Page 6 of Euphoria
Chapter 2
Phoenix
Walkinginto the gallery I thought this would be something boring. I hadn’t checked to see the status of where Bambi has been for months now. I had tried to give up my obsession with knowing what she was doing or how she was living but now that I spot her it breaks the dam. She doesn’t see me but I see her. I watch her as she works the room, talking but not standing close enough for anyone to touch her. I itch to call Bowie and tell him that our girl is back into town but it makes little sense for me to do that. It’s been 12 years since we’ve really talked. I shake my head trying not thinking about all of that.
Bambi forgets how much I know about her. I’ve always seen her even back in school. I can’t ever forget the first time I caught her looking my way.
A lot of teachers loved me, so they asked me to help them out as extra credit for my senior year at the private institution on Founder’s Island. I walk into Mrs. Roberts’s classroom putting on a fake smile like I did to everyone.
“Guys, this is Markos, he’s offering tutoring services for those who need them.”
The little sophomore girls giggle my way, smiling at me as though they can’t see the veritable beast hidden inside. I scan my eyes throughout the whole classroom looking for my next target and then it was like everything around me became in sync. Before, I needed time to focus on things if it wasn’t killing. I needed my mind to be quiet and let me just breathe for a second, but then something changed the second I saw her.
Luckily, it was the end of the class and as the bell rings Mrs. Roberts calls out her name.
“Bambi, come see me for a second.”
Bambi looks up and her lips part as a fearful expression crosses her face. I watch quietly as she picks up her backpack, adjusts the uniform and makes her way to Mrs. Roberts’s desk.
“Yes?” She answers, peering at the teacher through her lashes and round glasses.
Bambi is a small little thing. Even at eighteen, I was taller than the other students but she has to be a midget. She’s not the epitome of sexy because she’s still young but she is what I call cute. Her eyes are permanently wide like a deer in headlights; it looks like her trademark expression. She holds onto the strap of her backpack.
“I know you’re struggling in this class so Markos can help you. You need this so you can pass this class and the other ones you’re barely passing. You’ll lose your scholarship, Bambi.” Mrs. Roberts says with sincerity in her voice.
“I know,” she responds timidly. She looks down and back up at Mrs. Roberts with tears filling up in her eyes. “I need this. This is the only way for me to get out of here.”
There is a pleading tone in her words. Something tugs at me. I don’t normally give two shits about anyone else besides my family but the tears in her eyes, her words, something is there. She’s hurting.
“I’ll help you.” I surprise myself with this.
Bambi peers up at me. She blinks, causing her tears to fall down her face. “Really?” She asks.
Something about the way she asks causes me to smile. “Yep.” I nod my head sharply.
“Thank you,” Bambi responds. She quickly comes over to my side, hugs me and then runs out of the room.
“What’s her name?” I ask Mrs. Roberts.
Mrs. Roberts sighs, I can tell she’s worried about her. “Bambi Laurence-Vasquez. Please help her pass. She needs this.”
“Got it.”
I walked out of the room and there was Bowie waiting for me. “What was that about?” He asks.
I look at him confused as ever. “I just said yes to helping some girl with her work.”
Bowie widens his eyes. “What? You actually said yes?”
I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t know why but the look in her eyes made her look like she wanted to cry and I felt bad for her.”
Bowie cocks his brow. “You feel bad for her? Wow.” He says.
“What?” I ask.
Bowie shakes his head. “Nothing.”
We started walking down the hall, going to get something to eat. “You’re going to come with, right? When I’m helping her? Just so I don’t lose my shit?” I ask him.
