Somebody That I Used To Know

Nothing to Worry About

Tom stands in the hallway, looking around anxiously. There were people all around him, some staring at him. It never used to bother him, he knew that he was famous and some people wanted to talk. Now, he was terrified that they'd be talking bad behind his back.

The bell rings through the intercom and the door to the classroom opens.
Ms. Martin smiles as she watches each child go to their parent, making sure that they were going to the right one.

"Mr. Hiddleston?" she says, looking directly into Tom's eyes. Lily was inside, putting things into her bookbag.

"Yes?"

"I'm Ms. Martin, Lillian's teacher."

"Nice to meet you. What can I do for you?"

"Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Lily's home life." Ms. Martin says with a condescending smile.

"Lily's home life? What are you talking about?"

"Lily told me the other day that her Daddy was throwing up alot. Is everything okay?"

Tom's face falls. "It's just fine." he quickly says. "And frankly, Ms. Martin, that's none of your business."

"My student's home life is my business. Are you okay? Are you sick?"

"That is extremely unprofessional."

"I'm sorry?"

"I wasn't feeling well the other day, everything is fine now. Why do you think that it's alright to ask someone that?"

"Because I care for my students and let's face it, I've seen the news. I saw your interview on Good Morning America when you were talking about having bulimia. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is just fine." Tom says. He wanted to snap but he knew the situation would only get worse. "I had the stomach flu the other day, that's all it was. Respectfully though, that's none of your business."

"I'm a mandated reporter. If I suspect something, I have to report it."

"You have to report abuse. You don't think Lily is being abused, do you?"

"I think that a parent with a mental illness is a possible situation of neglect."

"Then it's a damn good thing that her mother is stable." Tom smiles, trying to hide the rage. "I assure you that everything in our house is okay. I'd also like to add that if you suspect anything else, you go straight to the principal to have a conversation with us. By asking me about an eating disorder, you've broke quite a few rules here. I'll let it go, I know that you're just... very concerned for my health, but it's nothing that endangers Lily. Thank you. Lillian, come on, love, let's go home."

Tom looks into the room and extends his hand, his daughter reaching for it and smiling as they walk out of the school.

"In the car," Tom snaps.

"What'd I do?" Lily asks, her voice small.

He lets out a sighs and puts the key in the ignition. "Okay, darling, why did you tell your teacher that I threw up? Hhm?"

"Some kid got sick and then we were talking about what happens when you throw up. I didn't think I did anything wrong."

"You... new rule, okay? And this isn't lying because lying is bad. You're leaving out a detail and that's okay. Understood?"

"Yeah."

"Don't tell anyone that Daddy was sick the other day."

"Why not?"