Chapter Four

Arrivals and Annoyances

Fabian Rutter stepped down from the town car and stood to face his alma mater. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up, as he gave a tired smile to the students who looked his way.

The chatter of the students lounging around campus was now focused on a single topic: him.

"Is that…"

"The new teacher…"

"…looks so young…"

"…brutally hot…"

"…used to study here…"

"…too bad he has a girlfriend."

The said 'girlfriend' followed Fabian out the car and stood beside him. She shivered at the energy that ran down her spine as she looked out the school lawn. She remembered bumping into Nina and the memory made her kind of lost and out of it. Hearing a gasp from the man beside her, Patricia Williamson immediately remembered where she was.

"Earth to Fabian?" Patricia waved a hand in front of Fabian. "I know this must be a lot to take in but pull yourself together."

"Sorry, 'Tricia," Fabian gave his head a shake. "It's just that-"

"-Everything is so woozy," Patricia finished for her friend. "I know. It's like you're remembering her again."

"Yeah," he smiled, once again thankful that Patricia had come along. He didn't know what he would have done without someone that could understand him. He might as well go crazy without Patricia and Joy. Joy, sadly, couldn't go with her friends as she is bound to Mick at the moment. She couldn't worry her husband by staying with her "not-so-sane" best friend.

"Now, let's go," Patricia said as she took her luggage from the driver.

Fabian obediently followed, though he was still a little dazed.

Unfortunately, the two couldn't secure a room in the House of Anubis since every single room was already occupied. They were, however, able to rent a cottage that was located near the school.

Patricia was about to head in the direction of the said cottage when a man, about in his late twenties, approached the two of them. He wore a collared t-shirt and jogging pants.

"Hi!" the dirty blonde man greeted cheerfully. "I haven't seen you around here. You must be the new history teacher."

Fabian cleared his throat, reminding the other man of his presence. "Actually, that would be me."

"Ah, you are Professor Rutter?" the man's brows scrunched at Fabian. He had hoped that the young lady would be the professor.

"I prefer Dr. Rutter," Fabian gave a timid smile. "I got my Ph.D. in history a few years back."

"Ah," the man feigned interest at what Fabian said but his eyes couldn't help but linger at the red head. "And this young lady is-"

"A friend," Fabian cut in smoothly, noticing how uncomfortable his friend was under the man's gaze. "I'm sorry but I don't think I caught your name."

"It's Benji," the man smiled at Patricia. "Benjamin Reed. I'm the gym teacher."

"Figures," Patricia muttered under her breath as she glanced at his attire.

"I'm sorry?" Benji was eager to know what the woman said.

"Pleasure," Patricia said sweetly, hiding her disdain at the teacher. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Believe me," Benji gave a grin. "The pleasure is all mine, Ms…?"

Patricia raised a brow, realizing how the move was pretty smooth. "Williamson."

Benji hid his disappointment when she didn't supply a first name.

"Anyway," Fabian cleared his throat once more. "We better go and settle down in our cottage."

"You're staying at the Bastet Cottage, right?"

"Yes, I believe we are," Fabian said, eager to be rid of the man's company. "It's rather far, so I think we must be going now."

Ignoring his last statement, Benji tried to make small talk. "Isn't it weird how everything is named after Egyptians gods and goddesses?"

"No," both Fabian and Patricia answered. They knew of the power of Egypt that's hidden amongst the school grounds. The names of the places weren't exactly coincidental.

Benji looked at the two weirdly.

"What we meant to say," Fabian tried to hide his exasperation, "is that naming places after significant things in the past isn't weird. It's actually a nice way for people to remember history."

"Wow," Benji whistled. "Now, I know why you're the new history teacher. That's deep, man."

"Anyway," Patricia was extremely annoyed now. Now desperate to leave, she put on a flirty smile and fluttered her lashes. "We really do have to go. Maybe, we can talk some other time, Benji?"

Eager to please the new apple of his eye, Benji nodded and hastily said his goodbyes to the couple, leaving as soon as he could just to please the secretly fuming Patricia.

Fabian wanted to laugh but stopped himself as he received a glare from Patricia.

"He is so annoying," she said as they finally went in the direction of the cottage.

"Oh, aren't you happy that you caught someone's eye, even when you've just arrived?" Fabian teased.

"Oh, you're the one to talk," Patricia stuck her tongue out childishly.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you mean you never saw the stares the female students, and some male ones too, mind you, gave you awhile ago? Well, I noticed the glares they directed my way. I would pay good money to see you handle a class full of hormone-ruled teenagers, especially the ones who have a crush on you."

Fabian paled at the thought.

"Better teenagers than your Benji," he concluded, not wanting to be on the losing side of the argument.

Patricia nodded halfheartedly, wishing that the man would finally get a clue that she wasn't interested. Getting an idea, she brightened up. "What if we were a couple?"

"Patricia, you know that-"

"I mean a pretend couple," she corrected whatever thought formed in Fabian's mind.

Fabian thought about her suggestion and agreed that using the 'girlfriend-boyfriend' cover would be a convenient story since both of them didn't want extra attention from the other people.

"We need to focus on getting Nina back," Fabian ran a hand thought his hair once again. "I have no time to be distracted by flimsy romances."

Little did he know, an auburn haired woman would make him eat his words.

AN: Sorry this is late. Writer's block. Would be happy to hear your suggestions so comment away. Happy Christmas!