Chapter two

Erica

I was sitting in my classroom the next morning. The bell for second period has rung and I sat there, waiting for my class to enter. The first two to enter were Jennifer and Jessica. The sight of Jessica alone makes my stomach twist with disgust of knowing what she's done. I look at Jennifer who looks bored of Jessica's presence and I snicker on the inside

More students pile in, but my eyes stay between the two of them. The tardy bell rings and I close the door to my classroom. Devon is in my next period. Julie was able to alter her schedule yesterday and the other teachers were understanding about it knowing how Jessica and her family are.

I walk up to the board and write TEST in bold letters. I hear groans from everyone in the room and turn to face them. Jennifer raises her hand and I nod for her to speak. "I'm sorry, I haven't been here to know what's on the test. Do I still need to take it," she asks worriedly and I can see the panic in her eyes

"Jennifer is the only exception, the rest of you will be taking the test," I say in a stern tone and look back at Jennifer. "Come sit at my desk and bring your textbook. I'll help you go over what you've missed. I'll give you two weeks and then you can take the test after school."

"Thank you," she says with a light smile and walks to the front of the room.

I hand out tests, face down in front of each student. "You have until the bell rings and no talking," I say sternly and look at Jessica.

I sit next to Jennifer and open her textbook to where the last two weeks of lessons started. I pull a thick packet from my desk and hand it to her. Her eyes widen and I couldn't help but chuckle. "This packet basically covers two weeks of lessons. I made it up for you over the weekend when I knew you were coming back to school," I say quietly and she looks at me. "Use the textbook to fill in the blanks and if you need help going over it, I'll be staying after school."

"Thank you," she says with relief. I watch as curiosity fills her eyes and she asks, "Who was that girl yesterday?"

"She isn't going to be on the test Miss Williams," I say quietly and she sighs, nodding with understanding.

She scrunches her eyebrows with confusion and asks, "Did people bully me? Jessica says they didn't buy I have a feeling she's lying. I'm not sure what all she's lying about."

"You really don't remember," I ask curious and she shakes her head. "This is my second year teaching. I don't know much about the students, I'm sorry."

It's true, I really don't know much about the students. The only student who has caught my attention is Devon. She's been one of my best students this year. She's also the only student that took the time to ask about my day and is what made me grow feelings for her.

I remember last year when the police came to my classroom and she was taking my biology class. When they told me about Alexis getting in her car accident, I gave the class free period for the remainder of the period. I sat at my desk, face in my hands and Devon offered me some tissues. She sat at my desk in comfortable silence and it was comforting just to have her sit with me.

She was also the only one of my students that attended the funeral. I don't remember telling them about it and still have no idea how she knew unless it was her relative. As I was standing alone as everyone was leaving, she handed me a rose. I stood there and watched as she walked away.

The bell ringing to end the period made me jump, taking me out of my thoughts. "Everything okay Miss James," Jennifer asks with concern as she packs up her textbook.

I realize it's because I had tears on my cheeks and quickly wipe them away. "I'm okay, thanks for asking," I say quietly and smile lightly.

She nods and makes her way out of the room as the other students hand in their tests. As the last of the students walk out, Devon walks in. Looking down, she wipes her eyes and I step out in the hall. I see Jessica and her bitch squad laughing, looking towards my classroom. "All four of you will be joining me for lunch detention for the next two weeks. I do not condone bullying," I say in a stern tone.

"Not our fault the slut can't understand the use of a condom," Jessica Snickers and her friends laughed hysterically.

"Says the girl who secretly had two abortions this year," I say with a smirk and she stares daggers my way. "Oops, was that supposed to be a secret? Are you aware of how condoms work? Or do you need a lesson from the nurse?"

She screeches in anger and stomps down the hall. I'll probably hear it from Julie later, but I don't care. I saw a couple of teachers in the hall trying to hide their laughter. Mrs. O'Malley walks over with concern, looking in at Devon. "Is it true," she asks with genuine concern.

I wasn't going to say anything but Devon confirmed it herself when she got sick in the trash next to my desk. I remove a ginger candy from my desk and offer it to her before more students show up. She looks at me with relief and I give her a light smile. Mrs. O'Malley walks in and says in sympathy, "I'm sorry about Jessica. My room is next door if you need another room to escape in... "

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I'm going to finish today and have my mom collect school work for me. I can't...," Devon chokes as sobs muffle behind her hands.

Julie walks in, shaking her head at me before she notices Devon. "I called your mother and told her about Jessica spreading the pregnancy around the school. I'll look into how she found out. Okay," she says in sympathy and Devon nods vigorously. "She said she'd try to find you a tutor for the remainder of the year, if that's what you wanted."

She lowers her hands, wiping her eyes and looks at me. "Will you tutor me," she asks between shaky breaths.

I look between Julie and Clara, Mrs. O'Malley, and look back at Devon. "If it's okay with your mother," I say softly and she nods with understanding.

"I just want it to be someone who won't question me about what's going on or why I'm finishing school at home," she chokes quietly as the bell rings to start the class.

She takes her seat at the only table available, in the front. She lays her head down on her arms while the rest of the class talk among themselves. I start handing out tests, making my way to Devon last. I kneel in her view and say quietly, "Do what you can here and later I'll let you finish. Okay?"

She nods lightly, lifting her head and I look around the classroom to see everyone has already started their tests. I sit at my desk and start grading the previous class's tests. I start with Jessica's and she barely did half the test. I give her a failing grade and move onto the next.

I got halfway through when I saw Devon with her head down, eyes closed. The rest of the class was still marking on their tests and I quietly walk over to her with another ginger candy. I rub her back and she looks at me. Her breaths were shaky, probably due to nausea and I show her the candy. She gives me relieved eyes and I smile lightly.

I motion to her test and she turns it over. I was surprised to see work done on the top page. I skim through it and it was completed. This is why she was one of my best students. She pays attention in class, does her homework and is always studying when I let them have a free period. Even with everything she's going through, she still gives her all.

I rub her back before going back to my desk and grading her test. She never fails to amaze me. She's the first to score a perfect grade and answered the bonus questions. I mark her test and separate it from the previous class's tests.

I was about to start grading another when I caught sight of Julie trying to get my attention from the hall. I step out in the hall and look at her confused as to what was going on. "Ms. Vasquez agreed to you tutoring Devon at home. The teachers all agreed to give you what she needs for the day before you leave," she says quietly and I nod. She peeks in the room and asks with concern, "How is she?"

"Emotional about her secret getting out. She's already finished her test and I was letting her relax. She was starting to feel nauseated again," I say quietly and Julie nods with understanding.

Devon

I woke to Miss James gently shaking my shoulder. The room was empty and I look at the clock over the door. School was out. I slept in her room all day? I go to grab my backpack but it wasn't where I left it. She places her hand on my shoulder and I look at her. She already had my backpack and behind her stood Jennifer.

"Thanks again for your help Miss James," she says with a light smile and looks at me with sympathy. "I'm sorry about Jessica. I asked her if I cheated on her but she said I didn't. I didn't mean for her to spread your secret."

I couldn't help my laugh to cover the sobs that wanted to escape, but I failed as they came out anyway. I could smell Jennifer's perfume, the one I grew to love, the one that now haunts my dreams. "Please don't touch me," I choke between sobs and she steps back.

"I'm sorry," she says genuinely and walks out of the room.

The perfume I've come to recognize and has helped calm me invades my nostrils. I let her arms wrap around me as I shutter a calming breath. It feels like Deja Vu with her. I remember being there for her last year when her wife died in a car accident. I'd asked Miss Clark why she missed school after the police came that day.

"Is this a coincidence," I ask between calming breaths and look up at her.

"What do you mean," she asks wiping my eyes.

"I was there for you when your wife died and now you're here for me. Is it a coincidence that this is happening," I ask quietly as tears fill my eyes.

"I don't know," she says in a soothing whisper and looks at me with curious eyes. "How did you know to attend the funeral?"

"I asked Miss Clark why you missed school," I say quietly and she nods lightly with understanding. "I had  a feeling that I was supposed to be there. I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy by asking..."

"I'm glad you did. The few people who showed was her family that didn't like me much. I had no one else. My parents died in a car accident when I graduated from high school, it's also why I can't have my own children. A truck carrying rebar lost control and my parents slammed in the back of it. The poles went through their chests and one went through my uterus," she chokes quietly as tears fill her eyes. "Alexis died in the same spot my parents did. She was planning dinner reservations to announce that she was pregnant."

She breaks into uncontrolled sobs and I took her in my arms on instinct. Now I understand why she froze yesterday when I asked her to raise my baby if Jennifer doesn't get her memory back. Thinking about the baby reminded me about my appointment tomorrow. "I have an appointment after school tomorrow, will you go with me? My mom has work and Jennifer was supposed to take me," I choke quietly and she shutters a calming breath.

She wipes her eyes and smiles lightly. "I'd be happy to take you," she says grabbing my backpack. "I got your homework from your other classes. Miss Clark saw you sleeping after your test and said to leave you be."

"I'm hungry, but nothing stays down," I say in a wavering whisper as I was getting emotional. "I'm not liking the hormone imbalance."

She laughs, shaking her head. "What are you hungry for," she asks as we drive towards my house.

I let out a sigh as I know what I'm craving, but it reminds me of Jennifer. "Can we go to my mom's diner? They have what I want," I choke quietly but she changes her direction without question. "I've been craving Jennifer's favorite foods. Pathetic right?"

"You can't help what your baby craves Devon. It's still a part of her and I can't imagine how you feel right now. I know it's going to be hard, but maybe eating those foods will help you. I still find myself getting Alexis's favorites," she chokes quietly and I look at her. "I haven't talked about her with anyone and it feels good to have someone to listen."

"Thank you for understanding what I'm going through and I'm glad you trust me to tell me about her," I say with a light smile and she lets out a calming breath. "We can be there for each other."

"Thank you for listening," she says with relief and pulls in my mom's diner.