Chapter 3

3 weeks in to the school year and the same thing has happened day after day... after day. I teach, grade papers, take extra time to smile at Chrissy, then I go home, feed the cat, read, go to bed and prepare myself to do it all over again.

But there's a universal law stating "Change is inevitable", and if there isn't there should be because that's what happened today.

5th period just ended, and as usual I'm watching Chrissy gather her things, waiting for her to walk out of my room, hoping nobody sees me staring at her. When all of a sudden shes turning around...Remain calm she probably just forget something...Never mind she's looking straight at me. My brain stops processing for a moment. She's walking towards me.

"Ms. Lake?" She stops at my desk hesitantly.

She's nervous - something we have in common. "What can I do for you?" I ask, still struggling to gain my composure.

"I was wondering if you had time after school to clarify a few points discussed in class today, I found the lesson a bit confusing." She says without taking time to breath.

I'm at a loss for words. She doesn't need any help, she did wonderful today and we both know it.

She's running her hand through her hair. "But...umm- if today's not good for you I could come back tomorrow or- or not at all if you don't have time..." There's something in her eyes pleading with me to say yes...

So, I do as she wants. "Yes!- Absolutely yes, I would love to help." Was that too enthusiastic?

A wide grin breaks out across her face, which guaranties the same is happening to me.

"Well Chrissy, I will see you after school" I'm standing now trying not to scream and jump up and down.

She nods, "Yes you will" and heads for her next class. Leaving me to somehow make it through three more periods.

The last bell of the day rings and I'm frantically tapping my pen against the stack of reports I still haven't read.

As soon as she comes in, she suggests, with that same hesitant tone, that she pull up a desk. I say "Yes of course" Why didn't I think of that! Then she sets her books down and gets right to business. "Business" being asking questions she already knows the answers to...-of course I answer them anyway.

Five minutes in and already the conversation has shifted. Mainly because I'm not nervous anymore and nether is she.

Yes, we've been discussing books and I'm happy to say she understands them in the same way I do. And it's not the "Oh I'm an A student, that means I get it" kind of thing. She like really really understands the written word plus what's more she loves it to. And somehow I knew she would.

That girl could have talked for hours, and I wouldn't have cared. The way she lights up when she's telling a story is priceless And the more she spoke the more I began to think literature may not be my only truth.

Mr. Kosan, or someone from his "group", drop in at least once every week. I'll come home from work and find one sitting on the couch, or out on the porch, wherever they please. The first time it happened I was silly enough to ask how he got in. All he had done was ignored the question completely, told me to sit down, and then started asking me questions About how I'm doing.

I don't know why their acting like they care.

Anyway, if they have to be here I figured might as well try to get some answers, it's easier than fighting them at every turn.

I even made a list, "Things to ask my 'rescuers'" and today I have my 3rd opportunity to use it.

"Have I ever been interested in science?"

"Why do you ask?" That wasn't an answer, Saw that coming.

"It just seemed like an interesting subject is all" I explain nonchalantly, as I lean back a little in the seat.

"No, you have never been interested in science."

Then I ask him about writing, inventing, martial arts and some other things Chrissy and I have talked about.

His face hardened and his fists tightened with every question and when he was finished saying no he stood up. "You have never and will never have any interest in any of these things. Is that understood?"

Then he simply left (stormed out) without even waiting for a response.

I'm disappointed but like I said, not surprised. I knew he was going to lie again. After all I'm Emily Lake, the do as she's told English teacher and no matter how hard I try they are going to have the upper hand. They know the lie and the truth. All I know is the lie.

Then again I know this life that their trying to pass of as truth is a lie and they don't know I know that so maybe I do have some advantage...

The next I learn about myself is I always have a large amount of confidence.

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