Chapter Two:

At the end of the day. Michelle entered the class from going to the restroom. Ratburn seemed busy erasing the board. She watched him for a second," So." She started, clearing her throat.

" Enjoy your little three hour trip to the mall?" He asked curtly.

"OH, you heard about that huh?" She asked, bitting her lower lip. She came up to stand beside him." Well you weren't letting me do anything." She defended. Besides Sarah Macgrady invited me to the mall for a while. I talked to Haney about it..."

" Blah, blah." Ratburn said rudely outloud. He turned to stare down at her. Michelle hung her head slightly.

" Sorry, Mr. Ratburn. I was bored. It will never happen again." She whispered.

Ratburn sighed and patted her shoulder." I suppose half was my fault because I did not keep you busy." He said then sighed.

Michelle smiled,then looked at the clock,"Damn!" She whispered. " I'm late."

Ratburn lifted an eyebrow," For..." He could finish as Michelle ran out so suddenly. Forgetting her book bag and even her purse.

For a moment Ratburn did nothing, only blinked then glanced at her abandoned bags. He could not help himself. He went and peaked in her book bag. Greek Mythology? Goddess of Spring?D& D Manual? God this woman is a nut But a sweet nut.'' Ratburn thought to himself. As his mind read the titles of her books. He shook his head and slid her books wwhere they went in her book bag. He figured he should catch up to her before she left.

Quickly he picked up her bags and ran down the halls and made it ouside the school. He forced himself to stop. Right there, by Michelle's dark green mitsubishi montaro. Mr. Marco chatted with her. She had a smile on her face and she laughed at something he had said. Ratburn shook it off,'What is going on? I'm not jealous...am I?' Ratburn walked towards the two. He reached them and cleared his throat," Uh...Ms. Dabariah." He began.

" Hey there. Is there something you need?" Michelle asked. Then turned back to the young gentleman, Mr. Marco." I need to get going, Mr. Marco. It was a pleasure to meet you."

Marco smiled and gingerly took her hand in his," The pleasure was all mine, Michelle." He said gingerly kissed her hand before walking off. Ratburn glared slightly at him.

Michelle turned back to Ratburn, " Now then...what was it you needed?" She asked.

" I uh...here. You left your purse and book bag behind." He handed her things to her.

" Thank you Nigel...I mean Mr. Ratburn." She said sweetly with a pretty smile. Ratburn could not help but smile back. but that smile was wipped off his face at the sound of a child's whine and a little girl sticking her head out of the back right window.

" Mommy." Ratburn glanced over at the window, there was a little white furred mouse girl pocking her little head out the window." Lets go."

" Mommy's comming sweety." Michelle looked at Ratburn and shrugged." Sorry. Have to get home, Abby's favorite show , Spooky Poo is on." She rolled her eyes." Well thanks for bringing my stuff to me. See you tomorrow morning." She ran to the driver's seat of her car and drove off.

" Whose he?" Ratburn recalled hearing from the little girl named, Abby. Ratburn watched her car drive away. He forced himself out of it.

"Ratburn." A male voice forced him to jump slightly and look to the side of himself.

" Mr. Haney." He greeted.

" I noticed you seem to have already warmed up to her. Here's her phone number...just in case you need to make plans with her."

" I doubt that I will need to call her for anything, And no, I have not warmed up to her. She is repulsive. She wants to dicect worms, she plays D&D. I used to bully those sort of kids in high school."

Haney smiled and chuckled." I can see it in your eyes, Ratburn...you like her and you know it." Haney presisted.

Ratburn shook his head." If you think there is a relationship to come between Ms. Dabariah and I. If anything, it will merely be a professional relationship." He explained.

Haney chuckled again, " Whatever you say Nigel.But I bet you will be wrong in the end." With that Haney left.

Standing there a moment more Ratburn blinked, then turned to finish up somethings in the classroom.