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Fifty One
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The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Two
DEVAN Eyes followed us, every step of the way. People were watching, and murmuring as we passed by. And the worst of it all, was the fact that I knew who these people were. A little sad, wasn't it? We were in the same grade, but yet, none of them seemed to show any concern or care, instead they had chosen to gossip and stare. "Devan, are you alright?" Lance quizzed, stopping beside me. "Yeah, just a little bit nervous. Everyone's staring." I admitted, as he patted my thighs. "Come on, we'd be quick. Let's hope Principal Walter is in." Lance said, driving ahead, as I followed slowly behind him. "Devan?" A voice called behind me. I turned neck sharply, to see Ms. Dottie grinning in excitement at me. She definitely did look excited to see me, and I wasn't happy about that. "Come here, you little pumpkin." She said forcing me into an embrace. "Ms. Dottie, how are you doing?" I greeted, trying to breathe as the aroma of whatever she had cooked that
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Three
ELLEN Silence was the new normal. I was treating each of them to their own medicine. I was yet to believe that they had chosen to believe Cole, even after they had found him naked. I sat on the porch with a book in my hand. It had been so long since I had attended to my writings. I had probably given up on that as well, just as Zach had said. I heard the door open, and someone walk out of the door. Even without looking behind, I knew who it was from the click of the heels. It was Suzy. "So, you chose to sit out here on your own than enjoy our company?" "Well, it depends on what you call company. Listening to you chew noisily isn't so enjoyable after all." She sighed, and rubbed my arm. "What's going on, Ellen? I thought we were getting along already? What ruined our friendship?" "It still depends on what you choose to call friendship, Suzy. I barely even know you." "But, you know what your husband did to my son." "That isn't enough. That could e
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Four
FIFTY FOUR DEVAN Time did tell. But, the tales it did bear on its wings, weren't the ones that should be heard, or told of. They were stories that always found a way to leave its listeners unnerved by its tales. Sad and happy all at once. No thoughts of what you wanted, no feelings, just a bleak future staring blankly at you, waiting for you to realise that you had reached the end of the road. I wanted to feel happy again, but they were just wants and wishes, and they didn't matter in the real world. It was suddenly beginning to seem like everything was happening too quickly. It was all too fast to even understand. Lance had seemed to vanish. He hadn't stopped by in a few days, and I had suddenly began to realise how stupid I had been to push him away. I needed answers, and he had been the only one ready to help me with them. But now, I was stuck with Zach. Crazy old Zach! "You're beginning to beat me at my own game." Zach grumbled, resting his eyes on the
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Five
FIFTY FIVE ELLEN A trip to an asylum didn't seem like a pleasant one. How about falling apart when the world needed you to be strong? I did want to pretend to be strong for Suzy at least, but I could barely keep up the pretense. The wind was chilly, and I was grateful that I had a cardigan on. I could see Suzy shiver in her light fabrics, and I felt empathy towards her. "Are you cold?" I buzzed, clearly seeing that she was. "Is that some sort of mockery I sense in your voice?" She glared, turning towards me. "I'm not mocking you, Suzy. Although, I do want to, but that's not what this is." I informed. "Then what is it then?" She quizzed, rubbing at her arms. "We haven't said a word to each other since we left the house. Are we still on? I mean, are you sure you're good with all of this?" I questioned. "Of course I am." She mumbled, as a smile crept into her face. It was a fake one though. I could clearly see the terror eating her out from the ins
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Six
JOE The day had barely birthed when she had stolen out of bed. I had been shocked to my bones when I had awakened that morning to find her gone. A number of thoughts had raced through my mind, and I had tried to understand why she would choose to return to Zach in the first place. I wanted to understand, but the one person who could help me understand had vanished. And so, I had sat down on the bed, ruminating on everything that had happened, and then there was a knock on the door. Suzy had been my first thought. Maybe, Ellen had sent a message to me through her, but a greater disappointment had struck when I found Cole at the door. "Where's Suzy?" He had asked, and at that moment, I understood that they were certainly up to something. I had waited for a few hours, delaying my trip to the hospital in order to get B.J but none of them had shown up. And just when my exhaustion had reached its peak, and I was about to step out, a car drove parked beside my la
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Seven
FIFTY SEVEN DEVAN The wind had an eerie chill to it. It seemed like there was something in it, but I couldn't just place my hands on it. Something really sinister, really trying hard to pull out every fibre of my being apart. I buried my face in the newspaper that had been brought in, but yet there wasn't no news about Robb, or Ellen, or even Sam. I had imagined this whole game as a quick one, but life did know how to make a big fool of me. There was a sharp knock on the door, but I didn't pay any attention to it. I was in no mood to speak, or share thought with anyone yet. However, the knock persisted, and it began to seem really awkward to not answer it at all. Perhaps it was the doctors coming to do their routine checkup on me. "Come in, the door is unlocked." I ordered, as the door knob turned, and was pushed open. "Mr. Barker?" The nurse buzzed, as I took the newspaper off my face. "Yes ma'am, how may I be of help to you?" I quizzed, uninteres
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Eight
ELLEN There was no need to hide anymore, Cullen had found me. I couldn't explain why it was so important to keep on running away, but the more I tried, the more unending the story turned out to be. I was alone at the table. Tommy had stepped outside for a smoke, and Big Joe had gone along with Cole to comfort him about his wife's disappearance. Although, it didn't seem necessary to me, Suzy wasn't dead yet, so why the pity? I sighed deeply, and felt a cold wind hit me. Winter had really set in, and I was barely prepared for it. A thicker jacket would have helped greatly, but it was the least of my priorities at the moment. "There you are." Tommy intoned vocally, walking into the room. "What do you want, Tommy?" I fired, barely glancing up. I heard him scoff, but I paid no attention to him. "You consider that to be a really good question to ask at this time? What do I want? That's crazy, don't you think." "It's a simple question, Tommy. You either answer
The New Teacher Next Door Fifty Nine
DEVAN TWO YEARS BEFORE... It was Robb's birthday, and as expected, the house was supposed to be bustling with activities. However, no one really cared about irrelevant issues as birthdays anymore. We had more on her hands than the usual. The house was really quiet now, and everyone was busy with one thing or the other. Mum was barely around anymore. She had become scarce, after securing that contract at the firm where she worked at. Dad tried not to be so hard on Mum regarding her consistent absence, but slowly he began to lose himself in the process, and now we barely knew him anymore. He was out drinking tonight with his buddies, just like the previous nights. And slowly, our once perfectly knitted family, began to loosen at its seams. "Devan," Matt called, walking into the room with a jersey on. I glanced over him quickly, and shook my head quickly. "No, Matt. Not tonight, I am not covering up for you tonight." I informed, as he started towards me.
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The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Eight
ELLEN The ceiling fan whirred softly, barely producing enough air to reduce the heat that enveloped the room. I turned around, trying to find a better position that suited me. BJ's snores took a higher tempo, and I could tell that he was fast asleep now. I turned to my side on the bed, again, grunting and grumbling, as the heat refused to subside. Exhaustion took the better part of me, and I forced myself to a sitting position. What had I expected from a motel as this one. This was the cheapest one I had been able to find. In fact, this was the only place I had been able to afford. Suzy wasn't back to the room yet. She had stepped out to take a call about an hour ago, and hadn't returned since then. I wondered what was taking her time. I stretched out on the bed, and stood to my feet, yawning tiredly. I couldn't sleep, and no matter what I tried, the sleep refused to come. "Ellen?" Suzy called, pushing the door opened, as she stepped in. I stood fac
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Seven
DEVAN Regrets, and making bad choices went hand in hand. The house hadn't been the same since Mum had realised what she had done. She had suddenly withdrawn into her shell, barely speaking out anymore. I could barely imagine the amount of disappointment she felt at that point, but I wasn't ready to ease her agony so quickly. School was were I buried myself in now, mostly to keep myself busy, and keep the crazy thoughts away. It wasn't going to be the same anymore. Mum sat by the window side, staring blankly through the window, with a steaming hot cup of coffee in her hand. Each time I looked at her, I knew I had to help her, but it was going to be difficult. She always had a hand in everything that went wrong at home. What was a little pain compared to the series of insults that I had been forced to go through in her hands. I held unto the sides of the wheelchair I was seated in, and slowly forced an exhale out. "I see you, Devan." She said, breaking t
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Six
ELLEN A loud, startling knock on the door, flung me off the bed in trepidation. I glanced quickly at my feet, and hissed lightly. My shoes were still on, I hadn't taken them off after getting into the room. I sat at the edge of the bed, and began to pull at them, when the knock came again. I took my shoes hastily, and stared blankly at the wall clock. The time read two A.M. However, the time hadn't served as enough deterrent to whoever was banging on my door. Maybe I shouldn't have rented a room at this motel, I should probably have gone for another one. A safer one, perhaps. A thousand and one thoughts ran through my head, as I held my shoe up in my left hand, just in case there was a need for it, and began to move towards the door. Was there a possibility that Devan and Robb had managed to find me so quickly? I couldn't tell, until I opened the damned door. "Who's at the door?" I quizzed, with shaky hands, and a shoe in it. The silence was enough
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Five
DEVAN I could almost swear that she had noticed that our gazes were fixed on her, yet, she busied herself about the room, as if she didn't care. My heart ached to ask her all the crazy questions that burned at my heart. Why was she doing this? I heard Dad say something loudly, but we were all too preoccupied to even care at the moment. Mum began humming a song, as she went about her duties. I didn't know what to feel at that moment, anger, or resentment that she had only noticed me, after Matt's death. "Ms Barker, could I please get something to eat? It was a long walk from school." Sam pleaded, as Mum beamed a wide smile at him. "Of course, Sammy Boy. You're always welcome here. What would like me to get you?" She quizzed, scratching at her elbows agitatedly. Sam's fingers flew to his head, for a brief moment, as if trying to come up with something, and then thy dropped to his side again weakly. "Anything is fine, ma'am. I wouldn't want to be so much o
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Four
ELLEN My eyes opened as Robb brought the car to a halt. I exhaled deeply, excited all over again. I was finally home, and although I didn't know where my home was yet though,but I was excited. "You look happy." Robb commented, as the engine died down. I nodded, and beamed a smile at him. "Well, I should be. I was away for too long." He chuckled lightly, and stared at me with a confusing gaze. "You think so? Things aren't the same as you left them." "Oh, come on, Robb. Everything's just fine." "No, it isn't!" He snapped, slamming his hands against the steering wheel. I was taken aback by his reaction. I lifted my hand gently, and rested it on his arm, as he sighed. "What's going on, Robb? Tell me." "Ellen..." He began swallowing deeply. "There's something I should have told you before, but I couldn't bring myself to do it." "What are you talking about, Robb? Spill it already." "It's not good, I promise ." I faked a smile, and patted his a
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Three
DEVAN Time they say, had a way of doing things to you, changing you, breaking you, or making you. In all of these processes, you were considered as a chief factor, and I was in this one, somehow. Mornings were usually the busiest, school work, and having to endure the taunting and long stares from everyone at school. Not like I cared much though, but driving through the school halls always had a way of reminding me of a life I had once lived, in fear and in the shadows. That life was due for a change. Maybe, it was time I did something really meaningful with my life. I didn't know what it was then, but I was getting there. It was only going to take a short while now. I tapped my hands gently against the wheelchair, as I drove through the halls receiving the usual whispers, and hushed talks from the bunch of students around the hallway. Exhaustion got the better of me, as I shook my head slightly in pity. "You don't look so good, Devan." A voice said behind m
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty Two
ELLEN Cups of coffee sat on the table between us, and the rising sun behind us. I was clearly exhausted, and how much I ached to free myself from Cullen's piercing eyes. He was quiet, and a little distant than I had known him to be. With eyes fixed on me, watching every move, and every gesture that I made. I didn't know what to do, or think. I mean, after all the time I had spent rehearsing, and coming up with words to say to him, when I finally got the chance to, yet here I was, as mute and silent as a lamb. "What's in your mind?" He quizzed, staring intently into my face. I shook my head slightly, regaining myself. "Nothing," I said hurriedly. "I mean, you're the one who's been withdrawn. You weren't like this the last time I saw you. What's happened to you?" He chuckled softly, and sipped at his coffee. "I'm the same person, Ellen. You just didn't know this part of me." I nodded in pretense. And of course, I didn't understand a word he had uttered.
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty One
DEVAN Somehow, all of this still seemed pretty new to me. I had my memory back, and honestly, I had never felt as alive, as I did right now. I rode my wheelchair around the house in impatience, I was alone at home. Robb hadn't returned since he left, and now Mum also was taking too much time at the hospital. It had been a long while since I had been at the house, it seemed different from the last time. Probably because I had my legs then? Sad. A car honk blared loudly, and I drove to the window hurriedly. And just as I expected, it was Mum helping Dad out of the car. Matt's death had tightened the cords that held us as a family. Maybe that was what we had ended? A little it of something macabre? I shook my head hastily to clear it of the thoughts that filled it. Mum was at the door now with Dad. I didn't know what to do, I just sat there waiting for the door to be pushed open. In a moment, Mum stepped into the house, and Dad began turning his head around hu
The New Teacher Next Door Eighty
ELLEN I clearly didn't look forward to the break of day. I knew what Suzy was going to do, but still, I wasn't ready to succumb to her demand. It had been a long night, and as far as I could remember, I had barely blinked an eye. Suzy had barely slept also, as I had felt her toss from side to side on the bed next to me. She wanted to get her life back, and I wanted mine also. And there was no possible way I was going to sacrifice living the very life I had fantasized about living, just because she needed my help. That wasn't fair to me. That morning, I had gone about my regular business just like the previous night, and from what I could tell, Suzy wasn't interested in me, just as I wasn't also. I mean, we were both so different, but yet, there was this kind of connection that I felt like we both shared unknowingly. I was bent over a bag, as I arranged a few stuff I had left into it. Big Joe hadn't even been kind enough to let me come back to the house to
