The Tutor

Chapter 38

Nora took her sweet time walking back home. She twirled her right earphone around her finger, the other earphone in her ear. She had missed the sun and the warm weather, even if it meant she'd have to suffer hay fever. It was liberating to leave earlier. With all the exams and applications done, school days were shorter, and there were more breaks and free periods. 

Now the academic pressure was gone, she felt she could breathe properly again.

She could finally think of summer plans, start looking into holiday destinations and delve into books that she had put away for her summer reads. She couldn't remember the last time she went to the cinema. Now she could catch a movie every day if she wanted to.

She was currently enjoying her newfound hobby, listening to podcasts. Keeping her mind busy and engaged with something new and interesting removed any thoughts of Rafe.

Several times she thought about forgiving him and moving on whenever she saw his carefree grin or that wink, but her pride wouldn't let her.

Besides, she knew they'd stop hanging out together one way or another. She'd done her job and her conscience was clear. It didn't matter if they made up in the end. Turns out, they weren't really friends to begin with.

She was so engrossed in the latest episode that when Benny finally reached her with a slam on the shoulder; she let out a startled yelp.

"Benny!" she said breathlessly, taking out her earphones. Benny looked winded. "What happened? Did you run all the way here?" she asked, baffled by the urgency on his face.

Benny never ran.

"Rafe—got into a fight—at the nurse's office now—Jack—that prick—taken to the hospital— serves him right—" he wheezed out the words in chunks.

"What? Rafe did what?" Oh god please don't let Rafe be in trouble she couldn't help but think. It was over, done. He should've been going back to London in ten days.

"Yes— he was sticking up for me. I swear I thought Jack was going to kill me if it wasn't for Rafe."

"What happened?" She demanded.

Benny blew out a long sigh and retook a deep breath, fanning his face with his hand. His fringe stuck to his sweaty forehead. "Jack shoved me into the lockers and called me names.

Rafe was walking by. I've never seen him so livid. He punched Jack really hard, and a brawl broke out. I tried to stop them, but it was like throwing an ice cube into a burning building.

Later, Luke and the guys stepped in. It took about four of them to get Rafe off Jack. He punched the daylights out of him. It was like Rafe was possessed. I get now why he was exiled here. Shit, the guy can be really scary."

Nora's hands flew to her mouth, and she closed her eyes in disbelief. "Oh my god. That idiot," she muttered. "It's my fault..."

"Well, he was kind of defending me," Benny said sheepishly.

"Yeah because I called him pathetic."

"Maybe. When Rafe was beating the snot out of Jack, at every punch he said 'this one is for Hazel, this one is for Benny and this is for Nora. If I ever hear you even speak her name again, you'll be eating from a straw for the rest of your shitty life'."

Never had Nora seen Benny so excited or inspired. And slightly hysterical. She felt numb and her skin prickled with fear. She didn't want Rafe hurt.

"It was amazing, Nora. Though I'm glad you weren't there. It was scary. But it was so satisfying to see Jack get what he deserved. I don't want Rafe to get into trouble, but I am grateful for what he did."

"I'm glad he was there for you Benny. I really am. I just hope this won't affect Rafe's acceptance to uni or piss off his father again."

She waited a moment for Benny to catch his breath before asking:"He's not hurt, is he?"

"He's got a bruise on his eye and scratch across his cheek and neck as far as I could see.

He's at the nurse's office. Jack, on the other hand, is being taken to the hospital," he said with glee.

"Benny, we have to go to the headmaster now," she said.

"Are you crazy? Do you have any idea how furious he is right now?"

"We have to tell him the truth about Jack, so Rafe isn't expelled. I'm sorry, Benny, but you have to tell him what a homophobic bully he's been. And, I have to tell him what racist and misogynistic dick Jack truly is. I need to find Hazel and ask her to confirm how vile he's been to everyone. She was a victim too. We can't let Rafe get expelled for starting a fight. He can't lose everything because of Jack. We need to show the headmaster he was standing up. For us."

Benny finally caught his breath and pondered over her words. He nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go."

* * *

Rafe's left ear was ringing, and the side of his face hurt when he frowned. Jack packed a mean punch when he did manage to land one, but it was nothing compared to the work Rafe had done on him. He wondered if his father already knew of his trouble. Mr Crammer, their coach, just gave him a half an hour lecture on responsibility and using words to settle conflicts. 

Rafe didn't appreciate being called a neanderthal. If anyone was a neanderthal here it was Jack.

His phone rang, and to his relief, it was his brother. "Ciao Emile," he said.

"Ciao little bro. Couldn't last one more month without a fight, huh you idiot?"

Rafe made a noise of frustration and briefly explained what had happened. He was ashamed of admitting that he did nothing to stand up for Nora the first time around.

Emile listened. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah man, the guy is a fucking douchebag."

"Well, then, you did the right thing. For once. Are you sure you don't want me to come down there?" Emile asked. Rafe heard him get up from his office chair. If Jack picked a fight with Emile, he'd probably be dead.

"Nah, it's cool. You could however throw in a good word to Dad, so he doesn't disown me. He's probably calling the army for recruitment right about now."

"I'll tell Dad what happened."

"You're a good lawyer; win this case for me."

"You know I will."

"You believe me, don't you?" Rafe said, holding the phone tighter. "You know I've really tried."

"I believe you. Rafaello, you've always been good. Just a bit of a moron sometimes. I know you've tried."

After he hung up, he felt suddenly alone. Every time the door opened, he leaned forward hoping it was Nora, but it was only the nurse or a teacher coming to check on him. Not even Benny or Luke or Hazel came to visit.

He'd lost a friend, picked a fight with a teammate and just when he'd finally patched things up with his father, he'd ruined it all again. His father wouldn't understand. Bianca would have her wish to never see him again, and Nora would still not talk to him.

And he'd end up completely and utterly alone, just like he always was.