I walked with Andrius down to the lobby nervousness chilled the tips of my fingers and flew about my stomach. The thoughts of uncertainty resurfaced in my mind. Then suddenly Andrius slapped my back causing me to stumble forwards.
"That hurt man," I said rubbing the spot he hit trying to make the warm stinging sensation go away
"Calm down, it's not like this is the first time."
"I certainly hope it can be the last," I said looking up towards the front entrance.
An elderly woman in her late 50s was sitting in one of the lounge chairs with a large bag in front of her. Her once blonde hair was now a faded gray and tied in a neat bun at the back of her head. She looked up when she heard footsteps echoing down the hall.
"Good morning!" she said and waved
"Morning mother," I said and walked quickly over to her and gave her a beaming smile and warm hug
"Ohh Charlie, I missed you," she said gleefully and hugged me even tighter
"Hehe, I missed you too," I said my smile now becoming strained.
She loosened her hug and looked at me, "Hmm...you've gotten skinnier, they must not be feeding you well here...need a haircut what are you a popstar?"
"Stop it mother," I said then glanced awkwardly at Andrius.
"Oh Andrius, it has been a while hasn't it,"
"Hello Mrs. Pietro," he said accepting her hug.
"I'm glad to see you two boys getting along," she said and laughed
"Mother what are these?" I said peaking in the large bag
"Oh, some food and things I thought you might find interesting,"
"That is very kind of you," I said curtly, "would you like to go to the dorm or walk around?"
"Don't you have class right now? I might go on a stroll, you hurry along don't waste the scholarship,"
"Yes, mother, I will see you then. You know where to find me?"
"Of course, I do. I'm not helpless. Go run along now and do what you youngsters do nowadays,"
"Very well then, see you mother," I said with a wave and took the bag
"It was nice seeing you ma'am," Andrius said then caught up to me
"Glad that's over with," I sighed exhausted
"The day is not over yet mind you. She'll probably make you take her out to dinner," Andrius said
"Well hello Mr. Optimism," I teased, "Hope you don't mind that I'll be dragging you with me all over the place-"
"Hey, I see your mother is visiting today," Cassio said from one of the benches,
"What's it to you?" I muttered coldly
"Hey what is with that attitude, I was your savior last time,"
"Yes, and I am eternally grateful," I snapped, "I don't get why the girls like you, you're such a jerk,"
"I would take that back if I were you or your debt will only get bigger," Cassio said his left eye starting to twitch
"It was because of you that I have a debt in the first place,"
"Well, I did offer you a chance to redeem yourself, so what is your decision,"
I hesitated, aware of Andrius although seemingly he was distracted, I knew he was also awaiting my answer.
I took in a deep breath and stared at Cassio, "Take your money, Cassio. Paying my debt to you is not worth losing my friend," I said and forced his money back into his hand
"...ha...you really think you're his friend! Have you seen yourself? Loser." I didn't respond and it only made Cassio angrier, "I'll tell your mother who you really are in fact I'll show the whole world who you really are Peter Pietro the boy who pretends he is someone else."
I stopped in my steps. Yes...that is who I am...all I do is pretend...I am an imposter...neither Charlie nor Peter...
I turned and looked back at Cassio, "Go for it...I'm tired..." I said then continued to walk
I didn't realize Andrius was walking behind me until I heard him say, "You didn't have to do that. I couldn't care less about what you guys talk about."
I stopped, "No...I didn't do it for you." I turned and looked at his cold empty gray eyes, "I did it for myself. I wanted to have some dignity left...I have done so many things wrong...I don't want to accept a bribe to spy on someone to be another thing I regret..." I sighed and looked towards the engineering building. "We better get to class..."
I started to walk forwards again when Andrius placed his hand on my shoulder and as he walked past me, I thought I caught a glimpse of the faintest smile. I watched him walk away, the distance between us slowly increasing. I smiled too and ran to catch up. Why am I always behind everyone...I wonder what it would be like...as the first person...to see the view...If only I knew when my chance was...to shine...