Storm Clouds

Chapter Three

I looked around the classroom nervously. No calculus work, no passing, I thought as the teacher, Ms. Lancaster told us to take out our homework. I could only imagine what she'd make me do, once she sees that the paper is in the same condition it was when it was given to me - blank. She reached my desk with one hand filled with papers and the other outstretched for mine. I glanced up nervously at her as I handed her the paper. She looked at the paper and then back at me.

"Is this some kind of a joke, Ms. Jones?" I gave a nervous smile, which caused my cheek to hurt, as it was still slightly swollen and bruised. She handed it back from me and looked at my appearance. I had woken up late this morning and I only had time to brush my teeth and grab a breakfast bar. I had woken Connie up and told her I was leaving before rushing out the door. In other words, my bruises shone brightly and the clothes I had on yesterday were stained with blood.

"Speak to me after class," she said still staring. I nodded and she walked to the desk behind me. "Ah," she said out of the blue. "You must be the new student. I didn't see you amongst the familiar faces!"

A new student? I had never noticed her. I turn around to see a pale, blonde, attractive girl sitting behind me. She looked familiar, but I don't think I met her before. I put my head on the desk, attempting to rest a little. I would need it, for all the stress and heartache I had been going through.

"Students, we have a new student today. Her name is- I'm sorry, I didn't get your name. Would you like to tell us?", Mrs. Lancaster began.

"I'm Chrystal Radwell," the girl said meekly. It was then that I knew who she was. I quickly took out my phone, finding the image that Kellin had sent me the day he told me of Chrystal; she was Kellin's other girlfriend, the one who had his baby! The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I scowled. Great, I thought turning back around in my seat. Just what I needed to make my life even more unbearable. This world must really hate me. My breakfast bar was at my throat, ready to come back up. This time it wasn't morning sickness, it was the terror of Chrystal's presence, and all that was happening to me. Luckily, I was able to keep it down, but that couldn't stop the tears. I struggled to hold them down, so I had to look down when the stray tear rolled onto the desk. The class was almost over but that gave me no hope. With Chrystal here, my life was going to be more of a living hell than it already was. I took a quick glance at Chrystal who was on her phone texting. Probably Kellin, I thought bitterly. When the bell rang for class transition, my stomach flopped again. I have to deal with her, I thought looking at Ms. Lancaster. Who know what she'll think when she sees my clothes. I slowly got up and approached her desk.

"Um, Mrs. Lancaster?" I said, the fear clear in my voice. "You wanted to speak with me?" She looked up from the papers she'd been grading since the end of class and pushed her old lady glasses farther up her nose. Mrs. Lancaster was a petit, 50 year old woman with lime green eyes that always had her Oreo hair pulled back in a tight and beat bun. She always wore a suit, and though she gave off the the 'sweet grandmother' vibe, Mrs. Lancaster was not to be fooled around with.

"Yes. Have a seat, dear." She looked me up and down. "You aren't in the best of conditions to stay on your feet." I sat down at a desk in the front row. She stood up and walked over to a desk next to me. "Now, Mallory," she began as she adjusted herself. "I may be the scary teacher in the math wing, but I do care for my students." I snorted in my mind. "And what you handed in today was not a Mallory I wanted to know. The Mallory I know, hands in her homework on time and completed to the best of her ability." She scooted the chair closer to me. "Is there anything going on at home? This may be the first time you've missed a homework assignment, but it most certainly isn't the first time you've come to school in this condition," she said gesturing to my bruises. I contemplated on telling her the reasons for the bruises. They might take us away, I thought gleefully. But then Connie ran through my mind. They could take her away from me.

"I got robbed the other day," I said lying breezily. Mrs. Lancaster's mouth dropped open. "It's fine," I said easing the thoughts running through her mind. "They only managed to get two dollars." She smiled nervously and patted my hand that was casually on the desk.

"Well," she said looking into my eyes. I involuntarily shivered. She may have proved her nice side to me, but that wasn't going to change my opinion on her green, snake-like eyes. "You can always come to me if you feel the need to talk to someone. Like I said before, I really do care about my students." I nodded with the smallest smile I could manage and stood up. The bell rang signaling I was late for my next class. I picked up my bag and Mrs. Lancaster handed me a pass.

"Good luck with those bruises and that child of yours, Mallory." I stopped in my tracks.

"Is it that visible?" She nodded and smiled and walked out the room.

Maybe there was hope. I had lied to my teacher, and now she knew for sure that I was pregnant, but at least she was willing to help me out, and that's all I really needed now. I continued walking down the hall. Yeah, there is still hope.

Hey lovely people, this is cutie. Chunky and I are quite sorry for not posting every Monday like we promised. We have been real busy with school and all so bear with us. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! By the way, how many of you wish Mrs. Lancaster was your teacher? I kinda do. Comment and let us know what you think of her. We'll be happy to know.