Richman High

Chapter 10 - She Said Preparations

"Kenna, you should've been there. It was amazing!" Vince continues his recount of Homecoming, "The catering was divine and the fireworks there went on for ten minutes!"

Shoulder to shoulder we both grab out mugs and fill it up with our essential fuel. For him, it was tea will milk and one sugar and me, plain old coffee with milk and no sugar. Even if it has been a long day, I need my daily cup because without it, I think I'd go mad and kill someone. Or maybe get away with manslaughter.

"That's nice." I whip an disingenuous grin, ignoring the fireworks part.

A part of me regrets not attending but I know it's for the best. I cannot stand fireworks, that loud irritating pop with every anticipating beat. My ears can't stand it, even if I try to turn off my hearing aid, the vibrations would just hurt my ears and in the end I'd have a massive headache. It's not nice to see.  Instead, my Friday night was spent at home; marking the necessary papers and staying in with Mum while she asked questions on Principle Simmons.

I could have gone and left early but what's the point? To have Priscilla glare at me for an hour while I get my surroundings then leave before midnight? No way. I'll give it to Spencer though; planning a Homecoming at the Space Needle is a brilliant idea.

"You must've had a good time." I state the obvious.

"Yes I did." He answers while taking a careful sip, "So what are you up to tonight?"

"Tonight? I need to start prepping my English boys for their second assessment. Their marks were excellent but I believe they can do better."

"Really?"

"Yes, Vince. It's a Tuesday, I won't be going anywhere tonight."

"You're a good teacher Kenna but good luck." Vince compliments, "Most of the time when I tell my boys to aim higher but they just shrug their shoulders and roll their eyes."

"I'll try my best." Mumbling to myself, "I'll be off now!"

"Bye Kenna."

Walking in the opposite direction, "Goodbye Vince."

I shouldn't be thinking about Spencer's inappropriateness this morning. It was completely weird when he asked why I wasn't there at Homecoming, right? Right. I'm ten thousand dollars into my surgery, five weeks of teaching isn't so bad whenever I check my account balance. Granted, I have to use some of that money for leisure and personal expenses but this is still a good start. I don't have a problem with my pay at all. I get taxed but I still manage to get by and I don't have to depend on Mom anymore.

My familiar ringtone echoes through the hall, "We still on for dinner tonight?"

"Yes but I have to be back by eight otherwise I won't get any work done."

Nicole rubs me off, "Yeah, yeah."

"I'm serious, Nicole."

"Fine." Nicole scoffs, "Sometimes I hate the fact that you have a job."

"I don't, I'll be brand new and healthy by June next year." I grin at the image I have for myself. Putting my trustee hearings aside and waking up to hear the creak of my door that Mom's always complains about.

"I'll meet you at the restaurant?"

"Yeah, don't be late." I hang up before she gives me some bullshit excuse.

I should get in contact with a specialist though. I should be doing some intense research on this surgery instead of prolonging it. Yes, I should do that. Maybe this weekend with Mom. That would mean that I'd have to travel to the inner city and stay there a couple of weeks before I can get my balance back. Which would mean I'd have to get my surgery at the beginning of summer break. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Turning right upon entering my lemon infused office, I see a frustrated Luca sitting in front of my desk. Bleakly circling him and I wait for him to start. Soon enough, Luca will start demanding some answers now that I'm so close to him. He's probably sick of waiting and I can't blame him. I know I can't. I cannot blame him.