More than a student (Supercorp)

Five

A week passes after our breakup. Alex returned home a few days after she was supposed to, but I don't hold her to it. However, I haven't mentioned a single thing to her and it's killing me. She's been holding this sort of intoxicating glow about her since her arrival and I haven't been able to bring myself to dampen her mood.

I haven't managed to speak to Winn about it either. He keeps checking up on me but for some reason, dismissing my feelings is easier than expressing them, so I haven't told him. I think Mike knows that I found out, I haven't seen him around once.

"Is it okay if we talk?" It's the end of class, the period before lunch. After a mental battle between my emotions trying to escape and myself trying to suppress them, I finally cracked. I couldn't contain it any longer.

Miss Luthor's chin lifts up from her laptop, a subtle smile spreading across her lips as I approach closer to her desk, "of course."

The strangest yet pleasant warmth tugs at my heart as I become laden with trust for her. I don't understand what's so special about her, but the more I keep thinking of telling someone, Alex or Winn, her name keeps appearing in my head instead. For some reason I'm aching to tell someone, but she's the only one who seems appealing to tell.

The only reason I keep cycling back to is the fact that she was close with Alex, but then why do I not want to tell Alex? Caring, warm, green eyes-no- her eyes meet mine and suddenly my heart has steadied to an easier pace.

"What's wrong?" She asks patiently, clicking presumably the 'save' button on her laptop before she offers me her entire attention.

"Well," I start, wondering now if it's still a good idea to tell her or not; why would she care about my problems?

She just intently stares at me, as if encouraging me to carry on. I can't do this, especially since she's staring at me with those softening eyes, which almost reminds me of kryptonite in a weird way. I try to fathom the reason why they do; kryptonite is supposed to be a bad thing, but her eyes are so captivating.

"Kara?"

Oh, she noticed me staring. Or maybe she didn't? No, she definitely did.

I gulp, feeling my face heat up rapidly. I quickly avert my gaze away from her, to the back of her laptop where the large Apple sign shines.

"Yeah?" The crack in my voice certainly wasn't supposed to happen, nor was the unsureness the one syllable holds.

I look to the floor. She makes me feel weak and I don't even know why or how or why. She's literally just my science teacher trying to help me out with my emotional baggage that came along with breaking up with this idiot I stupidly liked (past tense).

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Her voice is so sweet, it's almost laughable that I somehow hated her at first.

My eyes shoot up at this and catch her curious gaze staring right back at me. "Oh yeah, um," she nods at me encouragingly, "do you know Mike?"

I look at her hopefully, fidgeting with my sweating palms.

"Matthews?" I nod briefly, confirming her thoughts, "I've covered a few of his lessons, yeah."

I nod to myself nervously, exhaling deeply. "We used to date," I inform her, chewing on the inside of my cheek, "until last week."

As soon as those words leave my mouth, I sense Miss Luthor look disheartened. Why? I have no idea. She's probably just upset for me, or processing if that's the reason why I'm upset, or was last week, anyway.

"He cheated on me," I tell her as if it were the easiest thing in the world, "and then lied about it, so I ended things."

Her brows furrow deeply, disgust flushing over her face.

I decide to continue as I can almost hear the clogs whirling in her mind. "He kept cancelling our dates," I explain, "and then one day, last week, he told me about one of our dates, only, I was never invited, he said he had messaged the wrong person.

"Maybe I was being irrational, and ended things too soon, maybe I should have waited for him to explain himself, but I don't regret it. He hasn't tried to contact me once since. Am I really that stupid? Am I really that worthless?"

"No," she states as if it's the most sure she's ever been. She rests her hand on top of mine, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. "Don't ever say that, no one deserves to be treated like that, especially not you. You are so smart, Kara."

Her hands are so soft.

I look up at Miss Luthor who expressed a mixture of sorrow and sympathy. She starts rubbing the back of my hand gently in soothing motions.

I can't bring myself to talk any more, feeling weak again, the effects of kryptonite. A singular tear rolls down my cheek - why am I making myself so vulnerable in front of a teacher again?

"It will be alright," she reassures me, "like you said, it was the right decision."

I offer her a weak smile in appreciation, frustrated as more tears seem to fall.