The Reason We're Together (Watty Awards 2011)

The Reason We're Together-Chapter 7

Several weeks passed after that awkward meeting between Malisha and I. The incident proved that she had to get crutches for her foot. I wanted to help her, but I couldn’t, and I felt extremely bad for being the cause of it. But I didn’t let that show. It wasn’t my fault that she wanted to run off into the woods and trip badly on a rainy day.

At first I had thought that she was scared, or hateful towards me, but in those weeks, I learned that she really hadn’t been mad or anything.

To face the truth, it became more evident that she was into me.

And it was scaring me.

I avoided her in the classroom, never darting my eyes towards her, or even calling on her, even if her hand was the only one in the air.

She raised her grades, dramatically. It was like she wanted to please

me.

I couldn’t tell her to stop; as a teacher I was pleased with the sudden change for good and progress, but as a dude, not really.

I went out with Dave and his girlfriend more, just to avoid Malisha in my thoughts. It didn’t work, since I either was still moody or extremely

thoughtful.

Many times, after I had graded and complied all those English grading crap, I read

her work last.

They were perfect, amazing, and astounding.

The best I had ever read as a teacher.

Moreover, she never tried to buy me through them. Not once had I seen someone that seemed to represent me in those essays and stories. I’d read countless stories about crazy girls who wrote disturbing things with their male teachers involved in them. I shivered at those. Those were the worst.

Moving on, only the day before yesterday had she come up to my desk and had a little chat with me before class had started. Everyday, she’d come early just to speak to me. It was perhaps the fact that she had crutches, but I knew that she could have gone somewhere else rather than come to my classroom. She came in and sat in the old, yellow desk up front that was a little to the right of mine. When class was to begin, she naturally wobbled over to her favorite seat. Me, on the other hand, who had tried to avoid her couldn’t avoid at all.

Why? The teacher’s lounge was not the place I would go during the free period and lunch, plus strolling in the hallways for two hours was not my thing, and wasting gas or sitting in the car made me feel boxed. But the little sing-song chirps from her everyday were interesting to look forward to, and was sometimes the first thing that popped into my head in the morning.

Malisha’s going to talk to me today.

And for some reason, it was like I couldn’t stop talking to her. She had so many things to tell me, and not once did it bore me. It didn’t bore her either, I

could tell. Her eyes sparkled as she talked, and she seemed so inspirational.

But it wasn’t until yesterday that she stopped talking to me.

And today as well. She just sat in class, motionless.

And as a dignified teacher, I couldn’t just walk over and ask what was wrong if she looked fine.

Instead, I sat near my desk, wearing a Clark-Kent look.

Milly’s POV

Stable meeting:

Today was the stable meeting, the one where I tell everyone about my mate.The last one that was a couple of weeks ago, before the incident with Mr.Shwan, and no one believed me. But now, as I had researched, I realize, he really is the one.

It’s just the fact that he hadn’t really noticed yet.

Or, maybe he had, but he just hadn’t said anything cause he’s my

teacher.

Everyone surrounded my family. At the center, there was my dad. He ordered the others around easily. I watched, admiring the authority that my dad had over the other alter-equines in the stable.

“...and today, my daughter has a very important announcement. Please give your undivided attention to her.”

I gulped, and took steps towards the center, replacing my father.

“...As you all know,” I began, “I’ve found my mate.”

Gasps and instances of clashing thoughts came in at once.

I continued, “And I know now, for sure that he’s the one because I’ve done all the research, and it’s obvious to me now.”

“Then why haven’t we seen him?” someone said.

“It’s because he’s not an alter-equine” I stated, “ and, he’s my.. my

teacher.”

Just as the words slipped out of my thoughts, there was a silence.

“Mills, that’s Mr. Shwan isn’t it?” Zach asked.

“Yes.” I answered.

“Well then, when we get back to human form, I will see to this man” Zach’s father stated, “he may be the one we have been talking about for the past

month.”

“You mean the one with the power?”

“Absolutely.”

“Alright then guys, we’re going for a ride over the land and then you all are free to do as you like,” My dad commanded.

~~Monday at school~~

I gulped. I didn’t want to really do this, but I knew I had to. I stepped into the

classroom, and there he was. He sat at his desk, and was shining like a god to me. He hadn’t noticed me enter, and so when I was close to his desk, I cleared my throat.

His newspaper crinkled down when he lowered it.

“Oh, it’s you Malisha. What’s up?”

Okay, I can do this. Milly, believe in yourself.

With closed eyes and flushed cheeks, I asked, “Mr. Shwan, will you …. you.....”

“Yes?” he calmly said.

“Will you come meet my family?” I gulped again.What will he say?

“Um Malisha, I’m your teacher, I don’t have to meet your family, just maybe your parents,” Mr.Shwan mumbled, eyeing me suspiciously.

“I know but um, we have some important news about the uhh land. We are having a family get together for it and well.... since you live around there to you might want to come” I said, unsure.

“Um sure, I guess, when is it? ” he said, looking back at his paper.

“Tomorrow. At my house.”

He raised his eyebrows, but finally agreed. I puffed out a breath of air in relief.

~~Next Day at Malisha’s House.~~

“Mother, Mr. Shwan is coming over today.” I said.

“Oh.. ok.”

“So, what are you going to do?” I curiously asked.

“Well honey, I’m going to do what’s best for you.”

Hm? What did she mean by that?

“It’s alright, Malisha, you’ll understand once he comes over. Go and finish your homework and come down later.”

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