Teacher and the Thief

Chapter 3

Months passed without much convincing. I felt like I was on Burn Notice with all this crap going on. They told me all this stuff about college life which I've already heard from my high school teachers, but they did tell me where I would be going; California State Fullerton University in Long Beach. It wasn't that far away, maybe ten minutes, which was convenient. And I started tomorrow. But the worst part of the whole thing; they wouldn't let me have my guns!

"And you're going to have to get ready with all the books and applications and stuff like that." Vice told me, but my face was scrunched up angrily. "Oh, don't give me that look."

"I will give you whatever damn look I want." I growled, but he shrugged.

"Fine, it's your college life, not mine." He stated, and I groaned. "Well, you should've waited for other people to get to school."

"And have the Russians blow up the school?" I shot back, but he shoved textbooks into my arms, making me stumble back. "I think many people would be dead if it weren't for Jane and I."

"And the news was all over the place with you, were they not?"

"Nobody even saw us! Nobody reported us, got any footage, nothing. We're safe." I assured him, dropping the books, hearing a slam against the concrete floor.

"And we're being cautious." Vice stated, pulling out his phone and picking it up. "Hello?"

"For the love of-" I cut myself off, picking up the books and placing them on the table. "Jane, how you doing?"

"Kids suck." She stated as I heard the cheering and screaming of little kids on her end. "I'd rather go to college."

"No you wouldn't." I stated, shutting my mouth when Vice got off the phone. "What was that about?"

"Someone from campus ensuring you were enrolled with them." He smirked, and I reached for my waist, but realized my gun wasn't there. "And no guns for you."

"What if the Russians come?"

"They wouldn't. You've been off the radar for three months now."

"But what if I'm somehow back on the radar and they attack Fullerton? I need to defend the school."

"We'll send people. It's a ten minute drive."

"Ten minutes is all they need to kill the entire campus."

"Would you shut up!?" He screamed, slamming his hands down on the table. "I don't need to take this crap from you, I have my own problems."

"Then drop the college thing." I stated, a small smile slipping to my face.

"Never." He growled, picking up the papers in front of him. "Would you like to be escorted or do we have to force you from your home?"

I hated Vice before, but now, I hated him more than Crank.

~~~~~~~~~~

"First day of college!" Mom exclaimed, giving me my lunch she so gratefully packed. "I can't believe you're all grown up for college…"  I wiped a tear from her eye.

"It's only ten minutes away…" I assured her, but I couldn't stop her when she got like this.

"My little baby's all grown up." She whimpered, and I wrapped my arms around her as she did the same to me.

"It's okay, Cindy." I heard Dad's voice behind me, who was also standing with my brothers. "Good luck at Fullerton, Belle. Are you going to eat breakfast?" He asked, and I shook my head. "Eat something."

"I'm not hungry." I answered, but Mom placed her hands firmly on my shoulders.

"Please don't let your anorexia get to you. Not like this." She pleaded, and I looked away so I couldn't see her eyes. "I'm serious, you could starve or something."