Matteo's Untouched Property (#2 UP Series)

Chapter Two

Annabelle POV

"Crap!"

I stub my toe against the doorframe and shut the door behind as I clumsily make my way downstairs. I had gotten an email about a new student possibly joining my class. My watch read 8:34 am, and I needed to make it there by at least 8:45 am to meet the parent.

Thankfully the bus isn't late and it's a smooth ride to the school.

I run inside and make my way towards my classroom.

"Hi I'm so sorry I'm l-la-" I stop as I find a small boy sitting in a chair. His black curls are everywhere as he stares up at me. He has the most gorgeous baby blue eyes. I walk up to him and bend down, getting to his eye level.

For being seven years old he's actually quite tall for his age.

"Hey honey, where's mommy and daddy?" I ask softly. The boy looks at me and his bottom lip quivers, and I realize he's about to start crying. Just as I'm about to ask what's wrong, Mr. Johnson, the principal walks in.

"Miss Bloom! The older brother sends his apologies but he had an unexpected job interview and wasn't able to meet with you." I give him a small smile and turn back to the young boy. Mr. Johnson walks up to him and motions towards the boy, whose face has become neutral once again.

"This is Vincent, he will be joining your class, he's from Italy and has quite the accent but Matthew, his big brother, had told us that he understands English perfectly." Vincent looks up at me timidly and gives me a curious look.

I wave at him and look back to Mr. Johnson.

"Any allergies? Anything I should know at all?" Mr. Johnson hesitates.

"He's shy, so just be cautious I guess."

"Got it." Mr. Johnson parts with a smile and a wave to Vincent who just stares blankly at me, but I can see the curiosity. I quickly arrange a desk for Vincent and a cubby. I turn around to look at him.

"So, this is your desk! You even get your own cubby, you can put your stuff here, did you bring anything?" I say cheerfully.

He shakes his head and goes back to picking at his nails, his behaviour different from before. The bell rings, startling Vincent who stands up, his posture defensive and scared. I cautiously walk up to him, with my hands out.

"Just the bell honey, you'll get to meet your classmates." He relaxes and sits back down, but his eyes are still alert. He's sitting in Margie's seat and if she walks in, she'll wreak havoc on Vincent. I quickly instruct him to sit in his desk just as the kids start filling the room.

"Everyone in their seat!" All the kids rush to their seats and talk amongst themselves. I clap my hands twice, they follow, I do it thrice, and they echo me again.

"Now! We have a new student! His name is Vincent, he just moved here and I want you all to make him feel welcome, understood?"

"Yes, Miss. Bloom." They all say in unison. I smile at Vincent, who's currently looking around the room as if he was in a zoo. Poor kid, he was probably homeschooled. I get the kids all set up with their crayons, and start going over the shapes.

I walk around the room to make sure every student is getting it, I make my way to Vincent who is just staring blankly into space.

"Vincent?" I whisper, his eyes pull away from the empty chalkboard to mine.

"Let's try drawing a square?"

"It is pointless." He says in heavy accent, I'm caught off guard since this the first time he had spoken to me.