You Promised Me

by Lucy Scott Bryan

  "Here?" he offers once we reach a grassed area, surrounded by several pink and cream rose bushes.

  "As good as any place Dom," I reply before sitting down in the sun. We both sit on the grass putting the campus and the sun on our back. The morning is quiet, the gardens full of birds and butterflies. The smell of the flowers and the sculptured plants around us is strangely soothing and I give him a few minutes before I turn to look at him.

  "Spill."

  Dom closes his eyes before looking at me. The look in his eyes is a mix of so many things, confusion, hope, determination, wariness.

  "Couple of things Ginny, some involve you and some don't," a small frustrated laugh falls from his mouth and he rubs his hands over his face before looking at me again, more determined almost.

  "I can't do ‘friends’ with you," he finishes and then stops. He keeps his eyes locked with mine as he spills his guts and heart by the looks of it. I can't even respond, after a few minutes of staring intently at him, he starts again.

  "I tried. Honest, I tried. But Gin, I just can't. I know that it is going to change things between us, but...." he pauses for a moment like he needs time to gather his thoughts or get them in the right order, or maybe find a bit of courage. "Sorry, I just don't want to fuck this up any more than I have. I promised you I could be your friend but I can't. I am not sure what to do, but I can't look at you and be happy that I can't kiss you, hold your hand. Just be with you. Ask Drew or Caleb, you, consume me. All I do is talk about you, it drives them crazy," he looks at me begging me to understand.

  "Okay," is all I can offer, my mind is shooting around a million miles in all directions.

  "Okay?" he looks at me shaking his head a little.

  "Yeah Dom, I am sorry but that is all I have at the moment. Let your words sink in before you start getting annoyed at me because I can't respond how you want. So, okay?" I ask again.

  Dom drops his head in his hands and hides his face for a few moments from me.

  "I totally screwed this up. Gin, sorry," he peeks at me through his fingers still spread over his face, his big eyes begging me to understand.

  "So tell me about the other shit going down. Drew sort of mentioned something about you getting hassled, what's that all about?" I ask, my hand reaching out to touch his knee so that he can see that we are okay.

  I go to pull my hand away from him but Dom grabs a hold of it, his eyes cut to mine real quick as if he is asking for my permission, I cut him a small smile but pull my hand from his.

  "Let me think Dom, honestly, before I make a decision, let me think," I ask him again, "I am repeating myself for a reason, like you I don't want to mess this up. Now stop avoiding the other topic and I want specifics on the freaky shit going on, like now!" I half snarl, half smile at him.

  "It started pretty much straight after the welcome dinner, which is weird, cause like the number of new students I haven't even had the chance to upset anyway yet, sheesh my magic takes a little bit longer!"

  We giggle a little bit and then I cock my eyebrow at him urging him to get back on track.

  "Okay, so I keep getting calls in the middle of the night to both my phones. I have also been getting unmarked envelopes of silly pictures slid under my door, someone is mucking around on my insta, ordered me bad food and my clothes got stolen at training. So nothing too bad, but enough to be a concern. I just can't figure out what the fuck I have done to warrant someone's attention," he finishes, "any ideas?"

  Yeah I have a few ideas, but I just need to figure out what is going on.

  "Seriously, Dom? You have to do something, but I got nothing, Dom. You are a real sweetie. Did you kick someone's cat maybe?" I offer. "I know it is serious but like you said, you are the most non-asshole person I know, maybe I am the wrong person to ask. Have you reported it?" I ask

  "Yeah, I had to, they stole my clothes. And," he pauses to look over my shoulder, "they broke into my room Gin. I was in the shower but the threat was scary enough that I had to call administration. Admin took photos and stuff. It's okay, it sort of stopped after that, maybe they saw that I wouldn't just let it go. But that is not right, no-one should think it is okay," he finished quickly.

  We both sort of drift off in our thoughts for a few minutes, I can feel his eyes on me, but I am not messing around, he threw me. I am feeling so good with Dom as my friend, I feel like I can rely on him, now, I’m not so sure. I wish he hadn't said anything.

  Dom lets me lose myself in my thoughts, he lays down on the grass and closes his eyes, feeling safe maybe as I am lost in mine? It must only be a few minutes, no more than ten before I hear him snore. With his bags so clearly evident under his eyes, I let him sleep.

  I grab my notes out in preparation for my next class, looking on my phone to research possible books for English. I go to find a pen and look out back towards the main rooms of St. Josephs, my eyes roaming over the beautiful detail of the building. It really is an amazing property. My eyes scan up to where my room is and then down the other windows, they stop on Hunter's room. How do I know? He is standing there in full view, watching me.

  I look away, my heart racing. His presence brings me to thinking if all the stuff happening with Dom is because of me, well because of Hunter. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that is not the case, that will break my heart, but then again I have no idea who Hunter is anymore.

  My phone dings as I am sitting there, with Dom sleeping next to me, the beautiful day warming my back. Without looking I know that it is Hunter.

  Why didn't you wave Gigi?

  We need to talk I shoot back before I lose my nerve

  I get no response and I turn back to his room but he is no longer there. Why am I not surprised?

  "Dom," I say softly as I touch his arm that is bent behind his head, "Dom, I have to go. Come on lazy bones, you have a class too."

  "Hey Gin," he groans through a stretch that sees his shirt opening up right at the point where it tucks into his pants, oh wow, I wish I didn't watch that. My eyes run up his body half slow, half wanting more, until I reach his face. His face is shut off to me, but his desire is clearly evident in his grey eyes, that are now fully dilated.

  "Sorry. I heard you Gin. Like I said I definitely can't do friends, just your eyes send me spinning. Come on, I am going to have a cold shower and get to class. Drew said you have to go to the Library, let me walk you there, friend to friendish," he says as he gathers his stuff and jumps to his feet. He doesn't offer me his hand like I did earlier with Drew but I can read his action and his words to understand his hesitation.

  "Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me what is going on. I am not going to lie and say everything is okay. I just need to figure out what I can and can't work with, so at least give me a bit. And please don't ignore me in the meantime, yeah?" I say catching his eye again.

  "Yeah, I promise, I won't do that, well I mean I hope. Just smack me around the head if I do," he says and we start walking towards the library.

  I leave him at the door and am surprised to see it so busy, I suppose in my hungover morning and then my heart to heart with Dom, I kind of forgot that today is a busy day full of classes. It only takes me a moment to switch from day dreaming Gin to driven Gin. I certainly need my focus now more than ever, with my most recent results in Coding and my impending English assignment, shit keeps getting real.

  Thankfully, my schedule for this afternoon is doable. I join up with Caleb in the back row of English and we are waiting for Dom and Drew to get here.

  "So Caleb, you know about Dom's secret?" I ask after looking intently at him.

  "About his stalker? Yeah, I knew," he offers a little apologetically.

  "Hmmm glad I am friend enough for you guys to be included in those discussions. Is it cause I am a girl?" I ask half joking, half offended. "Oh, so it's not my business. I am just being bitchy, that's all. I got a bad result in Coding and it is making me pissy, I think it is still shitting me," I say, offering a poor apology.

&nbs
p; "Gin, I see you as my friend. It's alright whatever shit is going on, we can fix it okay. What about a tutor for Coding?" he suggests and we are interrupted by the arrival of the boys as well as Betsy, looking gorgeous as ever.

  "Hey you need a tutor? I can post it," Betsy offers.

  I go to respond when I get an alert on my phone indicating an incoming email. I quickly open the app and download a message.

  "Wow! The dean wants to see me about my grade in Coding. I just got a ‘please explain’ for my results that have only just been posted. I have to finish up here and then go straight there," I look at them all. I am absolutely gobsmacked. We are interrupted when the English Professor walks in and we start our Classical Studies analysis of Greek Literature. I can't afford another poor result, so I force myself to focus on Hades despite my growing disappointment.

  Somehow I make it through the class, somewhat satisfied with my effort. Everyone offers to walk with me down there for moral support but I wave them off, promising to catch up with them for dinner and let them know exactly what is going on.

  "Come in," the dean responds after I knock on his door.

  "Hi Dean Johns, thanks for seeing me this late in the day, I got your email about Coding," I offer and take a seat after shaking his hand.

  "Look Verginius we are just concerned, it is not an official St Joseph's intervention as such, more a precursor, a gentle reminder of the need to meet your GPA. Harvard isn't for everyone but I am sure that your Grandfather has spoken at great length about the impressive history and success your family has there. The Bellafonte name is certainly held in the highest regard. What the faculty have done, after speaking with Mr. Bellafonte is to appoint a tutor. Your tutor will be joining us momentarily. I can't stress enough the importance of your achieving the highest grade point average possible," the Dean speaks as he reclines back in his large leather chair, his hands steepled in front of him.

  I feel like a three-year-old, honestly, the Dean and the school reporting to grandpa, before even giving me the opportunity to take steps to fix this up. We are so early into the academic term, it makes my head spin.

  "I appreciate your concern, I was actually going to post this afternoon that I needed a tutor on the student page. You saved me the effort and no doubt you will have the best available for me. I do request Dean, that next time, you perhaps give me the opportunity to speak with me confidentially before going behind my back and unnecessarily involving my family and other students. My grandfather has taught me many things and discretion and confidentiality has been beaten into me since I have been a member on the Bellafonte Board. A position I have held for the past two years, despite my age, with the backing of our Shareholders. Will my request for your discretion be an issue for you or St. Joseph’s?" I offer through the sweetest smile I can. My anger barely contained behind my teeth.

  His eyebrows raise slightly in, I am not sure what, but I wait in silence for his apology.

  We are interrupted by a knock at the door.

  "Ahh Hunter, good timing. Miss Bellafonte is ready for you," he smirks.

  "Actually Mr. Hollingsworth, I will be in just a minute. The Dean here and I were just discussing confidentiality and the impact of such breaches. I mean my lawyers have implored that into my psyche for a while now. Even Professor Gibson discussed that just yesterday," I snarl back at him. I have no issue reminding him who is sitting across from him. My grandpa is going to be furious, not at me though. This sort of veiled intimidation shit pisses him off no end.

  Hunter is surprisingly quiet and doesn't make a move to enter the room or our discussion, which surprises me further.

  "My apologies Miss Bellafonte, perhaps you misunderstood my earlier comments. I would never breach our own privacy doctrine." he murmurs looking more contrite, as he should.

  "Accepted Dean. I appreciate your assistance. Next time, you have all my numbers, perhaps reach out to me first," I ask before turning to Hunter.

  I am surprised by the look on his face, it is like he is proud and furious all at once. It takes my breath away, but I am on a roll and it is about time he met the real Gigi.

  "Hunter, I take it you are my appointed tutor for Coding. I will send you an email when I get back to my room and perhaps we can schedule some time. Obviously I am happy to pay you for your time. I hope we didn't inconvenience you but again, I am thankful that you have offered to help me. There is no doubt, I could do with the additional assistance," I say saccharinely sweetly at him.

  His eyes flare and his pupils dilate in response.

  "Of course,” is all he responds with.

  I turn my back on them both, and walk out of the Dean's office with a new pep in my step. I am sure I feel Hunter's eyes on my ass but maybe it is just a by-product of my run in with the Dean, either way I welcome it, adding a little bit more sass to my step. Maybe later I will wallow in self doubt but for now my mouthy retort at our illustrious Dean and Hunter's strange affirmation, leaves me on top of the world.

  That feeling follows me all the way back to my suite. Once inside, double checking that my door is locked, I open all the curtains to enjoy the beautiful view before walking into my study. I place my bag on my desk before settling into the large gray armchair that I have swivelled around to face the window. I grab my mobile and call Grandpa.

  "I am sorry Grandpa that he phoned. I just politely reminded him that I am a Bellafonte, but again sorry he interrupted your day," I speak quickly, not even bothering to say hello, but Grandpa will be waiting and will know it is me anyway.

  "Oh please, I tore that dip shit a new one. Ginny, his actions were inappropriate, and that is being polite. Admittedly I have also briefed our lawyers. I am not putting up with them pulling this shit, we are only in week four of your being there. Imagine if you didn't have our name, makes me wonder what else is happening at St Joseph’s, now that we are no longer affiliated with the Committee. I was never a fan of Dean Johns. Actually pretty much as soon as I met him, I knew I wouldn’t like him. Now Ginny, I know I said this was about you, but if someone crosses my little girl, well you know I am bound to get a little loud and territorial," Grandpa replies, I hear his chair squeak as he reclines back, no doubt putting his feet up on the desk as well.

  "Enough of all that banal stuff, tell me sweetie, how are things going there? Your mother is driving me crazy, by the way," Grandpa muffles into the phone. I visualise him there in his office at our home, balancing the phone under the crink of his neck as he settles back further into his leather office chair, with his black tea on his desk.

  "I miss you so much Grandpa. I am not sure I am cut out for the teenage stuff. Boys, girls, teachers with attitudes as big and as bad as my peers. The workload is insane, their expectation almost hurts my shoulders. Like I totally get they are here for academic excellence and understanding what their expectations are and matching them to ours, but they continually threaten us with shame of failure. I am all for motivation but it is almost intrusive,” I shuffle my position in the chair, so that I have my feet curled under my legs before I continue. “They keep spouting that in the real world you need to be able to juggle, honestly if we had employees like this at Bellafonte's we would have cut them before they finished the week," I say as I finally settle down comfortably, ready for a big chat with my Grandpa.

  "Are you falling behind?" he asks genuinely interested, not for the sake of having a go.

  "Coding. Seriously who would have thought Coding would kick me in the ass. I can understand the diagnostic requirements of interred metals in a chemical composition with a flailing minor sequence, but I can't understand the why's, what’s and how’s of Coding. I have a new tutor though, so I will see how he goes. The Champion of the school actually." I finish and take a breath before I look out at my view again. I hear Grandpa talking softly to Grandma and wait until they finish.

  "Gran sends her love, sweetie," he says with an evident note of contentment in his tone. Grandma is and always will be Grandpa’s weakness. I lov
e that he has always told me that too. Maybe that is what I am focused on when I speak next.

  "Do you believe in fate?" I ask hesitantly, my eyes close softly and I lay my head back on the back of my chair.

  "Fate? If it is meant to be, it is meant to be. My Nonna, bless her little Italian heart, said that to me nearly everyday of my life, you remember..." he starts.

  I reply quickly with a giggle, "Of course I remember, how could I not? If you hadn't walked into town that day, you wouldn't have met my Grandma," I smile as I speak with him. The story of how Grandma and Grandpa met is one of the most romantic stories I have ever heard, it is their story.

  "But how do you know the difference between fate and hope?" I ask, biting my lip in my concern.

  "Verginius, is there anything I need to know about?" Grandpa stops stirring the tea on his chest and I hear him place the china set on his desk. I squeeze my eyes so they stay closed, unsure how to respond to him. But I think it is more that I don’t want to hear his answer, or even my own. The thing with Grandpa, is that he is my all time confidant, I can tell him anything without worry or concern of his judgment. It's not because he loves me unconditionally, but more because he understands me the most, out of anyone in the universe. Exaggerated? Not in the slightest.

  "You remember when Mum and I arrived to stay with you after Dad died?" I speak slowly.

  "Of course, sweetie. Your mother was a mess and you were my quiet little mouse that followed me around everywhere but said nothing," he says back in his quiet, reflective voice.

  "Yeah. You remember my friend that mum never wanted me to talk about?" I offer. I sit up straighter as I speak with him, eventually standing so that I can lean onto the edge of the window, my head to the glass.

  "The boy that cut you?" he says very slowly. Why I doubt that Grandpa will remember, I have no idea. I shake my head at myself, annoyed that I thought that.

  "He's here Grandpa," my voice falls to a low, quiet whisper and again I squeeze my eyes shut as I speak. I am surprised as a little tear rolls down my face.