Safety Within Mr. Payne (Teacher/Student Liam Payne)

Chapter Six

Sick; that is what I am. I'm going insane. I have no some sort of aid to help me cope at all. I need something. The only thing I can think about is the burning blocked view of my pencil sharpener that is placed inside my backpack. I stare in the review mirror as my backpack innocently sits in the middle of the car as I remain in the passengers seat.

For now, I wait in the car that is owned by Jennifer. Numb fingers that belong to me skim through my locks of hair and straight against my scalp. As I rest my elbows onto my knees and lean into a hunch, my hands automatically fist my hair. I exhale in hopes the wasteful exhaust of the pain will blow out. It keeps it vented for a second that's split in half; then returns back to where it belongs.

That feeling with the skipping drag motion came back again. This week has felt that way. It was strange coming into the presence of Mr. Payne again after his sudden unexpected offer. He only smiled and waved whenever we saw each other. As if nothing had ever happened. I'm not sure what was going through his mind to be honest, but it made me feel more calm about it.

As I rest my cheek against the plastic rim of the window, I stare up to the grey and white mixes of the thickly clouded sky. My eyes flick to the active doorway to see Jennifer coming out of the foster home. I stretch back to push my backpack further away from me until it presses up against one of the car doors. I sigh in stress and settle in my seat once again.

Jennifer walks around the trunk of the car. When she opens the driver's door in one impatiently expressed yank, it breaks the fragile content silence that was once contained in this safe area. She sits down, buckles herself into her seat, and twists the key into the ignition causing a solid moan of the engine to erupt.

Before driving onto the paved road, she turns her face towards me and smiles with successful hope. I grin back in reply.

Once she begins to drive, it's a silent and calm ride; until she begins talking.

"How are you today?" Jennifer asks flicking her head once towards me.

"I'm feeling alright. How are you today, Jennifer?" I say.

"I'm doing well. I'm just so relieved we found you a home. I thought it would have been a lot harder." Jennifer says. "Well, I mean-- I didn't mean that in a bad way. It's usually difficult for most."

"I didn't really think anything of it. I know what you mean though." I admit shrugging.

"Okay, good." Jennifer says.

There is a couple moments of silence before she speaks again.

"How has Mr. Payne been treating you this week?"

"He's been treating me nicely." I say. "Just as casual as any other class I've attended in gym."

I felt like my control was unaware of a cliff under the feet of my emotions. My thoughts came along thinking she was going to disturb me again with her meaningless lecture about her strange distrust about Mr. Payne. I kept breathing normally and letting the weird hint of irritation float away.