Byron's Secret (Slenderman Romance)

Chapter 47. A Glimpse of His Past

Oh, my God. I'm so glad I'm finally done teaching for today! I hate Mondays, everyone fucking hates Mondays. Good God, I feel so drained. A bunch of students at the back wouldn't pay attention to me at all and they're even disturbing the others who are actually listening. I can't wait to go home.

Lightly jogging through the nearly-empty hallway, I took my phone from my pocket and sent Dylan a quick text, saying I'm on my way home.

Finally ending up in front of the office door, I bursted inside, not caring if there's ever anybody in. Who the hell cares? They're all a bunch of unsociable jerks. Including Byron. Yeah.

But as much as I'd like to let loose, I found out I can't as soon as I stepped in. I froze and stared at the man kneeling down in front of Byron's desk.

"Principal Myers!" I quickly composed myself and greeted, "What are you－Why are－huh?" I tilt my head in confusion as he stood, holding a folder in his hands.

"Oh, Williams, hi." He smiled, "I was just getting something from Jones' desk."

". . . Am I allowed to ask why?" I unsurely mumbled, closing the door behind me.

"Of course." He chuckled, "Jones said he'll be taking a leave for a couple of days. He didn't say why, but I let him."

"Byron－He didn't say why?" I unintentionally asked even though he just told me the answer.

"Well . . . No." He shook his head before organizing the unsorted desk which Byron left earlier, "Jones is a talented professor. I'm sure he has his reasons. He wouldn't take a leave without a reason."

"And you . . ." I cryptically inquired.

"I'm filling in for him." Bruce answered, taking his glasses off, "Well, my wife's supposed to, since she's the one managing the college, but her hands are full and there's not much going on at the high school, so I volunteered for her sake."

"Oh, yeah, Mrs. Myers . . ." I awkwardly nodded. Actually, I know the college principal is his wife, but I forgot her name since I only talked to her once or twice, "Can I ask you a question?" I quickly changed the topic or else he might find out I don't know his wife's name. God.

Bruce simply raised his eyebrows, welcoming the question.

"Umm . . . He really didn't say anything? Why he's taking a break?" I repeated again. I can't help it.

"Sorry, no." He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips, "It's fine. He did this a few times back then, before you came to this town. Maybe he's just stressed and at his limit, hm?"

I averted my gaze to the ground and nodded, "Yeah . . ." I unenthusiastically agreed to his assumption, "How long, usually?"

"Last time, I think it was around a week." He nodded to himself, "If you're worried, you could contact him. I have his information if you want."

"Oh, no . . ." I shook my head as I impishly circled around him and made my way to my desk, "It's alright, I have his number." I excused. I think . . . I want to stop talking about Byron for a bit. I don't know why, but it's getting me down.

"Really?" His voice went a little high. I looked back at him to see that he's giving me a look of disbelief and amusement, "How did you get it?" He sat down on Byron's chair and opened the folder he has been holding.

"Well . . . I asked for it and he gave it to me－against his will." I whispered the last part to myself as I wondered if there's anything left for me to do.

He began scribbling on the files with a red pen as we talked, "Strange . . . That gives me the impression that you're close." He kept his eyes on the papers the whole time.