wander

30|I didn't need this, not now.

"Where's your school?" He asks, covering up his anger with a smile.
"Just down the block." I reply. He still has his hand in mine and I look at him as we walk down the calm street. I'm still so nervous, I tried so hard but I know I wasn't perfect. Especially Chemistry. I just can't get that shit in my head. I feel my heart beat in my throat. I just want to skip past this day.

We are walking up to the building and my heart drops. There is a crowd of people surrounding the notice board. Fuck! What has someone wrote now. I don't even want to know... do I? I tug at Romeo's hand and he speeds up walking to the same pace as me. We approach the board and a brunette notices me. Everyone looks over and cheers. People swarm us and some people even have their phones out. Shit... they're recording. 

Romeo and I try to brush past them but it's impossible. I brush past people, usually I wouldn't barge past people but I can't deal with crowds. Not since I've been a loner all my life. We finally get past the crowd but they don't stop. They follow behind us and I turn to look at them. Romeo tugs on my hand and before I look at him, I give the crowd a scowl.

The principal is stood by the entrance and shakes my hand. 
"Miss Smithers, nice to see you," he gives a smile and reaches his hand out to Romeo. "And Mr..."
"Bianchi. Romeo." He leaves Principal Williams hand unshaken and the Principal takes his hand back to his side. He points his hand out to his office. He follows behind me and Romeo and I feel Romeo's eyes peering down on me.

Before I step into his office I take a deep breath. 

I take the step.

I walk out to the chair that's set up in the office. There isn't a chair for Romeo. 
"If you could just wait outside. There's a few things I need to speak to your girlfriend about." Principal Williams states.
"Oh he's- he's not... not my boyfriend." I quickly correct grey haired man.
"Oh right, sorry. I guess he can sit." He mutters.

Romeo pulls a chair from the room opposite and plonks it next to mine. I scoot my chair over so Romeo can see the computer clearer. I pick at my fingernails out of habit and Romeo takes my hand. He can probably tell I'm uncomfortable. The principal takes a deep breath and my heart rate picks up.

"Your academics are great. You passed each subject. Good grades, good behavior and a good student from what I've heard." I crack a smile and turn to Romeo. He's smiling so big. "But-"

"But?" Romeo butts in.
"But we need to speak about some things. Other than academics."
"Oh." My heart drops.

I'm so glad that I passed and got good grades. But what could be wrong.
"The crowd outside?" I question.
"Yes. Um... they put this on the notice board." He slides a phone over.

I gasp when I see it. Romeo lets out a deep breath, try to contain his anger. His hand drops from mine. I try to hold my tears back. Principal Williams takes the phone away. The photo is still ingrained in my memory. 

My senior year photo and the photo I posted on Instagram. And a picture of Romeo in the corner. The texts reads, "Before and After a good fuck. RomeoB with Chiara Smithers, spotted in Highway Walk." I look up to Romeo. He's looking up to me, as if he didn't care that he was included too. 
"Hey Chiara, it's okay. We'll sort it out. Right?" He looks up to the principal. Mr Williams only hesitates. 
"Right?" He urges on.
"We can't do anything. They graduated and we do not have to safeguard them. If anything, the best you can do is contact the police."

I break down. Tears smear my face and my mascara is all over my wet cheeks. I knew coming back wasn't a good idea. This is why I moved on. I can't take all of this shit. 

"Okay, we'll get in contact with the police. Thanks... I guess." Romeo gets quieter as he reaches the end of his sentence. He takes my hand and leads me out of the office. I take a deep breath and wipe my eyes. I pick at my finger nails again and rub my lips together.

"Could you at least make the crowd go, that's the least you can do for." Romeo states, not asks.
"Right, yes." The principal staggers out of the room. I give him a half smile and lean into Romeo's chest. His heart beat is racing but his face is trying to stay calm. He places a kiss upon my forehead and I feel a tear roll down my cheek. He brings his thumb to my cheek and wipes it away.

The principal enters the office again and tells us it's safe to leave. I nod my head and Romeo shakes his hand, a difference to earlier. We leave the school grounds in silence. Neither of know what to say. I squeeze his hand to get his attention, his hazel eyes peer down at me.

"What's wrong baby?... sorry I-"
"It's fine. Can we just go home? Like now? I don't want to get involved with the police."
"But Chiara, you can't let them get away with it. We can get to the end of it."
"I don't care. I just don't want to be here. Please. For me?"
"Okay. For you. But can I ask one more thing?"
"Of course." I say, my voice strained.

I can't get the way he called me baby out of my head. It sounded perfect coming from his lips. He didn't stutter to say it. I don't know what happened, but when he said that I felt better. Only a bit but it felt nice. I want to hear it again. The feeling of comfort felt safe. It's what I needed right now. Love. Care. Compassion. 

"Before we leave... can we go to your place again. Please." He sounds desperate.
"I guess so. I'd like to go there too. But one thing."
"What? I'll do anything."
"Call it our place." I say softly.
"Our place. I can work with that." He chuckles.