Philippa Taylor

Chapter 11 - Student Tuition

Tuesday 27th October (2015)
I still couldn't believe he personally asked me to help out with the student tuition. It came up in a lesson a few days later and Mr Travis asked the class the help out- however as we know I had already been asked by the leader of it.

Wednesday 18th November (2015)
Walking up to the school gates at 7:30am, you'd think i'd be tired but my adrenaline was going. I made my way to the main hall as that where I was told it would take place, and as I was about to reach the doors, he appeared. Mr Carter was on the other side of the door and as he saw me he opened the door for me, as he was also doing his tie up. May I add looking very smart but I was slightly confused that he was finishing getting ready at school, the strange situation made my think he was opening the door to his house or something. As I walked in I thanked him, and he gave me his usual reply of, 'my pleasure Taylor.' To attempt to compliment him subtly, I said,

"Mmm something smells nice in here." Just stating the obvious without it sounding weird.

As I walked past him, he started coughing (I obviously thought he was trying to get my attention), however I ignored it - trying to play it cool. I went to put some rubbish in the bin as I walked out of the hall when I heard my name,

"Miss Taylorrr..." He sighed.

"I'm just putting this in the bin Sir." I replied.

"I know, I was just wondering if you'd go and get breakfast from the canteen?" He asked.

"My pleasure..." I imitated him whilst laughing.

Making my way back to the hall my arms were killing me - I did not realise how heavy this was. As I was getting closer, I bumped into Mr Carter walking straight to me down the corridor.

"I thought I should get the cups and napkins aswell." I told him in passing.

"Thanks for that you gem, we're not in the main hall this week we're in my classroom." He replied, stopping me from going any further.

I complied, but to give my arms a rest I still went to the hall to put the breakfast down for a minute or two. However, when I got there I realised the class were all in the hall... so how come Mr Carter told me we were in his classroom? Anyway, a few minutes later Mr Carter walked back in and pulled a face at me. Making me wonder what he meant. As he got to the front of the hall, he began to explain the activity, through the talk I realised that he was only speaking to me, and only looking at me. This was meant for the students and helpers yet he was only looking at me. Again leaving me confused. After deciding to ignore the weirdness, he asked me to get the workbooks from the storage cupboard and hand them out. I did as he said before he got the classes attention,

"Okay year 7s, a year 11 will come and sit on your table in a minute to help you..." He said before turning round and giving me a sweet smile.

Mr Carter then wanted to do a register, reading everyone's names out that were there last week and then he came over to me (shock), asking,

"Taylor, would you mind writing in the names that weren't here last week? I'll get you a pencil, thanks."

Giving me the paper and a pen, I wrote them down (my rational explanation for this was that he obviously missed my handwriting - clearly) and put it back on his table.

"So, how was getting up this morning? Was the 7:30 start a struggle?" He asked curiously.

"I think it was the shock that woke me up, I normally wake up 7:30 never mind get in school...but I woke up at 5:30 because I like to spend 30 minutes in bed on my phone before i get up so that's what i did," I answered.

"Yeah, I usually get up around 5 and I like to go on my phone in the morning aswell, check facebook and sky sports, see my boy, you know the deal." He agreed with me. He then came round and offered me a drink and a piece of toast for breakfast, and of course I took him up on that offer.

He walked around the hall, offering toast to everyone there. Now may I add that I had to hold that with two hands and I still struggled, so when I saw him carrying it will one arm and not even seeming to struggle, I mean wow.

"You having any more Taylor?" He stuck the toast in my face.

"Yeah, in a minute but I still need to finish this one." I replied, making it pretty obvious that I wanted him to come back in a couple of minutes.

Yet he just stood there like a lost school boy still waving it in my face, so i said,

"Sir, you're killing me here, leave it over there and i'll have some in a minute." I whispered slightly irritated.

To annoy me even more, he left the tin of toast right in front of me, on top of my work. Causing me to look at him as if to say 'seriously?' and he looked at me to show he was purposefully doing it to annoy me and he knew it worked. I just looked at him and said,

"Wow, i didn't mean literally..." and he replied with a cute laugh before walked away.

After he put the toast back at the front, he came and sat down on my table next to me and helped the other student who was also sat on my table.

After a few minutes of helping, he shuffled his chair closer to mine and came really close, almost looking over me, asking,

"So do you live on this side of town then?"

I immediately replied with, "No. I live on the other side, why?"

He answered, "Oh, I saw you walking there the other day?"

"No that wasn't me, i've not been there in ages." I said confused.

He asked again, "Are you sure? I'm sure it was you... never mind."

Why would this man be interested in where I live, like he said before, he's not technically my teacher so it's not necessary for him to know that. Odd.

After he told us to start packing away, I began to walk out but he pulled me back.

"Taylor, please have another piece of toast, for me?" He almost begged.

"Okayy but i'm already struggling with this one." I complied and took another piece.

He replied seductively, "Philippa go on, you know you want to." So I took it, from shock that he'd used my actual name.

As I was making my way to my next lesson, I bumped into him going to his classroom. Stopping me he said,

"Thanks for today Taylor, I really appreciated it."

I replied cooly, "yeah no problem."

He shouted, "See you next week..." as I walked out of sight.

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Finally, a reason to see him away from classes and grades. Once again I went straight to tell my Mum and the girls. After I got home I could  smell his aftershave still lingering.