Checkmate, Ma Lionne

Chapter One.

"... two weeks left until summer vacation so you know what that means. Locker clean-out, textbook turn ins, Olympic day, et cetera. I don't want you guys to get too distracted and I don't want you to forget what we've learned this year. I also don't want to be that one teacher who's so mean and assigns summer work, but next year you'll be taking a much more vigorous course and I don't want you going in blind. This packet allows you to do a page a week. You will be tested on the material the second week after school starts. It's also on the school website so I don't want any, 'I lost it' business. The test will be your first grade of the new year so don't screw it up because you don't want to do some math once a week. With that said, you can all head to your lockers for the next class."

I had given that speech six times today. 

The kids who weren't grumpy because of the packets on their desks, were all chattering away on the way out of the room. Today was a half day like most of the days this week. Seventh graders were tiring. Too much angst to be a pre-teen and too dull to be a teenager. I missed sixth graders.

I stashed the rest of the packets in my desk for the students who were absent today. I just wanted to go home. 

I placed all the chairs on top of the desks for the janitors, scowling at the pieces of paper on the floor. I closed the windows and made sure everything was together. 

Once I was sure all this crap was done, I grabbed my bag and left the room, locking the door after myself. I put on my tiresome smile for all my co-workers as I left the building.

It was torture walking home in this heat but my car was at the shop for the moment an I couldn't afford the bus and bills with a teacher's salary. 

On days like this, I took a short-cut home, despite how creepy it was. I traded my heels for flats as soon as I left the school building and unbuttoned my dress shirt as much as was legally possible. It was still so hot.

My glasses were persistent on sliding down the bridge of my nose, requiring me to push them up every couple minutes. I stopped for a bit, my feet tired and me too hot to even stand. I would have stayed at school longer if it meant air conditioning. 

"Hello."

I jumped, looking up and realizing I had sat down on someone's front steps. I stood up quickly and grabbed my bag. 

"Were you waiting for someone?" the man asked. Most of his face was shadowed by the umbrella he was holding over himself. What douchebag uses umbrellas during the summers? Those who don't want a heatstroke. I answered my own question.

"N...no. I'm sorry, I was just resting for a bit. Your steps had a bit of shade, I hope you don't mind." I said, trying to see as much of him as I could without being creepy. His hand reached out towards my chest and I opened my mouth to yell at him before realizing he had grabbed my name tag.

"Mrs. Wilson." He said, handing it back to me.

I clipped it back to my shirt. "Please, Nicole."

"I was worried you were police for a second."

"Oh?"

"They don't come around here often. If they had, it meant there was something dangerous in the neighbourhood. Thank goodness you're not. I've never seen you around here before? Just moved in?"

"No. I'm just using this as a shortcut because my car's not working."

His umbrella tilted back a bit, revealing a sinister grin.

"Would you like to come in for a bit? Cool off?"

"I'm... good." I said, distracted. "You never told me who you were."

"Just a gentleman. You can call me Daniel. You sure you wouldn't like a glass of lemonade or something? I wouldn't want you to get a heat stroke."

"I really am fine. I should get going now, I have to... grade some papers."

"Oh? Isn't school ending in only about two weeks?"

"I run a very strict classroom, you know? Gotta keep those brains active." I lied, sidestepping him awkwardly. "I gotta head home now... Marcus. It's been a pleasure meeting you."

"The pleasure is mine." 

I started walking away, his grin staining my mind. His strong hand gripped my arm. My eyes widened and my heart quickened. I turned around quickly to see his full face. My eyes skimmed over his handsome features, landing on his sickening smile. He leaned to whisper in my ear.

"Don't come here again, Nicole." he whispered menacingly. "I won't be as nice." 

I nodded quickly as he let go of my arm and bolted. 

I waited until I was far away enough to catch my breath. I looked down at the arm he had grabbed, it was red with his large hand print. I was too scared to realize he had grabbed me so harshly. That man had a strong grip. Daniel had a strong grip - if that was even his name.

God knows I'm never going back there again.