ABOVE ALL

chapter three

I gaped at what I just heard. Did I hear well? Did Mr Anderson know what he was talking about, or more importantly, who he was talking to?

Go out on a date with him? No, no, no, this can't be happening. Yes, she had a crush on him, but she didn't mean it to get to the point of going on a date.

I stated at the man in front of me and I started panicking. I know student teacher relationship was forbidden in school. I can't, I really can't, I just can't. I need to get out of here as fast as possible.

With my thundering heart u stood up, picked my bag and headed for the door.

"I take your silence for a yes." I stopped in my track and took in deep breaths before turning back to face him.

"No sir, my silence meant no. Sir." He looked taken aback by my answer. He rubbed his palms together and smiled.

"I understand you're scared about the school's policy, but we're gonna be outside. We can have a relationship outside school grounds. He sounded so convincing.

My mom's sorrowful and pleading voice resonated in my head and it brought tears to my eyes. I promised not to let her down, I promised not to make mistakes in love.

I looked up and met his smiling face, he looked so handsome and young. I wondered how someone so young as him became a lecturer in Georgia state University. I wished Ariana was here, she would definitely know what to do in this situation.

My phone beeped in my bag and I prayer desperately that it was Ariana, asking where I was. I picked the phone and saw my mom's face. I swiped the phone to answer and placed it in my ear.

"Mom?" I waited for her to something, but all I heard was a sob.

"Mom? Are you okay? Is everything alright?" I still received silence from her and I became worried. "Mom, hang on, I'm on my way".

The inaudible words that floated to me through the phone made me stop my movement. "He came, packed his stuffs and left".

The rate at which my heart was beating couldn't make me reply her. I was pissed beyond recovery. Men are cheats, liars and heart breakers. I stood up, picked my bag and started walking to the door. On second thoughts I turned back and faced Mr Anderson, anger clouding my face.

"No." He looked at me in confusion and made to say something. "My answer is NO. Sir". I opened the door and stepped out, slammed it and left. I dialled Ariana and waited for her to pick up.

"Ari, meet me at the car park now!" I pressed the end call button and left for my car. I know I should calm down, but I couldn't. That son of a butch has hurt her again, has hurt my mom again, has made her cry. Doesn't he have a heart? Obviously, he doesn't, judging from how he's hurting my mom.

I pressed the unlock button from the button of the car from the bunch of keys in my hand before getting to the car. From the peripheral vision of my eye I saw Ariana running up to meet me.

"What happened?" She asked breathless. Even in my state of mind, I'm still perplexed as to why she runs when she could as well walk. "Cassy, talk to me please. Is it bad?" Her pleading voice brought back my attention and I remembered I was angry.

"He fu*king made her cry again." I stated angrily. I heard Ariana hiss vehemently beside me and I knew she understood me perfectly.

"I feel like ripping his head off and feed it to his bi*ch."  She cracked her knuckles and banged her palm on the top of the car in frustration. I seriously share her frustration. I can't really imagine how my mom is feeling right now.

"Mom! Oh shit!" I motioned for Ariana to get into the car as I did the same. I totally forgot about my mom just now. How could I? I was just so overwhelmed with everything happening that I momentarily forgot her.

I drove as fast as I could without breaking the speed limit and got home in thirty minutes. I picked my things and stepped out as Ariana did The same. I locked the car and turned towards the house.

I opened the door and went in, the sitting room was dark. I turned on the switch and dropped my bag on the couch. I hear Ariana behind me, probably pulling off her shoes or coat. The house was quiet, way quiet than usual.

I went up the stairs and headed for my mom's room hoping she was there. I opened the door and was met with blackness. I searched for the switch and turned the light on.

The room was silent and empty. I went further to the toilet, closet, and everywhere I could think she was.

I went back down the stairs into the living room. "I can't find her." I stated panicky to Ariana. She looked a bit shocked but quickly composed herself.

"What do you mean you can't find her?" She questioned me calmly, even though her watering eyes gave her away. I know how she felt, she loved my mom as much as I do. "Cassy?"

"Ana, I checked everywhere I can imagine her to be up there, but I can't find her." I said pacing to and fro in the living room. I picked my phone and dialled her number, it rang a few times but there was no answer. I kept trying it and kept feeling frustrated and angry.

If I was only early enough, if I didn't forget about her for a moment. I won't forgive myself if anything happened to her. She trusted me, she counted on me. I knew tears were falling freely down my cheeks, but I don't care.

"Should I call the cops or your dad?" Ariana asked. She was as frustrated as I was. I couldn't reply her question, so I sat on the couch and kept thinking of anywhere my mom could be. Maybe she went out? I questioned myself. But to where? I started my tears afresh.

My heart wouldn't bear it, should anything happen to her. I'll never forgive that son of a bi*ch for hurting her and making her cry.

I picked my bag and went up to my room. I inserted the key and opened the door a little. I opened the door wider and stepped in. My bag fell out of my hand as fresh tears fell down my face.

There in my bed, my mom was sleeping peacefully. I walked quietly but quickly and knelt down bedside the bed. Tear stains were on her cheeks and she had a wet picture of my dad in a tight grip.

I removed the picture from her hand and placed it on my bedside table, brought the duvet up to her chin and kissed her forehead. She stirred a little, muttered my dad's name and went back to sleep.

I opened the door quietly and stepped out of my room. I rested my head on the door frame and took in a deep breath.

Thinking about all my mom had passed through, I concluded that love sucked.

I'm so sorry for the late update. I have no excuse for it. I promise I'll be fast with the next chapter. Please pretty please, don't forget to vote and comment. The picture at the beginning of the chapter is Ariana. Muah