Her Fragile Heart

Chapter 7

                  

I was startled by dad when he looked like he was waiting for me and curious about who I was with and why I'm late.

"I...uhmm ..it was just my teacher. I had detention in his class and he asked if I had a ride and when I said no he drove me home." I clarified as I dropped my bag near the doorway.

"Hmm..Who is he? Do I know him? What's his name? What does he teach? Why did you have detention? What did you do? Did you get a bad grade? You didn't do your homework? Were you talking in cla-...?" He was ranting and throwing questions my way until I cut him off.

"Dad, dad. Oh my god. Wait I can't catch up with you. First, he teaches calculus and he's going to teach us for the rest of the year instead of uncle ." my voice lowered by now and I quieted down when mentioning my uncle.

"And his name is Andrew Henderson , he's the one that helped me in the hospital. Don't you remember him? Anyways, I got a detention because I was talking to Brooke in class and I wouldn't shut up." I explained myself walking into the living room and sitting down on the couch.

Dad exhaled through his nose and looked up at me.

"Yeah, I remember him. How old is he again?" He asked leaning back on the armchair he was sitting on across from me.

"24." I squeaked.

His face was blank.

"How is he a teacher then?"

"He's not..." I replied in a whisper, but seems like he heard me because of the way he rubbed his face with both of his hands.

"You said he's your teacher. Are you lying to me Elizabeth?" He asked worriedly rather than angrily.

"No, I swear daddy. But he's still studying engineering and because our principle knows him , he hired him for this year only." By now I went to where he sat, leaned down, and hugged him.

I stood up and made my way back to the couch and lied down.

"Hmm..okay, we'll see about that. How was your day apart from this. Did you feel tired? Did your heart hurt? Did you check up at the nurse's office?"

"My day was good, and I didn't feel tired at all today. I'm just feeling sleepy right now. Plus, my heart was fine today, that's why I didn't go to the clinic in school." I told him my voice lowering because of how sleepy I felt.

"Rest up a bit, but first, what do you want to have for dinner?"

"Anything is fine, dad. Thank you." My eyes were drooping , the only thing I felt is dad kissing my forehead before I fell into dreamless sleep.

**************

I woke up with a blanket draped over me. I felt tired for no apparent reason. I guess the lack of sleep the last two weeks has taken a toll on me.

Sitting up, I stretched, removed the blanket, and folded it. Then realized that there was a nice smell of heavenly food when my stomach growled.

I walked into the kitchen and saw dad preparing the kitchen table. I cleared my throat to show him that I'm there.

He looked up and smiled saying: "How was your nap?"

"Good."

"Come on. Wash up, I made dinner." He said turning around and taking out some utensils and placing them on the table.

"What did you make? Tell me, please."

"No, the sooner you change and come here to eat, the sooner you know."

" Aww..." I whined on my way to the bathroom connected to my room.

I rushed, so I can go back and eat as fast as possible because I am starving.

After going down and filling my tummy with the much needed food, I put the dishes in the dishwasher, grabbed my bag, and went up to my room again to start studying and doing my homework.

I was writing my English essay when my phone rang.

I even forgot about it, but found it in my bag.

The caller ID showed: "BROOKE BABE."

I answered directly and greeted her with a "Hello."

"Hey Liz. How are you?"

"I'm great. How 'bout you?" I replied.

"I'm fine. I called you but you didn't answer."

"Seriously? Wait...oh yeah, there is a missed call from you, sorry. But you know that I had a detention and I was late so Mr. Henderson drove me home, then dad freaked out about who I was with. We talked about everything, I took a nap and had dinner. Now I'm writing the essay for English class." I summarized what happened.

"WOW. Did he hit on you? Did he flirt with you? Was the ride awkward or comfortable? Tell me. Tell me. Spill, come on." She asked and demanded answers excitedly.

"What's wrong with people ranting today? And no, nothing happened between us. We just talked and I was comfortable. That's it. Don't get TOO excited , he's my teacher. Our teacher, Brooke."

"Aww..just admit it. Don't you find him hot?"

"Well ..yeah he is pretty handsome." I confessed blushing.

"Ha..I gotcha. I knew it, I swear. He was your knight in shining armor anyways. So it makes sense." She said.

I was confused.

"What? What do you mean?"

"He carried you when you fainted. He looked so worried although he didn't know what was wrong with you." She clarified.

"Seriously? Uhmm..it's fine, I guess. I just probably looked so pale, so he thought my heart stopped or something. There is nothing between us and I repeat he is my TEACHER."

"Eh.. whatever makes you sleep at night, although I think he is the one who helps you do that."

"BROOKLYN!!!" I yelled.

"Okay, okay. Calm down woman. I'll stop talking about this, for now."

"Wait what?..Ughh...OK , fine. I'll go back to my essay, and I will see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya."

"Bye."

I hung up and went back to studying.

I finished and decided to call it an early night.

"Dad I'm going to sleep. Good night." I called out from my room.

"Okay. Sweet dreams."