Not Done Yet

1

"So she's coming?" Ian had asked, as Bernie hung up the phone.

"She seemed a little reluctant but Mel dealt with it," Bernie had looked up. "But don't forget-"

Ian sighed, cutting him off. "I know, I know. Don't become distracted from the task at hand."

He had shown nothing then. No relief, no excitement, nothing.

Bernie had looked at him with pity which made Ian feel wrong and weak.

It wasn't until Bernie had left the room that Ian could no longer stop the stupid grin from spreading across his face.

Because she was coming.

The one and only Friday Barnes was coming to Italy.

Bella cooed up at Ian from her cot, apparently having woken up, and giggled a little.

"What are you laughing at?" Ian said, still grinning.

"Ian?"

Ian snapped out of his daze.

It took him a moment to remember where he was. He was in a local park, not too far from his school, where he hung out with his friends regularly. He was sitting on a bench overlooking the basketball court next to Tatiana, his classmate whom he had been tasked to get close to.

His original plan was to become her friend, a close one. But from the way she had looked at him the first day, her eyes trailing over his face, he knew just friends wasn't going to be enough. All he'd had to do was ask her out once and now they were dating.

At least that's what everyone thought.

Their relationship was still in early stages but they sat closer to each other on the bench than just classmates

In all honesty, Tatiana was a beautiful girl who seemed kind and good-natured. It hadn't been hard to get close to her, his charms had won her over easily.

Ian had forever used his looks to get his way. He knew he should feel guilty, he had felt guilty the first few times. But when you go to a school filled with the wealthy and privileged on a scholarship, you become reliant on charm. Now it was going to make sure the Uffizi museum was safe and that seemed like a good cause.

Tatiana was still watching him.

"I'm alright," he said, trying to reassure her.

She didn't seem convinced. "You seem distracted."

He was distracted. Friday Barnes coming to Italy tomorrow just a week out of detention was a big enough distraction for him. But Tatiana didn't need to know that. She had to trust him and then perhaps she would let him in on what he needed to know.

"It's just homework," said Ian, saying the first thing that came to mind. "I've been struggling with some of the assignments."

Tatiana seemed to relax a little. "Oh. Would you like any help?"

"It's all good. I just need to spend more time on them."

She nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer. "Is the work hard with the language difference?"

Ian had been living in Italy for two years. He had picked up the language quite quickly. The only matter was figuring out how to talk like the locals.

"Not really," he replied. "But it's always easier when someone talks to me in English." he smiled at her. "Like you,"

Tatiana smiled back a little, acknowledging this.

This was what Ian found frustrating. Tatiana could accept every compliment gracefully and had fallen for his charms easily. But he had learned nothing useful. She would not be swayed that easily.

There was a buzz and Tatiana pulled out her phone.

"It's my mother," she said, before picking up. 

She sputtered in Italian so quickly, that Ian could only pick up a few words.

She sighed as she hung up. "Roberto's been arrested again."

Tatiana's brother Roberto was a busker who was often arrested for busking without a license.

"I've got to go," she said. "My mother wants me at home,"

Ian nodded. "See you at school tomorrow?" he asked.

She stood up. "See you at school."

She stood awkwardly for a moment as if deciding if she should show some parting affection. She decided against this, offering a small smile before departing.

Ian slumped against the bench before standing up to join his classmates playing basketball.

Tatiana wouldn't easily trust him that openly.

He needed to find a different approach.