26

As I sat at the kitchen counter, munching on my favorite bowl of cereal, my mind wandered.

I absentmindedly stirred the colorful loops in my bowl, watching as they swirled around in the milk.

The clinking of the spoon against the bowl echoed through the quiet kitchen.

The cereal got more soggy each second it still lingered inside, not being eaten.

I looked up to see my dad walking in, arm in arm with Adeline.

They were both laughing and chatting, completely unaware of my presence in the kitchen.

They stumbled into the room, still giggling.

Adeline suddenly stopped in her tracks, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Without warning, she leaned in and planted a passionate kiss on my dad's lips.

She hopped on my dad, wrapping her legs around his waist

Tongue deep in his throat.

I spat out the remaining milk in my mouth, back in the bowl, and stood up.

"Welp, I'm definitely not going to unsee that anytime soon." I mumble to myself, walking to the sink.

I could see Adeline side-eyeing me as she literally assaulted my dad's lips.

But, my dad patted her back, and she hopped off.

He cleared his throat, trying to calm down his fast breathing as he straightens his tie.

Adeline on the other hand used her middle finger to wipe the messy lipstick off the corner of her lips, her eyes not leaving mine.

Dad breathed heavily, I could tell he was embarrassed.

"Oh, hey, kiddo." He gasped, "Wha- What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off to write a test?"

I quickly drained the milk out of the bowl and threw the last cereal away "No, I'm finished. Thanks for asking." I replied sarcastically, washing the bowl.

Dad sighed, walking over to me. "I'm sorry, I should've asked earlier."

Adeline chirped in, "Hey, hun. We should be going if we don't want to end up being late."

"I'm sorry." Dad said softly to me, "But when we come back, I'll make it my top priority to ask you about everything, okay?"

I frown, "Wait, but... you're still coming to the show, right?"

"What show?"

"Choir?" I ask, "I'm singing, remember? The end of the semester show...?"

Dad raised his chin, widening his eyes as it clicks him. "Goddammit," He muttered, "I'm sorry, baby. I won't be able to make it. I need to be at the office to write reports and see clients."

"Oh."

I would be mad, but I know his job takes a lot of time away from us, especially his rank.

Plus, he looks very disappointed and guilty, and I don't want him to feel like he made me feel down.

I smile softly, "I understand, it's fine."

Adeline warned, "Corbin."

Dad placed his hands on both sides of my head and placed a quick kiss on top.

"I love you." He said, pulling back and rushing away.

"Love you too." I mumble.

But they were already at the front door.

As I stood in the kitchen, staring blankly at the dishes in the sink, my mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts.

The image of Professor Garcia sitting at her desk and telling me she knew I was hungover replayed in my head. She was the woman Eleanor told me about, and I have no clue what happened between professor and I that night.

With everything going on between professor and I, I don't know if I want to travel with her anymore.

It'll be way too awkward.

Then there's Adeline who's really been getting on my nerves, making out with dad 24/7.

I need to cover my ears with a pillow at night when they're getting it on.

That's not because of Adeline, but my dad's screams of pain.

Gross.

Sometimes I think she's the man in their relationship.

But also how she tries to replace my mom, telling me to go wash the dishes or do the laundry.

Suddenly, a face appeared in the kitchen window above the sink, causing me to yell and jump away.

Laughter erupted while I turn back to see Iris. She grinned mischievously using her breath to make the window foggy and drawing a 'hi' out.

"Did you really jump over the wall?" I ask, trying to forget I probably just shat myself.

"I've been trying to call you all morning. Are you really that scared to see your marks that you just turned your phone off?" Her voice came out as a muffle behind the window.

I sighed, "Guilty as charged."

Usually Iris is the one scared to see her marks, but truth is, this time it's me.

Not only Law, but Spanish too. Professor already said I got full marks for my speech, but my test is the problem.

I rushed to the back-sliding-door and unlocked it, sliding it open.

Iris stood in front with a proud smirk before walking pass me inside.

"So, you really are scared to see the results?" She asks.

I nod, locking the door. "Yeah, and I don't know why. This year just has me fucked up already."

I hung the keys back up.

Iris hummed as she leaned against the kitchen counter, "You sure it's been the year, and not a certain professor?"

My mind went to the kiss, my body turning warm. "Oi, when I told you 'I felt something,' it was that time of the month-- my hormones were everywhere and I wasn't thinking clearly; I was delusional and emotional."

She crossed her arms, giving me a look. A look that reads: 'I don't believe you'

"You're blaming your feelings on your period right now?"

"I-" I pause, "Yes."

"Well..." She sighed, pushing herself away from the counter, "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, you need to focus on your studies. I'm worried, pooks', never in your life were you ever nervous for a test. But you even forgot about the Spanish speech? Something's going on."

I chewed on my bottom lip, somewhat agreeing with her.

Iris sent me a smile before starting to climb up the stairs.

"Uh, where are you going?" I ask.

"To your room." She said, "I want to see what goodies I can find in your closet."

Guess the rare moment of Iris giving me a lecture and being sympathetic is over.

Once again, I stood there alone. Me, myself, and my thoughts.

I've also been thinking to invite Eleanor over so that the three of us can look at our marks together.

But knowing Iris, I don't think it'll be the best idea.

She never really play nice with others.

I grabbed popcorn and quickly made it in the microwave before going upstairs with a huge bowl in my hands.

Iris stood in front of my open closet, observing closely. She softly stroked her chin as if she was thinking.

She sighed, and closed it, then turned around to me like she sensed my presence behind her.

She said walking to my bed with a wicked grin, "We should go shopping. Buy you some new clothes if you want to give Garcia a show."

Ignoring that comment, I went to sit down next to her as she flopped down on my bed.

"So, Greece." I started off, placing the bowl of popcorn down in front of us. Iris knew where this was going and nodded.

"I really want to go." She said, reaching out for the popcorn, "And I'm sure I will."

I smile softly, glad she's confident. "All it takes is an 80 on the report."

"Easier said than done." She chewed open mouth.

"Hey, you said the Spanish was easier than law, right?" I ask, also putting some popcorn in my mouth, "Then that's a good sign."

"A good sign I'll do good in Spanish, but what about law?" She said, "Vic, Spanish is just some extra subject we took for some extra end-of-the-year marks, to get Spanish on our diploma when we leave. But, law is our future. Someday we'll get a job. Be lawyers, and the best fucking ones there is."

Intrigued, I tilt my head to the side. "What are you trying to say?" I ask.

"I was too focused on studying for Spanish to go to Greece with you, that I forgot about my future, studying hard in law that I can become a lawyer."

"I'm sorry." I said, "I really just wanted you to see Europe. I know you always wanted to see it.'

"What?" She frowned and her voice softened, "No, no, Vic, I'm not playing victim and trying to blame anyone. I- I'm not mad. I'm thankful that you got professor to give me extra help after class. I'm just talki--"

A bunch of notifications popped up on my laptop sitting on my desk, causing the black screen to turn on.

I wasn't too worried, thinking it might be a software update alert.

But then me and Iris' phones went off with 'dings' and notifications popped up.

Taking a closer look, it was from the university and our heartrates has just increased.

We looked at each other, gulped, then back down to our devices.

I grabbed my phone, and she grabbed hers.

"What do we check first?" I ask quietly, all of this a bit too nerve-racking.

"Law." She said.

And that's what we did.

We tapped on the university's email and there were two links inside. A private link to Spanish class 101; Professor D. Garcia, and a private link to CJ (Criminal Justice) Law; Professor R. Abramson.

We counted down from 3 before clicking on professor Abramson's email.

I chewed at my sweatshirt hoodie's strings anxiously before it opened and there was a long paragraph just congratulating me.

The professor probably just copy and pasted the, 'well-done for our hard work' message, to everyone else since Iris also got the same text.

They're too lazy to write each student a different message.

As we scrolled down, that's when my heart sunk.

73,1%

That's 7,5% down than last year.

"Wait, I did pretty good!" Iris cheered, snapping me out of my trance, "69, what about you?"

She leaned towards me and stared down at my phone, looking with me.

Her smile faded away, but returned a bit later. "Hey, we both did good!"

"That's almost 8% down from last year's exams." I said quietly.

Even Iris did better. She'd normally get 58,7%.

"Hey, no, don't do that to yourself!" She said strictly, trying to ease the mood. "Come on, next, Spanish. And I know you aced it."

We took a deep breath in, and opened Professor Garcia's email.

This time, the 'well-done text' was original, no other student got one like mine.

I looked over at Iris', and it was shorter.

My text got a smiley face at the end, hers got a full stop.

'Dear, Victoria Rivera'

'I'm really proud of you. After everything you've been through, you still managed to push through. You've made time, when I knew you didn't have, with how busy you were, to put into your studies. Not even coming prepared with a speech, yet you still did excellent in that as well. I'm satisfied with your mark, and I hope you are too as much as I am. Please see your results at the bottom via the link.'

Thank you for your time :)

Best,

'Professor D. Garcia'

I've never felt so embarrassed in my life finding myself smiling down to a stupid text, especially coming from a professor.

The 'I'm proud of you' just made me feel better about myself, and a lot more confident with my mark.

Flicking my finger down to the bottom of the email, I click on the link.

My eyes lit up as I saw the results.

"88." I said.

I'm going to Greece!

Slowly, I turn to her with a lot of hope.

Though, all that hope drained out of my eyes seeing her staring down at her phone with a frown.

A visible lump went down her throat as she gulps. She shut her phone off, throwing it off to the side and turned to me with a heartbroken look.

"I, uh..." She whispers sadly.

Shit.

Sighing, I close my eyes. "Bye-bye, Greece." I said softly.

My eyes opens again as she speaks, "Nuh-uh, we're not saying bye to Greece that fast." She smirks, her sadness flushing away, "It's just the beginning"

She opened her phone again.

My eyes widen. "80,1%!?" I cheered.

Iris jumped up onto my bed, "We're going to Greece, baby!"