Cutie Pi

8

It was hours later and I arrived at college with my dad, my mum remained motionless at her desk, after saying "One minute, let me finish this email," for the past hour, we left her at the house. Work always comes first, and my dad was not happy I'd dragged him to college on football night.

I anxiously intertwined my fingers, occasionally clutching at my mini plush dinosaur I placed in my pocket, she was one of my favourite stuffies and the perfect size to bring to school.

My name was called and I tapped my dads arm, silently telling him it was our turn, he huffed loudly as he stood up, not-so-quietly whispering about a possible lesbian couple down the corridor.

"Ah, Mr Devon, please take a seat,"

"Thank you, Mr?" Of course now dad was all formalities, his business voice and posture in place, disguising the truth.

"Oh, students just call me Sam,"

"Oh, it's that kind of school," he said watching me as I found the desk more and more interesting.

"Yes, we believe that students will respond better when treated as equal-" my dad scoffed cutting him off.

I clenched my fist, if there was something I considered right, my dad thought it was wrong, legal same sex marriage, immigrants coming here to be safe, respecting teenagers, just unthinkable.

"Anyway," Sam continued, trying to meet my eyes which stayed firmly on the desk, "I assume Mrs Devon isn't coming," I subtly shook my head, meeting his eyes for a millisecond.

"No, she has some very important business to attend to, though of course so do I, we can't all have easy jobs like teachers,"

I held my breath, I couldn't even look at him, it is not an easy job, it takes so much patience and kindness and you have to be very smart, especially to teach A level. My dad always thought he was so good at maths but any time I used to ask for help, he never knew the answers. I know I should be used to it, but I'm not okay with him talking to Sam like that, "Dad, I think we should go," I whispered, pulling on the cuff of his shirt.

"No, no, we're here now, let's hear how you're doing, got an A yet?"

"Well n-no,"

"Isla is a fantastic student," Sam cut in, and I smiled gratefully, though I couldn't make it meet my eyes. This is part of my life I never wanted him to see, this is the reason I can't wait to drive, to move out, to escape.

"She always wants to learn, she is very ready to take on new concepts, she's extremely hard working and a very kind member of the class,"

"Wow, what did you do, pay him? You aren't sleeping with your teacher are you, Isla?"

"Dad! No!" I looked up, eyes wide, blushing and looking right back down when I met Sam's. I guess maybe he wasn't so far off, is that why he's saying all these things? Just because I let him kiss me.

I felt anxiety building and I knew what was coming, my dad had made me overthink the only good thing in my life right now.

"Ah, I'm only teasing, Isla, no one wants you," he laughed, slapping my back a little too hard. I whimpered and tried to keep it quiet.

I saw Sam's fist clench, I've never seen him angry and I don't want to be the cause of it, "Thank you, Sir," I said quickly, standing up and using all my might to push my dad up too.

"You're welcome, Isla," but something in his voice sounded insincere, I guess that one good thing is gone now.

"I thought he said you call him Sam," my dad asked me.

I blushed, "Force of habit,"

I was very glad I hadn't made any other appointments as I climbed the stairs faster than I ever have.