Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

To Be Or Not To Be

 The bell finally rang marking the end of fourth period. Everyone rushed out of class ignoring Mr. Dillin's final remarks. I finished the final question from tonight’s homework and stuffed the worksheet in between my books. Grabbing the pile, I started for the door. Mr. Dillin gave me a weird smile.

“What?” I shrugged not waiting for an answer and continued out of the class.

“It's homework for a reason,” he called from behind me.

I never understood why math teachers pushed so hard when it came down to homework. Their job is to teach, not to assign workloads. What's the point of a stack of homework if the student understands squat? The entire education system needs to be restored. It's like they deliberately add meaningless crap just to fill in for time and make it look like something's being taught. Suck the creativity right out of me.

“What's up with all the weird facial expressions. You havin' an internal discussion with Edward Cullen or what?”

I turned my head towards the boy that broke into my thoughts.

“ Meriç!” my face relaxed at the presence of him. Wow I guess I was making weird expressions.

“Yeah, I'm ditching my lunch period and joining yours,” he informed me.

“You can do that?” I asked puzzled. “I mean, doesn't that mess with your entire schedule?”

“Yeah but this is only for today, I mean afterall this morning you practically begged to see me in lunch .” he joked.

My face flushed. “I did not!” I laughed punching him in the arm.

“So did you bump into him?” he asked after a short pause, becoming serious.

“Who?” I wrinkled my forehead.

He raised his eyebrows. Gesturing with his hands, he made the motion of throwing a football.

“Ohhh!” How can I forget. I studied Meriç's face before answering. “No, you?”

“Nope,” he assured me as I threw my books into my locker and slammed it shut.

“Are you worried?”

“Nope,” he lied.

“Don't be. What's the worst thing that could happen?”

***********

“So, tell me about yourself,” I started while placing my tray on the grass. The tables were either full or seated people I preferred not to sit anywhere near.

I looked up at an intrigued Meriç.

“What?”

He shook his head, “I don't know why but you didn't strike me as one willing to eat on the floor.”

“Sit down,” I said patting the grass.

I pulled out my hand sanitizer and squeezed the clear substance onto my hand. I gave the bottle to Meriç who just chuckled, took it from my hand, and placed it on my tray. I dried my sanitized hands then took a bite out of my sandwich, waiting for Meriç to talk.

“Well... what exactly do you want to know?”

“Tell me about your family,” I said after swallowing.

“My mother died when I was a kid. Don't apologize.” he paused and gave me a serious expression as I was about to open my mouth to do just that.

I nodded for him to go on.

“I live with my father and my step mother. I have two younger sisters, both in elementary school.” He smiled. “Two of the most annoying little sisters you'll ever meet.”