It had been three weeks since Kevin had told his mother about Lara's sudden departure. Andrew offered no input, Kevin tried to call her a few times before giving up while Clara would go days on end trying to get in reach of her daughter.
Sure she would be a bit stubborn but it was part of the parenting, something that Clara had prepared herself for. "Are you sure that you should be so insistent with this? It's clear that Lara doesn't want to be found. It's not that I think that what you're doing is wrong but you've been pushing yourself too much."
Kevin said over dinner, Andrew had cooked it taking over Lara's roles in her chores perfectly. "I know that you and your sister don't get along but she's my daughter Kevin. Maybe you'll realize this when you become a parent." Clara said as she hurriedly dug into her meal.
"Working overtime again?" Kevin inquired as he saw Clara don her trench coat and head for the exit. "With Andrew going to school his money isn't going to fall from the sky."
*Thud*
With her gone, Kevin turned to face Andrew who was clearing the table. "You could give her some of the money and use it to cover your fees. Maybe we could move to a better place because this shit hole isn't it."
By now Kevin had gotten used to Andrew's silence and his questions came only when he needed unlike before which were meant to pass the time. "I already did but she refused to take it." His words flat before the cascading of water followed. 'Damn it mom.Always pushing yourself like this. It would be best for you to take the money already and ease some of your stress.'
As if something clicking in his mind, Kevin went on. "By the way, do you actually know where Lara is? With how the two of you seemed to go on a "walk" I take it that the two of you are close." Kevin's tone laced with skepticism. "I do however it's a bit far from here." Helplessly raising hands, Kevin showed a look of confusion.
"And when were you planning on telling me? Or are you still in your emo edgy phase? I'll tell you this right now, what you're doing is a good way for you to get picked on at school. You've been working on your body which is good but that isn't good enough."
Balling his fists and raising them, it was clear that Kevin wanted a match with Andrew. "Come on, I want to see just how good you are edge lord." Andrew took a long look at Kevin, in his mind debating whether to engage or not.
Kevin flashed a smile as soon as he saw Andrew show his hands in a declaration of a fight before making him move.
*Swish*
Kevin threw the first punch, it met air, the second the same as well before Andrew's fist connected with his stomach.
*BAM*
"Hah!" Kevin wheezed, his eyes popping as he felt the air leave his lungs and crumpling to the ground on his knees. Andrew on the other hand went on with his dishes as Kevin picked himself up. He saw Andrew's face, there was no triumphant smile, he went on as if it was natural what he did.
"When did you learn.. to dodge like that?" His face still wearing a look of discomfort. "We were forced to fight back then." Kevin smacked his lips as he collapsed on the chair, still catching his breathe. "I guess you won't be easy to pick on but group engagements wont be as easy as you think."
. . .
"I'll go check on Lara." Clara said as she adjusted her earrings, her eyes focused on Kevin and Andrew who were prepared for school. "Once school is over you two should head back home with no exceptions, you hear me?!" Both the two gentlemen gave affirming nods which eased Clara.
After biding them goodbye, the two started their walk to the bus stop. "So your schedule is a bit special to mine, huh?' Kevin said as he looked at Andrew's phone which had his schedule before returning it back. "Well I'm focusing on a diploma in electrical engineering if you were curious."
Kevin's addition met with no recognition as the two boarded the bus. Kevin was about to ask Andrew whether he recalled the bus trips they went on when they were little but a look at Andrew, he couldn't find a trace of the ally he had back then.
This version of him far more precise and clear with his actions. 'I guess you really have changed, huh Andrew.' He mused inwardly as he bit on his tongue and focused elsewhere, certain that his words would be met with silence.
. . .
"Well I'll catch you later Andrew." Kevin said before entering the college gates and heading towards his department. Andrew looked ahead, already familiar with these gates and marched forwards. His schedule was different from the rest who were certain of what they wanted, his classes were more of a brushing over what he missed.
Though he had passed his test, the principal was adamant about him engaging with the classes for sixth months before he was allowed to pick his course. "Of course that depends on your grade." Desmond said.
His presence was easily lost in the sea of students who were busy chatting away, before he arrived at his class.
[English Literature Class}]
He quickly took his seat, not at the back but not at the front either. The class slowly began to pour in with students who seemed oblivious to his presence before the teacher walked in, notes in hand. Looking over the class, he noted Andrew instantly and recalled the words from the principal.
'So that's him huh? He's a bit isolated though.' The teacher, a lady in his early thirties in a black pencil skirt which attracted the wolfish gazes of the male students and her hair neatly wrapped up in a tight bun as well as a white shirt coupled with glasses giving her an air of authority and professionalism
"It's nice to see that most of you are back from your holiday however before we start this class, we have a new student with us." Her dainty hand gesturing at Andrew who seemed absorbed in his own world. "Please introduce yourself."
Rising to his feet, Andrew gave his name before seating back down. His introduction met with murmurs before the teacher took control. "Some of you may recognize him as the one who had been classified as missing eight years ago. He may be a bit out of place but please try to make him feel welcomed."
After that the class began and during which Andrew receive glares and peeps from other students. After the class was over and just as he was about to take his leave, a lady made her move offering her hand to him. "Hello Andrew, my name is Claire, Claire Hale, the class representative of the English Literature class."
Reciprocating the sentiment, Andrew offered his hand. "Claire, it's nice to be acquainted with you." His monotone voice catching Claire's interest. "As my job of class representative, I could show you around the school if you're interested. That is if you have no other classes that is."
Andrew's neutral face greatly contrasted with Claire's warm smile. Claire, the supposed English Literacy representative had brown hair packed up in a low a pony tail, pearly white teeth with her hazel eyes brimming with energy unlike Andrew's still beads. "I don't have any classes at the moment." The tour of the school began, with Claire showing what the school had to offer, talking about it's past, it's achievements and the opportunities it had for it's students.
"You don't talk much, huh?" Claire inquired as the two sat on a bench in the field watching the track team practice. The lack of response from Andrew serving as confirmation for Claire. "Well if you want to make friends you'll have to go out of your comfort zone and interact with others but before you do, I don't mind being your friend. We could exchange contacts if you want."
Before they could, a figure emerged behind them. Heaving and puffing as he barely managed to stand with his hands on his knees. "C-Claire… where have you been? You're late for your chess match…" His words making Claire's eased state melt away as she rose to her feet in urgency. "I completely forgot about that Eliot. Is it over?"
Eliot who had now managed to get his bearing shook his head before noticing Andrew. "Who's this?" Claire gestured at Andrew. "He's Andrew, new in our class. I was just showing him around is all." Claire turned to face Andrew, her face apologetic. "As much as I'd like to continue our tour, I have to go. Maybe we can finish this up later."
Andrew didn't seem bothered as he took a long look at Eliot, his gaze more like examining an experiment rather than looking at a human being. "I don't mind playing chess." His words soft eliciting a frown from Eliot. "You dabble?" Claire asked, Andrew already rising to his feet. "Lead the way."
The three walked away from the field and into a huge auditorium where banners of chess tournaments were plastered on the walls. Multiple tables with on going matches as the three came to a stop. "I got her." Eliot mused as Claire took a seat meeting her opponent. "Are you sure you should be in this Claire, it might be a bit too much for you."
The boy's tone dripping with confidence said with his hands clasped supporting his head. Unlike Eliot, he had a fierce air to him, determined on winning his match. His hair black similar to Andrew's however shorter with bold brown eyes. His name was Jason Malik with a bit of a reputation within the chess club community alongside Claire.
The match between the two commenced, quick at first before it started to slump into what seemed a never ending stand still. "Come on Claire, you've got this." Eliot cheered on the side, Andrew watching the two move the pieces around. "She won't win." Andrew's words making Eliot narrow with suspicion.
"And how do you know this? Or are you some hidden genius chess player I don't know about." Andrew's silence mistaken by Eliot as admitting defeat before the match eventually came to an end with Jason as the victor. "It would seem that you finally got a friend that won't constantly lick your feet like a dog Claire."
Jason chuckled at his victory, his grin ear to ear while Claire was still recalling how her defeat came to be. "How about a match?" Andrew asked now drawing weird glances from those around him. "Why not? After all you seemed to know about my loss even before I did." Claire gestured at the seat letting Andrew take over.
The match however unlike the one Claire and Jason, this one ended far quicker with Andrew being the victor. On Andrew's end making moves that seemed on impulse than plan or any form of thought and yet he somehow emerged as the victor.
"I guess you're not bad, how about a rematch." The subsequent matches ended quicker than the first with Andrew as the victor. As time dragged on, Jason's smirk was long gone now replaced with a conservative glare while Andrew kept on with his indifferent gaze.
"It would seem that I had greatly underestimated you Andrew. Good game, maybe you can teach me some time." Jason said with a defeated laugh as he found himself once more cornered by Andrew. "You're built to lose.All of you are." Andrew stated as he made his move bringing the match to a closure.
"I understand that you won but there's no need for ego." Jason added which elicited a chuckle from both Claire and Eliot. "It's not ego but truth." Andrew sighed as he rose to his feet, his words settling in the minds of those around him. "There you are, I already thought that you left given how early your classes ended." Kevin's words echoed through the now mostly empty auditorium.