junior year

five

I knocked on his door, knowing that this was his planning time.

"Come in!" he called out.

I pushed open the door and he looked at me, a knowing smile on his face.

"Luna, I knew you'd change your mind."

My stomach churned, but I pushed it down. "That is not what I'm here for."

I used my ten minute passing time to come and see him, hoping to get his signature on the sheet. I slapped the form on his desk. "I want to transfer out of your class. Sign the form."

He raises his eyebrows and takes the form in his hands. His eyes skim over the page, clearly taking in my explanation for wanting to switch.

"I'm deducing your full potential? You feel that you'd do better in a less distracting environment? Come on, Luna―what is this?"

"The truth. Sign it." I say, my heart beating fast in my chest. I place my hand on his desk to push the form closer to him, but he only takes advantage of it to grab my arm. I try to pull away but again, there is not use.

"I'm not going to sign it, Luna."

And with that he hands the form back to me and continues to grade like I wasn't even there. I can feel tears about to build up in my eyes but I blink them away and exit out of his classroom, making sure to slam the door behind me.

I race to the bathroom and lock myself in on of the stalls. I slide down to the floor, sobbing. What was I going to do? It was one thing to put the moves on me, but to endanger my grade because of it? I had a C now, and that definitely would not get me into any good colleges.

But I decided to suck it up and throw the form in the bathroom trash can. I looked at my appearance in the mirror. My eyes were red and tear stained, and my eyeliner was smudged a little. My thick hair was out of place here and there, but still maintained its form. I didn't want to sound self centered but God, I wish I was just a plain jane. Someone who wouldn't attract attention, and before this, I thought I was that. Aside from the fact that I'd caught Harry's eye years ago.

I was so done with being used like this. I was tired and I was restless.

I sat in English later, opening the pages of a book. I wore the same clothing, a look that hopefully said I didn't want to be bothered.

What the hell was wrong with him? Was he not aware that I wasn't even eighteen and that he was twenty-five. I'd seen things like this on the news, usually a nineteen year old girl with a thirty-some year old teacher. And she claimed that they were in love or something. The whole idea made me sick, and I was glad to have already found Harry, otherwise things would have been even more complicated.

The bell rung, and Sydney raced in just in time. I gave her a look and she shrugged.

"Okay class, it's time for new seats. Please go find them."

I mentally groaned and the thought of being away from Sydney. Strange thing was, she was all the way in the front, while I was in the back. Even stranger, there were three seats empty from where Allana Yang sat in my row, so I was practically alone.

Mr. Kenton started the class off passing back papers, and although I got A's on the quizzes and tests (because he couldn't get away with giving me a low grade on something I'd known all the answers on) my actual writing work was where he took the opportunity to give me a low grade. I sighed, not even bothering to look at the papers.

He put on some random video on Shakespeare and I focused my attention on that. As I watched it, I could see him come into view and start walking toward me.

As he passed me, my novel fell from my desk. I leaned down to pick it up but he stopped me.

"I'll get it." He said, lowering himself to the ground. And suddenly, his hand found its way to my leg, and began to reach higher and higher. I felt like I was going to throw up.

He set the novel on my desk and grazed his hand near my face. I shifted my position, covering the right side of my face with my hand so he couldn't see me. With that, he went back to his desk and gave me a knowing look.

The rest of the class I spent with my head on the desk. I didn't fall asleep, for the fear of waking up, with the room empty aside from Mr.Kenton.

As the day came to an end, I finally understood why he put me in this seat. In front row, I could easily make my way out of the classroom rather quickly. But in the back, I had to try to get through around all the other students. Thankfully, Sydney was there, waiting for me.

"I hate not being able to sit by you." she pouted, as I came to the front of the room.

"Luna, can I see you?"

Not again.

"No, you can't. I have to get home." I said, walking out the door.

I heard him call after me, but I practically dragged Sydney out the door. By now, I'm sure she thought I was insane.

...

"Luna, honey? Can we talk to you for a second?" my mom calls to me from the kitchen. I pause the television, that was playing The Vampire Diaries and enter the kitchen. My mom and dad are sitting at the table, a report card in hand.

"Yes?"

I take a seat across from them, and fold my hands together on the table.

"Mr.Kenton just called." my mom tells me.

My stomach drops as I look at their concerned expressions.

"Oh."

My dad slides the report card across the table. I have a C minus, on the brink of a D...what the hell?

"You're on the verge of failing English class," my dad tells me. "Is there a reason you aren't doing so well? You've always been such an amazing writer."

I stare at the report card. "I don't know. I've been acing the exams, but apparently Mr.Kenton doesn't like my writing."

"I beg to differ," my mom informs me. "He says you have lots of potential, and that with a little help you can get back on track."

"I guess I can get Sydney or Harry to help me." I offer.

My parents look at each other. "Actually, Mr. Kenton offered to let you attend his after-school tutoring sessions on Friday."

I widened my eyes. "Wait, what?"

"Isn't that nice? It will only be for an hour or so, that way you still have time to hang out with your friends."

"Mom, I don't want to go. It'd be much more efficient for Sydney or Harry to help me."

"It'll be efficient to let your boyfriend tutor you?" she questioned.

I sighed. "Okay then, Sydney. She's great at English."

My dad looks at me, his face filled with sternness. "Luna, if you want to get into a good college, you have to work at it. I really think that an English major will help you succeed at that. You're going to the sessions, okay?"

There was no use in arguing with them. They already had their minds made up. The thing was, I doubt Mr. Kenton's intentions were study-related.

amara©