𝓞𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓨𝓸𝓾
October 12th, 2013
Rory
I have a girl that’s this close to crying on my hands. Now I knew better than to ask her what was wrong, but hey, I’m persistent, and I couldn’t let it go.
“Come on, babe. You’re grand. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
I hated seeing her like this. She was one to get inside her head and freak herself out.
I couldn’t hear a thing happening in the lunch all; all my focus was on her.
She didn’t look up at me, she was focused on her plate.
I drew small circles on her should with the arm with the arm I had resting on the back of her chair.
After a few seconds she seemed to calm down a bit, and not be on the verge of tears.
The lunch hall was getting louder. People laughing, throwing things. It was all too much.
She needed quiet and sure as hell was not getting that here.
“Hey,” I whispered softly “We’re bunking the test of lunch. Come on.”
I slid my chair back and grabbed our schools bags, and she followed me.
Our friends didn’t really question it.
Nora and I kind of do our own thing.
The hallways were much quieter than the lunch hall.
“So. I have a proposition.”
“What is it?” She asked cautiously.
“How about… I can call my mam and ask her to pick us up, my cars in the shop, or I would just drive off, but no, can’t do that. We can go to my house. And just, hang out.”
“Rory-”
“Oi, don’t say no yet. I’ll have you home later this evening before you have to go to training. It’ll all be grand, babe.”
“Okay… I guess.”
“Eh, look at you not being so straight up. I’m proud.”
She gave me a small, shy little smile.
Good god.
This girl does something to me.
I lead her to the office.
This is our office lady, Dee, apparently she used to work here when my da was in school, but got fired for something.
Well eight-teen years later she’s back.
Weird.
Wonder what she did.
Oh well.
I’ve been up here quite a bit since she started working here, she’s very easy to sweet talk into letting me call my mam to let me leave. I kind of get… I don’t want to be rude, but pedophile vibes from Dee. Always letting the lads, including me, get away with things.
But whatever it’s fine.
I’m about to sweet talk, kind of flirt with her, to convince her to let me call my mam.
I stroll on into the office, Nora’s hand in mine, taking her with me so she can’t back out. Flashing Dee my best smile, I lean on elbow onto the high wooden counter. my other hand still occupied by Nora’s smaller one in mine.
I kick my foot out behind me, trying to look completely casual, like a lad who just happened to be passing by instead of cutting class.
“Good afternoon, Dee. You’re looking well as always.”
The women, I’d say in her late thirties, looks up from her notepad. Her face kind of lights up, and she smiles.
“Well, hello there, Rory.” She purrs, leaning forward, “I thought you had chemistry this period.”
“Ah, you know how it is, Dee,” I say, dropping my voice a bit and giving another smile. "The teacher's got a proper right head on him today. My head is absolutely fried. I was thinking... maybe I could use the office phone? Call my mam to come scoop us up?”
When I said ‘us’ she finally paid attention to Nora standing a little bit behind me.
“And why exactly does Miss Rhodes need to leave, Rory?” She says, her voice dropping a little, but still overly sweet, “She has impeccable attendance, such a shame she’s going to ruin it by slacking school, innit?”
Nora kind of cowers down a bit, she tries to let go of my hand, but I don’t let her. Nora’s not the kind to talk back to anyone, especially not a staff member.
“Nah, it’s not her fault at all, Dee, I promise,” I say ever so casually, flashing a charming grin, “She’s not feeling the best and it was my idea for us to go home. Come on, be a legend for me?”
Her eyes focused back on me and whatever she felt towards Nora was completely gone,
“Oh, you poor boy,” She murmurs, patting my forearm, “They work you too hard at this school, don’t they?”
I just nod, “Hard work being me, innit?”
She laughs and slides the landline phone towards me.
“Go on, call your mam. Remember if anything’s ever… troubling you, my door is always open.”
“Brilliant. Thanks, Dee.” I say pulling the phone closer and dialing my mam’s number.
The phone rings exactly three times before mam picks up, the calming sounds of my house filling the line, “Hello?”
“Hey, mam.” I’m feeling more relaxed from the whole Dee being weird about Nora thing, when I hear my mam’s voice.
I know, I know.
Mammy’s boy.
“Rory? What’s wrong, pet?”
“Nothings wrong.” I look over my shoulder and give Nora’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Listen, I’m up in the office. My head is absolutely fried today, man. Wrecked. I was wondering if you’d be a legend and let me ditch the last few periods. Come scoop me up?”
One of mam’s long sighs came through the line. Yeah… I call my mam a lot, at-least once a week from the school phone, “Rory Robert Kavanagh, you have exams coming up. You can't just walk out of school because your head is 'fried'. Your father will have a fit if-”
“I have Nora with me,” I cut in smoothly, I’m playing my best mammy’s boy card here, “She’s a bit upset. Like on the verge of tears. I wanted to bring her home so we could have some quiet.”
Her exasperated tone was gone like that, “Nora’s with you? Oh that poor, girl. Always so stressed. Is she alright?”
“She’s hanging in there.” I look back at Nora again, who’s now sat in a seat next to me, but her hand is still in mine, “But she needs a break. Can you please come get us?”
“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll be there soon.” She says instantly, “Make sure that lovely girl is comfortable, ya hear me, son?”
“Oh you’re the best mam. You’re my favorite.” I grin.
Mam laughs than hangs up the receiver.
I slide the phone back over to Dee, “All sorted, you’re a doll, Dee.”
I dork wait for her to answer before pulling Nora up and walking out the office.
No way we were waiting in there.
Slinging an arm around her shoulder, “That lady freaks me out.” I shudder.
“Yeah. Me too.” Nora says softly.
