Chapter 9

Broke

I shifted on my seat while still looking outside. I can't concentrate anymore after seeing that look. All I can think about is what will he do next.

The next thing I know is that we were already at the gates of the preschool. I quickly get out his car and walked my way in th school to find Zach. I better find him soon so I can take him home and I can escape this uncomfortable feeling I have whenever I'm around him. And it's not even that long yet I can sense this feeling. Like what the?

I was roaming around and trying to find him until I saw him with Ty looking like they are being scolded by the teacher. What did they do?

I immediately approach them. Zach noticed me coming and look at me with an apologetic face. He is guilty about something. What is it?

"Excuse me, ma'am. Is there something wrong?", I asked the teacher. The middle aged woman in a clean bun and a neat black coat looked at me. She looks like a strict principal. No wonder both Zach and Ty are just standing there with low heads.

"These kids are playing ball catch near my office and the ball hit the glass of my window and broke it, including my face", she said slowly as if she is controlling her rage. I looked again on her face and saw a reddish to purple mark on her left cheekbone. Shit. They hit the right spot.

"Ahm, I'm really sorry ma'am. On behalf of these boys. Will they need to receive any punishment or something?", I asked the teacher apologetically. Zach suddenly pulled the hem of my shirt. I looked at him and he immediately shook his head.

"No. There is no need for that Miss...", she said and pause for me to say my name.

"Eli, ma'am", I responded.

"I already make them admit their mistakes and apologize to me", she said, more calm now. She is actually nice huh.

"But may I tell you that aside from the window and this", she said pointing her left cheek.

"They broke something more important. You see, there is this antique vase that I have from Italy", she said getting a bit mad again. Oh no. I looked at Zach with is-that-true-look. He only look at me like a guilty puppy.

"I'm really sorry, ma'am. I don't want to sound rude but can we compromise that damage?", I said trying to negotiate with the situation. Damn you, Eli. You know you're not rich. That must cost a fortune! My minds scolded at me.

"It surely cannot be replaced so I think you should pay for that damage", she said straight on my empty pocket.

"H-how much will that be?", I asked unsure of my question as well.

"Approximately five thousand dollars", she responded.

Nani?! My mind almost fainted at her last statement. Where the heck will I get that?! I've been working my ass out on three jobs but I barely earn a few hundred dollars.

I can't help but make a blank face. Zach pulled my shirt again. I looked down at him. I'm ready to kill a kid now. He look really guilty now. I turned to Ty who looks unbothered. That kid and Van are really brothers. Speaking of that devil, I didn't noticed he was already there just listening to us and not saying anything. Dude, your brother is involved here.

I turned to him who also has an 'i don't give a damn' look and tried involving him in the conversation

"What are you gonna do?", I asked him. He didn't answer my question and looked at the teacher.

"I'm sorry about what my brother did. I'll ask my dad to visit you tomorrow so he can fix this. I'll tell him how much he needs to pay, ma'am. I'm really sorry for the trouble", he said with words that could fix everything. Well, as for his problem.

"Okay then. You can go home now. Better tell your dad about it okay?", the teacher said before walking away.

I looked at Van and about to ask how will we divide the price of the vase, when he started talking.

"Don't worry about it. It's already settled", he said assuring me with his final statement.

I blinked a couple of times before saying anything. I can't just accept that. I'm broke but I have pride too.

"No, thank you but, I can't accept that. That's too much. Yeah I admit I don't have that money but atleast let me pay you slowly", I proposed to him.

He looked at me for a long while. That is the look that I don't trust at all. Even if he agrees, I feel that he would do the opposite of it.

"Okay. I'll tell you how you can pay it. But not today", he said and looked at me from head to toe. Chills suddenly run down my spine. I should've expected this.

'Okay' is what I could only respond. I grab Zach's hand and walk back to the gate to go home.

"Eli, you can ride with us. You and Zach", Ty shouted at us.

"It's okay. We're just gonna take a bus", I said and continued walking. Zach pulled my shirt again so I stopped. I squatted in front of him so we're on the same level.

"I'm sorry, Eli. Please don't be mad at me. I didn't mean it", he said with a crack voice. He is trying hard not to cry. My heart melted at his expression. Of course, I can't possibly kill this kid. I hugged him quickly.

"It's okay, kiddo. I can handle it. Don't tell mom okay? She doesn't need to know this?", I said and winked at him to lighten his mood. He smiled a little.

When I stood, Van's car was already at our side. Ty brought down the window and smiled at us.

"Come on, Zach. We'll take you home", Ty cheerfully said and open his door in the backseat. I looked at Van who is looking at me too. He signaled me to hop in.

My practical mind won as always. This will save us money and I can go to work on time.

I sighed and opened his pasenger door.

"Thank you", I said in advance. He just gave me his usual serious look before driving.

The two boys are talking about some cartoons again. I'm glad they already forgot what happened earlier.

"So, Eli why are you with Van?", Ty asked out of nowhere. I know it's an innocent question but I can't help but feel uncomfortable by it.

"Ahm he just saw me waiting for a bus and he said he is also going here so he gave me a ride", I said. It's true anyway. I just left out some details like how cunning and annoying his brother is.

"Van has no girlfriend", Ty said again. Is he implying something? Nah. He is too young to know those stuffs. I just laugh awkwardly at what he said. Van, on the other hand, is still seriously driving.

"I saw a broken bike on our garage. Whose bike it is?It looks kinda familiar", Ty asked his brother. He is a noisy kid. It is something that differs him from his brother.

Wait. Is that my bike he's talking about? I looked at Van. No he can't say it's mine. The boys will know. I don't want to tell them what happened. I gave him a warning look. The bastard just shrug it off.

"It's my girl's bike. He broke it while doing some tricks on the park yesterday", he said without looking at us. What did he just say?! I looked at him with disbelief. He is being ridiculous again.

"Oh. Is that so? I'm sorry, Eli. I guess he has a girlfriend, afterall", Ty said and turned back to Zach to continue their cartoon talk. What does this kid mean?! They are both skeptical.

I looked at Van again and gave him a questioning look.

"Is that mine?", I asked.

"I can't tell it's yours right?", he said but that is not my point.

"Then why did you said it was your girl's bike?", I asked him again. I can't hide my irritation.

He just shrug again. This devil is making fun of me again. How could he do that? We've known each other for just two days yet he acts like we've been friends for a long time. The way he tease me and make fun of me feels fo familiar in a strange way. I hope that makes sense.

All I can do is sigh at his response. Talking to him takes all my energy. And to think that he wasn't actually talking that much makes it worse.

The ride didn't took that long since it's a car. We reached our house quickly. I was about to get out of his car when he started talking.

"Ty and I plan to stop by the cafe you're working in", he said out of nowhere.

"We are?", Ty responded as if he didn't know the plan.

Van looked at Ty who is still sitting pretty on the backseat, for a moment.

"Oh yeah, I want some ice cream too", Ty said excitedly, then go back to exchange his goodbyes with Zach.

I forrowed my brows at what he said. Ice cream? It's a coffee shop.What a strange kid.

I pause for a moment to think. Well, I'm already in here so might as well take this chance to save money from commuting.

"Okay, I guess I'll just ask for a ride 'till there. I'll just make sure Zach has settled at home", I said and removed my seatbelt to get Zach.

He just nodded, so I get out of his car and took Zach inside our house. No one is there. Of course, my mom is at her work. I looked at Zach who is now puuting his bag down. I suddenly felt guilty and sad. Amie's boy has learned to be independent at a young age too. He will be left all alone in this house for a couple of hours. For a kid, that must be scary and lonely. I haven't thought of that until now.

I called him. He quickly come towards me. His face doesn't show any signs of loneliness. Or he just doesn't want to show it.

"Will you be okay in here?", I asked him although I know it's too late. His facial expression changed for a second but he still managed to nod his head.

I felt more guilty. My heart is breaking at the sight of him waiting all alone, for us to come home. I wish I could take him to my work.

I know I look heartless but I decided to also nod and smile at him.

"Okay, then be good boy until mom gets home", I said and patted his head.

He nodded again while smiling a little. We are lucky to have this kid.

"So, I'll get going now. Be careful, okay", I said while stepping out of the house.

"You too. Take care", he said and waved his hand at me.

Once I stepped out and closed the door, I heaved another sigh. I can't take the part that Zach has to suffer too. I should have known it since I fetch him too, yesterday. I'm such an idiot for not noticing the struggles of the poor kid. I was too engrossed with my school and work.

I paused at the door for a couple of seconds. I'm broke, literally on money and internally for my nephew.

A/N: Sorry for the late upload guys. I'm kinda busy with school the past week(and the weeks to come) yet I'll try my best. I'm kinda in an Eli-situation right now. Thank you and enjoy :)