The Balls in Our Courts [F.SxO.CxT.S]

Chapter Sixteen

Lord knows Amelia wanted to challenge him that day, tell him fine...that she'd leave, but she had no money to her name. Where would she go? Her grandmother's in Dublin? That was hardly an option. Her grandma was an uppity woman who'd do nothing, but control every aspect of her life. And her parents? If they wanted her, she would be with them. So, Amelia conceded and stayed silent, hardly apologizing. Her and Tommy over the next few months formed a certain type of relationship; he ignored her except on days he had to bring her to tennis. When August came around, it was time for her to fulfill her next duty; schooling. There was a small Catholic school for all girls in the center of the city that offered half day. It focused on math, reading, writing, and etiquette. On the morning of, she wanted to comment on how she hated the uniform, but Finn warned her that Tommy wasn't in the mood.

She rolled her eyes, "is he ever?" She took the tie around her neck and shoved it into his chest. "Please, help me with this! It's so tedious. Why do we have to wear these anyway?" To her, maroon and beige was an ugly combo. It was a long maroon skirt tucked with a beige blouse covered with a maroon jacket. "And it's hot-"

"It's because you're getting all worked up," he said, putting it around her neck, tying it for her. "You just have to remember how to loop it, then you can pull it." Under her breath, she commented on how she'd like to hang it, too...on the closet rod. "Don't joke like that...I'd have to admit you."

"Where? We already live here."

She skipped breakfast to avoid talking to Tommy, and allowed Finn to walk her the full twenty five minutes to the school. It was a small dinky building for girls ages thirteen to eighteen. Across the street was the boys' school; much bigger and grandeur. She looked at over, and Finn snapped his fingers. "Have you listened to anything I've said? You go in and find this room...make sure you get up when the teacher comes in, too, though. Just...y'know, follow everything everyone else does, and for the love of God, don't piss off Mother Mary Agnes. You know the old hag that came to our house that day? She's the head nun this year. Mother Superior-Amelia! Keep your blouse tucked in." Amelia sighed as he started to rustle with her waistband, clicking his teeth.

"I got it," she whined, pushing away.

"Apparently not, it looks sloppy-"

"Finn Shelby," she warned, taking a step back, putting her finger up. "Don't touch me."

"Fine," he huffed. "But don't blame me when you get a swatch to your wrist." Finn was lucky enough not to go to school that year as he was being trained in the family business. There was no need to finish his last year in secondary college. If Tommy had it his way, Amelia wouldn't even be going to school, wasting her time with books and math. Things he thought were silly for her to learn. Though, she could use the manners and etiquette. "Now, I will pick you up at noon. Be out front. I don't feel like searching for you."