Somewhere Only We Know

XXXVI - What the fuck

7:12 p.m., Columbus St. Agnes Academy

The ceremony was finally over, and I found myself in one of the school restrooms, trying to fix myself up the best I could for potential interviews. Kai and Edward were there too, adjusting their outfits, the three of us squeezed into a space crowded with students and parents doing the same. The bathroom was almost fully occupied, making it a bit of a challenge to navigate, bumping shoulders and dodging random hands reaching for sinks or mirrors.

Just as I was finishing, a sudden burst of flashing lights caught my eye. A paparazzi had somehow snuck into the restroom, snapping a few pictures before someone's dad—not even part of our group—shouted, "Hey! Get that camera out of here, you pedophile!" The unexpected accusation made the three of us burst into laughter.

We finally pushed through the crowded halls, heading back to join the rest of the group. I pointed out a few classrooms as we passed by, sharing what history I could recall. "That was, well, the art room where all the OG stoners would get high. Funny thing? They weren't even art students." I chuckled, "That barricaded wall over there used to be the entrance to the old gym. God knows what they did to that place." I made myself sound like an ancient artifact, pausing for effect. "And that empty classroom? Filled with random boxes during my time."

Kai and Edward listened, amused as I rambled through my memories. Then I gestured toward another spot. "Oh, and that's where I caught two lower years doing what I can only describe as a failed attempt to make out," I added with a smirk.

Suddenly, our eyes shifted to a man walking towards us. His expression was serious, almost scary, and for a moment, Kai and Edward looked ready to bolt. I, however, locked eyes with him. There he was—the man who absolutely ruined my life—rising like some ghost from the past.

As he neared, he cracked his knuckles, and I couldn't help but feel a flash of dread—a quick, overwhelming memory of my dad throwing punches and exploding with frustration just days before Mom and Dad divorced.

But I quickly regained my composure. My eyelids lowered, calm now as I propped my black staff with the silver skull handle beside me, ready as if to cast a spell. He stared me down, which I expected after all of these years. He aged like a prune. His wrinkles were much more evident than they were the last time I saw him. He was wearing a simple, light blue, checkered button-up with washed jeans, almost making me chuckle. Can you believe this guy? His sneakers softly tapped on the tiled floor, making me look him up and down.

Then, he stopped right in front of me, making me move my shades to my head. "Son, is that you?" he asked, stepping closer to me. I backed away, an instinct I never thought I'd still have after all these years. I smiled insincerely, flashing my tooth gems, which caused him to give a disdainful look. "What brings you back to North Carolina, Ronald?" I asked, bitterly emphasizing his name. I watched as he scoffed, but not the kind that meant he was about to swing an arm. No, it was more of an 'I taught you well' scoff, which enraged me.

"What do you think? My daughter's graduation, genius," he shot back, giving a glance at each of the two behind me. "These your boyfriends?" he asked, examining each of us. Maybe the matching letter accessories weren't the best idea for the night. "Hey, we're right here, mate." Edward returned, snapping his fingers at Ronald, which made me laugh.

He scoffed again, crossing his arms. "Ah, a fellow Brit. I see where you get your balls from, talking to me this way."

I turned to see Edward curling his lip in annoyance as he looked at me. "Don't associate me with your," he paused, looking him up and down, "your kind." He scoffed again. Someone, hang a tally around this man's neck. He shifted his gaze to me, reaching an arm out, which Kai grabbed quickly. Shockingly, he gripped Ronald's wrist tightly, making him wince a little. It was a little over the top, but I was glad to have some sort of backup.