Pavane for a Lost Boy (Or Rather, How to Survive Loss after Rejection)

Chapter Thirty-Five

"Demario, this sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen," was the first thing that left Dr. Nguyen's mouth after recapping him (alongside Gianna, Jose, and Judge McGillivray and her clan) with what happened after classes were over regarding my assignment with Ryan, Theo's threat, and the luncheon with the Kendricks' clan. And needless to say, no one was very happy with the paired arrangement for my project alongside with what Theo did. "I can't even begin to wonder how you're staying strong for the moment."

I took a deep breath. "In a way, I'm flipping out myself," I replied honestly, sitting back into the mahogany leather chair. "I mean, I told myself to keep away from the developing Peavey/Kendricks debacle for as long as I can while focusing on my grades. And now, this officially derails my plans."

The female judge gave me a sympathetic glance. "I know that this is a bit much for you, Demario, but you know that you have to do this assignment for your grades," she commented. "And it's due in two weeks, right?"

I nodded. "I got a chance to look at the outlines for the project assigned for me and Ryan," I replied as I pulled out the papers that detailed the matter in question. "According to this, the project has to involve some form of self-descriptive narrative about our partners alongside any gathering that will require some form of notary in regards of the parties. That's code for 'I'll need witnesses in order to get the seal of approval to show that Ryan and I did spend time together.' Not only that, this also states that the teachers could assign us to do something out of spontaniety to boost morale. And that won't require witnesses other than the teacher's."

"That's just wrong," Noreen spat lowly, shaking her head in dismay. "ANd you said that it was McNeese that made the pairings?"

"Yep. And it's because that McNeese herself believes that Ryan could be the best thing for me and that I owed myself to let him into my life. Her words, not mine. So I won't know what to expect other than come crazy scandals that can reach Jillian's ears and have Theo and his goons sic me."

"Ah, yes. Theo Blake, the godbrother of Miss Kendricks," Dr. Nguyen said. "Thomas told me that he caused quite a stir at your inaugural appearance at group therapy and said a lot of nasty things about your situation."

I shrugged. "It's basically the same thing that my late mother would like to say," I replied. "'You'd be better off if you ended your life.' 'Save face and kill yourself.' 'You're a pathetic waste of space.' You get the gist."

"Is that woman's voice still haunting you?" Gianna asked me.

Hell yeah, I am, Mom's voice rang venomously in my head. And that Blake boy has the right idea to make sure that you get the message. Stop trying to play yourself and end it all for the good of my surviving family and for my last wish. I will never let up until you do what I say.

"Demario?"

I snapped out of my reverie. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" Dr. Nguyen asked me gently.

"Why?"

"You're crying," replied Jose, a tissue in hand. "And I take it that-"

I accepted the tissue, wiping my eyes. "Mom's still not letting up until I either finish what I started or I somehow get to old age," I cut him off, my voice hoarse with emotion. "Sorry for all of this, but-"

"No need to be sorry, Demario," Judge Halliday interrupted, she coming to me. "It's your mother and her brood- both dead and living- that left you feeling like this. And as I said in that courtroom when I first met you, I'll say it again: there's a special place in hell for people who mistreat the gifted and use them like toys. You were meant to live a great life and yet your mother wanted you to settle for less or was waiting for the moment when she decided that you're an expendable liability that needed to be got rid of."