Pencil, Paper, and Passion.

Chapter Fifteen: Back to Abnormal

       I sighed, dropping my bandaged hands from my face to stare at Ben.  "What are you doing here?"

He stared at me incredulously as he came further into the room to drop the teddy bear on the couch.  "What am I doing here?  Where the hell do you expect me to be?"

"Not here?"  I rolled my eyes, then shifted them to Mr. Kalebrow.  "Uh...  This is-"

"Your boyfriend, obviously."  There was a hint of amusement in his voice as he turned to Ben and held out a hand.

Ben and I spoke at the same time.

"No, he's not-"

"Yeah, so why were-"

I bugged my eyes out at him, silently begging him to shut his trap.  Besides, he wasn't my boyfriend.  He had no right going around telling strangers that he was. 

"Ahem."  Mr. Kalebrow gained our attention, an eyebrow lifted.  "It's obvious that there's something.  However, that's neither here nor there."  He lifted his hand to Ben again.  "Noah Kalebrow.  I'm Miss Sinclair's bodyguard."

Ben cautiously took the outstretched hand, giving it a firm shake before quickly dropping it.  "Benjamin Gallagher."

"Ah.  Chemistry teacher, correct?"

I felt like I was going to faint.  He knew Ben was my teacher. He'd also just heard Ben say he was my boyfriend.  I choked out, "How do you know that?"

"Your mother hired me last night.  I took the opportunity to study the people around you, including the faculty of your school."  Mr. Kalebrow explained easily.

"Oh.  Ah, well.  Mr. Gallagher and I aren't-"

"It isn't my place to judge, if you were.  Nor is it my place to say anything about it."

Ben was looking between the two of  us with narrowed eyes.  Finally, his eyes settled on me.  "See, now there's no reason to deny it."

No reason to deny it?  Deny what?!  Our non-existent relationship?  Hadn't that been called off Saturday...? 

I scowled at him.  "Actually, there might be a reason to deny what isn't happening.  I thought-"

"You thought wrong, babe."  He sent me a disarming smile, as he moved to my bedside, before giving Mr. Kalebrow a pointed look.  "Can we have a few moments?"

"Of course."  Mr. Kalebrow said smoothly, failing to hide a grin.  

I glared after him, wondering where all his aloofness of before had gone.  Hadn't he been particularly chilly and uptight when he'd first entered?  And had he really just left me alone in the room with Benjamin Gallagher?  What a terrible bodyguard, I thought viciously.  Isn't he supposed to be protecting me from hostile persons?!

I turned to glare at Ben, just as he spoke, "Why the hell do you have a bodyguard?"

"Because I was attacked yesterday afternoon?"  I stopped glaring long enough to give him an sarcastic look.  "Or do you not remember how I ended up in the hospital?"

"Of course I do.  But don't you think a bodyguard is a bit much?  Especially since you've told the police who attacked..."  He trailed off when he noticed my sudden interest in my bed sheets.  I stared down, trying to hide my guilty flush.  Voice tight, Ben reached out to cup my chin in his hand, lifting my face, "You did tell the police who attacked you, right, Elizabeth?"

"I would have, Ben, I promise, but-"

"But nothing!  Pick up that phone and call the police.  Tell them who did this!"