"Checkmate," I said to Mr Gray as I moved the rook to corner the king into position with a final move.
"I lost again it seems," he said chuckling softly his hands over his face blocking the shame he felt.
A small smile was painted on my face as I confirmed the win and arserting his loss.
"Is your uncle that bad at playing," he asked standing up and packing the pieces into a ziplock bag and putting everything in the drawer. I laughed as he questioned my age wondering if I wasn't some middle aged person stuck in a seventeen year old student's body. I retaliated asking if he wasn't a child stuck int a thirty year old man's body. Ending the chat he wore his coat and picked his bag and acting like one of those old British butlers from the nineteen hundreds he opened the door addressing me as a young lady and implied for me to head out first. I bowed slightly in a curtsy and thanked him walking out of the door as he followed. The fact that everyone except the janitor had left assured me that no one shall see the childish side of both me and my uncle, the only brother of my dad that was with him through his battle against cancer, he also stayed by me and took custody of me against my drunkard mother who was busy enjoying her rich life with her new family probably treating Jaden like the child that she always wanted while her real daughter was depressed and sad. The thought of it urked me like hell. My uncle noticed my disoriented manner and with a smile asked if we should have sushi for dinner distracting. For a thirty year old that was not married and was quite successful seems strange to many but I assure you he acts like a child away from the prying eyes of the public, saying that dating is for fools and a lot of other things teenage kids would say. Agreeing to his suggestion, I told him about a nearby restaurant. Seated in the restaurant, we ate in silence as many people were present our faces cold and expressionless. The sight of a young lady that looked in he late twenties approached us her gaze towards my uncle. I noticed his expression turning from cold and ominous to disgust and displeasure.
" Hi, I thought that you looked cut and would like to get your number," she said in fear still in her work clothes with her eyes baggy and tired. Looking around one could notice the laughter of the table she came from as three women laughed histerically, they're whispers mocking her courage as she attempted. My mind wanting not to intervene but inevitably my heart remembering similar suffering I had undergone. " Please sit, I think my brother would really appreciate it," I said preventing my uncle from using his stupid, I have a wife and this is my daughter excuse. As if fools will fall for that. I signalled the other table and excused myself as I quickly finished. Before completely leaving I glncad over at the table signalling for him not to screw up and to take advantage of this as he waved by with a look of get your uncle out of this face.
After leaving I walked home, opening the door to the quiet dark house. I headed to my room dropping my bag and heading straight for the shower. After changing into a baggy shir that was way too big for my size and comfy sweats I heard the doorbell. I rushed to open the door already knowing who it was.
"How was your date?" I said with a chicky smile awaiting his response.
""You sneaky child, why did I even listen to you," he said hanging hi coat with a displeased look almost making me regret setting him up. A call interrupted our conversation as he picked up his phone. Walking towards the lounge he answered. The other girl on the line asked if he arrived safely as I slight blush appeared on his face.
"I'll leave you and your girlfriend alone now!" I shouted loud enough for the person in the other line to hear what I said leaving my uncle embarrassed as he tried to explain the situation. Yes that's my uncle Caden Nox Gray, being flustered over a girl, the same person he called a waste of time and money. As soon as I reached my room I met with a dark appearance holding papers sitted on my desk dozing of. Removing his mask I took my phone and prepared to take a photo. "Say cheese Zayne!" I said taking the photo as soon as Zayne woke up making sure it captured his dishovled state."Another one to the embarrassment folder," I said saving it and immediately after forcing him of my desk. The fact we hate each other is no secret but that doesn't mean we can't study together atleast until we are done with highschool. It even worse that my uncle doesn't know he is here. It's also a chance to annoy him like the tyrant I am. I took the folder that contained analysis on the syllabus and likely questions for the end of year exams. I sat on the chair as I analysed the information realizing someflaws but inevitably approving the paper. "So what to start with?" He asked gazing at me with disgust. Even before I answer he pulled out a chemistry textbook and a note book to begin studying." What was the point of asking?" Griting my teeth I asked as I watched him shrug his shoulders putting airpods in his ear and quietly studying. Before he completely got absorbed in the books, I pointed to my walk in closet that had a foldable table in it and a stool he could use.
"Want to be caring now?" He asked teasing my generosity.
" You wish, this is to be able to hide you Incase my uncle come in here," I answered putting on headsets and not paying attention as I played lo-fi beats.
Minutes later my prediction came true as the man himself walked in after his chat with his girl and sat in my bed. Zayne hid in the closet that was complety shut. Removing my headset I immediately asked what he wanted.
"Three questions only," he said looking away from my site.
"Her name to start it of?" I began.
" Bella and she is a respondent,"he replied.
"Age and personality so far?" I asked interested in this one.
" 28 as you most likely guessed and she's shy and kind but also confident," he said his expression signalling more to it as he thought.
"Final question,is she your type?" I asked observing him, his gaze calm as he answered
"I don't know, but worth the shot wing man, am I right?"he said smiling as he continued calling me shit like cupid and desperate to get rid if her uncle to someone else.
I got so tired him, that I pushed him out of the door and said goodnight to stop his rambling.Locking the door, I opened the closet to see Zayne gazing at me questioningly.
" Wing man, yet your single yourself?Sounds weird?" He said as I hit his head hard for him to shut up.
After a while everything was back to silent study. My eyes were red as I began to doze off, soon it was black and I fell asleep on my desk.
I heard a voice speak to me, it was hoarse but warm. It was louder and louder as images of going to the beach, dancing Infront of the bathroom mirror, burning cupcakes and even when I broke a glass vase playing ball. In all my dad stood with a smile except for the vase he was mad. All this memories made me warm and happy a word that hasn't been there generally ever since he left. Suddenly, everything darkened and the shouts and screams of people arguing. The day my parents got a divorced I was there with them at the court room as the fought for my custody, both battered and bruised from their arguing. Although the judge sided for my mum since she had a stable background and we'll off life, I picked my dad. People always said he belonged to the mafia because of his built physique and tattoos all over his top body. My mother's word always came to mind then, the mistake we had in college, my only regret that waisted my life, the outcome of a dare, it hurt even if she was drunk. My dad always came and said that I'm his precious baby girl, his one and only treasure and uncle Caden bickered with my mom until she stopped speaking tome completely. The moment he was on his death bed, I woke up next to him that morning to meet the sight of a ring and letter in my hand. Inspecting the ring, I saw the engrave d words 'I love you' in cursive. Looking towards him, I still innocent and naive to know he is gone kissed him on the cheek and replied with the same and went back to sleep next to him. When I woke up next to find him not up, I decided to read the letter and saw a photo of the both of us when I was a lot younger in his arms, reading it was when it hit me hard.
"Love,
I love you and always remember that alright, I'll watch you from heaven from now on, I'm sorry I had to leave. Stay with uncle Caden alright. Goodbye my treasure.
Love dad~"
That was it for me. From there I never left my room, I was alone forgotten.
I woke up in tears to find myself on my desk with a blanket over me. Wiping my tears, I whispered to myself "Love you dad, I really miss you more than you know." Getting ready for school, I wore my uniform and took breakfast leaving a sandwich I made for my uncle and heading out.At school, I wore my headset and began to draw on a notebook. When someone say next to me. Noticing that it was Jayden was more the reason to mind my business. We are only family by one drunkard woman so basically not acquainted beside being deskmates. "What are you drawing?" he asked trying to start a conversation. Ignoring him I continued with my business till the bell ring and first period officially began.