10
1258 Words
Emaline
I also had classes left, so I went back to school. In the end, the first reason I left was him.
I hoped nothing would happen. Their group wasn't known to be physically aggressive, but they were close and from time to time a story of someone beaten up was heard. I couldn't imagine Declan doing such a thing, Phillip was also known for his total lack of interest in physically attacking someone. But I didn't know what to expect from Andy and Scott. As far as I know, Andy was one of those people who likes to get into trouble. And when it gets dirty, Scott's coming.
Anyway, I went to math and I saw Tony in my group. Surprise, surprise. I tried to sit next to him but he put his backpack on the seat when he saw me approaching.
So much for the desire to reconcile. I suddenly remembered that just before Mable poured her coffee on me, he wanted to tell me something. I looked over my shoulder and caught him staring. He quickly averted his eyes, and I continued to wonder...
After class, I had a little time until Declan's workout was over. For a moment I was tempted to go in and watch, but I didn't want to look like I was his girlfriend waiting for him. Shortly after 4 pm, I received a text from him. He was telling me to go to the stadium.
Wait! What? I looked at my tunic and especially the shoes but I dragged my tired body over there.
Five minutes later he came, and his wide smile turned into a displeased grimace when he saw what I was wearing.
"You didn't seem to take things seriously, did you?"
"I did but ..."
"If you think your outfit will save you from running, you're wrong. The moment you make progress, I'll punish you with an extra lap for today. Remember my word!"
I raised my brows at his ridiculousness - he was circling me all the while running on the spot.
"So what now?"
"You'll have to sit and watch the pro."
I laughed but did what he told me and sat down.
I was impressed.
He ran as if he had all the energy in the world and as if he hadn't had a workout before. He changed the speed at intervals. I got tired just watching him, but at the same time, I wanted to be able to run like that.
When he was finally done showing off, I had to wait for him to shower and change, and I promised to go eat with him.
He took something from a nearby restaurant and we walked to his car. He suddenly uttered something with his mouth full and then looked at me expectantly.
"What?"
He finished his bite.
"I said, why don't you come to my home to have your lesson with Austin there? We don't have to go to the center, right? And my mother's gonna be happy to finally meet you." He continued to eat while waiting for my answer, and I turned pale.
"What? I... No..." He frowned and I quickly explained. "I mean, I and Austin should find our way to each other before I could change the setting. I'll be under pressure and it'll affect my work...and he..."
"Ok, ok, fine! But sometime soon, we'll do it. Mum is really dying to see Austin's teacher."
I felt dumb. I really chickened up because of what his mother would think of me as his friend, not Austin's tutor. Silly Emaline, you're not his girlfriend… I almost punched myself. I can do the parent meeting thing when it comes to a student…
"You know, I think it's important to meet a student's mother or father, whatever. So why don't we go and take Austin? I'll meet your mother and then you can drive us to the center?"
He grinned and took one last bite, then opened the door for me and then quickly went to the driver's seat.
When we got to his house, I started to get nervous. I tried to keep telling myself that I come just like Austin's tutor but I kept wondering what his mother would say about me. Declan unlocked and we entered, I initially waited for him in a small living room. It was clean and cozy and given the fact their mother was on bed rest, the boys must be responsible for keeping everything in check.
Seconds later, he returned and led me to his mother's room. Austin was just coming out.
"Hi..."
"Hi miss Green, I'll be ready in a minute."
He moved like lightning and didn't give me the chance to greet him. I looked at Declan with an astonished smile, and he also replied with a smile and a shrug.
Then I looked at the bed and saw a woman with dark curly hair sitting and leaning against the headboard of the bed.
"Hi, Mrs. Moore! So nice to meet you!"
"Oh, hi! You must be Emaline! You're as gorgeous as my son tells me." I looked at Declan confused but he was staring at his mother with burning cheeks.
"My son says a lot of impressive things about you, Emaline, and I have to tell you that I'm happy that my son got a teacher like you." "You're very sweet, Mrs. Moore, but I'm not ..." "It's Beth for you, darling!"
"Yeah... Beth...you're very nice but I'm still not a teacher and I'm trying to explain this to your son." I turned to look at Declan meaningfully. "When you're a teacher by heart, it doesn't matter in what stage of your life you are, dear."
I was thankful for her words and by the time we left the house I was already feeling in my skin again. Dec's mom was easy-going and pretty funny. We talked about Austin and she told me some important things about him. I could use this new information to make the lessons better.
We had to go to my house first to get my things and for the first time, I gave the address to Dec. When we arrived and he stopped in front of my house, I could not stop staring at Lana and aunt Sophie who were standing in front of the entrance and were looking at us. I opened the door and got up slowly, unable to look away from them. I stood by the car as if in a trance, and Aunt Sophie's disapproving and even vicious gaze pierced me mercilessly. Lana turned on her heel and walked toward the door when she realized that her mother had not followed her, so she turned and said something. Still frowning, Aunt Sophie entered the house.
I turned to Declan, worried that he had witnessed the scene, but he was staring with surprise at the already closed door.
"Is that your house?"
Oops. That was why I avoided giving him the address before.
"Um, I live here..." It was the safest answer I could come up with. "Lana is my cousin." "What? How come I didn't know that?"
I chuckled nervously.
"You never asked..."
"Funny..." He was furrowing his eyebrows as if trying to put together a puzzle with a missing piece. "Anyway, go get your things, we'll wait for you here." I totally forgot that Austin was in the car.
"Of course, I won't be long!" And I walked to the house wondering what was waiting for me inside.
- Writer
