Ferd Don’t go on that Date

That evening two text messages awaited me when I finally settled down long enough to remember that there is a world outside all my problems.

UNKNOWN: I CAN'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW.

UNKNOWN: I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

I figured more or less that it must've been Nicole. So, I hadn't given it much thought. I mean how many people would be looking forward to seeing me tomorrow. I gather not that much.

By the time Thursday rolled around I had realized just how much my dad and the others had been keeping from me. It all started with the hushed conversations and the discussions behind closed doors. It wasn't until the next day when they had all had a late night meeting that it finally began to get under my skin.

I had decided that as soon as my guards had left his office that I would storm in there and demand some answers. And my plan was going fairly well of course except it seemed that he had anticipated my actions.

I had just walked inside when he looked up as if somehow me being here was a scheduled occurrence.

"I was wondering when you were going to man up and come in here", Dad laughed. For a second I could see the jovial, fun loving father I had grown accustomed to over the past few years and not the rigid businessman side of him that he tended to show to others.

Up until now Leonardo has always been the perfect father figure to me. I had always known he could be stoic and merciless; God knows I'd seen glimpses of it but it was never ever directed at me. He was always smiling, always happy, always real. Or at least that's the version of him that I think was real.

"You were?", I speculated narrowing my eyes a bit in suspicion as I entered and closed the door behind me.

He motioned for me to take a seat which I gladly did. "Of course, I did. You are my son after all and one thing that I am sure of is that you have a very curious mind".

"Does this mean you are going to tell me about this secret mission that you and the guys are on", he smiled wryly at me.

I looked at him hoping he'd finally let me in.

"Okay. but you should be aware of one thing. That these missions as you so called it are actually really important tasks that need to get done in order to keep you safe".

"If this is about me as you claim then why am I the only person that isn't involved in anything that you guys are planning. I know that I can help if you".

For a mere second he seemed thoughtful as if he was actually considering it. But then his expression hardened. I was glad to see that he wasn't looking at me with anger but I was sad to see the sheer determination in his eyes.

He wasn't going to tell me anything.

"You might think that now but when Alister is here planting a bomb in my car to kill my only son just how helpful do you think you will be".

His words didn't catch me off guard like it would have a few weeks ago. I knew what he was doing. He wanted me to be upset so I would leave this alone.

"I know that you think I am completely helpless-"

"That's not it I swear", he cut me off almost immediately and I stiffened in my chair.

"Just listen to me I promise that this is all for your own good".

I stood up from my chair and began to head for the door, "So you keep saying".

I considered telling him that had seen his exchange with Ariadne yesterday before I stormed out just so I could stun him into silence.

*****

The next morning Victor drove me to school and Jason was a no show. I had been wondering what that was about. I mean, you would think that dad would've made sure the two of them showed up to ensure that I was safe at all times like he'd been preaching for the past two days he's been here.

"So, where's the other one?", Nicole asked as she approached us at my locker.

I shrugged but something in Victor's expression had me more than a little suspicious. He quickly looked away from me and turned to star at something on the other end of the hall.

Nicole turned her attention from him to me almost immediately.

"So about tonight...", she paused to tuck a lock of hair behind her hair and when she didn't continue talking I realized that she was actually waiting for me to pitch in.

"Oh", I stumbled over my words, "I'll be picking you up at six. So be ready".

She suddenly sobered up and shot me a confused expression. Just behind her I could see Victor making a sign by waving his hand across his neck telling me to cut it out.

"The party starts at eight though", she said sounding even more confused.

Avoiding Victor's childish antics, I turned my attention back to Nicole.

"Well, I was sort of hoping that we could go out to dinner before we go to the party", I proposed, "but if you're not up for that then we can just-".

"NO! I'd actually really love that", she quickly piped in. while I just raised an eyebrow at her behavior.

Now most of you might be curious as to why I'm willingly agreeing to spend my in Nicole's presence especially when it isn't necessary. It all started with one awkward car ride to school this morning. I had tried to persuade Vic to give me something, anything about what my dad was planning but getting secrets from him is like trying to get Lewis Levi to get higher than a C in Math, it highly unlikely.

He had then proceeded to change the subject by bringing in Nicole into the subject which was the most unsubtle thing he had ever done.

"So, Nicole huh", he glanced at me, "I thought you hated her".

"Is that your attempt at changing the subject?", I scoffed. He shrugged and glanced at me expectantly as if waiting for his answer.

Sighing I leaned my head against the window, "I don't hate her alright", I negated, "I never said that. All I said was that she was annoying".

"And why is she so annoying", he asked with a smirk knowing exactly what the answer to his question is.

Laughing I looked away from him but still answered non the less, "She always talks about how perfect Ariadne and Mario are as couple whenever we are together".

Victor laughed, expecting my frustration and I began to murmur it to myself.

"That's because she knows you like her", he finally sobered up from laughing long enough to say this. I shot him a curious glance, "what do you mean?".

"I think she's noticed the way you stare at Ariadne because that's the exact same way she stares at you", he said in a more serious tone, "I can't believe you have so many girls vying for your attention and you don't even know it".

Sighing I shoved one of his shoulders, "What are you talking about?".

"All I'm saying is that you should ask her out and see how she reacts", he proposed.

Nodding I agreed until I realized I didn't know specifically who he was suggesting I ask out, "Wait which girl are you talking?".

He smirked as the car pulled into the parking lot.

And that's how I ended up asking out Nicole.

Even though since we were already going to the school dance together it was already supposed to be a date.

Just saying.

Little did I know that by the time our night together would end. Nothing would ever be the same.