6 Chapter Five: The Ride

It was the blaring of my alarm that startled me awake. My head, heavy and pulsating. I hate this so much. A heavy sigh escaped my slightly chapped lips as I swung my legs out of the comfort of my bed. I winced when I absentmindedly straightened my back too quickly, forgetting about the pain on my ass. It has been five days, but the pain was still as fresh as it was when I went flying to the floor and didn't feel like it would relent any time soon. Its Wednesday, my homecoming. Today, I go back to school after the seven-day long suspension that the rich Jackass gave me.

Getting ready for school was a tedious task on its own, but somehow, I managed. My head was pounding, a custom I had gotten used to the past couple of days. They make concussions sound like no big deal on tv, the lying bastards. I was showered and dressed by the time I made my way to the main house for breakfast. I had been cooped up in my bedroom since I came back from the hospital three days ago. I hadn't seen much of my dad or Jackass and Porcelain since then either. I was embarrassed. Either from the dinner, the scolding from my dad or literally falling on my face in front of Principal Jackass. I couldn't face them. So, I used my injury as an excuse to have my food brought to my room and to be left alone. I would pretend to be asleep if either one of them came to check on me. But it was only Gia and my dad that came, Jackass never did. Not that I wanted him to. A sigh forced its way out of my guarded lips as I opened the double doors that lead to the Matthews' dining room. Everyone was already seated.

"Morning Azania, how are you feeling today?" Gia's overly sweet voice sang from across the room, bringing the men's attention to me. Two of the household staff were putting the final touches to the large dining table that was covered in breakfast foods that looked straight out of a tv show. Of course they have maids.

"Good, thank you." I replied curtly and sat down in the seat next to my dad, avoiding his and Jackass' penetrating gazes. But overall, my dad looked pleased to see me.

"How is your head today? And your back? Are you still in pain?" he asked gently and soothingly rubbed my back.

"My head is pounding; it hurts to sit and yes." I mumbled despairingly. I filled my bowl with half a cup of bran flakes and a cup of low-fat milk.

"You don't have to go to school if you're still in pain. The doctor said to take it easy." I was already shaking my head before my dad finished his sentence.

"No tata, if I have to lay in bed again doing nothing, I might lose my mind. I'm going to school."

"Are you excited to go back to school? To see your friends again?" that was Gia. Is she always so preppy? I shrugged and chewed my cereal ever so slowly.

"Well, I trust that you're going to behave this time. I don't want to hear of another suspension or else you will be grounded for life. You got that?" my dad ordered. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, so I just nodded.

"Good, here are your gadgets. Use them responsibly." He said as he handed me my phone and laptop.

"Thanks." I said, void of the excitement I should feel for getting them back. Everyone was done eating and I wasn't even halfway done.

"Are you not going to eat further?" Gia asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm not really hungry." I said in a small voice, playing with my fingers under the table.

"What's the matter Zany? You haven't said much since Friday. Are you feeling okay? Are you in pain? I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong." My dad pleaded. I could feel the tears threatening to escape. But I reminded myself that I was in uniform, and Azania Wyatt in uniform, does not show weakness.

"Nothing, I'm just really tired." My voice came out a lot stronger than I was feeling. Slipping back into my skin, I pushed my bowl away from my body and slid my arms in my school blazer and stood up.

"Tired from what? You have been lying in bed for 5 days doing nothing." My dad said, confused. But I wasn't in the mood for any of this chatter.

"Well yeah, that is tiring work too. May I please call Kevin to ask him to pick me up?" I said, squaring my shoulders and looking down at my dad.

"Your boyfriend does not have to drive all the way out here and back; you can go with Anthony. He doesn't mind." Gia said, putting her small hand on her husband's broad shoulder. I avoided his eyes and stared at my nails. I heard him clear his throat, but I didn't look up.

"Uhm, I don't think that will be appropriate G." His voice was husky, his tone apprehensive. I peeked at him through my eyelashes and when our eyes met, I averted my attention somewhere else.

"Come on babe, who is going to have a problem with you giving your goddaughter a lift to school? It doesn't make sense for you two to go in two different cars when you are going to the same place." She said with a shrug of her thin shoulder.

"She is not my goddaughter, she was Aiden's. And I like keeping my professional and my personal lives separate. If people see Azania stepping out of my car, people will talk. And then every decision I make that involves her, will be questioned. I don't need that at this school." He said, checking his watch. That ... kinda hurts. Asshole.

"Please Antonio, I will get through my day better if I know that she gets to school and back safely, especially in her condition." My dad said, and this time I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not a child you know! I can get to school just fine. I could even request an Uber." I muttered and I was ignored. Jackass stood up and gathered his suit blazer, keys and briefcase.

"Please Anthony," his wife pleaded. Better her than me. He sighed and gave his wife a chaste kiss, gave my dad a curt nod and walked out, not even sparing me a glance. Jackass. I guess that means the wife wins. I kissed my dad on the cheek and followed the broody man outside, waving bye to Gia.

Jackass was waiting in a blue BMW 8 Series Coupe, looking like a mogul and not a high school principal. I have always been a huge car fanatic, so I was feeling a little giddy when I stepped into the car, taking shotgun.

"Uhm no, you should sit in the back." He said and jabbed his thumb behind his shoulder, his eyes cold and irritated.

"So, you want me to bend and twist my back trying to clamber to the cramped rear seats of a coupe?" I asked in mock disbelief. While he was staring blankly at me, I buckled in my seatbelt and relaxed against the luxurious seat, crossing my arms over my chest.

Jackass muttered some incoherent words under his breath and switched on the engine. The car purred to life, sending a vibration up my spine. The car smells like him. Exotic. Intoxicating. Expensive.

"Nice car." I complimented while running my hand over the glove compartment.

"Don't touch that." He grunted and I held up my hands in surrender.

"A man is touchy with his possessions huh?" I asked and sat back in my seat, this time crossing both my arms and legs. I thought I heard him pull in a very sharp breath but when I turned to look at him, he was as stoic and composed as ever. Cold air was blowing through the vents as he drove out of the long driveway.

Soft music was playing in the background, music I had never even heard of. Reaching forward, I touched the volume dial and increased the volume a tad bit. The sensual voice and soothing notes filled the car and basked us in the wonderful melodies. Jackass spared a glance in my direction and frowned.

"I said don't touch anything." He said in his principal voice. I chose to ignore him.

"Who is this?" I asked, referring to the music. He sighed and clenched the steering wheel with his long fingers.

"Tracy Chapman." He said sternly.

"Never heard of him." I said nonchalantly and fell back on my seat, enjoying the music and the change of scenery around us.

"She. Tracy is a she." He said with a small smile. A very rare smile.

"H for hectic." I said and he chuckled.

"Azania, her name is Tracy. How many men do you know that go by the name 'Tracy'?"

"But she sounds like a man."

"And that is what makes her music so unique." I cocked an eyebrow and turned my body as best as I could with a seatbelt around me, so I could face him.

"Oh, 'cause you're such an expert." I retorted with my arms crossed. He sent me a sly smirk and concentrated on the road again.

"Stop trying to look for an argument where there isn't one, little one." He said with a small chuckle, making me scoff.

"I'm not little."

"But you act like you are." Okay, I am a little offended by that.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked incredulously.

"Are you incapable of speaking respectfully?" And he was back.

"I apologize." I said sullenly and he nodded, signaling that he was turning left.

"And I say you act like you're a little kid because of what I have seen from you. From the second you barged into my office, to the dinner we had Friday night. You were disrespectful towards your father and when he scolded you, you retaliated. I'm sure it embarrassed you, but so what? Yet, you sulked for days the way a child would. Adults sit down and talk things through and move on." I kept quiet after that. Oh, because he knows me so fucken well. He knows every fucking thing! I realize I am currently sulking right now, but its either that or say something rude again. And the drive to school was a long one.