Teachers Pet

60: The Aftermath

        The change in Jills breathing told me she was finally asleep. I looked over to see her mouth slightly ajar, her hand tucked under her face on the pillow. She looked so peaceful. So much so that I envied her. With a low sigh, I carefully moved the blanket aside and threw my legs off the side of the bed. I almost gasped when my feet touched the icy floor. Jill turned over but didn't wake. Quietly, I rose from the bed, grabbed my phone, and made my way downstairs.

       Each step on the cold floor made my feet almost numb. The stairs creaked and a few floorboards groaned in protest. I silently cursed at the noises. When I reached the last step, I peeked my head around the banister and down towards my mothers' room. My mothers' door was slightly opened, a low light bleeding out into the hall. I thought she was still up but then a low snore told me otherwise. I wondered if she forgot to turn the light off or if she couldn't sleep without it.

       A car driving by caught my attention. The sound of the tires crunching in the snow was so loud. With the curtains pulled back, I could see the snow falling and blanketing the street. With a smile, I grabbed the throw blanket on the back of the futon and wrapped it around myself. It was somewhat thin, but it was warm. I made my way to the front door and slipped on a pair of my moms' shoes. Her feet were a little bigger than mine, but I didn't mind the loose fit.

       The door made a clicking noise as I opened it. I looked over my shoulder, but there was no indication that I had disturbed anyone. I turned back towards the street and walked outside. There was no breeze, but it was still cool outside. My breath fogged in front of me, but I wasn't cold. With a smile, I took a seat on the first step on the stairs leading up to the front door. The concrete was bitingly cold under me, but I didn't care. I sat for a while just basking in the cold.

       Across the street, I could see into my neighbor's house through their windows. They were watching the five o'clock news. I realized it was local when Nolans' face flashed across the screen. I adverted my eyes elsewhere. Part of me wanted to throw a snowball at their window. I didn't even want to know what picture they used for me. Was it a school photo? How would they even obtain it anyway?

       As my eyes focused on the stop sign at the end of my street, I noticed a familiar black car turning the corner and coming towards my way. I felt my eyebrows come together as I watched the car creep down the street and come to a sudden stop in front of me. The window rolled down and the second I saw his face I smiled. More out of curiosity than anything else. 

       "You sleepwalking or something?" I shrugged, standing to make my way to him. He put his car in park and rose an eyebrow at me as I approached. He was in a bulky black hoodie that had holes throughout. I smiled at that.

       "I couldn't sleep actually. What are you doing over here?" I felt the blanket slide down a shoulder so I quickly rewrapped myself. David's eyes roamed over the blanket I stood in. There was a sort of sadness and concern there that I didn't understand. He quickly composed himself with a smile.

       "I told you. I occasionally do patrols over here." I was confused at first until I noticed the bulkiness to his sweater was actually a vest underneath. I noted a chain around his neck that was tucked into his sweater. I assumed it was his badge. Was he undercover then? Was this an undercover cop car and I just never noticed? I couldn't be that completely unobservant, could I?

       "Oh," was all I responded with. He smirked up at me and laughed lightly. His smile faded a bit as he looked me over once more.

       "How are you feeling? About tomorrow... " I took a deep breath and held it for a moment. When I had an answer for him, I let out a long sigh. I was feeling so much.