The Girl and The Murderer

29. "Miss Gardner ?"

I end up in Rick's office, like a kid who had done something wrong. I look at my feet. It's so damn humiliating...

-Rachel... Why did you do that ? They killed a dog ! Not an ant ! A freaking dog !

-No offense Sir but our establishment is made for children with mental  issues or pitiful family situations. Scolding them will only make them feel attacked which will result in more violence against animals or humans. Do you really want to risk it ?

Come on Ricky, answer me. I know it's my boss but I don't want to go out of this office defeated.

-True but...

-But nothing sir. Reconsider your punishement towards those children. Most of them are good. They just need a confort zone. This is the goal of this school if I'm not mistaken. I have nothing else to add. Good bye.

-Good bye Rachel...

I close the door behind me but I feel unsteady. I manage to go back to my classroom. I really must sleep more. Otherwise, Art' will scold me again because I have a zombie face.

-Miss Gardner ? Are you alright ?

The four children stayed inside. They are all looking at me worryingly. I smile at them and sit at my desk.

-Yes everything's fine. Can you bring your classmates back here ? The math class will begin soon.

They nod and exit, bowing slightly at me. After a while tehy come back, leading their sixteen classmates, in a two by two row.

-Come in and sit down. Can anybody remind to the class where we stopped last time ?

I see blurry but I manage to pick someone in the pupils mass.

-Yes ?

-We were talking about multiplications. We didn't see how to calculate them yet.

My eyes shut down. God, am I falling asleep ?

-Miss Gardner ? Miss Gardner !

The calls are so far away. I think I'm falling asleep for real...

***

I wake up on one of the infirmary beds. Strange. I was in the classroom though. Arthur is next to me too. What the hell is he doing here ?

-Idiot !

-Thank you, I'm fine and you ?

-Since when you faint from tiredness like that ? You scared everyone !

-Mainly you it seems.

-I bring you back home. You need to sleep.

-And you're gonna calm down. I'm not going anywhere because I'm fine. I will start the class again and I'll come back home after that.

-It's 6:30 pm Ray...

Ok... I slept three hours... I think I really needed a little nap...

-Fine... You'll bring me back home I suppose ?

-Of course ! You really think I'm gonna let you walk ?

I get up and he helps me to walk. Don't ask me why, I can do it myself. But anyway... It's because it's Arthur I suppose.

-By the way, says Art' as he brings me to his car.

-Yes ?

-I was thinking about inviting Eddie, Franck and Jane soon. What do you think ? It's been forever since we met all together !

I nod.

-What do you want us to do for the occasion ? We can't stay in the apartment. The concierge hates us. It's cause of your girlfriends. They are too loud. Are you that good in bed or what ?

He smiles. That says everything. He is always really proud of himself when he brings a girl at home. And they're always so loud... And after he is asking me why I can't sleep...

-What's wrong, ask Arthur.

-Nothing, I'm just dead tired. Can you give me the bed for tonight ?

-It depends. Can I sleep with you then ?

-In your dreams bastard...

I sit in the car and let my mind doze off because of the regular moves and sounds.

Shit, I think I will fall asleep again. Damn insomnia...