Overall, Marco's first day of school had really not been so bad. Well, it could have been worse, and he'd even met a friend: Ellie. He'd like to call Dylan his friend, but he wasn't sure if they were going to see each other again, despite the fact that Dylan had said they would. Ellie didn't like Paige, so maybe he wasn't supposed to either. Maybe he wouldn't see Paige and; therefore, wouldn't see her brother. He seemed…nice. Marco hoped they'd see each other again.
Marco woke up at the same time, but without his mother's coaxing. School would never be considered fun, but at least he wasn't dreading it anymore.
"Hey, ma," he said, smiling as he slowly, but surely, made his way into the kitchen where he knew she would be.
She didn't smile back. "Before you go to school, your father called for you last night when you were asleep. You might want to return the call."
"Oh," said Marco, surprised. "Do I have time?" he asked.
"For a quick call, sure," she answered, opening her magazine again. Marco was getting better at telling what, exactly, people were doing based on the noises he heard.
Marco took out his cell phone, deciding it would be better to call his father outside. He knew his parents didn't get along, and he thought it would be nice for her not to have to hear their conversation, even though it was probably just to ask him how school was.
His father picked up on the third ring, probably still sleeping. "Hello," he said in a tired voice.
"Dad?" he said, unsure of how to speak to a man who hadn't had any contact with him since the move.
"Marco," his father instantly perked up. "Son, how've you been?" he asked.
"I'm sorry to call you so early…if I woke you up. It's just I have to go to school," said Marco, breathing heavily. He did miss his father.
"Nonsense, Marco. I was already awake," though he knew it was a lie, it made him happier believing it. "So, how is school?"
"It's okay, I guess. I met…some people. I met a girl," he thought of giving him more information about the other friends he'd met, but decided it wasn't important. His father probably didn't care too much anyway. He was just making conversation. It was just like when one said, 'nice weather we're having'. No one cares about the weather.
"Good, I'm glad you're happy," said Mr. Del Rossi. Marco detected just a hint of resentment. He wanted Marco to be happy in Italy. Marco had the urge to explain how much happier he was in Italy, and that if his father came to get him, he'd gladly go back, but in the end, decided that wouldn't be the greatest plan.
"Yeah, I am," he replied, sighing. "I miss you, Pa…"
"Yeah," said his father. It honestly wouldn't be that hard to just say, 'I miss you too.' Marco knew his dad wasn't the greatest at expressing his emotions, so he didn't dwell on it.
"Yeah," Marco repeated, tapping his leg as he tried to find something to say. "Well, how is everything, you know, by you?"
"Oh," Mr. Del Rossi was brought back to the conversation, "everything's good. We're doing--"
"We?" Marco asked, confused. "Who's 'we'?"
"Well, Giulio is staying with me until further notice. I thought your mother told you…"
"No, she didn't," Marco said, annoyed. Why would she keep that from him? Was Giulio in his room? Did he have his stuff? Okay, so he took most of his stuff with him to Canada, but still the principle was there. Giulio could not touch his stuff. He tried not to let on how upset he was.
"Is it just Giulio, or are Aunt Rita and Uncle Adamo (A/N: lol, I couldn't help it) staying with you as well?" Marco asked, putting his hand on his right temple, hoping it would decrease the headache he was about to get.
"They're all here," said his father. Marco couldn't detect how he was feeling based on his voice. "I'm sure you understand. Because of the situation, it's--"
"I know, dad, but they had no where else to…it's fine," Marco promised himself he wouldn't get upset. He wasn't even there anymore, so there was no reason to freak out.
"Well, I really have to get to school soon. The woman who sort of helps me out is going to be here in a little bit," Marco said, biting his lip. He reminded himself that there was nothing to be upset over. Nothing.
"Have a good day, Marco."
"Love you, Pa," said Marco, waiting for a response. He vowed that unless he heard, 'I love you too, Marco', he would call back until he did.
"You too," said his father, hanging up.
Marco shrugged. "It was close enough," he whispered, as though he had to defend himself against…well, against himself.
He stood up, grabbing the handle so he could lead himself back into the house, but he stopped, as he heard a car come into the driveway.
He opened the door just a smidge to call out to his mother that he was leaving, and he walked down the driveway. Cathy didn't even get out of the car.
Marco felt around in the air (always feeling like a lunatic) until he finally reached the handle on the door. He smiled in relief. Five seconds.
"Getting better, hmm?" said Cathy, turning off the radio.
"Glad you noticed," said Marco, leaning back in the comfortable chair once again.
"Something wrong?" asked Cathy, sounding concerned. "You don't seem too…I don't know, pleased."
"I just had a conversation with my dad," he sighed. Cathy started the car. Marco thought she'd forgotten completely about the conversation.
"It didn't go well, I take it?"
"Well," Marco didn't know how to explain to someone who didn't know his family how much that conversation hurt him. "He just bothers me."
"Is the divorce hitting you hard?" she asked. "Unfortunately, it's a common thing these days."
Marco nodded. "What's worse is everyone always says that those who are children of divorcees, end up getting divorced. Of course, I don't want to believe it, but it does slightly scare me. I don't," he hesitated, "want to end up like my parents."
"Marco," said Cathy, pulling into the school parking lot, "you choose your life: not your parents. Now, let me get you inside. Do you have someone to help you to every class?"
Marco nodded. He'd already worked that out with Ellie. The only period she couldn't help him was between fourth and fifth because she didn't have the same class, but she assured him that Craig, (who he had yet to meet) would be there to help him to math.
"Alright," said Cathy, clapping her hands together happily. "Let's get this show on the road, then! Oh, and, by the way, I'm working out with some of your teachers the whole reading thing. I just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about that obvious need."
"Thanks," mumbled Marco. "I hate that I'll have to basically start all over, but I'm glad I'm starting soon," he laughed.
"No problem," she draped her arm over his shoulder. "I'll just get you to homeroom now."
Surprisingly, Marco managed to make it from first period to sixth without any sort of a fall. Ellie helped him to his locker, and told him he could just wait for her there and she'd come back to get him once she was done at hers. He was actually happy with the way things were going. Not a fall once on day two. Of course, he had someone with him almost every second of the day, but still.
"Hey, Marco," said in the deep voice that Marco recognized as Dylan's. He smiled into his locker, throwing the last book in, and closing it.
"Hello, Dylan," he prayed he had the right person, even though he knew he did. However, it would be just his luck to say the wrong name.
"What's going on?" he asked. Thank God. It was Dylan.
"Nothing, really," answered Marco, pushing the hair out of his eyes. One thing good had actually come out of being blind. For some reason, he was more comfortable talking to guys when he couldn't see them. "I was just about to go to lunch."
"Oh…cool. Unfortunately, I have to go to Media Immersion. Fun," he laughed. "Well, I'm going to be late. Nice talking to you."
"Hey," said Ellie, coming to him right on time. She laughed. "He waved. Why did he wave?"
"At me? I don't know," he laughed as well. "Let's go eat. Come on."
Marco and Ellie walked into the cafeteria and she led them to her familiar table. "Do you want me to get you something, Marco?" she asked.
"Uh…no, I want to do it. It'll help get me used to how many steps to get there and all that. I count, you know? If you could help me get up there, though, that'd be nice."
As soon as Marco and Ellie were up on the line for lunch, the conversation began. "Dylan went over Marco's house yesterday after school to bring him a book or whatever," said Paige, "and he was talking about him all night."
Hazel laughed. "How cute. Your brother has got a crush, Paige."
Paige smiled, ecstatic. "I don't know whether to be excited or worried," she laughed.
"How about you be considerate," Spinner suggested, "enough to stop talking about with me here."
Paige rolled her eyes. "Spin, get over it, okay? My brother will never go out with you!"
Spinner looked mortified; everyone laughed. "Don't even joke about things like that! It's disgusting!"
"Honey," she let her head fall easily onto his shoulder. "Please. How long have you known my brother and I?" she asked.
"Since I was in sixth grade," he answered, digging into his slice of pizza.
"Right." She rolled her eyes again, looking at the other members of the table. "You'd think he'd be used to the whole gay thing by now."
"Well, I feel sorry for Marco," said Spinner, his mouth full.
"Why?" asked Marco, finding his way to the table again, with a tray of food in his hand.
"Dylan likes you," Paige and Hazel said together without a care.
"Oh," said Marco, trying to appear unaffected. "He does?"
A/N: New Chapter. I'm like, posting so much this week! Lol. It'll make up for next week because I'll be super busy with school, and probably won't be able to post more than a chapter, but until Monday, you'll probably have quite a bit. :) Please review!