I'm losing you

Chapter five- Mr. Stevens

I ran downstairs, stumbling over my own legs. I couldn't be late again.

I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, put it in my bag along with some money, and looked around, searching for my books. I was sure I had left them on the table yesterday.

I had to go now, but without my books...

My little brother. He had hidden them. That filthy rat. I bet he was upstairs laughing at the thought that I would now be late without my books!

Breathe calmly, just think...

If I were him, where would I hide my sister's books?

Suddenly, I saw it, a corner of my history book peeking out from under a cushion.I snatched the cushion away and threw it to the other side of the couch. There, indeed, was my history book. Now, the rest... I looked under all the cushions, where I also found French, English was on the range hood, and math was in the trash, where it belonged. I just needed to find Dutch, then I would have half of all my books and everything I needed for today. And for Dutch, you really can't forget your books, because then he goes crazy.

I found my book and notebook in the plant pot and buried them under the damp soil in my bag before heading outside to get my bike.

I stormed into the school and ran to the caretaker's office to check in.

"Hi," I wheezed.

"Running late, huh."

"Yeah, sorry, issues with my brother..."

He chuckled and said, "He probably took your books again?"

"Hidden them."

"Did you find them all again?"

I shook my head. He grumbled something before sliding the famous notepad-with-pen towards me, and I wrote my name and class on it.

"Thanks, and I hope I never have to see you here again."

"Bye."

He was the least strict of the caretakers, almost nice even, but he also had his flaws.

I walked to the library to find a quiet spot: all the way in the back, in a corner, with my back turned to humanity.

I took out my book and started reading. It was half a novel, half a thriller.It's about a young woman, where a murder is committed in her street. Her ex is suspected of it, and her friend is working on the case. She hated her ex for cheating on her, but she doesn't want to believe it. She starts investigating and finds his twin brother, who had slept with her best friend. A whole drama unfolds, and another murder is committed, her ex confesses that he still has feelings for her...

Now, I've reached an exciting part where the protagonist finds out who the murderer is. It was so thrilling that I didn't realize someone had sat down next to me, and that's why I also startled when he gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, hi, Noah. Ehm... I mean Mr. Stevens..."

I felt myself blushing and quickly looked away.

"Hi, Olivia."

I glanced at him. He was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt, with a black cardigan over it.

"I saw you sitting here alone, and it made me a little depressed."

I sheepishly smiled.

"What are you reading?" he eventually asked.

I turned my book around so he could read the title.

"Calmness Will Save You," he whispered. "Is it a good book?"

I nodded. It took a while for Noah, uh, I mean Mr. Stevens, to continue with a completely different topic. "Are you vegetarian?"

Unlike his previous question, I shook my head this time.

"No, and you?"

"No, me neither."

For me, this silence felt twice as long as the previous one.

"Do you have any siblings?"

Aww, he's trying not to end the conversation, how sweet!

"Olivia?"

"Ehm, yes..." I looked at the ground. "Yes, I have a little brother. He's annoying. Smells. Steals my stuff."

"Sounds like a lovely brother," he chuckled.

"And you, Mr. Stevens?"

"Just call me Noah."

"Okay..."

"I have an older sister, Mia. In the beginning, they're always annoying, but as you get older, it'll be okay."

"Well, he actually ruined my life, I'm really going to kill that disgusting creature..."

"What's his name?"

"Ray, and his name says it all about his personality: gross, dumb, and arrogant."

Noah quickly glanced at the clock behind me and said, "I have to prepare something for my class," he placed his hand on mine and I saw him blush ever so slightly. "Nice talking to you. I'll see you later..."

"Bye..." I whispered as he stood up. Slowly, his hand slid off mine, and he walked away.I quietly watched him. He looked back over his shoulder and smiled at me. Insecurely, I smiled back and shifted my gaze to the hand where his had been just a few seconds ago. He couldn't like me, it just couldn't be!

But what if... What if he did like me? Does he also stay awake at night thinking about me? Does he also look forward to the class where I'm present?

But it couldn't be. It shouldn't be. A teacher and a student can't have anything. And besides, why would he? He's six years older than me! Why would he be interested in a loser like me?

But I saw him blush.

That says everything.