Pursuit of the Whole

XXXV. Quickie

"My grades won't suffer?"

"Your grades are excellent."

"What else?"

"What else can I offer?"

My eyes narrow, "I heard the coffee in the teacher lounge is good."

Mrs.Rodriguez chuckles, "I heard you became my personal aid." She grabbed a key and threw it at me, "Use it whenever you need to."

It's the master key.

"Have a good time in class, Julia."

"One more thing."

Mrs.Rodriguez stops, "Yes?"

"My friends."

"I'm aware of them."

"Can they know?"

"Is it necessary?"

I know they're upset with me keeping Kai a secret already. They're upset, but they won't blame me because they understand the situation. "Yes."

"That's fine."

After my meeting, I went back to class. Brenda looks at me with curious eyes the entire time. When the bell rings and class ends, she pulls me aside.

"We gotta follow Rosario," I said quickly. "I'll tell you on the way."

We followed Rosario only to find out she has the same class as us. Most likely, Mrs.Rodriguez lines all of our courses to be the same.

Brenda and I stood in the hallway beside our next class.

I lift a finger to stop Brenda from talking. Then, I pulled out my phone and sent her a long message.

When Brenda's phone buzzes, she looks at it.

Her eyes widened.

"Do I get to skip those two days too?"

"That's the question you want to ask?"

"So?"

"I'm not sure," I responded. "You have to ask her about that."

"Darn it," she hisses. "You should've bargained for more. Like giving me a day off or money."

She makes a valid point.

I'm disappointed in myself.

"Does she know?"

"Who knows what?"

"Does Rosario know she's under your wings?"

"I don't know."

"Then, what do you know?"

"Whatever I texted you. Which should be deleted just in case." We deleted the message from both ends.

"You're telling me you didn't ask additional questions?"

"Should I?"

Brenda shakes her head, "Next time, someone offers you a deal. You come get me."

"Oh. That's not a bad idea." I exhale, "Here. Let me find out." I walk into the classroom.

"Wait. Huh?" Brenda follows me.

I stood in front of Rosario.

She looks up from her cell phone.

"You think we're going to see a catfight?" Someone whispers.

I wish I was that someone.

"What do you want?" Rosario asks.