The distance between us

8. Mauve

MAYBELLE
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My mind scrambled with a thousand questions and rhetorical questions. Why am I finding myself in this man's presence ever so often?

Regretfully I was glad he was here, had he not been I probably would've endured a session of misfortune for my stupidity of running my mouth every so often.

No doubt his vision was as spine chilling as a wolf spiders glowing eyes in a pitch black chamber.

Yet each time I've found myself lost in his presence, I didn't feel that spine chilling fearness I so gracefully illustrated. I felt the complete opposite.

I pushed myself up balancing on the floor that held me up all my life. I scratched my head in confusion, not really sure of what was happening, I mean first of all why is he here? In a tie? At my school? In front of me?

"Are you okay?" He eyes held...a mix of emotions and yet I couldn't interpret not one of them.

I should've answered his question and yet all I did was part my lips and furrow my brows still uncertain of why this not so strange man anymore, was in my school.

"Here come with me, I'll take you to the nurses office" he placed a soft palm on the bridge of my lower back guiding me down the halls. I wanted to deny his offer and just get out of here but for some odd reason I found myself obeying without even a thought of consideration.

"Grey right?" I questioned already knowing the answer, yet I didn't want to make a fool of myself by assuming it was him.

He nodded his head lightly as his bottom lip hovered between his top and bottom teeth.

"May right?" He returned knowing full well who I was just as I did him.

May? No one's ever called me May, it's always been Maybelle, I mean I'm not complaining, some people would shorten it to mauve, like the colour, horrible name I know.

🧚🏼‍♂️

"Alrighty your okay sweetie just a minor bump on your forehead, it'll go away in a few days"
The nurse who's accompanied the school aid since like 1975 reassured me.

I nodded a thank you watching her move her little feet towards the exit leaving me to sit on the tall bed in the corner of the room.

Grey stood nearby, his arms crossed, one of his hands playing gently with his chin and bottom lip, I noticed how his legs stood slightly far apart making him seem bigger than he already was.

"How do you feel?" His deep grunt full accent bounced off the walls and smothered me in warmth.

"Uh fine I guess... I'm sorry what're you doing here?" I couldn't help the curiosity, it's poured out of me like tears at a funeral.

"Well I'm substituting for the seniors PE teach, he's going to be on leave for 2 weeks so here I am"

A teacher? Isn't he too young to be teaching.
"Oh...sorry you just well you don't seem like a teacher" my fingers intertwined with discomfort at my honest opinion.

"No? What do I look like May?" His eyes dug deep into my own, his voice rasped playfully aware of the effect his presence casted over the atmosphere.

"I'm sorry I just meant you seem a little young to be a teacher" I tried to defend myself although it probably wasn't working very well.

"24 is a normal age to start teaching don't you think?"

"I guess so. Anyway thank you bringing me here, I should probably head to class" I whisked myself off the bed landing on my two small feet. I pushed my books to the bottom of my shoulder bag before turning back around too leave...
"Why don't you head home May, get some rest" his face still stern as a concrete wall.

"Oh uh It's okay i prefer to be here anyway" which wasn't a lie exactly, I did prefer to be at school rather than be cooped up all day and have to explain to dad why I wasn't at school. It's just easier too avoid any situation where I can jeopardise my emotions.

"You'd rather be here? In school?" He questioned, coming out more surprised with each word.

"Yeah" my voice not too convincing although it shouldn't have to be.

"Do you even have any friends here?"

ouch

Had his tone not come out so blatantly rude I probably wouldn't be so offended, yet his tone portrayed his judgment better than anything.

was it that obvious? Seriously did I have a sign on my head saying "I have no friends!"

I mean it's true yes, but never the less he should know to never say such words to a woman.
Asshole

I felt my lips purse together most likely becoming white from the pressure, my tongue swirled harshly around my mouth trying my very best to bite my tongue.

I think he realised his rude tone as I narrowed my eyes in a questionable manner.

"I-I didn't mean it like that i-

"No no it's fine I know what you meant, and your right, I don't have friends, thank you for giving me that quick reminder, now I can go back to my loneliness, without you showing up everywhere I am, because well your not a friend...I have no friends"
Emphasising those last few words.

I didn't bother waiting for a reply from the new Phys Ed teacher I'd have to pretend I hadn't ever met before for the next two weeks.

Not that I have to but I'd rather not explain how I already know the pile of god forsaken good looks dumped right in front of everyone to gawk at.

I wonder what his last name is, I guess I'll find out sooner than later considering we're not on first name basis with 'teachers'.

This is the 3rd time I've ran into him, and for what good reason? First it was at the grocery store, not very uncommon, second on a walk, also probably just coincidental seeming we live in the same area, third he's a teacher...at my school. Coincidence? Maybe... surprising and slightly curious,
most certainly.
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