Don't You Dare Tell Anyone Mr. Stevens

Mr. Stevens You Want Me To Do What?!

First day back at school. Monday wasn't the best day for me but I made it work. After last period I waltzed into Mr. Stevens room the way I did every Monday. Creative Writing class was a bit awkward today. Good thing we didn't work in partners today. I prayed enough at mass yesterday for it too happen. I sat in front of Mr. Stevens desk with my feet elevated and against it working on geometry. "So how's our story going?" he asks.

Every Monday for an hour after school he helps me work on writing in general. But that doesn't start until the bell rings and it is officially the end of the school day.

I shrug 'It's going well" I say. I was lying I couldn't even look at my story more than a few times while we were on break those past two weeks.

He nods slowly. He takes in a deep breath to speak then rethinks it.

"You know Tess" he says and I look at him. "I have been getting a little worried about you" he says.

"I'm fine" I say. I'm lying. I'm horrible. Mom has started to look for Marcus again. I can't sleep can't eat can't think barely breathe and I fell down a flight of stairs yesterday when I got home. Mom was far from sober and was trying to grab Ben when I ran after her and slipped. Now it hurts every time I breathe there is a bruise on my cheek that I have my hair covering and a cut on my arm from where Mom aimed to slice Ben but I got in the way.

"No, you just seem different" he says and I look back at my homework.

"There are bags under your eyes, I can tell you're not working on your story. You have your hair practically covering your entire face and you are wearing the winter uniform in October" he says.

it was true. I wore the thick black stockings I use during winter to cover the bruises and scratches on my feet from when I fell. I wore the white buttoned down tie and long sleeved vest to cover my arms and as for my hair you could barely see my face.

I shrug "I'm trying emo what do you think?" I asks. HE shakes his head at me and sits up in his chair. he leans over his desk and looks at me with hands folded.

"No you're lying to me. You think I don't know when you're lying to me? I know you far too well. Trying to lie to me is like trying to convince yourself your name isn't Tess. It's impossible" he says and I say nothing.

My feet drop to the ground and I stand. "I'm going to the restroom" I say and he stands as well.

"No you're not you're just trying to avoid the conversation" he says. He reaches over the table and gently grabs my arms.

I practically scream. He is squeezing my cuts and bruises. The pain travels through my veins and poisons my mind.

"Tess what's wrong?" he asks.

"Let go. It hurts" i say. He lets go and I fall unto my chair burying my forehead in my hand.

"Mr.Stevens please i'm fine there's nothing wrong it was just an accident-" I say.

"Tess if something has happened you have to tell me so I can help you" he says and I shake my head. I can't tell him. They'll take Ben away.

"It's nothing I'm fine" i say. He shakes his head and sighs.

"Tess if there's something going on you have to tell me so I can help you. I can't help you if you refuse to be helped" he says.

"Mr.Stevens please don't say anything i'm fine" I say.

"Tess there is a bruise on the side of your face I can see it. You have been acting different there's something wrong I know it" he says.

"It's alright it was an accident" I say.