Deleted/Alternate chapters

Obsessed - Deleted section during chapter 7

After school, Brendon follows Eleanor to a park.

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Amber sighed. "There's something going on here. I just needed an adult witness."

"Okay, well... it's a little too early to make assumptions. There'd need to be more physical contact between them to which she doesn't directly say 'yes.' Let me know if anything else goes on."

"I'm just worried about her safety."

"I'll try to keep an eye on him. We have to get back."

Amber nodded.      

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From behind the gate and tree, Brendon watched Eleanor teeter. The tips of her toes touched the ground, the flats of her shoes, then heels, before the cycle repeated. Her body synched with the momentum while keeping her gaze forward to the empty playground.

He contemplated speaking, but reasonably feared she'd inquire as to why he was there in the first place. Just say you were in the area, he thought. No, too cliché. Besides, who says she won't leave to avoid the embarrassment of being in public with her teacher.     

An unabridged time passed, and Brendon emerged to leave. This is when Eleanor saw something move in her peripheral.

"Mr. Urie?" She called when he walked into the light.

He stopped, looking at Eleanor dumbfounded, and smiled, "Hey Eleanor." He stood in full view on the other side. "Are you uh, waiting for someone or..."

"No. I pass this playground every day and -- I don't know. It reminds me of one back home."

"How?"

"Well, there was one that..." She noticed he was still outside the park. "Why don't you come in?"

Brendon was stunned. He chuckled coyly. "You sure it wouldn't be too awkward being seen together outside of school?"

She shrugged. "I don't mind."

Apprehensively, Brendon opened the iron door, approaching until he sat on the swing beside her.

"So, as I was saying: In middle school, there was a park just like this behind the building we'd go to every day at recess. I'd sit here and watch everyone play with their friends or talk to one another."

"Surprised you weren't reading."

"I tried. Didn't work out. This one time, I was so invested in my book that someone thought it'd be funny to sneak behind me and flip the seat so I'd fall." She laughed halfheartedly.

Brendon's jaw clenched. "Please tell me the kid got in trouble," he said coldly.

"No, but he did try to run off and ended up tripping over his untied shoelace and knocking out his tooth."

Both chuckled.

"Talk about instant karma," he said.

"Yeah. I was picked on a lot, but books made me barely notice it, y'know?" She looked at Brendon. "Were you ever bullied?"

"Maybe a little. I had some friends. Wasn't the most popular guy, but I wouldn't classify myself as the lowest of the low."

"Yeah. I'd say some kids had it worse than me. But," she playfully shook her head. "It's not like I'm special or anything, I mean, look at me."

He turned his head. "I am."

Eleanor met his eye and smiled. Brendon was now emulating her teetering movement.

A ringing noise cut the silence. "Sorry," Eleanor pulled her phone from her pocket. "It's my dad." She slid the answer button and held it to her ear. "Hey, dad... I stopped at a playground... Yeah, sorry for not telling you or mom... Y'know, I'm not too far... I'll be home shortly. Love you." She hung up and stood. "I gotta go. Parents are concerned about my whereabouts."

"They're watching out for you."

"Yeah." She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Doesn't make it any less annoying." She giggled as Brendon grinned. "I'm glad you were in the area. Needed someone to talk to and I didn't know it. Funny how coincidences work out."

"I'm always available to talk. You have my email. Well, you have every teachers' email but..." he folded his lips.

"No, I appreciate it, really." She grinned. So did he. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Urie." She strolled out of the park, leaving Brendon swaying, and watching her.