We both sort of drift off in our thoughts for a few minutes, I can feel his eyes on me, but I am not messing around, he threw me. I am feeling so good with Dom as my friend, I feel like I can rely on him, now, I’m not so sure. I wish he hadn't said anything.
Dom lets me lose myself in my thoughts, he lays down on the grass and closes his eyes, feeling safe maybe as I am lost in mine? It must only be a few minutes, no more than ten before I hear him snore. With his bags so clearly evident under his eyes, I let him sleep.
I grab my notes out in preparation for my next class, looking on my phone to research possible books for English. I go to find a pen and look out back towards the main rooms of St. Josephs, my eyes roaming over the beautiful detail of the building. It really is an amazing property. My eyes scan up to where my room is and then down the other windows, they stop on Hunter's room. How do I know? He is standing there in full view, watching me.
I look away, my heart racing. His presence brings me to thinking if all the stuff happening with Dom is because of me, well because of Hunter. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that is not the case, that will break my heart, but then again I have no idea who Hunter is anymore.
My phone dings as I am sitting there, with Dom sleeping next to me, the beautiful day warming my back. Without looking I know that it is Hunter.
Why didn't you wave Gigi?
We need to talkI shoot back before I lose my nerve
I get no response and I turn back to his room but he is no longer there. Why am I not surprised?
"Dom," I say softly as I touch his arm that is bent behind his head, "Dom, I have to go. Come on lazy bones, you have a class too."
"Hey Gin," he groans through a stretch that sees his shirt opening up right at the point where it tucks into his pants, oh wow, I wish I didn't watch that. My eyes run up his body half slow, half wanting more, until I reach his face. His face is shut off to me, but his desire is clearly evident in his grey eyes, that are now fully dilated.
"Sorry. I heard you Gin. Like I said I definitely can't do friends, just your eyes send me spinning. Come on, I am going to have a cold shower and get to class. Drew said you have to go to the Library, let me walk you there, friend to friendish," he says as he gathers his stuff and jumps to his feet. He doesn't offer me his hand like I did earlier with Drew but I can read his action and his words to understand his hesitation.
"Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me what is going on. I am not going to lie and say everything is okay. I just need to figure out what I can and can't work with, so at least give me a bit. And please don't ignore me in the meantime, yeah?" I say catching his eye again.
"Yeah, I promise, I won't do that, well I mean I hope. Just smack me around the head if I do," he says and we start walking towards the library.
I leave him at the door and am surprised to see it so busy, I suppose in my hungover morning and then my heart to heart with Dom, I kind of forgot that today is a busy day full of classes. It only takes me a moment to switch from day dreaming Gin to driven Gin. I certainly need my focus now more than ever, with my most recent results in Coding and my impending English assignment, shit keeps getting real.
Thankfully, my schedule for this afternoon is doable. I join up with Caleb in the back row of English and we are waiting for Dom and Drew to get here.
"So Caleb, you know about Dom's secret?" I ask after looking intently at him.
"About his stalker? Yeah, I knew," he offers a little apologetically.
"Hmmm glad I am friend enough for you guys to be included in those discussions. Is it cause I am a girl?" I ask half joking, half offended. "Oh, so it's not my business. I am just being bitchy, that's all. I got a bad result in Coding and it is making me pissy, I think it is still shitting me," I say, offering a poor apology.
"Gin, I see you as my friend. It's alright whatever shit is going on, we can fix it okay. What about a tutor for Coding?" he suggests and we are interrupted by the arrival of the boys as well as Betsy, looking gorgeous as ever.
"Hey you need a tutor? I can post it," Betsy offers.
I go to respond when I get an alert on my phone indicating an incoming email. I quickly open the app and download a message.
"Wow! The dean wants to see me about my grade in Coding. I just got a ‘please explain’ for my results that have only just been posted. I have to finish up here and then go straight there," I look at them all. I am absolutely gobsmacked. We are interrupted when the English Professor walks in and we start our Classical Studies analysis of Greek Literature. I can't afford another poor result, so I force myself to focus on Hades despite my growing disappointment.
Somehow I make it through the class, somewhat satisfied with my effort. Everyone offers to walk with me down there for moral support but I wave them off, promising to catch up with them for dinner and let them know exactly what is going on.
"Come in," the dean responds after I knock on his door.
"Hi Dean Johns, thanks for seeing me this late in the day, I got your email about Coding," I offer and take a seat after shaking his hand.
"Look Verginius we are just concerned, it is not an official St Joseph's intervention as such, more a precursor, a gentle reminder of the need to meet your GPA. Harvard isn't for everyone but I am sure that your Grandfather has spoken at great length about the impressive history and success your family has there. The Bellafonte name is certainly held in the highest regard. What the faculty have done, after speaking with Mr. Bellafonte is to appoint a tutor. Your tutor will be joining us momentarily. I can't stress enough the importance of your achieving the highest grade point average possible," the Dean speaks as he reclines back in his large leather chair, his hands steepled in front of him.
I feel like a three-year-old, honestly, the Dean and the school reporting to grandpa, before even giving me the opportunity to take steps to fix this up. We are so early into the academic term, it makes my head spin.
"I appreciate your concern, I was actually going to post this afternoon that I needed a tutor on the student page. You saved me the effort and no doubt you will have the best available for me. I do request Dean, that next time, you perhaps give me the opportunity to speak with me confidentially before going behind my back and unnecessarily involving my family and other students. My grandfather has taught me many things and discretion and confidentiality has been beaten into me since I have been a member on the Bellafonte Board. A position I have held for the past two years, despite my age, with the backing of our Shareholders. Will my request for your discretion be an issue for you or St. Joseph’s?" I offer through the sweetest smile I can. My anger barely contained behind my teeth.
His eyebrows raise slightly in, I am not sure what, but I wait in silence for his apology.
We are interrupted by a knock at the door.
