Destined

Eighteen

"Walk with me?" He asked, once Maddie was gone.
I tried to hide how happy I was, "Doesn't seem like I have a choice,"

We walked passed the tree, further into the park and towards the edges were some concrete benches were. I noticed Celine rushing off in the other direction, to some girls who seemed to be waiting for her.

"Why did you volunteer to train students?" I asked when we sat down.
"I don't know. I guess I wasn't too happy about Roger's case going cold, I wanted to do something,"
"That's nice. Did you really learn to fight because of your dad?"
"Originally, yes. But after a while, well I took some classes,"
"Why?" I asked, unable to stow my curiosity.
He frowned, "No specific reason,"

The way he glanced away from me as he said it alerted me to the fact that he was lying. I didn't want to pry but it was also somewhat offputting to be treated like a fool. I tried not to let it show how bothered I was by his omission but he was already looking back at me and my expression gave me away.

"What?" he asked.
I shook my head, "Nothing,"
He stared at me for a while then said, "Well I'm glad you're taking the class, I feel better knowing you're getting some skills that could help protect you,"
"Why? I have you for that," I responded.
"Yes, yes you do,"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure,"
"You don't talk about what happened with your mum, ever. You told me about what happened to your dad, but not much about her,"
He sighed, "She was a great person, even better mother,"
"How'd she die?"
"I'd rather not talk about this,"
"I'm sorry, it's just Matt mentioned her the other day..."
"Hmm, Matt," he shook his head and looked at his lap for a moment.
"Please don't be mad, he didn't mean to, we were studying on Thursday and I was being nosy..."
"We should go," he stood abruptly, cutting me off. "My car's parked up there,"

We walked back quietly and I felt desolate and despondent as I followed behind him. He still opened the door for me like a gentleman. And he still reached over to buckle my seatbelt like a....well I don't know who does that but it was endearing when he did it. The car ride home was quiet and I wished desperately that I could say something, anything to get back our usual playful carefree mood.

In under ten minutes, he was pulling up in front of my house. He didn't shut off the engine, just sat there, clearly waiting for me to get out. I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for the door but I really didn't want to leave him in this mood.

"Vince, I'm sorry, please don't be mad at..."
"Get into the house, Krissy, we'll talk later," he said.

Krissy? Okay. I opened the door and got out, closing it after. He didn't wait to see if I got into the house like he normally did. He didn't say anything or wave or look at me, he just drove off. And I watched his car disappear.

I found Talia baking in the kitchen when I got into the house.

"Heyyyyy," she practically sang at me.
I laughed, "Hello,"
"Maddie told me Hunky Pants graduated from Writing Class Professor to Defense Class trainer," she said.
I sighed, sitting down, "Pretty sure he hates me now,"
"What? Why?" She asked placing a tray of muffins in the oven.
"I think I overstepped my boundaries,"
"Explain further,"
"I don't know Talia. I've only known him a few weeks, maybe I'm pushing it. But we've been talking a lot, and I've told him practically everything there is to know about me, and my family. But he's holding back, and I don't like it. I can respect it, I can, but I asked him and he got closed off and now we're in this weird place and I don't know what to say to him. And I hate that I've put us in this funk,"
"I'm sure it's not that bad,"
"He didn't talk to me the whole drive here," I said.
"He's a guy, guys get weird. Give him some time and check in on him later. And let him open up about whatever it is you need to know when he's ready. The man does like you, anyone can see that,"
"I don't get why,"
"Why not? Krissy, you're beautiful, funny, smart, compassionate, and I'm not saying this because we're friends, I'm saying it because it's true and anyone who can't see that is either blind or lying to themselves. Whatever has Vince in a funk, he'll get over it, and when he's ready, he'll tell you what he needs to,"
"You're right,"
"And in the mean time, you can help me bake,"
I laughed, "What's with the muffins anyway?"
"They're for Tyler, and the other guys,"
"Other guys?"
"From the boarding house, Jonah, Damien, Sam,"
"Ah, getting cosy with the soccer team huh,"
"Something like that. They have a friendly match today, you're coming,"
"I am?"
"Yep," she popped the p and I stood to mix the batter of the next batch of muffins.