to listen to all of this."
She wouldn't have had to if you'd just answered your phone.
"Anyway," she continued, "I don't want you in the house after 12:00 tomorrow. Is that understood?"
I sighed. No, it's not okay. "Are you talking to his lawyer?"
She paused, before finally conceding. "Yes."
I glared at the ceiling.
"You think he's going to do it again, don't you?"
My mother was silent. "Shouldn't you be in bed, Will? Are you still at that orphanage? You know you have English classes tomorrow morning right?"
"He won't like you doubting him."
She sighed and didn't speak. Finally, she murmured, "after what he did, he should expect me to doubt him. Goodnight, Will."
Then she hung up.
I went back to glaring at the ceiling.
This was bad. If I couldn't go into the house then Ellie couldn't come over.
Sighing, I reached for my phone, intending to text her before realizing I didn't have her number. I groaned. How could things go so wrong?
Then I did something I hoped I wouldn't regret. I logged into Facebook and opened up Ellie's profile.
*
The next morning, I returned from my jog to a vacant house. Silence seeped from every icy tile, filling the entire building. It was thinly hidden by the music pouring from my headphones.
Today was the day. Ellie Kent, the epitome of perfection, would be sitting next to me, asking for my help in a subject she couldn't understand.
My heart sputtered and stopped before speeding up.
The music from my headphones faded, replaced by the sound of a monotone voice reciting mathematical equations. I tugged out my headphones as I made my way to the kitchen.
Every Saturday morning, like everything else in my life, followed a schedule. At 6:00 am, I woke up for my morning jog. After an hour jogging, I spent another hour at the gym then a further hour jogging back home. I made it home by 9:00 am, just in time to drive over to my two-hour English Revision class.
And, as of today, at 2:00 pm, I would be with Ellie.
Wow.
I could almost forget the phone call from the Rehab Centre. The memory of what my mother was going to discuss with the lawyer today was just that, a memory. Because today I was going to see Ellie.
I pulled off my shirt, dropping it in the laundry basket as I headed towards the snack cabinet.
As usual, I pulled out a box of Bran Flakes and a porcelain bowl, placing them on the island at the centre of the kitchen.
Ellie was five hours away. Five measly hours.
A smile inched across my face as I turned away, jogging up the stairs to the bathroom.
Ellie Kent. Five hours.
I couldn't wait.
***
Thank you for reading ;) Tomorrow is the tutoring session, are you excited???
This chapter is dedicated to Carmen_mc33 because of her constant votes, her lovely comments, and because I really appreciate her reading this :3
God bless
xxx
Yemi Everest