No Way Out

THIRD PERSON

“I swear, this counselor is worthless.” Amanda lays down on the grass next to Serena. They stare at the clouds floating by for a minute before Amanda sighs. “Why can’t they just give me the classes I want without ruining my entire schedule? She wants me to take a class at seven a.m. Imagine getting up early enough to be here for a class at seven?”

Serena rolls on her side, plucking at strands of grass. “I have a class at seven, so we can come to school together. It actually works out perfectly since you’re the one with the car.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize.” Amanda sits up. “Your parents aren’t sending your car here?”

“Nope. They said I can get around easy enough with cabs and Uber and you. They plan to give my car to Elijah.”

“Elijah? Your younger brother wants your old car? That is surprising. My brother insists on getting a truck; he would not be caught dead driving my Celica.”

Serena laughs. “Well, considering my car is a BMW, I don’t think he will complain. They will get me a new car at some point, maybe after I graduate. I could probably bug them, and they would give in now,” Serena says, her hand on her chin in thought.

“Why do you have to wait?” Amanda asks.

“They think I’m going to break the rules and drive home if they give me a car.” Serena rolls her eyes.

“Drive home? That’s like a twenty-two-hour drive or something,” Amanda says and then lays back down. “They are nuts. You wouldn’t do that.”

“Maybe I would, with the right motivation. But yeah, you are right, no thanks. That’s a long drive.”

As the two continue to sit on the grass chatting, a group of guys in their twenties walk by. They are loud and push each other back and forth, tossing a football. The ball goes a little further than they anticipated and one of them trips over Amanda and falls on his butt next to her.

“Geez, I’m sorry. Are you hurt?” The man is in his early twenties, with sparkling grey eyes and dimples. He pushes his brown hair out of his eyes before resting his hand on Amanda’s leg. “That was totally an accident.” He smiles at her.

“I’m okay. You boys should be more careful though. What if I was a fragile old lady or something,” she smirks.

“True, but you’re not. You’re a hot girl. My name is Jackson,” he sticks out his hand like he wants to shake.

Amanda takes his hand, and he raises it to his lips and kisses it. “Oh um.” Amanda giggles. “Okay, that’s different. I’m Amanda and this is my cousin Serena.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Jackson hops to his feet. “We are running late, but can I get your number?”

Amanda looks at Serena, who is grinning at her. “Okay sure. Let me find a piece of paper.”

“No need,” Jackson pulls his phone from his jacket pocket and tosses it to her. “Just put it in there, and make sure it’s your real number.” He winks at her. Amanda nods, puts her number in the phone, and hands it back. “Great, see ya soon.” Jackson saunters off with his buddies.

Amanda and Serena watch the group walk off, no longer joking around. Instead, they talk quietly, and one turns back around and looks the girls over. As he turns, Serena notices a tattoo on his forearm. Her forehead wrinkles in thought. “Can’t be,” she looks at Amanda and shakes her head. “Let’s go home. I already have homework.”

“What were you mumbling about just now,” Amanda asks as they walk across campus to her car.

Serena bites her lip. “One of the guys had this tattoo on his forearm and it kind of looked familiar.”

“Familiar how?” Amanda asks. “People get tattoos all the time.”

“Right, I know.” Serena sighs. “It’s probably nothing.” Serena knows that it is something and she doesn’t want to tell Amanda that maybe she should stay away from Jackson. He seemed nice enough and maybe he’s not involved in the “family,” but his friend definitely is. Serena is sure that was a De Luca soldier tag on his arm. From what her parents told her, they all wear it once they are sworn soldiers. It’s a blood moon, crossed pistols in front. The exact tattoo she saw on that guy’s forearm. She’s supposed to be steering clear of all mobsters, but it seems like that may prove harder than she thought. Her first day and she runs into one, what luck.

***

Two weeks have gone by. Jackson called Amanda a couple of times. They stay on the phone for hours, Amanda giggling occasionally. I can’t help but roll my eyes. She’s always so happy and carefree, nothing like me. I suppose it’s easy for her, having grown up living a normal life. We are sitting in the living room on the floor, our books and notes scattered on the coffee table.

“So how are things with Jackson,” I ask Amanda, pretending not to care as I sift through notes. I do care. I’m concerned about who he is involved with.

“Oh wonderful. He asked me to go to dinner with him on Friday. It’s our first official date.” She’s beaming with happiness.

I set my pen down, abandoning my note-taking for the moment. “What do you mean? Haven’t you had lunch with him a few times already?” Amanda had met him on campus at least three times, I’m aware of.

“Yes, but that’s not a date, it was a half an hour in the school quad while cramming sandwiches in our mouths,” she giggles. “It’s not like that’s anything to talk about. I do that with my friends too.”

“Okay, so tell me what you two talk about? Does he work?” I ask. I’m trying to get information without being too obvious.

Amanda looks uncomfortable for a moment, but the look on her face is gone just as quickly. “He works. He’s like the boss of something,” she bites her lip.

“The boss of what Amanda?”

“Umm he runs a couple of night clubs. He’s like a general manager. The owner is his best friend.”

“Who is the owner?” I am watching her carefully as she squirms at my line of questioning.

“Don’t be mad, okay?” She looks nervous. I just raised my eyebrow, waiting for her response.

“The owner is Sebastian De Luca,” she stands up and walks towards the kitchen.

“Hold on,” I jump up. “You know who that is right?”

She shrugs. “Does it matter?”

“Of course it does! Sebastian De Luca!” I throw my hands in the air. “He’s the head of a huge mafia clan. You want to date his second in command? Because that is what this sounds like Amanda! I’m not going to tell you that you can’t. I’m not your keeper.” I heave a deep sigh. “Look,” I walk over and put my hand on her arm. “Just be careful, okay. I have lived this life and you’re so sweet and kind. I’d hate to see you get hurt. And,” I raise my pointer finger, “My parents cannot know! My Dad will blame me if he finds out you’re dating a mobster.”

Amanda giggles. “He’s not a mobster. He just runs the clubs,” she smiles at me, the innocence clear on her face.

I just shake my head. “Okay Amanda. That’s not the case, but please be careful.”

“Of course I will. Maybe we can double date sometime.” She smiles.

“Yeah, I don’t know about that. You let me know how the date goes on Friday, I need to get back to studying for my exams.” I walked back to where I had been sitting, pulling myself back into study mode. I can’t help but worry, but she’s an adult and it’s her life. “Who am I to tell her who she should be dating?”