Surrounded But Alone

Chapter 20-Please Don't Go

Presley's Point Of View;

As I was thinking I heard Mitchum exclaim, "What a jerk! The guy even treats his friends like they're his slaves."

I couldn't object to that but I won't be able to help Amelia or that girl over the weekend. I have to meet Grandmom's lawyer. I tried to get out of it by asking if we could just talk about it during a video conference and even use the excuse of not being able to afford this flight back which wasn't a lie but the lawyer said that it was being taken care of. It must be important for him to insist that I be there. I didn't even ask what he meant by that and I doubt that matters right now.

"Yep, whenever he's not happy about something he gets like that. It doesn't happen often and I think this is the third time I've heard it counting today's earlier scene and just now," Amelia responded as she petted Octo.

"I hope next time it happens on the football field and he at least gets red-carded for it," Mitchum said in an annoyed tone still looking really angry as he folded his arms.

That's his excitable and impulsive personality that always shines through in situations like this. In most cases its helpful but if he knew I was flying back home he'd want to know the reason and might even want to come along. With it being a funeral, I'll have family there and they didn't really like how I was so close to her considering the chequered past with my dad. The last thing I want is for Mitchum to be aware of any of that. It's my problem and I have to deal with it myself.

"I don't watch college football, so I can't speak for his character there. What I do know was that my roommate use to come to watch these competitions until last year. She was the one that told me about this and I came with her here for the first time to watch. After he won she wanted to go backstage. He must have not noticed us unlike what happened today and let the guy go. I think someone bought him the wrong soda or beverage of some sort. Then he threw it so hard at something that the hard plastic cup sounded like it got smashed. A clang followed it and then my roommate wanted to leave immediately so I didn't know for sure. She never came back since," I had thought for sure that Amelia would get offended by Mitchum telling her about a football game but she surprised me with her reaction.

"He threw a tantrum over a soda? And that was enough to freak your roommate out like that," Mitchum tilted his head and asked.

"Well she told me he aimed to throw it at Sandra. But to me, it sounded like it hit something metal. When I told her that she agreed but she never elaborated anymore on it. From then on I always had a bad feeling about him. But anyway, what do you think Presley?" At the sound of hearing my name, I said what I was sure about.

"He's definitely cheating in the tournament," was my reply.

"Of course! My sixth sense never lies, but how?" Amelia said while smiling triumphantly.

Well, I didn't have a sixth sense about it but even if I'm wrong there is no denying that it's something that needs to be looked into. Even though this is exactly one of the reasons why my dad resents me so much. I always found myself right involved even if he specifically told me not to. But I couldn't just stand by and do nothing while he treated people anyhow he wanted. It was already bad enough that he made my life miserable.

"I don't know yet, but I have my suspicions. By the tournament next week, I think I'll have the answers I need," I said to her already knowing that I'm going to make time for this mission despite the jetlag when I'm back.

My first plane ride was when I came here and the idea of flying back all by myself is terrifying. Mitchum is the flying pro with all the oversea family trips he took. I only got through the first time because of him but I have to learn to stop depending on other people. I'll be taking an early flight tomorrow. Maybe I can text Mitchum when I'm at the airport, that is if he even notices I'm gone. His new friends here will keep him busy and I won't have to tell him anything at all. There must be another reason Grandmom wanted me there so I have to go. At least to fulfill her last wishes.

"You mean after meeting the guy just once you can tell all of that?" Mitchum said in a questioning tone while giving me a raised brow.

I didn't know what to say to that because I would have to go into detail. I avoided his gaze as I tried to think of a quick response.

"Well it didn't take you more than one meeting with him for you to know he's a jerk, did it," Amelia answered for me instead.

Mitchum seemed to go silent on that one before trying to find a sentence. I couldn't believe it myself. Normally words just flow right out of him no matter the situation.

"Wow, that's the first time I've ever seen you at a loss for words," I said what I was thinking out loud.

"Well that's because it's never happened around you," He just shrugged it off and chuckled lightly. I could believe that cause out of the two of us, I did speak less.

Then Octo barked and started tugging on the leash Amelia had him on as if he had somewhere important to go.

"Well, this has been an eventful evening gentleman but I must leave you alone now," Amelia said as she was leaving with him.

"Maybe one of us should go with you," Mitchum said in her direction. I already knew that she was going to refuse cause she didn't like to be offered help in going anywhere. But going around the school is one thing leaving school grounds on you're own is another.

"No need, I'm going to a little café just outside of the school and I know my way. Plus Octo is with me and he doesn't get lost," That was a bit of a surprise. She must be going to the same place I had to.

"Really? Because I got invited to meet Homer there but I'm not to sure about where it is."

"He didn't tell you where it was?" Mitchum asked.

"Well yeah, he did but I should have written it down."

On hearing this Amelia came closer to me and tugged on my sleeve causing me to look down at her. "No worries, I'll take you where you need to go."

"Great! Then I'll be heading back to the dorm; after all of those Chemistry questions, I can tell that I have a lot to catch up on. See you guys later," Mitchum looked almost too relieved to hear that but I didn't feel the same.

"Wait! You're leaving me alone!" I exclaimed as Mitchum waved us off going out from backstage. The moment I uttered those words my mind flashed back I kew I sounded just like that little boy I was when my grandmother took me to the grocery store and told me to stand in line by a cashier while she went back for something. Well, that is if you consider age thirteen as little. I hated it when she did that. If our turn came without her there what could I do? And all those people in the store were always in a hurry. Am I still that weak and helpless? Amelia tugged again on my sleeve but pulled me to walk this time bringing me back to the present.

"Relax you're not alone, you have me and Octo. Now come on," She said in another firm strict tone.