Chapter 2 Gianna #3
He has mousy brown hair that’s slicked back with too much product. I jerk out of his way, but he steps forward, two other boys flanking him. To the right of Mousy Brown is a pale boy with blond, shoulder-length hair. To his left, the shortest of the three has ebony skin and a buzzcut.
‘You’re kinda cute,’ the blond says. ‘Maybe we can play with you instead?’
I hug the puppy, stepping backward as they come closer.
Buzzcut hangs back, a worried look in his eyes, while Blond cocks his head and steps closer.
But it’s the nasty look from Mousy Brown that makes a lump form in my throat.
His green eyes burn into me, as if committing me to the depths of his memory.
‘Yeah,’ his voice drips with feigned innocence. ‘You look like fun.’
He reaches for me. I shoot my hand out to create distance, but he grips my wrist and flings me back. My legs tangle and I trip, hitting the ground. Still cradling the dog, I shuffle away on my backside as the boys close in.
Mousy Brown towers above, glaring down his nose at me.
Buzzcut grabs him by the arm. ‘Let it go, man. We’ll be late.’
Mousy Brown doesn’t take his eyes off me as he gives a crooked smile. My lip quivers, but I lift my chin, refusing to be threatened by his stare.
‘We’ll be seeing you, Booker Bay trash,’ he promises over his shoulder before the three run off down an alleyway, smashing jack-o-lanterns as they go.
I sniff, looking into the deep brown eyes of the puppy in my arms. It looks like there’s some Vizsla in him.
‘It’s okay, you’re safe now.’ Standing, I brush the dirt from my clothes and glance around the square. ‘Where’s your owner, boy?’
There are a few cyclists and suited adults around, but they’re on their way to work, not missing a pup. I hike him up in my arms. He’s heavier than I thought, with paws that seem far too large for his body.
‘You’re going to be a big boy!’ I say, snuggling him closer.
After casting about once more for an owner, I head to Paws on the Coast, the local vet clinic. It’s on the other side of Paradiso, so I cut across the town centre, my arms burning from his weight by the time I arrive.
Dr Aimee is behind the desk, dressed in her navy scrubs. She greets me with a smile, looking over her glasses.
‘Morning, Gia.’ She pauses, checking the volunteer calendar beside her. ‘I don’t have you down for a shift today?’
‘Morning, Dr Aimee.’ I return her smile. ‘No, I’ll be here on Friday, though.’
‘It’ll be good to have you. I’ve been swamped. Who have you got there?’
‘I found him on my way to class just now. Some guys looked like they were beating him. Do you think you can check him over?’
She lifts the partition and I walk through, pausing so she can scratch his head.
‘Poor guy. He’s cute.’ She does a quick examination of his joints and checks his lungs with a stethoscope. ‘No injuries, but I’m sure he’s shaken up. Can you put him in one of the kennels out back? I’ll check his microchip later and try to get him home.’
‘Mm-hmm.’ I head down the small, blue-painted hallway to the kennels. Placing the pup inside one of the larger crates, I fill up a fresh bowl of water, positioning it next to him before closing the door.
‘I’ll come back and check on you,’ I say, giving him a gentle bop on his nose. ‘I promise.’
He looks up at me with his big brown eyes that swirl like honey before taking a long drink.
I watch a moment more, then force myself to leave.
The clock above the door tells me I have ten minutes before my first lecture.
I thank Dr Aimee and bolt toward campus, before I notice Mr Fernando waving from his mechanic shop on the corner.
‘Hey, Mr F,’ I call out.
‘Morning, Gia.’ Black streaks appear as he wipes a hand across his denim overalls. ‘The Camino will be ready tomorrow.’
He points to my red Chevy pickup, perched on a hoist. Another one of Pa’s old toys.
Jace had leaped at the chance for the Mustang, while I was happy to take the Chevy.
It’s sentimental and one of Ma’s rules was to keep it registered or sell it.
I got my learner’s permit, but still haven’t been behind the wheel of any car.
I’m too scared to drive, and even if I wasn’t scared, I haven’t asked anyone to teach me.
I doubt Jace would have the patience to go slow, and Ma’s driving is about as good as her cooking.
Besides, the only person I wanted to learn from was Pa. Getting behind the wheel without him would feel like testing the limits of the scar tissue on a wound that hasn’t yet healed. I’m not ready.
‘I’ll come by with Jace!’ I call out, unsure if he’d hear anything more.
When I make it to the fountain, a few students are hanging around, their laughter echoing.
I catch myself for a moment wishing I was them. How would it feel to be really happy for just five minutes? To not care about what anyone thought, the future or where my degree will take me? I wish I could paint and enjoy it, simply because I can, not because I need a scholarship to prove Ma wrong.
It takes everything I have not to sneak a quick glance back their way, but I force my chin high and move toward the big U-shaped brick building across the road.
When I reach the main gates of Booker Bay University, Ryker is waiting.
‘What took you so long?’