During lunch, I sat by William and his friends, munching on an apple -the cheapest option in the cafeteria. William took one look at it and pushed his fries towards me as well. I smiled in acknowledgment, feeling a slight tingly feeling at the kindness he showed me.
"So, are we going to your house tonight?" I heard someone ask William, who had wrapped an arm around my waist, caressing the skin of my waist through the fabric of my sweater.
"Actually, I was planning on spending the afternoon with Eve," He looked to me, smiling. I couldn't say no. I did have a shift tonight, but that should be fine. I had brought all of my stuff anyway, as I expected to study at the library today after school.
"Sure," I was certain William wouldn't mind studying for a bit first. He knew the selection procedure was coming up and I wanted to get in. I wanted to become a doctor and help the people in one of the most fundamental ways possible: by improving their health.
The bell rang, indicating the end of the break. Everyone got up and made their way – very loudly I might add – to their respective classes. Will kissed me once, telling me to meet him at the parking lot after class.

The rest of the day was uneventful. I was as attentive as possible, trying to soak up as much information as I could, enjoying school. After my classes ended, I walked outside, sitting down at one of the tables. My phone showed no new messages. I had hoped to have had some update on Dad's status. Was he still being kept at the police station? Were they going to press charges? Part of me hoped that they did, for the possibility of him getting some help in fighting his addiction and receiving help for his condition, however small the chance. The other side of me, however, was far more realistic. A trial would be the end for Dad: he would end up in prison. No jury would take pity on him: we didn't have any money for a good lawyer who could convince them of the love for his country, his bravery in a war that ruined his life. A war that should not have been his to fight in the first place. They would see an unwashed, slurring drunk and condemn him on the spot. Sighing, I send Oliver a message, asking whether he had heard anything yet. I forced all of the horrible thoughts out of my head, telling myself not to worry about it now. We'd fight that battle when it is here. No use in stressing out over all the possibilities. So, I checked the time, which read 14.56, and grabbed my bag, pulling out my history book. William had class until 16, so I still had an hour to kill before he would be done. I opened my book, reading about the discovery of the Americas and the horrid journey across the sea before people realized the importance of micro-nutrients. We would be tested in a week's time and I was determined to get an A+.

I was so engrossed in my book that I didn't notice anyone sneaking up on me. When two hands were placed on my shoulders, I gasped, panic overtaking me and my instincts kicking in. Using my book as a weapon to fend off the aggressor, I turned and brought it down on the person behind me with as much force as I could muster. Believe me, I had quite some strength. Pole dancing tends to do that to your muscles. Not to mention the (kick)boxing workshops that Mrs Johnson would force me and the other girls to take twice a week – imagine the shame of one of the girls being a bit chubby. William could only just duck out of the way. He was laughing loudly, even when I hit him the face with the book, using much less strength this time.
"Don't do that. You are going to give me a heart attack someday." I scolded, but he didn't stop laughing, his entire body shaking and trembling. I rolled my eyes, fighting the smile that was forming on my lips, refusing to give into his bad sense of humor.
"Idiot," I mumbled, not really meaning it.
"Sorry." He apologized, trying to hold back his laughter. He coughed, covering up another fit of laughter, before grabbing my hand and pulling me with him.
"Our noses aren't going to be stuck in the books the entire day, right?" He smirked at me at which I, once again, rolled my eyes.
"No," I smiled as I sped up to walk in line with him, "Just until I have to leave for work around 19." I joked, smirking as he rolled his eyes. He hummed, waving to a couple of his friends before searching for the keys to his old Volvo in his pockets.
"You should really find a better place for your keys," I commented as he searched his left coat pocket for the third time. Frustration was clearly written on his face and he threw me a half-annoyed look. For all of his intelligence, good looks and kindness, he was a mess when it came to organization, whether it was his notes, his clothes or his keys: he never knew where he had placed them. More than once, I tried to get him to put his stuff in a particular place each time, but that never lasted long.
"Got it." He smiled victoriously and pressed the button in the middle, opening the car.
"After you, m'lady." He gave me a mock-bow, gesturing to his car. I simply laughed and got in. As William made his way to the car as well, I quickly checked my messages, to see whether there was any news from dad.
There wasn't. Just one message from Oliver that said he hadn't heard anything from dad yet either and would be working late. I frowned, annoyance washing over me, as well as a sense of gratitude. The same weird mixture of emotions I always felt when Oliver was taking on too many responsibilities in the name of providing for us.
"Something wrong?" William asked, putting the car in the first gear and slowly backing out of the parking spot.
"No, just Oliver overworking himself again." I admitted.
"I understand." He didn't though. William came from relative wealth, his parents owning one of the more successful cafes in town. Sure, he wasn't so rich that he had a butler and a cook, but he never had to live under the constant strain of poverty either. At times it was difficult to explain the impact of it on my well-being. It wasn't his fault, it was just hard. Sighing, I put my phone away again, plastering a smile on my face as William drove us to his house.