Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

Ditching Class

 I was stopped by Ema in the middle of the hall. She grabbed my shoulder and swung me around to face her. “How do you know Jeff?” She questioned crossing her little arms over her chest. Ema was one to think highly of herself. She's pretty, without a doubt. But she had no class and the lack of class produces a total bitch.

I walked past her ignoring the question. There was nothing wrong with simply answering her question, however there was also nothing wrong with asking politely. Why should I give her a face or even put up with her? But how does she know Jeff? Moreover, how does she know I know Jeff? I just met the man.

“Hey, I'm talking to you!” She called after me.

“Talk to my back,” I murmured walking into class.

I watched a woman in a polka dot dress and wild hair write 'Mrs.Withers' across the board. I liked substitute teachers, their ignorance of the school's rules was always taken advantage of. Our English teacher was frequently absent and as often as I could I took advantage of that ignorance. I smiled at her as she turned around. She wore Ugly Betty glasses. If it weren't for her dark complexion I would have thought it was Ugly Betty in the flesh. She returned my smile and gestured for me to go to her.

Yes! I mutely cheered. I'm taking attendance. Routine, I mark myself present and ditch class.

Two minutes was all it took. I apologized and told her that I had the wrong class.

Out on the bleachers some one sat leaning back and smoking a cigar. I walked closer to see who it was. Austin? I thought about turning back but he looked up and spotted me.

Great, now he's going to think I'm a stalker.

He waved. I abruptly turned anyway and started walking back towards the building.

“Hey!” he called after me.

I stopped and turned around. He ran towards me.

“Oh sorry I didn't see you.” I lied when he reached me gasping for breath.

“It's okay. I just want to ask you something.” He raised his eyebrow still trying to catch his breath.

“Shoot.”

“How do you know Jeff?”

Not what I expected.

“Oh brother.” I groaned and marched back towards the building.

“Wait,” He caught up to me.

I ignored him and kept walking.

“Are you going to answer me?”

I rolled my eyes and continued to ignore him.

“Hey, I'm talking to you!” He yells as I tried to open the door. Did I mention, he sounds exactly like Ema.

He grabbed my arm and slammed me against the wall. Closing the distance between us, he placed his hands on either side of my head.

“Are you going to answer me?” He asked again.

I studied his face which was just inches away from mine. What's this fascination with this Jeff guy anyway? He seemed determined to get the answer to his question.

“How do you know Jeff?” I asked almost as if I hadn't just met the man and knew him longer than Austin and his Ema. I couldn't tell him about last night. Not that there was anything to tell, but even the idea of a strange man sleeping in my apartment has a potential of doing damage to my reputation.

“I asked first.” Austin murmured.

My breath caught in my thought. A close proximity to any man has a funny effect on my brain and we were inches away from touching. I searched his face for a hint, my eyes lingered on his lips. The lips owned by Ema. Ema, that's it. I looked behind him and my eyes widened.

“Ema,” I whispered.

Abruptly, he spun around giving me just enough time to run into the building.

Sucker.

I spent the rest of the day avoiding Austin. After I finished my classes I quickly ran out just so I wouldn't bump into him. I was surprised to see Jeff waiting for me outside. He gestured for me to join him.

“Hey, are you hungry?” He asked with a smile.