Death of the Perfect Girl

49- The Naive

Sadie knocked on Mr. Pearce's classroom door. Her heart vibrated her fingers as they wrapped around the door knob. She opened the door and walked in.

Pearce sat at his desk with a book in his hand. He turned to her. "Sadie."

She made the saddest face she could, and walked over to his desk. "I'm sorry," she giggled then frowned. "I know I don't usually come by around this time. But I feel like I needed to."

"What is it?" Pearce sat straight.

"I'm throwing this party next week and...," she put the envelope on his desk.

He sighed then he turned away. "Sadie, you had me worried. You know I can't come to your party. We're not even suppose to talk the way we do. You're supposed to go to the guidance counselor-"

"I've gone before. You know that. She doesn't comfort me. She just nods and asks me questions. You hug me and listen...and you actually talk to me. I just wanted you to come by-"

"I can't-"

"It's not many people. Just a few. About thirty people."

"Thirty students."

Sadie frowned. "I can make it a smaller group-"

"I wouldn't come regardless."

Sadie glared at him, then she began to cry.

Pearce frowned. "Sadie, don't cry."

She wept harder. "I just...I thought you would ignore the rules like you always do."

"I don't ignore the rules. I only talk to you because you need it-"

"Well, I need this. I need you there. You make me, like... not want to do bad things to people."

"I shouldn't be your reason to be a good person, Sadie. Love should. God should."

Sadie rolled her eyes then she covered her eyes so he wouldn't notice.

Pearce shook his head. "I've got a class coming in fifteen. There are already rumors spreading around that we're some kind of forbidden couple. If they come in here and see you crying they'll make assumptions. We don't want that to happen. Now do we?"

"Yes." "No," Sadie wiped her cheeks.

"Then you need to stop this. You can come back during lunch-"

"I won't. Charlotte will get suspensious... I've invited everyone I dislike because I'm trying to change. I'm trying to make a truce... You know, forgive everyone...for God," Sadie lied.

Pearce's face lit up. "That's... That's good. How do you plan on doing that at your party?"

"I don't know. That's why I want you there for support. You're a family friend. My dad knows you and your family. If you come to the party I'll let the others know. Please...come for me."

Pearce stared at her. "We'll see."

Sadie smiled. "Thank you. You won't regret it." She walked over to the door.

"Sadie."

She looked back at him.

"Don't say you'll do something and then change your mind when you get an opportunity to. You do that often."

She nodded. "I promise. Not this time." Sadie walked out of the classroom. She took a deep breath remembering the first time they spoke.

*  *  *

Two years back

Poppy sat on her couch watching t.v. on a Saturday. Her father stood in the kitchen trying to cook them something to eat.

The doorbell rang.

"Sadie-"

"I know, dad," she dropped the remote and stood, walking over to the front door. She stood on her toes and looked into the peep hole. "It's two men. One old guy and...," she stared at the other one. "Mr. Pearce?"

"They're church people. Don't answer it. Let them ring."

Sadie stared through the hole at her teacher. He was at her door. She always, like the other girls at her school, thought he was attractive. She had to open the door. She quickly opened it.

"Sadie," her dad sighed.

"Hi," one of the men smiled," we're-"

"Sadie?" Pearce furrowed his brows and smiled at her.

"Hi, Mr. Pearce," Sadie blushed and shrugged.

"Dad, this is one of my students."

"Hi," the man nodded. "Can we come in?"

Sadie looked at her dad. He stood peeping from the kitchen. "It's Mr. Pearce and his dad." She looked at Pearce and smiled. "They can come in."