STUCK

Chapter 10

"Yeah, we've been dating for half a year now" Mr. Smith says with a smug look an his face.

Its already the end of the day and I'm grading worksheets as Mr. Smith blabs on about his love life. He was currently dating a lady that he met through a online dating website. He told us how in love he was with her and it was sweet to watch his eyes light up as he spoke about her.

"That's nice," I say giving him a smile. "Yeah, I think she's my soul mate, I can't stand being without her. I think about her all day," he says this with a goofy lovesick smile," if she were the sun I am the earth. I revolve around her because she is my star that makes me feel happy, safe, and loved. Her beauty exceeds all-" Nathan cuts him off with a loud cough.

"I get it Nathaniel! You're jealous of, my fair maiden" Mr. Smith teases and gets back to work. Mr. Smith did have a way with his words, no wonder he was an English teacher.

"Soulmate?" I question Mr.Smith. "Soulmate! She's my soulmate, the one I was destined to be with since I was born!" he explains stirred up once again.

"How are you so sure?" I ask raising my eyebrow.

"When I'm not with her, I want to be. When I am with her, I want to stay. She makes my heart jump around in my chest without any warning. She is easy to talk to and I'm always happy when I'm with her. She completes me" he says in one breath. 

How can he be so mushy and love struck? He had no filter and I felt my cheeks warm slightly. "You see you're blushing, you must have someone like that too?" he teases.

Mr. Smith and Nathan peer at me waiting for me to reply. Soulmate? I don't think I have one. Did I already meet them? No, someone like that doesn't exist for me. If they did I pity them, how unlucky can they be?

I glance at Nathan and his chocolate brown eyes were on me. His lips were pink slightly ajar, his facial expression was soft. His beauty at this moment was undeniable. He had broad shoulders and was quite built but not in an overwhelming way. Wait! Am I checking Nathan out?

I feel my face burn up and my heart speed up, "You do have someone!Cute" Mr. Smith teases as I tap my chest controlling my heart. Calm down heart! You're no under attack or in any danger!

"We should be working" Nathan says reminding Mr. Smith of something. "Rachel, that reminds me can you go to the front office and pick up some copies I made, oh also go to my teacher mailbox and bring the report cards. Pretty please" he says putting his hands together. 

"Sure-" "Her arm is broken, I'll do it" Nathan says cutting me off. "Oh yeah, you jacked up your arm" Mr. Smith says in an oblivious voice. I mentally roll my eyes at how childish he was, "I can still do it" I interject but Nathan frowns slightly. "You can't do it by yourself."

"Then both of you go, I don't care," Mr. Smith says, typing on his phone waving his hand at us.

Nathan and I walk out and towards the front office. "You get the copies and I'll get the report cards" I say as we enter the office, he hums in response and we head our separate ways.

I scan all the shelves looking for Mr. Smith's name when I hear a voice behind me. "Rachel," I turn around but regret it when I see their face. I force a smile and wave slowly, "it's me, Joanna."

"Yeah, I know. I didn't forget" I say scratching the back of my neck. How could I forget? I look down at my shoes awkwardly and she speaks up.

"What are you looking for?" she says stepping closer to me, "I'm looking for Mr. Smith's mail, he needs the report cards." 

"Its right here," she says pulling out a small stack of papers from behind me. She hands them over and I grab them. "Ah thanks, I'll be going now" I state trying to escape but she stops me. 

"Rachel, wait we need to talk." I stop at my tracks, knowing I can't avoid this forever. I stay quiet and she stands in front of me. 

"I haven't told anybody and I won't. You have to do it because nothing will happen if I tell." she says looking around making sure no one was around to hear. "Rachel, I know what I saw that day at the festival. He can't do that to you, not even once. Even if that was the first time, cause I don't know, he could do it again if no one stops him." she waits for my respond but I stay quiet, I just look down at my hands. 

"My mom can help you, all you have to do is give her a call. Or if you want she can come her and talk with you just tell me that's what you want." she says grabbing my right hand. 

I pull away, "You don't know what you are talking about. I- he! Nothing happened, I already told you!" I harshly say. "I know you're scared because you don't know what to do. You don't have to protect him he doesn't protect you! He doesn't even lo-" "Shut up! You're crazy-"I shout but she cuts me off. 

"-crazy? No, Rachel, crazy is what he did to you. I may have been the only one that saw but that shouldn't be happening at all. Did he break your hand too?" she questions pointing at my hand. I felt my heart stop and I couldn't speak and she gives me a sad look. Pity? "Oh Rachel, please don't tell me I was right. I want to help you... let me help you." I felt a warm tear cover my cheek but I quickly wipe it.

"I-I don't k-know... I-" I stuttered, more tears falling. Should I tell her? Tell her about dad? No, I can't, what if they don't believe me? What if he kills me? What if he was going to change? Change for the better, and he does love me. He has to love me he... he was there for me. Back then when I couldn't breathe, he helped me. He has to! If not he wouldn't have done that, he wouldn't have pulled over and hugged me. 

"Leave. Leave me alone! Don't talk to me, never talk to me again!" I plead wiping the tears. "Rachel," Joanna grabs my left arm and I flinch in pain, "I'm sorry, that was an accident" I pull away from her and she comes closer.

"Hey," someone says getting in between us both, "Leave her alone." I look up and see Nathan. Nathan grabs my right arm and pulls me out of the office. I felt my mind race, it was going crazier than it has ever been. 

Why am I defending him? What's wrong with me, I know he's bad... or is he? Maybe I been looking at it all wrong, maybe he does love me. Maybe he hits me cause he loves me, is that how he shows love? What if it is and I've been such a brat, thinking so badly of him. He's my dad, of course he would love me, I'm his child. 

"-Rachel," I'm pulled out of my thoughts. I turn and see Nathan was calling me, "are you okay?" We were in an empty hallway and he was still holding my hand. I stay quite and he waits for my answer. He was about to open his mouth to speak again but I pull my hand away from him. 

"Let's get back to class." I say without emotion. 

Without anything.

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~ClainaaGonzalez