Me, My Teacher and Lies

Chapter 18

SORRY ITS TAKEN SO LONG!

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In the end I ignored Mr Greyson’s note like I’d planned to and I’m not going to lie and say it was easy because it wasn’t; he looks so drawn lately, so tired and miserable and the more I thought about him the harder it got to stay put in my seat through that lunch.

The week went pretty fast and Mr Greyson made no other attempts to talk to me which I was grateful for even though it made me think about him more than I should; I’d wonder if he’d finally given up on whatever it is he was so desperate to talk to me about... no it’s a good thing I didn’t go especially remembering what nearly happened the last time we were alone together.

Anyway like I said the week has gone super fast – tomorrow night is the dance which surprisingly I’m looking forward to.

When I pulled up into school and parked I looked towards the building and saw Mark leant up against a wall waiting for me and a group of not so subtle Juniors checking him out and giggling to each other when he caught them looking – I’m not even sure if he minded but I know Sam would love that kind of attention – not that he doesn’t get plenty.

I hopped out of the car – locking it – and walked over to Mark.

“Morning” he greeted holding out a crooked arm to slip mine through, which I did.

“Hey, you alright”?

“Sure you”?

My eyebrows furrowed “What kind of answer is that? Sure”?

He rolled his eyes at me. “Hey Claire you know I can’t drive right”?

I nodded “Right”.

“Well you’ve got two choices tomorrow night - either come pick me up or my brother will take us with him – he’s a chaperone” I stared in horror and Mark was nodding now agreeing with the horror even though he had no idea why I was so worried.

“I’ll come get you”.

“I was hoping you’d say that, what time”?

I shrugged “The dance starts at seven and with where you live... I guess a quarter to”?

He shook his head at me like I was missing something here “Fashionably late Claire – I’m not getting there on time”.

“Are you serious”? I didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.

“Of course I’m serious”.

“I’ll pick you up when I said and we’ll go for a drive or something” because I’m so not staying in the house with my mother any longer than I have to today or tomorrow – I’ve been feeling her tension build and for the last couple nights she’s forgotten about Freddie and come looking for me instead, I know she wants to hit me but I’ve kind of numbed myself to it, as long as Freddie is safe then I’ll be fine and besides Grandpa’s taking care of Freddie tomorrow for me.

“Why do you want to leave so early”? He asked suspicious all of the sudden.

“Traffic”.

“Traffic? Are you insane? I’m not buying I’ve never got stuck in traffic here”.

“That’s cos you can’t drive” I laughed rubbing it in.

“Tell me Claire, come on I know you, you can trust me” I looked down at my feet not wanting to meet his knowing eyes, when I felt his hands squeeze my upper arms softly.