28. creepy teachers.

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Chase

Chase

Chase

I'm here

What's wrong?

You need to pick me up

What?

From school

Excuse me, w h a t

Something happened

Wtf happened?

I'm at work baby

Ugh fine

Did you kill someone?

No

Unfortunately

WHAT

"Now are you going to tell me what happened?"

Sighing, I pocket my phone, before looking up at the man in front of me.

Mr Penny presses a wet towel against my cheek, it's cold water seeping into the cuts and prominent bruises about to form as I wince in pain.

It hurts to talk. Honestly, it's hurts to do much of anything, but I paint on a brave face because I have way too much pride to hurt. "It's not that big of a deal,"

"You're in my classroom with a bleeding cheek and Beth's in the infirmary," Mr Penny says, "I think that's a pretty big deal,"

I watch him, eyes scanning the way he guides my hand to keep the towel in the right place.

We lock eyes for a second. And it's weird; the look he gives me- the one that used to make my stomach clench and my heart flutter- just makes me feel sick now.

I don't realise how long he hovers his fingers above mine for until I actually yank them away. Like I said, the feeling's strange. Ever since I've met Luke, I can't quite look at this man the same way again.

I've even resorted to ditching his Social Studies classes, primarily because I know I won't be able to handle facing him even there; this past year has been spent tormenting him with push-up bras and shirts with buttons that come undone halfway. I'm not so sure he's ready for the change of me stopping it altogether.

He leans back, obviously not noticing the gesture.

"We just had an argument," I say.

"An argument?"

"Mhm," I hum, a stinging sensation coursing through my skin, "Yes, sir."

"What was it about?"

I raise an eyebrow at him, "That's a bit of a personal question to ask, don't you think?"

"Not really. I deserve the right to know. I'm your teacher,"

"It was just an argument," I say again, this time dismissively, "That's all."

"An argument that led to a broken nose and a busted lip?"

I frown, looking at my face in the reflection of my phone, "I don't have either of those,"

"I wasn't talking about you."

His words make me furrow my eyebrows.

"Beth?"

"She's not in the... best shape," he says, carefully. I can tell he doesn't want to reveal too much; it's supposedly a safeguarding issue, or whatever. I just wish he'd be more outright and ditch his principals altogether.

"How badly did I fuck her up?"

"Language, Sophie."

Language. I can practically hear Luke's voice in my head, flashbacks to the main reason why I even punched Beth in the first place all rushing back to me as I stare up at the man who used to make me feel like I had all the power in the world.

It was wrong, I'll admit. I treated Mr Penny like he was some game I could go back to whenever I was bored and needed entertainment. I'd pout my lips, stick my chest out, brush my hair behind my shoulders with a gentle hand whenever I knew he was looking.

He always got so flustered, so nervous. And I liked it. I liked feeling like I had that impact on someone, like I controlled them.

Looking back on it now, however, I wish I had never done it. Because Mr Penny has no idea that I have no interest in him anymore, and his expression is nothing but skeptical as he probably begins to wonder why I haven't made a move on him yet.

"Right. Sorry," I say boredly, "But for real. How much damage did I do?"

"She's..."

"And I want details. All of them."

Mr Penny raises an eyebrow at me, "It's nothing to be proud of, Miss Hayes,"

"You're right. It's something to rejoice over," I say.

He shakes his head, obviously disappointed with my answer.

"Are you ever going to tell me what she did to deserve that?" he asks, "I mean, I'm not one for picking sides. But when this gets taken to the principal, you and I both know that this will look very bad on your part,"

"I couldn't care less, honestly," I tell him, my voice dripping in nothing but seriousness, "If he wants to suspend me, then let him,"

"You wouldn't want that," Mr Penny says lowly, taking a slow seat next to me.

I shuffle to the end of mine, whereas old-me probably would have retaliated by daring him to move closer.

"Actually, I would."

"Please. Sophie, you are such a bright student," he says, facing me, "I don't know why you do it,"

"Do what?"

"Get into trouble," he replies. He has the solemnest look on his face, I find it hard to look away. "I hear you've been skipping lessons,"

"Where did you hear that?"

"A little birdy told me,"

"Does that 'little birdy' happen to be Beth?" I ask. He doesn't reply, which in turn causes me to roll my eyes, "I haven't been skipping them-"

"You had English Language the same time the fight broke out yesterday, right?" he interjects. Hesitantly, I nod. "Why weren't you in the classroom?"

"I was revising RS," I say.

"Oh?"

"Yeah,"

"Is that why you were on your phone for the whole hour?" Mr Penny asks, and my shoulders slump, "Because my classroom window was right opposite the tree you were sat at yesterday, Miss Hayes. I could see everything,"

"Were you spying on me?"

"Not spying," I can feel his fingers fumbling for mine, and I yank my own away immediately, "You just got my attention, that's all."

"Right," I say, standing up before anything else that he does has the oppurtunity to make me feel uncomfortable.

"Thank you for the help, sir," I say, as politely and as coherently as I can as I keep the rough cloth pressed against my face, "But I should get going,"

"Where to?" he frowns, following me to the doorway. "You still have one lesson left, Sophie,"

"I do?" I ask, though I'm already hiking the straps of my bag up my shoulder in a haste to walk out.

"Yes," he says, "Mine."

Sweetheart

Chase just called me

Said something about you needing a ride home?

I'm in the studio rn but I can take an early break if you want

Did something happen?

"What are you doing?" I ask, folding my arms and frowning at Mr Penny.

He stands sternly at the classroom door, arms folded. He also doesn't look as if he's budging anytime soon.

"I need to go home," I say, attempting to move past him.

For a second, I'm convinced that his stance is wholly coincidental. I don't press on anymore.

But then I try to walk around him again, in high hopes of actually getting through this time, and he clearly blocks my exit with his left shoulder.

"What the fuck?"

"Take a seat, Sophie." he says coolly.

Baby why aren't you answering?

I know you've read the messages

Are you mad at me?

You haven't replied since earlier when I sent you that picture of Petunia

Did something seriously happen? Or did you finally accept that she loves me more than you? ;-)

Okay, wrong time to say that...

Sophie please, I'm getting worried

"Move out of the way," I say, my voice borderline a demand. "Seriously. My dad's outside and-"

"Oh, Miss Hayes," Mr Penny shakes his head at me, taking his glasses off before placing them on the nearest desk, "We both know that's a lie."

Fuck it

I'm coming to get you.

"Sit down, Sophie."

"Suck a dick, Mr Penny."

I'm alright

How fast can you get here?

FUCKING FINALLY

WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN

I'M DRIVING RIGHT NOW

There is a split second in which I don't even read Luke's messages, I just act.

And by act, I mean this; I run right past the man, absentmindedly shoving him into the doorframe. I then attempt to ignore his loud grunts of pain, a wince on my face as my cheek throbs and his grip loosens on my arm.

Once it's no longer there, I make no hesitation whatsoever to bolt straight out of the classroom door; my heart racing, phone against my ear, praying to everything above and beyond that Luke will answer the call.

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