The Principal

Chapter 15: A New Gang

On the surface, the school functions the same. There is nothing unusual except for a few teachers who have called out sick. It is nothing that Mr. Lowell can't handle, and he reassures the other teachers. During meetings, a few teachers started to question odd behaviors exhibited by the staff, but they were dealt with quickly by either himself or Mr. Jackson. It was the vials of blood that proved to be helpful, and he had only Serena to thank for them. This plan differed significantly from his others, and he wasn't sure if it would function, but after testing it out on his obsession first, it set everything else into motion.

This made it easier for the principal to accomplish other parts of his plan and make extra time with Serena in the afternoons. She would only show up every so often, to his dismay. They were going slower than he desired, which was trying his self-restraint. This budding relationship is new to Serena, and he assumes her inexperience hinders its rapid progress. He ponders why this would be the reason, for when they had first met, she had been four years younger than her current age and had been the one who initiated their relationship. He owed his life wholly to her.

One of the afternoon visits, when Mr. Lowell recalled those sweet memories. Unexpectedly, he had taken hold of Serena's hand and looked deep into her eyes before speaking, 'I missed you.'

Serena laughs nervously, "Why did you miss me?"

This is different from the reaction he desired, so he does his best to cover it up the best he can. Instead of clarifying anything, it makes things more confusing, and Serena doesn't show up the next few nights. This frustrated him greatly.

~~~~

Serena goes through her classes, watching the staff exhibit changes, especially around her, but she ignores all of them except for one. Mr. Dalhson's recent behavior frightens her. The teacher, who always would greet her, and was always there to advise her, appears to avoid her. Whenever she catches him looking in her direction, his eyebrows knit together.

She passes his classroom, and he stands propping open the door with his body. He seems lost in thought, not paying much attention to his surroundings, but as she closes the distance between them, his head snaps up quickly, and they lock eyes. His lips remain in a flat line. He doesn't smile like usual. Serena quickens her pace out of the hallway with the crowd. She feels tears forming and wonders if she can hold them back. She detours and rushes towards the bathroom, hoping to hide away if the tears break. That way, no one will question her, and she wonders why it hurts this much. Deep in thought, she overlooks Mr. Lowell.

"Is everything okay, Serena?" he asks her. He notices the pained expression on her face.

His appearance shocks Serena, and she does her best to contain the tears. She doesn't want Mr. Lowell to see her cry; how could she explain it to him? She glances away from him halfway, hoping to hide a bit of her face.

"Yes, I am fine. I was just thinking about a story I want to write."

Mr. Lowell wants to move in, to reach for her face and caress the soft skin on her cheek but stops. She might disapprove of the show of affection in public, but after completing his plan, no of that would matter.

"I am glad that is all it is. Please take care. I did not like the look of such a sad face."

Serena watches him walk away and completely forgets about Mr. Dalhson.

~~~~

Lonnie enters the brightly red painting building with a giant burger painted on the left side and pulls the folded slip of paper out of his back pocket. He glances back down at the order before approaching the front counter. Daniel takes his order and then disappears in the back. Lonnie shuffles to the side and finds an empty table in view of the back as he watches a few workers shuffle to make the order. Amelia enters the restaurant, and Lonnie turns his attention to her and studies her appearance. It is different from what he has seen before. Instead of dressing as usual, she is dressed in casual loungewear. Her sweater is oversized, and her hair is tied in a messy bun. This new appearance intrigues Lonnie, and he stares, finally seeing a new side of the person who made his sister's school life miserable.