More Than a Teacher - Ashton Irwin

50

I found a way to sneakily skip breakfast today. If I were forced into eating this morning, I would have thrown up.

The raging anxiousness makes it hard for me to relax or even focus in general. I'm constantly fidgeting, my head is pounding and I'm grossly sweaty all the time.

Ever since Ash drove off that night, my heart has ached for him to come back. He's everything to me. He's my world and the only person keeping it turning. No one understands me like Ashton does. Calum has been trying his best and I'm incredibly appreciative but I can't relate to him like I can with Ash. He knows me on a whole other level.

Considering I'm now unwelcome sitting with Chantelle at break, I'm back sitting in the courtyard behind the science rooms on my own. However, today Calum brought his lunch over from his staff room to sit with me as he insisted I needed some company. I would never admit that but I definitely do. Sitting on my own only causes me to feel more deflated and empty because it really makes me realize how lonely I am.

He's sitting right across from me, watching me like a hawk to make sure I'm eating my sandwich.
He puffs away on his cigarette, opting for just a coffee for lunch. So much for telling me to eat when he lives off of caffeine and nicotine.

"You see, I think the whole 'smoking is bad for your lungs' thing is a load of bullshit." He tilts his head back and exhales the smoke from his lungs, making it dance in the air as it blows away.

"I think it only makes my lungs stronger. Haven't had any sickness and I still run around everyday without feeling out of breath."

He's chatting utter nonsense and I have to refrain from face palming. Some things he says makes me question whether he actually has a teaching degree in physical education.

"You've got to be the most hypocritical PE teacher ever. Not to mention how dumb that just sounded." I roll my eyes.

Calum is the type of teacher to confidently stand in front of his class and drill them about how a single puff of a cigarette will give you lung cancer making you die the next day. He says this whilst he continues to happily smoke two packs each week. In saying that, he's not an overly heavy smoker. Most would go through half a packet in as little as a day.

"It's facts! I've never had any issues with my lungs. Never even had a cough." He shrugs back as if he has proven his point.

Unfortunately you can't persuade me on that one
Cal. Medical evidence overrides your dim theory.

"Watch you jinx yourself and get sick."

"Aye, don't say that!" He pulls the cigarette from his lips, scoffing yet trying not to laugh at my bluntness.

"You were the one who said it not—"

I'm cut off by Calum's head snapping in the direction of the entry to the courtyard.

"Wha—" I whisper, making him shoot his index finger up against his lips to silence me.

There's faint footsteps shuffling against the concrete path and in a spur of the moment, I stand up, trying to make it look like I'm not having lunch with a teacher.

Before I can get any further than up on my feet, the tall brunette in perfect school uniform and school captain's badge neatly pinned above the pocket casually appears from around the brick wall.

My panic subsides and my shoulders drop as I realise who it is. We may not have spoken to each other or even seen each other in a few weeks but
I'm grateful it's not someone else. Shit could have gone real bad just then.

"Fuck Harry," Calum sighs, dragging his free hand over his face in relief. "What are you doing you're not supposed to be around here." His voice comes out frustrated, annoyed that Harry scared him like that.