Courdrory

Uncle smiled. “Oh, Courdrory, I know you by heart.”

“Oh really?” I tested.

“Yes, I do.”

Uncle went on about the mask I was wear. To my uncle, I’m hiding my true self. Behind this cold bad boy attitude was really a scared little kid. After my dad left, mom changed. She didn’t love me the same anymore. Because of that, I changed who I was. I hardened my shell making it impossible for others to enter.

But my uncle saw through it. He knew I was smart and capable of things. While mom worked, uncle helped me with school. I was homeschooled for a couple of years, but when I started middle school I ended up being at the top of the class. It’s been the same since then. However, my uncle, the psychologist and family counselor, likes to bug me about this constantly.

“Courdrory, one day you’ll meet your match. And that heartbreaking of yours, will come to an end, my uncle stared.

He was right, but there was only one problem. I already met my match…but the heartbreaking, that would never stop. To me, Athena was just a bump in the road. They happen, and the trick is to conquer them. If I can’t beat Athena, then this bump will haunt me. I’m not going to lose my edge because of her. She is but an ant beneath my feet and I will crush her.

“Whatever you say, Uncle.”

My uncle smiled. He could read me like an open, so I knew he would find out my plans sooner rather than later. This guy was smart, guess that’s where I get my smarts from.

“Come on, Cor. Time for school,” he said putting the plates in the sink.

I sighed, then got my bag. We walked to his car, and he drove me to school. I lived 20 minutes from the school, so, of course, Uncle tries to talk to me. I don’t mind; it’s just…he can be…way too good at his job.

“So, who is she?” he asked bluntly.

“What?” I asked.

“You heard me. Who is she?”

“Just some girl at school,” I scoffed.

“Some girl? Doesn’t sound that way to me. Let me guess, she’s immune to your ‘bad boy charm’?”

I rolled my eyes. Apart of me wondered if he had someone on the inside spying on me. The whole ‘he’s really good at his job’ thing, was just too creepy.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Anyway, what’s the plan? Get her to fall for you, then break her heart?”

“I just have to figure out how.”

“Why…My nephew having trouble with a girl?” he gasped. “I never thought I would see the day.”

“Shut up.”

Uncle just chuckled and continued to drive. He no longer questioned me about her. Didn’t even ask for a name. Guess he’s waiting for the right moment….Typical.