Due to the plan, I was pulled from helping the year sixes. I hadn't spoken to Chiro since her group ghosted me. Mors had shoved Celestinus in my place and got Eliza to help, too, replacing Tiffany's spot. This better work out well, I wanted to do it another day, but the two had a point, it was the best day to pull this stunt.
Everything fell into position. Ophis took my classes as regular for Wednesday. At first, I believed Mors informed the staff of the plan but if he didn't reveal his theories, then perhaps the gorgon was covering it as usual. She had last week in the midst of our dispute as it was routine; we were three weeks in at that point.
Celestinus wouldn't be stupid enough to tell the others, with two of his bosses threatening him and the ones above who would side with the skeleton if the owl sort higher power.
Tiffany knocked on my door, waiting for me to invite her in before entering. "Sir said you needed to talk to me."
I nodded, gesturing for her to sit in the seat I pulled up to my desk earlier. My setup was too formal for such a discussion, but moving locations seemed more suspicious and we already called her to my classroom. My speaking began after she was settled, starting by offering her tea, which she refused. I also had a jar of assorted biscuits that Mayor delivered this morning. My guess was Mors informed her of our plan and it was either a thank-you gift or to help bribe the girl. Whichever it was, Tiffany kept eyeing them.
"You can have one. They're fresh. Ms Mayor made them this morning." Starting off with small talk would help ease us into the conversation. Plus, a cookie never killed anyone.
I considered stealing a blackberry choc chip cookie but opted out. However, Tiffany had a similar interest and took the purple one.
The teen didn't know why she was there, tossing it down to an end-of-year checkup that Mors passed on to me. Not knowing what to do, I went along, allowing her to tell me all about her classes, friends, and choices for electives for next year. Her friends were happy, one of them entered an art competition abroad, and her classes were going well, though she didn't sound confident she'd pass her exams.
"Are you excited about the end of the year? The dance will come up quick."
"I don't know. I don't usually get to stay around for the dance. My family can't afford new dresses, so we have to wear hand-me-downs. My parents wouldn't appreciate me contributing to fast fashion."
"You don't have anything you can style up or go to the fashion design students?" Creating outfits for the dance would be a dream for fashion design students. The school had a program where they do that for the students who they knew couldn't afford it. Every student gets to show off their best look while fashion students get to create.
"I'll probably have to head home early. My sister is in town and mama and papa won't be happy if we miss her."
"What about your brother?"
"My brother?" Tiffany repeated, both horrified and confused. "How do you know about him?"
"Mayor mentioned you had a brother who went to a different school." Tiffany averted her gaze, shuffling uncomfortably in her chair. "He did move schools, right? I haven't seen another Bedwell here."
"He... did."
"You don't seem convinced."
"I-"
"Did something happen to him?"
"I don't know what-"
"The English homework you left in my classroom, both your and your sister's behaviour, and the fact that you have the same symptoms as one of the primary school kids. The water flowing from your mouth, despite whatever you wear, your clothes are always drenched, the blue lips and fingers from lack of oxygen. Need I go on?"
YOU ARE READING
Phrontistery Of Monster Kind - Six Feet Deep
FantasyA human gets offered a job to take over teaching History at a school for monsters. Esmay Ambrose got more than she bargained for as her past reflects the present. Between being told she doesn't exist and painting targets on her back, can Esmay make...