Isaac and Liam

Chapter 8

Zac

Simon sped past me as he rushed to class. He tried to grab my hand to make me hurry. I didn't care to be honest. I had been warned by our Class Teacher that one more tardy and it would be on my permanent record.

As I walked in, roll call was almost complete.

"Mr. Hawthorne. Late again." I had a choice remark on my tongue but I didn't dare. It wasn't worth the hassle. I knew I was getting detention anyway.

"As I was about to say, Ms. Grey is recovering from her hernia surgery, we should keep her in our prayers and if they are any students who want to visit her in hospital they should come to the office so we can organise something.

We have a new substitute teacher Mr. Liam Hopkins who will be taking over her classes until she is back on her feet. Please give him a warm welcome." I felt my blood go cold. The books I had, slipped from my hands. Of all places he had to work, did it have to be here?

Our Class Teacher stepped forward and I saw Liam who had been hidden from my view by the huge giant our CT was. He was just as shocked as I was, as our eyes met. I didn't miss the tremor in his hand as he dropped the pens he was holding.

Shit. Shit. My life was getting from bad to worse.

"Isaac!!!! Pick up your books and sit down," bellowed our CT as he stepped over my books and left the class.

I had been in his bed just this morning and had spent the night with him. Why hadn't he said anything to me about this job. I would have begged him not to take it. I knew why. We barely talked like we used to. We used to talk for hours on end but right now we were struggling.

As I looked at him unable to move, I knew, I just knew we were over. This would be the excuse he would use to leave me. I wanted to cry, yell, something to beg him to leave. I couldn't. I wouldn't. I shouldn't.

"Isaac, please pick up your books and take a seat. We need to begin the lesson." Somehow, his voice cut through the muddle that was my brain and I did as he asked.

What struck me was just how professional he was in the class as he went on about the lesson. How could he pretend to not know who I was?

Then again I shouldn't be surprised at just how good he was at hiding what he was thinking and feeling. He had done that to me for months. I was dying to talk to him.

Why did we have to have a double period today of all days? The time couldn't pass fast enough for me. The siren rang and all students noisily left for lunch. Simon tried to hurry me along but i took my time and asked him to hold a place for me in the cafeteria.

"Isaac, a word please before you leave." They were 3 girls who were clearly fangirling around him. I shouldn't be surprised at this attention he was getting. He was really handsome and he always got admiring looks from everywhere. Did he have to smile so damn much to them?

I lingered as he bade the girls goodbye and they reluctantly left him giggling pretty loudly in their wake.

"Isaac." He said barely a whisper. His eyes were darting around to make sure no one would eavesdrop.

"We've got a lot to discuss. Later. Will be home by 7." He hastily picked up his tablet and walked away leaving me confused and alone.

I didn't care who would see, I broke down and cried. We were over and there was nothing I could say to him that would change his mind. School would become one other place I hated to be.

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I sat on the fire escape as I watched him cook and singing to those damned 90's ballads. How could he be in such a good mood when I was dying here ready to break something just like my heart?