How To Build A Flower Shop

Chapter FIFTEEN

Bobbi holds her folders to her chest as she walks down the school corridor. Smiles at her fellow students who pass by and smile back. Wonders if it's out of sympathy with her official break-up with Nicholas, but no one cares about school drama, right? No one knows, right? The paranoia gets to her but she blows it off, bringing her wall up for the day. Heads towards her locker and Jamelia is at hers, the locker open but she's texting on her phone.

'Is that Juvante?' Bobbi opens the conversation with. Rather ask about her friend's love life than focus on her own. Out of sight, out of mind. Definitely out of sight; not only does a wall go around her heart, but barricades, locked doors, and chains hide it from everything on the outside.

'Nah, my mom,' she says casually, her face still in her phone, 'I'm over him now. He tried sweet talking me, but really I don't care to be honest. I don't want anything with anyone.'

'Oh, sorry about that.'

Jamelia puts her phone away, studies Bobbi. 'It's not a bad thing. How are you, though?' Her voice is soft, sympathy in her eyes, her head tilted.

'I'm okay, I guess. Reading Gemma's and Riley's love story in Essentials isn't helping so.' It's her all-time favourite book, but she can't read any more of it at a time like this.

Before Bobbi can process how she feels and really confide in her friend, student's heads turn at the top of the corridor, noise erupting from around the corner. Bobbi and Jamelia scrunch their faces up in confusion, exchanging looks, when voices come from around the corner, and then Roberto stalks around, a teacher following him hot on his heels.

'Mister Moretti!' Mr Dixon calls out to him. His face suffuses with blood, cheeks red from anger.

Mr Dixon is one of the strict teachers, but is also good at his job. Bobbi had him once and was quickly scared of him. She was glad he just substituted the one time. His black hair is always gelled down, grey strands at his sideburns, and his eyes are as black as his hair. Always wears brown suits, a different colour tie each day. Today it's dark green.

'I will not tolerate your actions back there!'

Roberto, a scowl on his face, stops in his tracks, turns around to Mr Dixon and gets in his face. 'Well then, butt out of it.' Turns back around and sticks his finger up at Mr Dixon over his shoulder.

As Roberto starts down the halls again, students avoid eye contact with him, feigning to be interested in their books or whispering to their friends in a close huddle. As soon as he's near Bobbi and Jamelia, Bobbi looks at him for an answer to his behaviour lately. If there's someone he needs to vent to, he can do so with her, she believes. His grey eyes are dark and cold as they bore into hers, a shiver runs down her spine.

'Detention!' Mr Dixon shouts down the corridor.

'Do you really think I would show up, old man?' Roberto retorts, stands in his place, and faces Mr Dixon from where he is.

Her jaw hitting the floor, Bobbi gapes at him in shock, her eyes wide. 'Roberto!'

He gives her half a glance. That was very disrespectful and she couldn't believe him! Doesn't know why she couldn't believe him, whenever he isn't quiet and to himself, he's shooting his mouth off at someone. Guess she thought he wouldn't be like that anymore since they started to get along. Why would she think he'd change? Seeing a good side to him, she must've forgotten the rude part of him.

'Double detention!' Mr Dixon adds, his eyebrows lower, a frown deepens but there's a slight scowl too. His cheeks are red from embarrassment, a vein present on his forehead.

'Oh. I. Am. Having. A heart-attack,' Roberto states slowly, his voice low, dull, and sarcastic. His face welcomes boredom, and then he rolls his eyes dramatically.