Alone || cth

one

mallory

My eyes gazed at the ticking clock hanging on the wall, occasionally switching to check on the small child sat in the wooden desk in front of me. His eyes showed clear disappointment as he sat, waiting longer and longer. I wasn't sure if he was upset for getting in trouble or because his parents weren't here. My fingers tapped against my own desk as I grew more and more impatient. I guess the boy sensed it, his eyes looked up at mine and his posture readjusted.

"He's gunna come" he assured me, nodding his head.

"I sure hope so Noah" I smiled, trying not to be upset at him. His father had called the office informing you he would be running late to pick him up, but who knew 30 minutes later he still wouldn't be there.

I had grew tired of sitting at the desk and waiting so I stood, trying to clean up the classroom from today's lessons and set up for tomorrow's. Noah just sat in his seat, his eyes wandering to watch what I was doing. He was a good kid when he wanted to be. He didn't seem to like the others though. He'd often sit alone at lunch or recess, drawing in his notebook or kicking the sand around.

I heard the door click shut and I quickly stood from my kneeling position, finally able to get this talk over with and go home. A man who I had assumed to be his father stood tall over the boy's desk, a shadow casting over him before he knelt down  to get eye level with him.

"You must be Mr. Hood" I smiled, reaching my arm out to shake his hand. He nodded, taking my hand in his and awkwardly smiling.

"Calum" his voice hushed, causing him to clear his throat "You can call me Calum". You could tell just by looking at him he was a mess. His deep black hair disheveled and , dark circles under his warm brown eyes, and the obviously forced smile he curled onto his lips. It was a shame too, he was obviously very attractive and I'm sure anyone with eyes could agree.

"I'm really sorry about all this" he reached to his son, pulling him up into his arms and grabbing his backpack with the other. They were nearly identical, like you had just taken Calum and shrunk him down and added a few features that I'm sure he'd gotten from his mother. The only real standout difference was Noah's bright blue eyes. 

"I got caught up in work stuff and my deadlines and I had just totally spaced" he ushered "Not to mention traffic around this time is complete shi-" he stopped his rambling before the harsh curse left his lips, thankfully Noah was none the wiser.

"Trust me it's not a problem" I smiled back "He's an angel, one of my best students" I praised, Noah raising his head from his father's shoulder and smiling to me. Noah was in fact the best in the class. He always listened during lectures and completed his homework on time. A literal perfect student.

"I'm glad to hear that" Calum spoke again, his voice very low again. Noah sat proudly on his dad's side, a wide smile on his face as Calum patted his back.

"He does need to work on social skills though" I explained. "He doesn't much like to play with the others even when they ask."

Calum seemed somewhat upset or surprised at this news. By looking at the kid you would think he'd be the most friendly, not the one in the corner alone. His wide smile could trick you but you'd always find him sitting on a swing by himself or on the farthest lunch table in the back of the cafeteria.

"Noah buddy whats wrong don't you wanna play with all the others?" Calum directed his attention to his son, his face showing clear concern.

Noah just shook his head burying his face back into his father's shoulder. He sniffled one last time before pulling his head up, his arms covering his face as he spoke, "Daddy says being alone is better".

Those words caused Calum's eyes to widen, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to speak but no words left his lips.

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A.N.

new story new story!!!

I've been wanting to write this for a bit now but I never really knew what I wanted to do with it but here it is so I hope you like it :)

love you all 

-lauren