Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 10

October 14th, 2019

As the bell rang for first period, I quickly headed to my class, slipping into my usual seat in the back. I watched the other kids file in, chatting with their friends and complaining about the homework. I hadn't found the assignment too challenging. All we'd had to do was memorise a series of vocabulary words for the quiz today. Even with my primary language being Italian, I was still able to drill the words into my head.

Alan shuffled into his seat a few minutes later right as the second bell rang. He flashed me a tired smile before leaning back into his chair. Mr Frederiksen passed out the quiz papers and the room fell silent, save for the sound of pencils scratching on paper.

The quiz seemed easy enough, asking about definitions and proper sentence placement and things like that. I'd filled out half of it in a matter of fifteen minutes. I glanced over at Alan only to find him lazily scanning over the paper. He occasionally wrote down an answer or two but was generally doing nothing.

Fifteen more minutes passed and the quizzes were collected as Mr Frederiksen began a lecture on the importance of poetry.

"Did you finish?" I whispered to Alan. He shook his head as he grinned.

"Of course not," he replied. He never seemed to do much schoolwork, I would be surprised if he wasn't failing the eleventh grade.

The lecture went on and on until the bell finally rang, and students quickly fled from their desks after Mr Frederiksen listed out yet another vocabulary assignment. I gathered my journal and pens and packed them into my backpack, turning to leave.

"How'd you do?" Alan asked, falling into sync beside me in the hallway.

"Hopefully well," I responded. "It seemed pretty easy," He nodded.

"So where are you headed?" he inquired.

"Physics," I couldn't help but pull a face as I said it. Alan chuckled.

"Yeah, I hate that class too. I've got it sixth,"

"Well, what class are you going to?" I asked. He shrugged.

"Gym," He replied. "It's okay, I guess," Alan paused suddenly, turning to face me. "What are you doing after school today?" I froze.

"Nothing," I answered. "I don't have work today," I watched as he shuffled his feet.

"Do you think you could help me study for English?" He held his breath, his green eyes searching mine. I let out an internal sigh of relief.

"Er, yeah, I think so. But I'll have Javi with me," I told him. Alan shrugged.

"Eli can watch him," I nodded.

"Okay then, yes, but I have to be home at five-thirty," Alan grinned.

"Sweet, thanks. I'll catch you later then," I smiled as we parted ways.

***
I knocked on the door of their house, my hand in Javi's as we stood on their front porch. Alan opened the door after a minute, smiling down at me.

"Hey," he greeted, opening the door wider for us to step inside. "You came,"

"I told you I would," I reminded him. He only shrugged.

"Fair enough," I stepped inside at Alan's gesture, only to hear shouting and banging. A young man - the eldest brother I presumed - was pinning Eli to the wall, a very dangerous scowl on his face. The man snatched a cigarette and lighter from Eli's hands.

"Like hell you're gonna smoke in my house!" He growled.

"I'll do what I want!" Eli argued. The guy slammed him into the wall.