Bobby opted out of the free lunch, heading for the vending machines instead, Alessio in tow. “She’s a fucking bitch,” Bobby complained.
Alessio chuckled. “I almost soiled myself when she yelled at me,” he confessed. “Why are we going this way?”
Turning the corner, Bobby made a right into the vending machine nook. Three cheerleaders were using the one that dispensed iced coffee bottles and other drinks. “I have some money today,” Bobby said, using both arms to gesture at the machines. “The free lunches taste like Mrs. Anderson cooked and threatened the whole batch.”
“They do look vile,” Alessio agreed. “My mom would have a fit if I had to eat them.”
Stepping in front of the chip machine, Bobby said, “What do you want for half the sandwich? Pick anything, and we’ll trade.”
Alessio hurried to his side. “Yeah?” he asked. “My mom doesn’t let me have any of this. She makes me eat carrots and broccoli, and baked chicken. Zucchini. Squash. All the fruits. Yogurt. Ugh and vegan cheese and fake pizza. I’m not even allowed to utter the word candy around her, less I be turned inside out.”
The girls beside them laughed, turning to Bobby and Alessio. “Sounds like your diet, Liz,” one of them said. Their group consisted of two blonds and an Asian girl wearing a sweatshirt over her uniform.
“Hey, Hazel,” the Asian girl said and nudged one of the blonds’ shoulders—the one wearing sunglasses. “Isn’t he the one we followed on Friday?”
Hazel flicked the shades up, squinting at Bobby. Alessio ignored them, studying the options inside the machine. “It is him, the grabby guy,” Hazel said, a lopsided grin forming on her face. “Did you end up getting lucky?”
“You were following me?” Bobby asked, frowning. “For how long?”
The trio burst into laughter as Alessio pointed. “The fuming hots,” Alessio said.
Bobby followed his finger. “Is that it?” he said. “Just get whatever you want, and I’ll pay for it. I still owe you for all the other times.”
Alessio gaped at him. Peered at the other machine. “Candy too?” he asked, the words coming out quickly. Bobby expected the reaction, knowing how strict Alessio’s mother was; keeping him away from sweets had to end sometime. Alessio was the most reserved person he had ever met, and Bobby had trouble imagining being kept on such a tight leash. Alessio had a heart attack the first time Bobby offered him weed.
Bobby snickered. “Yeah, just don’t get me in trouble with your mom,” he answered. “That shit can make you sick and a fat ass.”
Alessio chuckled nervously. “I’ve heard.”
Hazel butted in, answering Bobby’s question, “Duh, we people watch sometimes, and who better than two somebodies stinking like weed. Aiko took a couple videos.” The smirk on her face sent a spasm of worry through his neck.
Oblivious to what the girl had said, Alessio tapped away at the chip machine. Harumphed once. Turned to go. Changed his mind and pressed more buttons.
Bobby’s mouth fell open, and he rubbed his neck. “Er, what did you see?” he prompted. Alessio scooched past, aiming for the candy machine.
The other blonde filled the spot Alessio vacated. “Relax, you two were cute together and taking her to Chow’s made Hazel jealous,” she said and looked over her shoulder. “That’s why she’s grilling you.”
Bobby’s phone rang, and he pulled it out. It was Kate. “Fucking Mrs. Anderson,” he muttered before answering, turning away from the spies. “Hello?” You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
“Hi, Bobby dear, this is Kate, Megan’s mother,” she said, sounding tired.
“Oh, hey, how’s the trip going?” he asked nervously.
“Dreadful, a complete nightmare but that’s neither here nor there,” she said. “I got a call from your teacher, Mrs. Anderson. Regarding a photo my daughter sent you.”
Bobby gulped. “Uh,” he said, managing that much only barely.
“Listen, doll, you’re a sweet boy, and Megan was over the moon and Saturn with your date by the way,” Kate said, voice growing warm. “I remember what it was like to be young and excitable, but crimeny Bobby, keep my little girl’s pictures to yourself next time.” She heaved a sigh.
Bobby exhaled. “I will, I will, and I’m really sorry, Kate,” he said. “Mrs. Anderson snuck up on me like a ghoul.”
“Well, I won’t blame you for being struck dumb by what you saw,” Kate said, chuckling. “You are a man after all.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
“That damn woman sent me the photo, along with pictures of your chat,” Kate told him, sounding amused. “Trish is still a firecracker.”
Bobby spun, hurt by what his teacher had done. “Fucking bitch,” he muttered, not meaning to say it aloud. He found the three cheerleaders watching with bated breath, like he was their own personal TV show. Ignoring them, Bobby opened his wallet and fed a twenty into the chip machine. The total blinked, asking for more. $27.50. He gave it another.
“Don’t be so harsh on her, deary,” Kate said. “She’s a good woman underneath the bravado and ink. You should try sucking up to her. Having someone like that in your corner never hurts.”
He laughed, watching bags of chips start falling one by one. “Thanks, Kate, but I think she hates me,” Bobby said.
“Oh, nonsense, sweetness,” Kate said. “Trish has had a tough life and an even rougher couple years, but she has a softer side when you get to know her. She loves daisies. Ladybugs. A show called ‘friends’.” Megan’s mother giggled. “That was way before your time. A Tooler Swaft fanatic; Swafty’s I think they call themselves.”
“What?” Bobby demanded, flabbergasted. “She does not like Tooler Swaft and flowers.”
“Oop, that’s our flight, doll cake,” Kate said. “I suggest bribing her with some memorabilia if you want to get on her good side. You have almost a full year left of that woman, and believe me, she can make your life a living hell. Toots.” She made two smooching sounds. “Oh, and don’t be afraid to text me for help, but you better not let her catch you doing it.”
The line went dead, and Bobby put the phone away. Alessio met his eye, smiling sheepishly. “I went a little crazy,” Alessio said and ducked, pulling a bag of cyorn nuts from the trap door. “I just want to try a bit of everything.”
“You haven’t had snacks before?” Aiko asked, bending to help Alessio get everything out of the machine.
Bobby inserted his card into the candy machine, not wanting to deal with any more change. Hazel flapped a hand at Aiko, shushing her. “Soo, tell us what happened after Chow’s,” she urged. “And in the dressing room. That’s the better video Aiko took, of the girl disappearing into your stall and then you two coming out looking sweaty.” She babbled rapid fire.
“Spill the details and we’ll show you,” Hazel said, hands on her hips. “Aiko thinks you made out in there, but I know better. It ended too quickly for that, no one worries about getting caught sucking spit, and you would have stayed longer. Am I right?”
Megan would be right at home with these three, he thought. Brenda too. “She cut tags off for me,” Bobby answered and reached toward Aiko with an open palm. “Happy?”
Alessio was munching Heetos next to Aiko, who was holding several bags for him. Aiko made a face. “Fine,” she said, puffing out her cheeks. Aiko reached into her sweatshirt pocket, hugging chips with the other arm, and pulled out her phone. Unlocking it, her thumb danced around before she stopped, holding the device out to him. “Swipe left once for the second video.”
Through Hazel’s half-hearted protests, he played the files, which were shaky and crooked. The first was as Hazel had said, just Megan going into his stall, and the second was when he grabbed her ass after his sister left. He used his finger to speed through them before sending them to himself. “Here,” he said, giving the phone back once they fully sent. “You’re a terrible cameraman.”
“Ugh, you’re no fun,” Hazel said, snapping her glasses back down.
The girls left shortly after, leaving Alessio and Bobby to their own devices. They decided to sit on the floor and eat, sharing snacks and splitting the hoagie.
“I’m going to try bribing Mrs. Anderson into liking us, well me, I think she already likes you,” Bobby said, and Alessio made a face. “Do you want to come with? I’m pretty sure I know the place that sells what I’ll need.”
*
The rest of the day passed slowly and when the final bell sounded, Bobby waited for the classroom to clear. “I have some stuff I need to do today, Ms. Dubois,” Bobby said, shouldering his backpack.
Dubois rubbed her neck, as if it hurt her. “Not to worry, young man,” she said, giving him a soft smile. Her eyes flicked to the door. “Do you have a ‘you know what’ just in case?”
He patted his back pocket. “Uh, yeah, I put one in my wallet.”
“Good,” Dubois said, nodding. “Be careful and see to it that it doesn’t slip off.”
Bobby chuckled, fidgeting with his ear anxiously. “That’s not,” he said and stopped himself. “I probably won’t need it today.”
Dubois stretched her arms high, yawning. “I appreciate your candor, mister,” she said, crossing one leg over the other. “You can always come to me with questions, or if you need another box. I know that young men are embarrassed to buy them. See me before you even think about having intercourse without one, got it?”
“Got it,” Bobby agreed, shifting his backpack strap. He looked down, breaking eye contact. “I was wondering if, maybe, you know.” Taking a breath, he lowered his voice. “Put it in your mouth again.”
Dubois narrowed her eyes. “Out of the question, mister,” she growled and pointed to the door. “Leave, and if you ever mention that again, you’ll be in a world of hurt.”
“Sorry,” Bobby said and turned to go.
“Apology accepted, young man,” Dubois said.