The Class on Calculator Lane

Chapter 5: "Past is Present"

Savannah sat at a rounded table covered in a white cloth nearly touching the floor. Her hair frizzled in wavy loops just hovering above her shoulders. She sat there glaring at the dim candle in the center of the table, her eyes igniting the fire. The flame slowly tilted left and right as if a slight breeze made contact. She glanced down at her phone to check the time only to realize it was just past 7 o'clock.

The waitress came by and asked," Are you ready to order, or do you need more time?"

"Guess I'll just take another water for now," she rolled her eyes sucking the last bit left in her cup. The table ranged with four different glasses of melted ice cubes. As the waitress roamed away, so did everyone else around her. Several other guests dressed in tuxedos and elegant, long dresses left each table one by one as a dozen minutes had passed. Soon, the candle burned out. The only dim light out of the few now encompassing the darkness surrounding the area. It was now at 9 o'clock. The sun had set as the sky gave way to billions of stars lighting up a navy blue night.

In pure frustration, she scooted her chair back about to leave, when suddenly a man accompanied her. His hair brightened the area with the orange getaway crew cut, his skin pale as a ghost. Savannah immediately knew it was none other than Jacob Mullins, the one person Nico used to be friends with nine years ago. They both sat down as he took out a pocket lighter to light the candle.

Jacob mentioned," So I see your date didn't show up too. Oh my god, girl, I'm so sorry. Who was the lucky man?"

"Nico," she simply stated while yawning. Jacob's face grew expressionless," what about you?"

"Well, Sophie Palmer. She hasn't been answering any of my texts or calls, it's scaring me Savannah," he glanced down at his phone as if he was waiting for something.

Savannah added," Me too," she went to grab her purse when Jacob handed it to her instead.

"I'm sorry to barge in, but you looked familiar," he also added.

"That's okay," she muttered back as she yawned again.

"So being two depressed couples, do you want to go see a movie or something? You know, to talk about it," she glanced up into his eyes.

She answered," Aren't you supposed to be gay?"

"Yes, but I consider going to dinner with my besties a date. It's not an actual date date, but it's something special, at least to me. Come on, I promise you won't regret it, sister," he held out a hand. Savannah left him hanging for a few seconds until she gave a sly smile and grabbed his sweaty hand. Out of the blue, Nico came sprinting down the sidewalk, his hair whipping up like a mohawk. He wore a plain, blue collared shirt, his old Kroger uniform, and black jeans. Once he spotted Jacob, he stopped abruptly, completely frozen as if the world was coming to an end.

Nico grew expressionless as if his soul was lost in the abyss, voices screaming inside his head like a ticking bomb. Do you see this Nico? He's trying to steal your girl. Are you just gonna stand there? Get your head out of your ass and fight! He took a deep breath. In and out, in and out. Then he saw them holding hands. Slowly but surely, he closed his eyes for a split second, his fists clenched together. Oh, come on! Don't be weak like everyone else! Jack stood in front of him. He grabbed Nico's shoulders forcing his eyes to look at him; to acknowledge him.

"We are stronger together Nico. Like they always say, two is better than one," Jack bent his knees to level with him. And that's when he lost it. A punch flew right into Jacob's face, it twisting backward.

Jacob exclaimed," What the hell is your problem, Nico?"

Savannah shouted," Was that necessary?" Jack laughed maniacally. He shot out a mouthful of spit at Nico's face. With his arm extended forward, he tumbled his fingers towards him. Bang, his fist clenched his jaws in. Bam, he threw an uppercut to his chin. He flew across the sidewalk, clashing on the hard concrete. Blood oozed out of his mouth.