Unseen Scars

Chapter 5

Katie..
    The impact of my head on the floor send me into a daze. The cold tile felt nice against my body but the fall did nothing for my ribs, I'd have to go to the ER after school today. I lay there on the floor unable to move, when next thing I know I'm being moved. My eyes are closed in pain so I don't know who's moving me. But it could only be Mr. Riley. Then again why would he help me, he doesn't know me and even if he did I don't know why anyone would help me. All I've been is abused and ignored.
Once he realizes that I'm unable to sit up or stand he sit down and lays my head in his lap and tries to get my eyes to open. He lightly taps my cheeks and says my name, begging to wake up. He doesn't seem to know I'm awake but my eyes just won't open. He then gets up and grabs something bring it over to me. I hear him say a quick I'm sorry and then I feel something wet splashing down on my face. My eyes fly open and I sit up in a rush letting out a cry of pain from my ribs. He's by my side at once.
      "Are you okay? You hit your head pretty hard." I look at him as I'm about to speak but I lose my words because when I look at him I see genuine concern. I haven't seen that on anyone's face when it has to do with me in a long time.
He waves a hand in front of my face and I snap out of my trance.
"Yeah, um I- I'm good." I stutter out. He chuckles. It's a soft and beautiful laugh. I just notice how young he is for a teacher. He must have just gotten his teaching degree not to long ago. As I study his features he helps me up and seats me in a chair. Is a normal chair, since this is the music room there aren't desks. Once seated he glances me over looking for any injuries from my fall. He can't see any because all my injuries are hidden and happened long before I walked into class.
      " Welp, you don't seem injured. Mind telling me what caused you to fall?" He questioned. I had to come up with a lie quick. I couldn't burden this new teacher with all my problems. Also it's not like I haven't looked for help before. I told thousands of teachers and adults what happens to me, and non of them seem to care so why would he be any different. Soon the perfect cover up pops into my head.
     " it was just bad period cramps. Mine can get so bad that I pass out from the pain. That's kinda what just happened." I let out a nervous chuckle not sure if he's going to buy my little charade. He stares at me for a minute as if he's waiting for me to say something else. Like he knows I just lied and he's waiting for me to break and tell him the truth. After a few moments of silence he lets out a sigh.
     " Ms.Lane I know that you are lying to me. But if you don't want to tell me the truth just yet that's fine. Just know that I'll be here for you if you need me." He then gives me a soft smile and stands up. Once he's standing he extends a hand out to me and offers to help me up. I take it and slowly stand. I cant help but notice how soft his hands are and how my skin is tingling where I'm touching his skin. It feels nice and I don't want to pull away but I know i have to. My other arm unconsciously wrapped around my ribs. As a way to protect them, and I know Mr. Riley noticed but he didn't say anything. He just looked at the clock on the wall. It's almost 2pm. That's when school lets out.
" do u want to get a head start home?" He asks me. I give a very confused look.
" it's in your file that you walk. The days almost over and I'm not worried that we didn't start today. Mrs. House told me that u are very good at the guitar and that I shouldn't waste my time measuring what u know. We can get to work tomorrow, jus try not to be late please." I give him a quick nod and a thank you before I rush out the music room doors and start walking home.