2 Too Much Too Soon.

Ms Claire was staring daggers at me when everyone left, so I absolutely was not expecting what followed next.

As the class emptied out, she made her way to my desk at the back of the class and sat on it.

' Sit, Lawrence. ' she said as she beckoned me to my seat. I sat down, anticipating my punishment. Fortunately for me, Hayley burst in just before she could continue and I noticed she was a tad bit too jolted by Hayley's entry.

' Oh... uhm, sorry for interrupting, I guess. ' she frowned , then continued ' I just came in to grab my textbooks. I , uhm, forgot them after the class.'

' Oh, Hayley! It's fine. I was just scolding Law...mmm Mr Valentine here. Feel free! ' Ms Claire chuckled rather nervously . Hayley took her books but lingered on for a while too long , making Ms Claire even more uncomfortable about our sitting position. She got up and approached the front of the class with a stern look. ' You May go now, Mr Valentine. Hopefully, we don't have to discuss this issue again... Am I understood, Mr Valentine? ' she came.

'... uhm, yes? ... yes, Ms Claire. And once again, I am truly sorry. '

I rushed out the doors only to bump right into Hayley.

' Oh, sorry. ' I said.

' Hey, hi there, Lawrence. '

' Hey, Hayley. Thanks for the save back there.Ms Claire probably wouldn't have let me off so easy if you hadn't shown up . '

' Nah, it's fine... Although, I could smell a detention coming up... ' she chuckled, playing with her fingers.

' Yeah, you're right. Thanks again, I owe you. ' I said, trying to avoid further conversation, walking off.

' ... hey, wait up, Lawrence. ' she said.

' ... uh? '

' I was meaning to ask... would you wanna... I mean, would you like to come sometime... ' she trailed off, taking a deep breath to compose herself, then looked up at me determinedly, continuing' Law... can I call you that? ... anyway,would you like have coffee with me sometime? '

' Sure, absolutely. I'd love to!'

' Oh, good! Is tomorrow fine? '

' Yeah. Wait,... how about we just grab lunch instead . That is , of course, if you don't mind.'

' That's just perfect! Lunch is good! Walk you to your locker? '

' Okay. ' We walked off and said our goodbyes at my locker. On my way out, Jeremy ran up behind me, yelling; ' Hey Law, wait up...'

' Hey, Jer. Whatcha up to? '

' I should be asking you that. How come you're not in detention? What happened with the hottie? ' he bombarded.

' Cool it, Sherlock Holmes. One question at a time. '

' Fine, fine. How come you're out here? '

'She let me off with a warming. '

' Hmm. I didn't think she'd send her most attentive student off to detention for being inattentive once, anyway.'

' Oh, you don't know the last of it...' I said as I rolled my eyes.

* * *

Later that night, I excitedly joined Mom in preparing dinner . Couldn't wait for everyone to hear the big news- but then, I had to.

Dad came back home looking down. He barely ate dinner and was overtly distant. I didn't really care much what the problem was, just about the fact that HE WAS RUINING the mood I was hoping for. Usually, he'd talk about his day and ask us about our, but no, he just had to change his routine today!! He didn't even bother to caution me about using my phone at the table , or Liam for talking with his mouth full. I suppose Mom also noticed when she asked; ' You okay, babe? '

' uhm... what? ' He asked.

' She asked if you were alright, dad. ' I answered as Mom sent a glare my way across the table.

' I'm ... Mom called. '

' Is anything the matter?! ' we asked in unison. Grandma called? Grandma never called. At least she never called 'us' .

' Grandpa is dead. ' he answered.

' Who's grandpa. Yours or ours? ' Liam asked, absentmindedly.

' Your great grandfather is dead, kids.'

' Ha, took him long enough. ' Liam joked.

' Liam! That is your great grandpa you're referring to. ' Mom cautioned.

' What? Let's call a spade a spade, Mom. That dude was a hundred and twelve years old already. '

' A hundred and sixteen. ' I corrected.

' See. He was old enough to die! ' he chuckled.

' What caused his death? ' I asked, ignoring him.

' He died of natural causes. ' Dad answered

' And? ' Mom asked, looking at Dad expectantly .

'We're going to the ranch for a week. They'll be holding the burial ceremony at the ranch. Everyone will be there, so we're... '

' I'm not going. ' I said

' Excuse you? ' Dad asked.

' Dad, I'm not going to any ranch for any goddamn reason ... whatever it be ! '

' Language, young man . ' Mom said.

' Why won't you go? ' He asked.

' Where were they when we needed them? Where was grandma or great grandpa when we were in need? Why weren't we invited to the ranch for summer, or even the numerous parties they threw? Why are they inviting us to THIS? ' I bursted out.

' Put your voice down, young man. ' Dad said in an even tone, took a deep breath then continued 'we're all going. Is that clear?!!

' I've got school. ' I persisted.

' I'll talk to your principal. ' he retorted with a tone of finality.

' I'm done . I'm done with all this. ' I said, leaving the table.

' Get back here, young man !!' He called after me.

' I certainly didn't expect this from you, Lawrence. Liam, maybe. But not you, Lawrence, not you . ' he yelled after me.

' Hey, what'd I do?! ' Liam asked.

I shut the door to my room with a bang and flopped on the bed. As I scrolled through my phone about an hour later, I heard a knock at the door .

' I don't wanna talk, Mom. '

' Oh, you'll have to, baby. ' Liam said in a mock voice and laughed.

' I still don't want to talk, Liam. ' I said, rolling my eyes.

' Come on, Lawrie. I know how you feel, I get you. '

' Do you, do you really? Why are you being so nice, by the way? '

' See, Lawrence. I understand how helpless you feel. I know Dad's family hasn't been the nicest, but think of it. A week's vacation! Babes!!! '

' I knew it! Is that what this is about? After everything? '

' listen to me, kid. This is my payback. Imagine all the girls, and a few lucky dudes going back home with broken hearts! Think about it, brother. '

' These people are related to you, gosh!!! '

' The dude had so many kids, who've mixed the blood, bruh. Moreover, that makes the payback sweeter. '

' Still not going. ' I said.

' You know dad won't let you stay home, right. This is a chance to make the trip worth it. Think about it, man. '

' You know what, you're right' I said after a while.

' Are you kidding? ' he asked, surprised.

' No. I think it's a good idea. '

' Hells yeah! '. He screamed.

________________________________________

Okay, guys. It's the author here. This is a warning to the minors in the house. The next chapter will be containing light smut. Please, do not read if you're sensitive to such. Thanks .

Love y'all ❤️❤️