farewell (18+)

13. Drinking And Dialing

I skimmed through the same paragraph of my notes for the thousandth time, and not a word sank into my skull. I had been studying for the last nine hours, only making short pauses to go to the bathroom. I hadn't even eaten since I'd woken up. As if it had heard me, my stomach made a loud complaint, and I decided to go get something to eat. I wriggled out of Max's t-shirt (now my favorite pajama) and threw on some dress before heading out. I was walking distractedly, trying to decide what to have for dinner, when I bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," I said.

"Anna?"

I was brought back to reality, taking in the person in front of me. She couldn't be older than fifty, judging by her impeccable brown hair and the near absence of wrinkles. But I knew she was older. She was my grandmother after all.

"Thank the Lord!" She took my hand. "I was hoping to find you here! I've been waiting--"

"What do you want?" I jerked back.

"Honey, please... Don't tell me you're still mad at me."

"How could I not? I specifically told you to stay away!"

"Anna..."

"You're the reason my whole family moved away! Because you can't respect our wish to be left alone!"

"I am your family, honey!"

"No, you're not! You never were! The only reason you're lurking around is remorse for what your daughter did!"

I turned around and started walking, but she followed me.

"I want to make it right... For my own mistakes too!"

"You can't." I turned back and leered at her. "Do you want to make things better? Stay away from me. I want nothing to do with her, and that includes you."

"Anna, please!"

"Leave me alone!"

I started walking fast, almost to the point of running. My heart tightened, tears rushing down my face uncontrollably. Suddenly, my appetite was gone, and I wasn't even looking where I was going. The audacity! The nerve! I ended up going to Wil's place and stayed the night. I was in no rush to go back. Not when I knew Joana might be waiting for me outside my building.

Maybe Darya was right. Maybe I should leave, like everyone else. But this was my hometown. I had my friends, college. I didn't want to run away as if I had done something bad. Even when things like that happened, I was still not keen on leaving everything behind. And the main reasons were Vlad, Wil, Rodrigo, and the fact that this was my home; it was the place I knew.

I woke up early the next morning and went straight home. Fortunately, she wasn't waiting for me this time. I had a quick breakfast and went upstairs to resume my studies. I rammed through it all, keeping my mind off of all the things that made my heart ache. And this time around, I made sure to order in.

***

I got the last of my grades, washed by relief. All above 8. The world was normal again. I said bye to my colleagues and rushed out of the building. Vlad was waiting for me outside, resting against his car.

"I got a nine!" I screamed once we were close enough.

I came running to him and jumped. He caught me in a hug, his back hitting against the car.

"I told you you were gonna come out of it on top!" He put me back down. "Now let's go eat. I promised you a celebration."

We got into his black muscle car under the jealous looks of many college girls. I tossed my book bag in the backseat. "I can't believe I did it!"