Presley's Point Of View;

Sitting on the left since Alejandra sat in the middle of both of us I leaned back as I aimlessly looked around. It's a fight to actually come outside but on the days I manage to, it isn't as bad as I make it out to be. Like Alejandra the first time I met her, she was intimidating but since I saw her with Gail that night she proved she isn't as rough as I initially thought her to be.

Still, it's not like I had anything to really say to her anyway so the conversation between both of them slowly faded into the background as my mind wandered. I remember that the email Gail sent me had Bertie Taksheel and his wife's street address along with the apartment number. How she was able to get such personal information was really skillful. If I had the guts, I'd ask for her help to find my Mom but I question if I really do want to find her.

No time to dwell on that now; I needed to talk to Bertie's wife but I doubt she would talk to me even if her husband wasn't home. Because of the time it is now he'd probably be in class or at least not home according to his class schedule that Gail also sent me. She sure is very thorough, I'll give her that. Alejandra will have a better chance at talking with her than I would by myself. Mitchum is already dealing with the way he lost his friend so it's not like I can bring this up in their conversation without sounding pushy.

"Presley! You there?" Alejandra called me out of my thoughts as she waved her hand in front of my face. Oh no, I was caught spacing out.

"Oh um yes, sorry I um.. sorry," I apologized as I started to fiddle with my long sleeve shirt as I usually do when I'm nervous. I hope that they don't think I was ignoring them. I avoided their gaze trying to figure out what to say next.

"It's alright, didn't mean to leave you out of the conversation. I wanted to ask you if you can introduce me to your friend Amelia. I want to talk to her about some evening self-defense classes," Alejandra answered talking about a topic that caught me off guard. Mitchum was speaking to her about Amelia instead of what happened earlier today.

"Yeah, that's what we're meeting to talk about; possible candidates who would be interested. I think I could get some of my other friends too but I just remembered that you know Amelia. Maybe you can find out of she would be interested?" He continued explaining from the far right.

"Oh ok then, I guess I can. I didn't know this university gave self-defense classes?" I asked sort of relieved that the topic changed and it wasn't something very serious that I had spaced out on.

"They don't, at least not officially. But because of what you both know happened to Gail, I think maybe I could be a volunteer to pass on some of my karate self-defense lessons. And since Amelia is blind, a lesson wouldn't hurt. Professor Harrison told us that if enough people are interested we might get to start a club officially. You both can join also, no previous experience needed," she stated beaming with her usual surety. She even thought that I wanted to be into this without me giving any sort of indication.

"You know I took classes for nine years, maybe I can be like a co-volunteer also," Before I could reply, Mitchum did voicing his support. I knew I had to speak up but I couldn't just outrightly deny. I had to offer something and maybe it would be my chance to at least talk them into going with me.

"Sure that's a great idea letting Mitchum do that. He did win a lot of trophies for it but I think I know someone else who could be a good student of yours," I tried to steer the conversation but then I realized that I had given the wrong impression to her.

"Oh Presley, I already said you were on the list," she said dismissively and I knew I had to come out and say it if I was going to get my point across.

"What! No not me; I'm anti-violence. I was talking about someone else who can take my place," I said with a sigh hoping she would get I was making an exchange.

"It's true Al's; he doesn't even play video games that have violent themes or even come to any of my competitions because it makes him nervous to be around the noise." Mitchum backed me up but I did feel bad about the last part of not coming to any of his competitions.

I didn't have to go to a tournament to watch someone get knocked down neither do I need to join a class for it. I already knew how to take a hit and get back up thanks to my dad.

"Well, I can respect that but this is not about violence, it's just learning a few techniques that will help you to defend yourself and others if needed. It will divertido," Alejandra said in a chipper way, but such activities would be too much for me to handle. I didn't know what to say, I couldn't explain my reason so I just shifted in my seat.

"That means fun, right?" Mitchum asked and I half-heartedly smiled for Mitchum to lessen the pressure I was feeling. It would seem his Spanish lessons on the plane were paying off since he knew it.

"Si, I mean yes. So please think about it Presley, OK," she said turning her attention back to me.

"OK I will think about it," I answered knowing fully well I just gave false hope for something that I would never do but I had to say something.

"Who were you recommending though?" Mitchum asked which reminded me of why I started this conversation in the first place.

"Oh yeah right, well um her name is Priya Taksheel, she lives in an apartment off campus a block away from here," I said standing up from the bench.

"I've never heard you mention her before, is she in your group for the presentation in one of your classes?" Mitchum questioned. It wasn't a surprise that he would think that since apart from the group I was on a video conference rehearsing it with that particular girl individually because she wasn't satisfied with her part and kept wanting to change it. I kept my cool but dealing with her was even more stressful than the funeral.

"No um... we've never really officially met or talked either. But it's about time we did, so we can go but honestly, I don't know exactly where this address is cause I've never seen her place either," I answered causing Alejandra to stand up also.

"Let's go, tell me the address and we'll find it. I'm familiar with the area around school 'cause I go for runs daily," She answered, and as I took out my phone that I remembered to take with me this time I silently breathed a sigh of relief. I was glad that convincing her wasn't difficult cause there was no way I could do this on my own today.