Teach Me How to Love Again (Sequel to Dirty Little Secret)

Chapter 53: Here's a Letter For You

*~(The title of this chapter is from Here's Your Letter by blink-182.)~*

Frank made me come to school on Monday, because this was the last week of school, and if I didn't show up, they could hold me back from graduation.

I spent the entire weekend the same way. Everyone tried to help me -- even Pete came over -- but nothing was going to work.

I didn't feel like facing Gerard, especially now that he thinks Pete and are having a child.

My mental state was terrible. I broke down in one of our classes for no reason, so our teacher let Frank escort me to the office to calm down.

He hushed me as we both signed in so the office would know we were excused for this.

The guidance counselor left her office, and she stopped when she saw me. "Whoa, what's wrong?" she asked. I had never really seen the guidance counselor. I looked up at her. She looked a bit younger than Gerard, and she had her blonde hair up in a ponytail at the top of her head. This year was her first at the school, and she hardly ever left her office, so I almost never saw her. I didn't even know her name.

"N-nothing," I said, finally answering her question.

"You're crying. Don't try that on me. Do you want to come to my office to talk about it? That's kind of what I'm here for," she said, then she knelt down slightly to my level, because I was sitting down. I noticed her tattoos. On one arm, it said "v.i.p." and on the other it said "r.i.p." I found that odd, because I didn't think Mrs. Watson ever hired tattooed employees.

Frank looked at me, then he nodded, silently telling me to go with the guidance counselor. I stood up, wiped my eyes, then I followed her into her office.

"Okay, before we get down to talking, I want to introduce myself. I'm Ms. Claret, but you can call me Chantal. Just don't tell Mrs. Watson I'm letting you use my first name, or she'll kick my ass out," she explained. "Also, don't tell Mrs. Watson I just cursed," she giggled.

I chuckled slightly. "I'm Skylar."

She reached forward, and we shook hands.

"So, Skylar, do you wanna tell me what's got you so upset? I take my 'counselor' title very seriously. I'm here to help."

"I-I can't tell you what's wrong. I'll get expelled," I explained.

"Not if Mrs. Watson never finds out. Believe me, if she knew how fucking 'unprofessional' I am, she would have never hired me. She doesn't know the only work I do is helping kids with problems. She doesn't know I let kids use my first name. She doesn't know I'd rather be a friend than an authority to these kids. She doesn't know I could have gotten so many kids expelled if I told her some shit I've witnessed, but I didn't, because I like these kids. She doesn't know I curse around students. She doesn't know I have tattoos, because I always wear long sleeves around her. She doesn't know shit, and I plan on keeping it that way."

"I-I..."

"If I tell you one of my secrets I'm keeping from Mrs. Watson, will you tell me yours?"

"Um... S-sure," I complied.

"Do you know Mr. Euringer?" she asked. I nodded. He was the guidance counselor every year before Ms. Claret got here. Now he's a sex ed teacher, and I don't know how he hasn't gotten fired yet. Don't get me wrong, he's great at getting the information across, but he's very... Vulgar about it. But, that's what works with high school students, because they always listen to him.

"Yeah, I know him," I said.

"That's my boyfriend. Plus, he recommended me to Mrs. Watson to take over his job, and he made up tons of shit to make me look qualified for the job. She doesn't allow dating between employees. If she knew, she'd fire us both," Chantal explained. "That's my secret. What's yours?"

I took a deep, nervous breath before I spoke. "Do you know Mr. Way?"

She chuckled. "Yes, I do."

"Th-that's my boyfriend. Well, ex, I guess."

"Really? Ms. Leary told me you were pregnant with Pete Wentz's baby."

I shook my head. "Nope. It's Gerard's. Pete is covering for me so nobody gets suspicious, but now Gerard even thinks it's Pete's baby."

Chantal listened intently, and she genuinely wanted to help. I was in her office for hours as I told her everything about my relationship with Gerard.

After we talked, I had to head to art class. That was the only class I could get to on time. We talked through most other classes. She's a very talkative girl.

Chantal really wanted to be my friend, and I was fine with that. She already set aside some time for me to see her again the next day.

I felt a little better now that I had told Chantal everything. She told me I should talk to him, so I was going to. I wasn't afraid.

In art class, I snuck my phone so I could send Frank a text, explaining to him that I'd need the apartment for a little bit after school if Gerard listened. That's where the talk was gonna take place. Frank must have snuck his phone in study hall too because he replied right away to tell me he was fine with that.

I spent all of art class writing a note to Gerard, because I knew he'd get mad if I said any of this out loud in class, where 'anyone could hear.' Anyone being able to hear didn't seem to bother him when we had sex in here, but whatever. I tried to think of the exact words to say in the note, but in the end I just asked him to come to my apartment at 4:30 so we could talk.

After class, I handed him the note, then I left without a word.

*~(Author's Note)~*

Sorry this chapter was pretty much just pointless filler. I just wanted to include Chantal Claret somehow, because she is my queen and I love her.