Teaching Jenny (student/teacher)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Recap:

A tap on his shoulder caused him to turn, his eyes instantly widening when he saw the smaller man in front of him. By the time I realised who it was, it was too late, his eyes had already landed on me.

Principle Williams.

----------------------------------

Panic shot through my body as I desperately tried to come up with an excuse as to why I was out on a Saturday with a teacher. All my thoughts tangled together making no one idea comprehendible. All I could think was run, but I knew that wasn't a good solution.

"Morning Ben," Principle Williams said, smiling at Ben but still showing an air of confusion. His eyebrows were raised and pulled together and his eyes kept flicking between the two of us.

"Brian," Ben nodded with an easy smile. I knew he was trying to act as if nothing was wrong but I could see the fear in his eyes. He had no excuse either.

"So how come you two...." However his sentence was cut short by Laura jumping into the picture. Her face was slightly flustered, a couple of shopping bags hanging from her wrists.

"Oh thanks Ben for keeping Jenny company," Laura cried as she stood between the two of us. "Oh sorry to interrupt!" Laura said now addressing Principe Williams. "I'm Laura, Ben's sister," she carefully introduced herself, emphasising her relation to Ben.

"Hi, I'm Brian, Ben's boss," Principle Williams said with a smile but was still clearly very confused.

"Oh so you know both Ben and Jenny then," Laura said as if everything was clear. Principle Williams face was still the picture of confusion.

"Yeah," he said drawing out the word, emphasising the expression on his face.

"Well thank you Ben for looking after Jenny while I went and picked up my phone," Laura continued as if not noticing the principles confusion. Now addressing the principle she continued, "You'll never believed what happened. Jenny and I were shopping and I left my phone in one of the stores. I've been running around for the last ten minutes trying to find it." She lied smoothly. "Luckily someone had given it into lost and found. Ben was kind enough to keep Jenny company for me," Laura finished as if it was no big deal.

I felt the panic drain from my body as I realised what Laura had just done. Ben shoulders visible dropped as the tension was released from his muscles. Principle Williams still looking a little dubious turned to Laura once again.

"So you know Jenny then?" He clarified, as his eyes flickered to me. I try to keep my face neutral even though I felt like I was in the middle of a police interrogation.

"Yeah, we're pretty good friends we met at the beginning of the summer. I couldn't believe it when she told me Ben had started teaching at her school, what a small world," Laura said with a small laugh. The principles face began to relax and I hoped that all his questions were answered.

"Do you see Ben, I mean Mr Jones much outside of school?" Principle Williams suddenly asked, turning all attention onto me. I gulped as I realised it was my turn to lie. However, Laura once again came to my rescue, obviously sensing my nerves.

"Of course not! I wouldn't make her spend time with her teacher, that would just be awkward," she explained. Her eyes widened as she stared shocked at Mr Williams like his question was completely stupid. I never knew Laura was such a good actor till this moment.

"I guess so," Principle Williams said with a laugh like he was realising that it was actually a pretty stupid question.

"I guess I'll see you two on Monday," he continued nodding towards Ben and I. "And it was nice to meet you," he smiled as he looked over a Laura. With one last look at Ben and I he nodded again before wondering back down the street and disappearing into the crowd. Letting out an audible sigh I felt all the stress flood from my body.