Stolen Innocence (Evergreen) [Student/Teacher Love Story]

thirty three

As soon as I walked through the gates that morning, something felt off. It was eerily quiet, and I did my best not to notice the three cop cars lurking just past the main parking lot in front of the school. I just need to get to Michael. I just need to see him before class starts, and everything will be fine. He's able to reassure me more than anyone ever has been.

I still have no idea what in the hell he was talking about last night, seeing as he never responded to me, but whatever it was, he'll be able to explain to me now.

But when I walk to his class at 7:50, there's no one there. Even the early birds haven't arrived. In fact, the entire hallway seems deserted. Where is everybody? Not knowing what else to do, I knock softly on his door.

Hesitantly, I reach for the door knob, and it's unlocked surprisingly. I take a chance and go inside. There's only one person sitting inside when I enter.

And my heart nearly drops when she turns around.

"Hi, Iris," Our principal's smiling face greets me as I glance around the empty room, unsure of what to say or do. Her smile is clearly forced and she looks more tired than anything.

"Um...hi," I respond and she stands up, folding her hands in front of her as she does.

"Let's go for a walk, shall we?" She starts to leave the room and that's when everything seems to hit me like a truck.

I do not want to leave this room. I can't.

"I have class right now," I gesture towards the empty room but as we both glance around ourselves, I realize I don't have much of an argument. She stares at me with pity clear in her eyes and I almost want to punch her at the sight.

"Yeah...not today you don't," She gestures for me to follow her, but I maintain my ground.

"Where's Mi...Mr. Ryder?" I gulp at my near slip-up and she eyes me for a moment, her expression giving nothing away.

"He's...preoccoupied at the moment. He won't be holding class today," Once again, she makes a move for me to follow her out of the room. My heart is pounding as every possibility imaginable runs through my mind of what the hell could be happening right now.

"Whatever you need to talk about, I'm sure we can talk about here while we wait for-"

"Ms. Lund," She stops me, her expression now dangerous-looking, "You have to follow me," I nod somberly, all the fight having been taken out of me. I don't know what to do or say anymore. He's not here, he didn't prepare me for any of this. I need to see him. I need to talk to him. He needs to tell me what to say.

I send him text after text, hoping, praying he'll respond in time. The walk to the main office feels like agony. She's walking slowly, carefully, not slowly enough to give me any time to think or delay our arrival, but slow enough to feel torturous. Like I'm walking to my death.

I try not to notice what feels like everyone's eyes on me as we walk through corridors and into the main office. I'm unable to ignore the stares now, however, as as soon as we walk through the doors, all eyes are on us, all conversations halted. I keep my eyes on the linoleum beneath us, watching as the fluorescent lights reflect against the tiles.

Following Ms. Rodgers into her office, I'm met with an unwelcome, yet familiar, face seated at Ms. Rodgers' desk. Waiting for me. Waiting for me with the fakest, most shit-eating grin I've ever seen.

"Iris, hi," Katie the psychologist greets and I freeze in the doorway, not knowing who to look at. Mrs. Rodgers is watching me intently, and Katie has a kind smile on her face, but I can tell deep down, she's watching me like I'm a wounded animal.