More Than You Think

27

"So what I learned about meathead." I say out loud. "Ms.(l/n)." Was said but ended as Raphael chuckled. "Protective, surprisingly fun despite sleeping most classes. Has good taste in music. Is definitely a gym bro. Eats a lot of pizza. Curses like a sailor. Height tall. Eyes green. Hair brunette. Body muscle just muscles. IQ Cs get degrees." I finish before walking to my seat. I got a few laughs even from Raphael.
"What I learned about "stay away from her, she will kill you."" He began. "Stubborn, reserved at first. actually knows how to have fun without breaking someone's arm. Helpful, and filled with hope. Height she wouldn't let me measure. Eyes (eye color). Hair (hair color). Bodies, I lost count but more than 30 people are missing. IQ smarter than she looks." I laugh.
We get a sigh from our teacher, "This is not what I meant by a character sheet."

"I think we got a solid C on that." I joke as we made our way to lunch holding hands, I knew Mr.Torres saw as I felt his eyes on us. Heading to our new spot we distanced ourselves from everyone else. Not because we want to be alone but because how tense everything has been feeling lately. "I can't wait for next week when classes are over. Donnie has been applying to colleges and Leo actually applied to a few." Raphael said as we sat down. "What about you?" I ask him. "Don't know what I want to do." He was honest. "You could always help us. I'm sure Dr.Davenport could find something for you. But of course no pressure we still have time." I say as I lean my head on him. "I remember when high schools and senior year felt like a dream. Then prom is this weekend. During the last week of classes the teachers close the grade book as we go to Miami." "I'll pay Angel back." "Raphael don't worry about that." I cut him off, "he wouldn't accept it either way."
"Don't move." I hear him say making me freeze as he flicks something away from me. "I got it. Maybe we should go eat inside or else I might not be able to save you from the next beetle." He teased me. I roll my eyes. "Hey you would be scared of them too if you woke up to them crawling on you and bitting you." I shiver from the memory of the foster home where they barely fed me and Jonny let alone clean the house. "Come on. Let's go inside the library I saw Mr.Ambrose leave." He says before grabbing my things. Quickly we sneak into the library before hiding so no one sees that we brought food inside.

The last bell rang as we rushed out of the building the excitement of starting a new chapter propelled me out the double doors. Running to my house Raphael and his brothers left the building slowly as my old friends walk adjacent to them. So close yet so far. Not giving up or slowly  down I made way pushing through the crowds. Ignoring the fact that I'm getting weird looks. As I reached my house door I ran upstairs to change and grabbing a book bag.

The train dropped me off as I step onto the platform I continue my adrenaline rush and ran. Finally making it I barge in and hug Johnny. It's been weeks since I've seen him and ever since him and Vanessa he's been here in the mutant city. He hasn't been the same but he looks better considering he finally got a hair cut and a shave. He hugs me back and I saw him smile. As we leave he tells his co workers he's leaving now. "Working on anything interesting?" I ask him. Looking over his shoulder. "Just the WiFi router." He shrugs before putting an arm over my shoulder. "So Angel tells me you went to see her." "Uh yea. I wanted dating advice." I hesitate to say but it came out. Walking out he turns me to face him. "Dating advice?" He stares in my eyes. "Yea Raphael and I are dating." I look down. I never told him that we worked it out since I'm pretty sure his high school sweet heart still hasn't talked to him, let alone let him know where they stand. He continues walking away, and only nodded but I really wanted to ask him if he tried to see her. They've been together for so long and frankly they're prefect for each other. "Did you mention Oscar?" He changed the subject. Shaking my head "No, she's out and that's all she needs to know." I answered him as we made our way to the restaurant.