abstracts & him

Ten

It took me an hour an a half to finish the remaining assignments on my syllabus. I finished it earlier than the given due date. I don't have anything to do anyway. After every rehearsal, I walk straight to the library to finish them or at times I do them in our room. Three days after that night, I chose to stay inside the residence or go back early as much as possible.

A pile of books fall on the floor from my left side. I turn towards that direction where Draine quickly picks up the books. Ezió who is going her direction, stops to help her.

After returning the helmet he refused to take the night we went to Mr. Leo's, I have never talked to him since. He asked me where I've been after they left and I lied by saying I stayed at the cafe for another hour. He didn't believe me at first because he went back—yes, he went back like he always does—but I wasn't there. So, I made up another lie by telling him that it probably because I was inside the rest room when he came and that's where he stopped asking questions.

I tried to call my mom again after that night and she answered on the fifth try. (She's not with her phone most of the time so it takes her this long to answer.) I told her what happened and she immediately visited me the night of that day, after getting off work. I didn't want to bother her and let her take a long drive to get here but she insisted and I can't do anything when she wants to do it.

"I'm fine. I decided to keep myself from going out. He doesn't know where I'm staying. That's the best I can do." I told her, trying not to make the whole thing big as it was before.

"Do you think he won't find out?" She fixes her eyeglasses. "Just go back home. It's safer than in here."

"I'm safe but I'm not happy back there."

"You wouldn't be happy if you aren't safe. You should know what's best for you Callista."

"That's why I'm here because I know what's best for me. I wouldn't leave our house, getting nothing from you, if I know I'm in my best state." I felt my anger back when I told her what I wanted in college but all she did was to tell me to stop dreaming of something I couldn't be.

She paused for a while, looking at the window. I did the same and watched the passersby on the sidewalk.

"You know the reason why I don't want you to pursue music, right?" She reached for my hand.

"I'm afraid just like you mom, but living my life in fear isn't different than not living at all. A person like him doesn't deserve to have control over my life." I squeezed her hand and she smiled.

She sighed. "So this is what Montréal did to you."

"I guess Mr. Leo did more of the work."

Ezió doesn't know that I'm visiting Mr. Leo after the night I came with him. I told Mr. Leo not to tell him and he's doing a good job hiding it from him. I ride the subway and from the station, I walk it to his cabin. I tracked the way through the GPS—thankfully my mom bought me a new phone. It was hard at first but I figured it out on my second visit.

I finished listening to all of Amara's tapes and I made up my mind to help him find her. At least before he...

No, not yet.

I put my things back inside my back. It's time for our rehearsal. Before I could leave, Ezió approaches me then looks down on the phone I'm holding. He had a haircut—it's similar to that of Dylan Minnette's.

"You have a new phone?"

"Ah, yeah." I push the chair under the table. I didn't know he pays attention to my things. I nod before walking past him.