"Son, whatever she has and you have with her really sounds like a good thing. You know, we all feel that way too when things suddenly start to become bright after a long time of darkness. And we get scared, not of the light, but of the darkness that might return. It's okay to be scared, but just don't let it stop you from enjoying every bit of the brightness" Dr Keating replied to Drake who kept looking at him.
Suzanne and Gerard were to leave for Turin on Thursday for about 3 weeks and Drake was going to miss them. He was on his bed doing nothing but listening to "Novo Amor's Carry you" which he put on repeat. He was looking at his ceiling and taking in the ambience around him and this time, he wasn't overthinking, just allowing his head to be free of a million racing thoughts.
This week was moving quickly like it was on some sort of bullet train. It was Friday already, with Suzanne and Gerard gone, Drake was home alone. Drake was dressed for school and headed downstairs to make breakfast which was an omelette and fruit juice. He ate and looked at the house differently like he was a stranger. The house really was different without Suzanne's breakfast and Gerard's jokes and Drake missed that.
Drake finished eating and walked to the door to leave for school and as he took his first step outside, he saw a box right on their porch. It looked like mail and Drake was surprised. "Does anyone still do this?" Drake said to himself as he picked up the box and carried it to the dining table. He wasn't really paying attention to whatever the address was because he didn't want to be late to school but it was written in some weird language.
Drake was feeling a little scared today because they had their final paper work compilation for their APP project today. Today's success was all he looked forward to as he walked in the hallway.
Drake and Alessia were at the basketball court where they spent over two hours analysing each and every of the forces, but they knew that they had to reduce them to two. At this moment, they were laughing at something that really wasn't funny and Alessia's fingers were on Drake's laps. Was this intentional or some awkward mistake?
Alessia noticed her fingers but said nothing and did nothing, she probably was comfortable with them there. Drake couldn't rid himself of the sweat that was building up from his brain due to overthinking; more questions than answers.
Even at this, the conversation did not stop between the both of them, but Drake's voice was quite shaky which he tried so much to hide.
"Love and Time" Drake said to Alessia.
"I've been battling the same conclusion too. It's not going to be easy." Alessia said as she looked at Drake and somehow her fingers were already away from his laps.
"So, your parents are out of town, right?" Alessia asked calmly with her eyes seeking refuge in Drake's.
"Yeah, they are in Turin" Drake replied as he turned to pack his bag. "What about your mum?" Drake asked with all of his attention as he looked at her smile fade slowly.
"She's somewhere in the country. I don't even want to remember because it's easier that way." Alessia replied with a face that hid the colours of her sadness.
They walked out of the basketball court together and the whole school was empty as all the students had left.
Alessia left the building with Drake and her carriage was waiting outside. She had managed to call for a ride in the middle of their conversation without creating any unnecessary distraction.
"Want a ride?" Alessia asked hopefully.
Drake replied with a smile and a polite decline as he nodded horizontally. "No, thank you"
Alessia nodded lightly as she looked at his face and she found herself smiling as she turned her back and left him. Drake knew that there was no better time to play some music than now. He brought out his headphone this time and as soon as he connected to his phone's Bluetooth, he opened up a playlist which he compiled weeks back but hadn't had time to listen to and walked home.
Alessia alighted from the car and noticed something strange as she walked closer to the house. She walked faster at this sight and her house had been ransacked with every thing out of place and in disarray. Alessia's face was now a diary of worries and fear as she headed out immediately and pulled out her phone to call her mum.
"Hey mum. We were robbed." Alessia said as she seemed to sob a little.
"Oh baby. Are you okay?" Her mother asked.
"I'm not, mum. Would you tell them you have an emergency and come back home?" Alessia sniffled.
"Baby, the trip doesn't end till tomorrow and… I'll be home before you know it. I will board the first plane back on Sunday" Laura said with a pinch of disappointment in her voice.
"It's okay. I will let you get back to work. Love you" Alessia replied as her face suddenly turned to a faked smile as she produced words she probably didn't want to.