Tristan's High School Life - 5. Chapter 5

CC’s point of view

The look on TJ’s face said it all; Tristan did something he shouldn’t have but before I could speak Isabelle spoke

“Honey, I told you he must have just moved fast and you saw things that weren’t there.” She said and patted his arm

“I know what I saw” Alberto said angrily

“Just go and get the car dear, I’ll be right along” Isabelle said soothingly

“Whatever” Alberto said storming out leaving us alone with Isabelle

“You have to forgive my husband; sometimes he gets overly excited” she said

“It’s understandable; we all get set in our ways” I said looking at TJ

“Mrs. Romero was there something you need?” TJ said

“Well yes there is; I know all about your family” She said causing our mouths to fall open

“What exactly are you talking about?” I said suspiciously

“I am a geneticist” she replied

“What?” TJ said a bit loudly

“Honey, keep your voice down, what do you mean Isabelle” I asked

“I’ve been studying genetics for years, my father was a geneticist and did some work for a lab in Ohio” Isabelle said

“Who is your father?” I questions

“Dr. Roberto Martinez” She replied

“You’re Robert’s daughter?” I said shocked

“Who’s Robert?” TJ questioned

“Roberto or Robert was one of the key researchers with your Grandmother. He disappeared when your grandparents were killed.” I said

“My father went into hiding, a lot of people did not approve of the work that they were doing. I’ve carried on his work but have kept it out of the public’s eye” Isabelle said

“What happened to your father?” I inquired

“Before the boys were born he was murdered. He went out to breakfast with an old friend and was gunned down at the café” Isabelle said

“Do you know who he was meeting?” TJ asked

“No I don’t but it was someone from the lab in Ohio.” She replied

“So you know what Tristan is?” TJ said

“I do and I am glad to see that my father’s work led to something.” Isabelle said as her phone chimed “I must go, Alberto is getting impatient waiting outside. We should talk again soon” Isabelle said turning to leave

“Please give your mother my condolences” I said

“I will Caroline” Isabelle smiled and left

“That was very weird” TJ said

“It was indeed, I haven’t heard Robert’s name in a long time. He and Jillian met in medical school and became really good friends; they wanted to change the world” I said

“It’s weird hearing you talk about your mother in third person” TJ said

“You have to remember I spent time with my grandmother and Aunt. Yes she was my mother but she was a scientist first” I said

“I’m sorry if this is bring up bad memories” TJ said

“My mother made a lot of sacrifices and wanted to change the world, I can’t fault her for her crusade, without her where would you be?” I said looking at TJ for some kind of reaction

“Very true, but I get a suspicion you know who killed Roberto” TJ said

“Oh you and your mind reading” I said

“It’s a blessing and a curse” TJ replied

“We can continue this conversation later, let’s get down to business” I said

Tristian’s POV

I sat in homeroom while Cartwright took attendance and we listened to announcements. Principal Graves was going to be holding several assemblies to discuss privacy and school policies. I groaned internally.

“Everything ok brudder” Katie ask

“I’m ok Kat, just have an assembly later” I replied

The bell rang and I waved to Cartwright and made my way to Spanish. I must have dozed off as Senora Hernandez came over and woke me up after class

“Tristan are you ok” Senora Hernandez asked

“Yes, I guess I am tired” I said

“Try not to sleep in my class” She said and dismissed me

When I got to science I saw Justin and Julian at the lab table in full conversation about something, so I took my seat and they didn’t notice me sit down.

“Ok class, let’s begin” the teacher said and that’s when Julian and Justin both turned in their seats and saw me

“Good morning” Justin whispered

“Hi” I replied and started writing what the teacher was saying

Justin and Julian both kept staring at me during the lecture between taking notes. After the bell rand I packed my bad and headed out.

“Are you mad at me?” Justin said catching me in the hall

“No, just not sure I want to make friends” I said

“What’s wrong? You seemed interested the other day” Justin said and I could see the confusion in his eyes

“Just please let me be” I said and walked away and went into the bathroom and locked the stall door. I heard the bell ring signaling the next class was starting but I didn’t care. I just felt like being alone and needed to figure out where I could go. I heard the door open and close and saw that it was a security guard checking for folks cutting class. I vanished to a spot I know I could be alone and no one would look for me or so I thought.

“Tristan, what’s wrong” Jackson said as he embraced me

“Nothing” I replied and started to sob

“Obviously something is wrong” He said holding me and rubbing my back

I started crying harder when I felt a second set of arms and looked up to see TJ sitting there

“Oh Tristan, everything will be ok” TJ said soothingly

“How do you know?” I asked

“You feel invisible in a house with a lot of people, that about sum it up?” TJ asked

“Yeah and my brudders hate me” I said

“They are just confused and don’t really understand and if you were invisible you think Jackson and I’d be here?” TJ replied

“Like it or not we are always here for you” Jackson said

“So why did you treat Justin like that?” TJ asked

“How do you know about that?” I said

“How do I know? Let’s see… you and me are connected” TJ said

“You know I hate that I can’t have a secret?” I said

“Oh you do have secrets, I don’t know everything but when you are spiraling I know and so does Jackson” TJ said

“We don’t see everything but we see what we need too” Jackson said

“I’m not sure I want to let anyone one in” I said

“Ah, Jackson was right” TJ said

“What?” I said

“I had a feeling that it had to do with letting anyone get close.” Jackson said

“With what happened with your fathers and Damian; you don’t want the heart break” TJ said

“I guess” I said

“Tristan trust me it gets better” TJ said looking at Jackson

“I remember when you were JC” I said giggling

“I’m always JC professionally but at home I’m lovable Jackson” he said

“Shouldn’t it be jovial Jackson” I said cracking a smile making TJ smirk

“He’s got you there” TJ said

“ha ha” Jackson said

“So we going back to school?” TJ asked

“Do I hafta?” I asked with puppy dog eyes

“Yes you do” Grandma said appearing

“Hi Grandma” I said

“Hello darling, the school called and when I went to find TJ I noticed he was missing and assumed he was with you” Grandma said

“Sorry for leaving but he needed me” TJ said

“I know he did but he needs to get back to school” Grandma said

“Ok, TJ can you sign me back in?” I asked

“Sure can buddy” TJ said kissing me on the top of the head

“Thank you Jackson and TJ for coming here” I said

“I know they meant a lot to you Tristan” TJ said

“Grandpa’s Ron and Tony always knew what to say or do” I said tracing their names

“They were extraordinary men” Grandma said

We stood there silently looking at their tombstone and some of us had tears in their eyes

“Ok, let’s go Tristan” TJ said softly

When we arrived at the school Principal Graves was in the office

“Mr. Campbell, you cannot leave campus whenever you want to” Mrs. Graves said sternly

“I’m sorry” I said

“There was an emergency” TJ said

“An emergency? Why didn’t Ms. Carmine know then?” Mrs. Graves said looking menacingly at TJ and me

“He reached out to my husband and I and we took care of it” TJ said

“Unacceptable, I have no choice but to suspend Mr. Campbell for cutting class” Mrs. Graves said

“I’m sorry?” TJ asked

“We have a zero tolerance policy for class cutting” Mrs. Graves said

I started to get really angry and TJ could tell but the stained glass didn’t stand a chance.