At Twilight (TW/TVD Crossover)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Caroline’s first day as a substitute teacher at Beacon Hills High was going swimmingly.

 Not.

Her first time waking up with an alarm in years, she'd overslept; even with Natasha Bedingfield’s lovable but annoying “Pocketful of Sunshine” as her alarm.

Miss always early was late for her first day at her new job. 

Great first impression, check.

"You're taking over the assistant lacrosse coaches classroom. He taught sophomore English." Mrs. Argent informed her before abruptly heading out of the office. With a discreet eye roll, Caroline followed.

Two Argents five days a week was pushing it.

"Is the position temporary? Is he coming back?" Caroline asked, her voice echoing in the empty hallway along with their footsteps.

"No. He… passed away unexpectedly." She informed Caroline in that same monotone without missing a stride.

After that alarming tidbit, she kept the rest of her questions to herself and Mrs. Argent proceeded to give her a brief tour of the school.

While Caroline’s begrudging tour guide pointed out the cafeteria where teachers have their own line to buy lunch and the teacher's lounge across the hall, her mind drifted back to the most abnormal job interview she’d ever had the displeasure of sitting through. 

Gerard Argent unnerved her. That’s the simplest way she could put it. There was just something so sinister and off-putting about the man. 

“Have a seat.” Gerard waved towards a guest chair across from his desk. He settled in the great chair behind the desk.

Caroline reluctantly sank into the chair.

“It must be Beacon Hills High School’s lucky day to have you grace our premises. We were getting desperate for a more permanent fixture in the classroom. People haven't exactly been lining up to fill the position.” He began, peering at her over his glasses. “You must be new to town.” It wasn’t really a question but he stared at Caroline expectantly, awaiting her answer.

“I am new to town.“ She replied hesitantly. Everything felt like a trap with this man.

“Ah. From where, exactly?” He leaned back in his chair, hands pressed together like an honest-to-God villain.

“Here and there.” She twisted her lips into a placid smile.

Silence blanketed the room as he waited for her to elaborate. 

She continued smiling. His brows furrowed and his eyes iced over.

“Then there’s the question of your last name. We had a very famous Forbes residing in town a few years ago.” 

Still not a question.

“It’s a very popular one, I believe.” The fewer people who knew her relation to Sophia or any other Forbes, the better. At least for now. She should’ve changed her damn last name.

“Is it?” Finally, an actual question.

“As far as I know.” The smile on her face was on the verge of cracking.

“Right. And you’ve decided you’d like to be responsible for our youth. Our future.”

Jesus.

It took everything Caroline had to not roll her eyes.

“I love kids. And I have been a substitute teacher before.”