“But…”

“Is that understood Christina?”

“Yes ma’am.” With that, she nodded and left the room.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Your alive thanks for letting me know,” Alice huffed as she sat down in the cafeteria.

“What?”

“Not a word from you since we left the club on Friday, you could have at least chucked me a quick text, ya know, to confirm that your new girlfriend wasn’t some serial killer.” She continued.

Finally looking at her I sighed, “Sorry Al,” returning my gaze to my lunch.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked

“Very long story, and sorry about the no contact thing, my mom has got my cell indefinitely”

Just as I said that Dana sat down at the table, although she was still pissed at me.

“Hey Dane, you good?” I asked with a strained smile on my face. I could cope with anything my parents threw at me if I had Alice and Dana in my corner.

Dana just looked at me, nodded her head, and started her lunch.

“Hey,” Al said quietly, “Give her some time, she’ll come around.”

Nodding at Al I replied, “Yeah, time. Listen can we talk privately after school, there are things you need to know.”

“Of course,” Al replied, “Just promise me you weren’t hurt on Friday yeah,”

“Don’t worry nothing like that, but later yeah.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’d left lunch early hoping to speak to Miss Porter before the class started, rounding the corner into the classroom I stopped suddenly, Miss Porter was not the one behind the desk. Turning slightly, I double-checked that I was in the right room when a voice grabbed my attention.

“Can I help you?” the stranger asked

“Who are you?” I rudely replied, completely forgetting where I was. “Where’s Miss Porter?”

“Would you like to try that again young lady?” the stranger continued looking none too impressed with my manners so far.

“Sorry, I needed to speak to Miss Porter. Is she here?”

“Is Miss Porter your usual English teacher?” I nodded dumbly in response, “I believe she is off sick; I will be the substitute. Is there something I can help you with?”