The Second Fall

Chapter 2 - The Second Fall

“Would you like to go next, Nick?”

Nick was still numb from the word, hurt. The word was so easy to say but the pain was actually unbearable. The same memory flashed right through him, the night of his parents death, how he heard the three subtle knocks on the door. How he clung to David’s leg, their butler, while the police was telling the news. And still, after twelve years, the memory was so fresh.

“Nick?”

“Nick?” Mr. Gibbs' words never got through his ear.

“Hey, man.”

“Bro, you’re getting creepy.”

 “Nick, its your turn.” Adrianna’s voice suddenly woke him up from his flashback. He stood up while keeping his eyes on her. He was stunned; her voice was the only thing that made him turn back into reality. No one ever did. 

Nick faced Mr. Gibbs,  “Uh, sorry, sir. Got a bit into thinking.”

Shit, he thought. ‘Sorry’? That was too mainstream. He was getting too nice. He made a mental note to remind himself to throw a rock into a window after school.

Mr. Gibbs was in shock as well, “sorry” wasn’t very common with Nick Sanders. He knew the kid was smart and soft hearted, but there was something thick blocking him from it. All he could do was smile and say, “Its okay, Nick. The platform is all yours.”

The impromptu speeches were given just on the spot. Say what you have to say, even if it has no sense. Better than zero.

Nick needed good grades in preparation for his senior year. In order to graduate and get back in track with his father’s company, he needed it. He needed to catch up, because for the past year, all he’d done was party. The board of trustees gave him a deal, to graduate with good grades on high school and enter a good college. He’ll be part of the board in no time. Due to his father’s will that when he turns 21, that under any circumstances, Nicholas Marcus Sanders is the new CEO of Sanders Cooperation International.

So, yeah. No pressure.

“Uh..’ He coughed. His mouth betrayed him, no words came out. He felt as if he never even went to preschool. Much less learn his A-B-C’s.

He was about to give up when he saw Adrianna’s eyes on him. He was able to realize that her eyes were a mix of the darkest brown as if it was black and.. purple.

“Purple?”

The class laughed. He put his hands on his face and groaned. He said it out loud, great. He caught a glimpse of Ade’s eyes and suddenly, everything was alright. She ran a hand through her chocolate hair, and the thought of Nick and his hands running through her hair was so tempting.

Woah, Nick thought. What was that?

Linc, one of his friends, shouted, “Barney the Dinasour isn’t here, Nick.”

The class erupted into laughter again, and Nick had to grin. He pointed a hand gun to Linc.

Mr. Gibbs, who was still smiling said. “Come on, guys. Let’s hear for Nick.”

The class grew silent. Every pair of eyes was on him, but he only had his eyes for one person that’s surprisingly growing into him. “Well, I got the word ‘hurt.’”

“It sucks. I’m not sure if you know this, but uh.. my parents died when I was five.” Everyone gasped, nobody knew that. Great, Nick thought. I’m the front article of the school paper tomorrow.

Mr. Gibbs must have sense that Nick was doubting to tell more so he interrupted. “Don’t worry, Nick. If a word gets out, all of you will fail,” He faced his class and gave them his most stern look. “I mean it.”