The new English teacher

The scientist

Right now, it's Thursday morning. Tomorrow it's Friday. Normally this would make me happy because it means it's almost weekend. But this time, it scares the shit out of me. Tomorrow Lex will offically hunt me down. Today I have to somehow convince Ms. Luthor to upload him a picture of me. Maybe I will just try to get into her e-mail and send it myself. There is no way I will let her get tortured because of me.

This year is crazy. I shake my head in disbelief as I think back to the innocent crush I had on Ms. Luthor at the beginning of the year. To when she immediatly gave me detention. When we could peacefully talk about poetry. And now fear is taking all those carefree moments away. I snap out of my thoughts when my phone lights up from an e-mail. An e-mail from no other than Ms. Luthor.

Dear,

Please come to school right now. The bus is almost leaving so pack your bags and kiss your family goodbye. Not for forever of course, the excursion only lasts two weeks or shorter if you misbehave ; )

Kind regards,

Ms. Luthor

Uh, what? Surely this mail wasn't meant for me. Shit. No, no, no. She wants to flee. She wants to hide. Everything is so cloudy. I start to breathe out of control. I start to cry. I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do.

'Alex!'

My sister comes running upstairs and holds me tight when she sees the state I'm in.

'I'm so scared. So scared.' I mutter as she strokes my hair.

I feel that Alex has turned her head to read the e-mail.

'Oh my God, I get it now. Kara, don't go. Please, you're safest here.'

'But why would she send me this then? Perhaps he has found out my address, meaning that I would put you and Eliza in danger! I can't let that happen.'

'Come downstairs and we'll talk with mom.'

After a tough conversation and another pressing e-mail from Ms. Luthor, Alex and Eliza agreed that I had to go. They are both in tears which breaks my heart. I give them a hug and tell them how much they mean to me. Then I leave, my backpack even heavier than usual.

In the second e-mail she said: 'Don't forget that the bus is in the parking place at the school's entrance, not the one in the back! We are leaving in five minutes.'

And there she stands in a loose, black pantalon and a furry coat. Her dark red lipstick matches the turtleneck she wears underneath. Ugh, Kara, you should have more important stuff on your mind right now. She looks around frantically and seems to flinch at every little sound. I don't feel at ease either. Lex is already chasing my mind.

When she sees me, she looks very relieved. I hadn't even noticed the beautiful black sports car next to her. A rich English teacher? Doesn't sound very logical.

'Kara, I'm so happy you could make it. I'll explain everything on the ride. Thank you, thank you for coming.' She looks genuinly suprised at my arrival.

'I must say I am a little confused.' I say once I have lowered myself onto the heat-regulated leather seat. Ms. Luthor turns the key and we're on the road within seconds and the car didn't even make a sound.

'I know, I'm sorry but I really couldn't risk Lex intercepting the e-mail. Listen, Kara, we will be going to Metropolis. As far as I know, Lex has no idea I once lived there and that I still own the house.'

'As far as you know? So there is still a chance he has found out? If he has, don't you think it will be the first place he'll go looking for us?'

'Hey Kara, how many times do I have to tell you, do not interrupt the teacher?' She says teasingly as she gives me that wink that makes me so weak inside. I relax a little at the sight of her smiling face. I think she is trying to look calm for me. Another act, probably.

'Before I went to teach English, I was a scientist.' I'm not even trying to hide my suprise. 'You didn't take me for one?' She says, laughing at my expression.

'Not really, but I can see it now.' I say with a smile. 'Why did you choose to stop?'

'Well, that's quite a story. I was working on a project with my boyfriend at the time.' This time I am trying to hide my surprise, but don't succeed very well. Luckily, Ms. Luthor doesn't notice and continues. 'It was great fun until he said he got a job opportunity elsewhere. I've never been the kind of woman to stand behind a man and follow him around like a dog. I wasn't ready to leave what I had just build up so I stayed behind. A year later I left anyway but I still didn't regret not going with him. I had the feeling we weren't really going anywhere. Our happiness kind of depended on our success. I realised the world of science was getting darker and so I didn't want to be part of it anymore. That's why I left, looking for a new start. Teaching English just seemed like such a genuine, important job that I would enjoy doing even if it didn't pay me at all.'

I realise that this is the first time I am talking to this woman while she is not my teacher. I am getting to know her as a person and I think she has an interesting story.

'And do you enjoy it?'

She gives me a smile that is as sweet as honey. If only I could taste it. God, Kara, stop it. I start to blush. 'Every minute of it.' She says, not breaking eye-contact.

'Watch the road, Ms. Luthor', I joke.

'This car drives itself, smartass.' She responds and sticks out her tongue, making me laugh.

'Of course it does.'

'Oh and by the way, call me Lena. Forget I'm your teacher, okay? Right now I'm the sister of a psychopath who's trying to kill you. Woah that really doesn't put me in the right light. Right now, I am hopefully your saviour.'

It feels weird to think about Ms. Luthor as Lena. But I really like the name.

'Okay, so you're hero Lena?'

She laughs genuinly, which surprises me because it's stupid. I feel like every word that leaves my mouth sounds really pathetic.

'No, you're the hero here. You're the future Superman. Eh, Superperson. Supergirl! It's catchy.'

She sounds like me, rambling on and on. While I'm laughing, I realise that I still wanted to know why we would be safe in Metropolis. So I ask her and she slaps her forehead, saying she had too much fun with me to think about serious stuff.

'So where I wanted to go with my scientist story, is that I have developed one of the most secure protection systems in the world. I won't explain how it works exactly because you'll fall asleep but I assure you, there is no way Lex can get in.'

'Woah, that's awesome! You're so cool.' Ughh, I sound like a toddler again.

'I know, I know.' I playfully punch her shoulder.

'Kara! I have to watch the road!'

I laugh and roll my eyes playfully and look ahead of me. I swear I feel her eyes on me but I'm afraid to turn to her. My heart beats fast from the idea of sharing a house with her for a few weeks. Then I realise something.

'How,' I start as I turn to look at her and I was right, she was looking at me. I blush a little and so does she, 'Eh, does this work for you? Is it okay for you to just leave school for a few weeks?'

'Oh, yeah, I have worked overtime almost every week so I'm allowed to take a holiday.'

'So you're sacrificing a holiday for me?'

'Kara, I am already risking your life by doing this. Don't think you owe me anything. I would have sacrificed my life for you, not just my holiday, but I realised you would still be in danger afterwards. Lex would find a way to get to you eventually so I had to protect you like this.'

'Why? Why are you doing all this for me? Don't get me wrong, I think it's very sweet and brave but you barely know me-'

'I don't have to. All I needed to know is that your heart is pure. Powers and goodness make a hero. The world needs a hero. Also, I really like your presence, so I wanted to kidnap you for my own sake aswell.'

Her eyes shine with passion and I can't help but gape at her beauty. She is so beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.

'Thank you.', is all I can say.

She smiles. 'We are here.'