LOVE YOU, LOTTIE.

Ch. 5 - Lisbon

“I'm sorry Lottie- I don’t think I can rearrange seats, this is a pretty full class.”
The girl sighed,
“Mr. Mackus, I'll take that broken desk in the corner!”
“No can do kiddo! Safety hazard.”
“The floor?”
“What? No!”
“I can stand.”
“Lottie!” Mackus huffed out, standing up from his desk. “Is this why you’re 20 minutes early to class? To change your seat?”
She looked around embarrassed, “I can ask Mrs. Nickson for an extra desk.”
The teacher shook his head and took a long sip of his coffee, “Did something happen between you and Hoya?”
Thoughts swarmed her head.
Thoughts of last night. In the truck.
Who knows what he’ll do in class.
I wish he’d just vanish.
Given no answer, Mackus started again, “Lottie, you must know that Hoya has some..mental conflicts of his own..”
JESUS does everyone baby this maniac?
Has anyone ever thought about MY mental conflicts?
I don’t want to put up with this creep just because he’s ill.
“Do you know what happened to me before I transferred here?” She croaked out, vision becoming moist and blurry.
The man looked away sombernly, “Yes, yes I do Lottie. Your records are sent to all of your teachers and staff. I’m deeply deeply sorry that happened to you.”
While wiping her tears she noticed that class started in exactly 10 minutes.
Mackus’s voice softened, “Do you think you’re up for class today, dear?”
Lip quivering and occupied wiping tears, she whispered “no.”
“Come here, I'll write you a pass to the relaxation room. It’s right across from the library.” Tearing off the blue slip paper he passed it to the girl, “I’ll exempt you from today’s classwork, rest up okay?”
Lottie nodded and quickly skipped out the classroom.
Could all that count as baby-ing?
If so, in your face Hoya!
It’s my turn!

Where is she?
The boy looked around the class for Lottie, only to see her seat empty. He held a miniature teddy bear in his hand, its neck decorated with a light pink bow.
“Mr. Mackus, have you seen Lottie today?”
“Ah yes, she came by but she left.” Mackus tried to keep it as discreet as possible.
Hoya’s eyes widened, “Left?”
The teacher nodded, continuing to write notes on the board.
Left?
Why?
What did I do?
Is she leaving me?
She’s trying to leave me!
“Uh, Hoya?” Mackus turned to see the boy’s chest rising and falling rapidly as he held the teddy bear tightly to it.
“Wh..where is she?” Hoya strained out.
“Do you need me to call the nurse?”
Nurse?
No no no nurse.
No more nurses.
“No, sorry, I'm fine.”
And with that Hoya took his seat, missing the presence of Lottie.
"Something weird is happening between those two." Mackus said under his breath, soon beginning to start his lecture.

“First, pour two cups of flour into your bowl, then-”
I don’t even know why I'm watching this.
Lottie had given up on working on her pre-calc and begun watching recipes on youtube.
The relaxation room was nice. Mrs. Dunlap was in charge of it. She ran the library and was partially a guidance counselor.
From time-to-time she came in to check on Lottie or offer snacks.
“Animal crackers? Juice?” The elder held two snacks in her hands.
“No no I'm fine thank you!”
However, Dunlap still gave the snacks to Lottie.
Appreciative of this, she drank the apple juice.
That was until she heard a ding.

Hi❤️ did I do something wrong?

Well, obviously.

Yes Hoya. You did.

I’m sorry. I got you a gift.

I don’t want it.

Please

NO! Throw it away or give it to someone else.

Please
Please don’t leave me.