Destined

Sixteen

Wednesdays were usually my longest days in school. I had five classes to attend, all back to back, and all tedious. So at the end of the day, I'd come home, soak in my tub with a good book, usually by Charles Thornton, uh, Vince, and relax. Maybe grab some take out on my way home, that kind of thing. It was my 'me' time. I'd skipped the takeout that day arriving home about half an hour earlier than my usual and when I got home that Wednesday, I found Matthew and Liz in the kitchen.

"Uh....hello," I said surprised.
"Krissy, hi," Liz sounded guilty as she spoke. "You're early,"
"Yeah, came straight home. You guys still working together?" I asked.

Matthew turned to look at Liz as though saying, 'you answer,'

"Uh, yeah, done for the day actually," Liz said, then smiled, "Matt is such a great tutor, I should have requested his help earlier," Matt?
I smiled too, "I could have told you that. We still on for tomorrow?" I asked him.
He nodded, "Yeah, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, tired,"I answered rubbing the back of my neck.
"Heard stories about you and Vince going around," he raised a brow at me, and for the first time, I noticed the bit of resemblance between them.
I laughed, "Yeah, well your cousin isn't exactly the subtlest of people,"
Matthew laughed too, "Yeah, brings you an apology lunch for the whole cafeteria to see? That sounds like him,"
"Are people still talking about that?"
"He told me that himself, actually, was afraid he'd brought you undue attention,"
"I can handle it," I shrugged.
"Well I'm hoping this means you're over your initial apprehension of him,"
"Uh yeah..."
"What apprehension?" Liz asked causing both Matthew and I to look at her.

I'd almost forgotten she was there.

"Oh, I didn't like Vince when I first met him, he was rude," I said quickly recovering from our pause.
"Where'd you first meet him?" Liz asked.
"At Jonah's party, was only for a brief moment, he brushed me off," I shrugged again, at least it wasn't a lie.
"Oh well, later guys," Matt said, squeezing Liz's shoulder before heading out.

I stared at her once the door slammed behind me.

"What?" She asked.
"You and Matt, what's going on?"
"Nothing, we share a class, he's helping me with it,"
"You guys just seem cosy,"
"What? I'm not allowed to be friends with him?" She snapped.
"Um, no, I just..."
"Its none of your business, Krissy, he's just helping me out," she said and walked away.

Later that night, after my bath, dinner and last sessions of studying for my dreaded make up test, my phone rang. And I couldn't stop the smile that crossed my face when I saw it was Vince calling.

"Hello," I answered.
"Are you busy?" he asked immediately.
"No, why?" I asked, my interest thoroughly piqued.
"I was on my way home, and somehow I found myself outside your house,"
"What?" I rushed to the window, and yes, his car was there, shiny, black, expensive looking.
"Join me for a drive?" He asked.

Well how could I say no? I grabbed a jacket and went outside. Vince's car was made in heaven. The way the chairs engulfed my body and made me feel boneless, it was a quality that could have only been perfected up there. He turned down the volume of whatever song he was listening to and offered me a smile.

"Hi," he said.
"Hi," I smiled back.
"Feeling better?" he asked as he pulled away from the house.
"I'll live,"
"I got you something," he handed me a paper bag.

I dug into it, curious about what was inside. I found an assortment of things. Cup noodles, trail mix, a bottle of essential oil and a hot water bottle.

"What's all this?" I asked.
"Google told me that all helps with cramps," he answered.
I stared at him in shock, "You got me a care package?"
He turned a corner, "Yeah. I mean, I've obviously never had them but I hear they're quite unbearable. I just wanted to help,"
"You...wow. I wasn't expecting this," I said honestly and smiled. "Thank you by the way,"
"You're welcome," he answered.
"Ooh, I love this song," I turned up the volume and Fall Out Boy was pouring out of the speakers about favorite records.