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Thirty Six
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The New Teacher Next Door Thirty Seven
DEVAN It was snowing again. I was seated by the window side watching the world play out before me. The snow was knee deep now, and it didn't seem like it was ending soon. Robb had passed out on the armchair, with a stick of cigarette stuck at the end of his mouth. I knew he wanted to leave, he had already began to show signs of wanting to return back home, but he couldn't. Not yet at least. Mum had given him firm instructions to make sure I was alright, before returning home with me. And thank goodness, I was recuperating quickly already. I had a few days left to spend here before returning home to dad and mum, and I couldn't wait. Why had I even come on this trip in the first place? I had never liked traveling, so why had I? I couldn't understand. I brought my face closer to the open window, and inhaled deeply, as I heard footsteps walk into the room. I barely glanced up, as I continued savouring every moment I could get. "You should close the window, you c
The New Teacher Next Door Thirty Eight
ELLEN The elevator door dinged softly as we arrived on Devan's floor. We were here to see Devan at Principal Walter's request. I had been the only one invited over, but Zach wasn't letting any of that happen. He placed a firm grip on my wrist as we stepped out of the elevator. I couldn't tell what was going to happen now. Principal Walter had also informed us of Cullen's visit the previous night, and Robb's fall. Things did happen with this kid. I swallowed deeply as we strolled down the hallway. I feared if Zach had been saying the truth. I feared if Devan truly didn't remember me. I was supposed to be happy at least, because that was what I had wanted all along. I had wanted to make him forget everything that had to do with me, and now he had, however that joy I had thought I was going to feel when he did, it just wasn't there. "Are you alright, Ellen? We're here." Zach announced, as he drew me closer to his side. We walked into the room, and I hoped he w
The New Teacher Next Door Thirty Nine
DEVAN The coffee was bland. I was sure that I could make a better coffee than that. Although, I was very much aware that it wasn't supposed to be part of my diet, during the period of recuperation. However, I took it anyway, and immediately regretted. "You shouldn't take coffee." The doctor warned, walking into the room. "Oh, I wasn't." I denied, placing the cup away. "Anyways, how are you doing today, Devan?" I nodded, relaying my feelings to him without having to speak. "Never been better." I said, and he smiled. "At this rate, you'd be out of here in no time." He informed, and I felt my heart skip for joy. I was leaving finally. "That's great news, doctor." I said, and the doctor's smile broadened. "Let's hope you walk again soon, Devan. The world needs you on your feet." He said with hope, but I merely shrugged, and chose to focus on the present. "Do you really believe that?" I buzzed, as Robb's words resounded in my ears. Maybe, I shouldn't
The New Teacher Next Door Forty
ELLEN Perhaps, I was supposed to feel something, a slight touch of indifference perhaps, or something of that sort? But, at that point I felt none of the emotions that I was supposed to feel. What a sad way to end a beautiful story! Devan had clearly stated that he had no interest in me, and that was supposed to be great, right? I wasn't so sure anymore. This was the same kid I had tried to ward off severally, or tried to put him in his place. Yet, I still didn't know how to feel about him. Of course, I was well aware that nothing could work between us, and it wasn't like I had actually wanted that but... Unfortunately there had to be a but. An effing 'but' that wasn't even meant to be there in the first place! Blah! I strolled out of Devan's ward with Tommy clinging to my side annoyingly. I had so many questions that burned at my chest, but I hadn't been able to ask them, because I was going to get Devan more confused with everything going on. "Keep up.
The New Teacher Next Door Forty One
DEVAN 'The truth' they say... Blah! That wasn't a catchy start. I stared out the window, with Miss Ellen's eyes fixed on me, as I made short drives around the room consciously. "What's going on?" I heard her ask, but I was too disturbed to pay any attention to her. "Are you alright, Devan?" I heard her ask again, but this time I didn't give her the silent treatment as always. Matter of factly, I did enjoy ignoring her anyways. That feeling of power that surged through me each time I let her questions, or remarks fall to the ground. It was electrifying! "I'm alright, ma'am. I just need some time to figure things out." She nodded, and returned to staring at me. I didn't know why she was so much interested in helping me though. She had told me of my interest in her, before I had gotten involved in that accident. Why I had been interested in my teacher, I couldn't tell. "Well then, I should leave you to it." She said, rising to her feet. I couldn't tell if s
The New Teacher Next Door Forty Two
FORTY TWO ELLEN There were times we did wish you had an answer to every question, but most times you didn't. Robb's fall, notes from a dead man, Cullen's mysterious plan; it all just seemed a little too much to grasp. I sighed, and gazed into the mirror, and the reflection that stared right back into my eyes. Terrifying, it was; the person that I had become. I couldn't recognise the woman who stared back at me. Phew! How delightful! Zach was seated on the bed, looking all glamoured up, and exquisite in his suit that evening. He had a book under his nose, and his eyes glancing briefly at me most of the time. I didn't pay any attention to him, as I applied a little makeup on my face. A little rouge to the cheeks, to give them a little colour, some eyeliner, and then some lipstick. Oh, dear! How dearly I wished for a break at that point. All these seemed naturally unnecessarily to me, but Zach wanted it, and that he was getting. "You should be quicker
The New Teacher Next Door Forty Three
DEVAN A wheelchair party was what we were having. I was across the table, with Lance at the other end, slurping his glass of water. I sat still, as I absorbed every moment of the evening. I hadn't been so long in a long time, and I really felt delighted to be out again after a long time. Was it really that long though? Somehow, Lance had managed to find a way for the both of us to sneak out of the hospital premises, without anyone knowing. He didn't seem like that kind of kid though. I mean, with his rounded glasses, a clean shaved head, and a face that seemed too innocent to cause any trouble, one could easily pass him off as being innocent of any crime he had committed. I took my eyes off Lance, and turned around to focus on all that there was to see. There was an organ playing in the background. A tune that I knew, now that was strange. "You should order something, Devan." He mumbled. "I'm not hungry, and besides I don't have cash on me." He chuc
The New Teacher Next Door Fourty Four
ELLEN Suns streamed into the room through the window, and my eyes fluttered open, as the rays hit them. The room looked really different from what I was used to. Where was I? I found myself asking, as I sat up on the bed. How had I gotten here? And then, it hit me. I was at Big Joe's, and I had been here since the previous night. I had totally forgotten that I had come home with him. I rose to my feet, and stretched out, as I felt a sudden relief from my stressed joints. How long had it been since I had slept as peacefully as I had throughout the night? A year, or more? I didn't know. I strolled around the room, inhaling every moment of fresh air. This was all I had so longed for; peace. I walked to the door, and turned the door knob, as I stepped out of the room. "Hello," I called, walking about. I was aware that I wasn't supposed to touch, but I wanted to. "Is anyone home?" I called out again, but yet there was no reply. The ousd was eerily quiet, except
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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
