Teach Me

Chapter Thirty-Three: Mysterious Past

Chris led me by the hand down the hall, and as I walked with him I couldn't help wondering what he was going to do. He probably had enough money saved up to get by for a while, but how would he get another job? What would he work as?

Once we got outside and into his car, he started it up, backing out of the parking lot and exiting the school campus. I looked behind me to watch as we turned the corner and the school disappeared from view. According to Chris, I would never go back there again. I was hit with the realization that I shouldn't just be worrying about what Chris would do. What would I do? What school would I go to?

"What's wrong Lana?" Chris asked as he drove, gripping my hand in his. I shook my head.

"Just thinking." I mumbled. He sighed.

"It's only for a month. You'll be okay." He said reassuringly. I nodded and stared down at my lap.

"Everything will be different." I mumbled. He shook his head.

"I know. Believe me, I'm gonna have a hard time adjusting to a new job too. It'll be different for both of us." He said, squeezing my hand gently. I gave him a weak smile. I just wanted to get home.

When Chris and I arrived at his house, I had to help with taking the few armfuls of boxes into his house. We made two trips before we were finished, and Chris told me he would just put the boxes in his closet. He didn't feel like unpacking them right now.

"Chris, when are you enrolling me in a new school?" I asked with a pout, sitting down on the couch as he took his jacket off. I hated that he had to wear that jacket, it must be even more infuriating since it was almost summer time and he still had to cover up his tattoos.

"Monday." He announced as he kicked off his shoes and sat next to me. I sighed deeply.

"And when are you gonna get a new job?" I asked, seeing him hang his head.

"I have no clue." He muttered. I shook my head and wrapped my arms around him, letting him lean into me.

"I can get a job if you want. To get money." I offered.

"No. I don't want you paying for my house. How are you even paying for your apartment without a job?" He asked. I sighed.

"I told my parents I have a job, but I'm just using money from my college fund." I admitted, blushing a little.

"Alana, you can't do that." He said firmly, sounding upset that I was throwing away my college education just to have a place for myself that I didn't even live in anymore.

"I just wanted to get away from living with my family, Chris. I needed some alone time when I moved, and I didn't have enough time to get a job." I explained.

"You live with me now Lana. You're renting your apartment. Just officially move in with me. Leave your apartment so you don't have to pay anymore." He urged. I debated it for a moment, biting my lip as I stared down at the ground. He wrapped his arms around me and tucked his face in the crook of my neck. "Please." He whispered. I looked up at him and smiled.

"Okay." I said, giggling when I saw how excited he looked. It wasn't like I hadn't already been living with him anyway. I guess it made him happier that I was now making it official. I was actually moving in with him. It made me feel weird, especially knowing that now he'd have to buy more food and other things for two people, and he didn't even have a job anymore. I felt a bit guilty. I hoped he found a job soon.

"Are you still pressing charges against...Blake?" He asked, his voice straining against Blake's name. I nodded.

"Yeah... Come with me to the police station this weekend?" I asked, looking up at him hopefully. He nodded.