She nods and slides into the seat, before looking up at my shadowed face. Her green eyes seem to glow in the dark as she speaks. "I owe you one."

"We'll call it even, seeing as you saved me from the neighbour from h.e.l.l."

"Whatever you say." She flashes me a smile and then turns the key in the ignition. "Drive safe, Mr Price." I go to close the door, but she stops me with her hand on the window. "Don't forget to get those questions ready for me. I'll have them back to you as soon as possible."

Sigh. More work. "Pick them up tomorrow morning."

"Brilliant. Bye, Mr Price. Say hi to your mum for me."

I nod and finally close the door, though she doesn't drive away until I'm at mine and even beeps a quick goodbye as she pa.s.ses.

Home time at last. b.l.o.o.d.y students and their b.l.o.o.d.y naivety. As if she didn't know it was the petrol. She doesn't seem stupid by any means of the word, she just seems absent. It's almost as if she's floating through life in her own mind. Perceptive she may be when she focuses, but not when she's day dreaming or has little to focus on. The petrol gauge is something I cla.s.s as being important to focus on, but for a seventeen year old girl with boy troubles, work and studies, along with following the latest trend, I suppose the petrol gauge isn't at the forefront of her mind.

I grab a bite to eat and do my food shopping, as I was planning to do before I found my student asleep on her bonnet with her hazard lights flashing. At least I'm not stuck in my own mind anymore. I'm grateful for that. I actually feel like going home and resting now. It doesn't seem so boring and daunting any longer. Maybe I'll write for a while. It has been some time since I put pen to paper and enjoyed the flow of words escaping my mind through the tip of my ballpoint.

My phone alerts me to a text. It's from my dad. He's letting me know that mum is feeling a lot better and will be discharged in the morning if she has a good night tonight. Thank f.u.c.k for that. Hopefully now I shall sleep better.

Eloise "Maybe if you were home a little more often, I wouldn't feel so f.u.c.king lonely and I wouldn't feel the need to spend my time away from home!" My mother screeches, her voice carrying all the way from her bedroom, which isn't what I'd call a short distance away.

"Your daughter sees less and less of you every single day!" My dad argues, his voice just as loud and just as angry.

I sigh and place the last piece of toast into my mouth. I wait for it and I don't have to wait long. Something shatters against the wall before my mum's high pitched screech only gets higher. "What about you? She sees less and less of you too! Why is this all on me?"

"I'm working. I'm not partying or getting my d.a.m.n nails done!"

This is tiring. I can only imagine how they feel.

I place my plate in the sink and wash my hands before finally leaving the house at the sound of Hayley's high pitched laughter coming down my driveway.

She looks cute in an oversized jumper that meets her thighs and thick wool tights. Her laughter is in response to whatever is being said on the phone pressed to her ear. She holds up her finger to me, still smiling at whatever is being said.

I roll my eyes and move past her, knowing that she'll follow without bothering to disconnect the call.

As she chatters to a mutual friend on the phone, I allow my mind to zone out for a while, taking advantage of the wireless headset that doubles as a speaker for my music.

"She's probably working," Hayley announces, both to me and to the person on the phone. I nod in response as I am in fact working tonight. She continues, "I know right? She's always working."

It's either work or spiral back into whatever the h.e.l.l kind of trouble I was getting myself into before. When I work I'm focused and too tired to get bored and want to drink. I like keeping myself busy.

When we arrive at the busy school, I follow Hayley down the hall, my feet practically dragging along the smooth flooring. I use my fringe to shadow my eyes, a way to avoid eye contact with people, which will hopefully dissuade them from approaching me. It's not that I don't like them or anything. It's more because I'm just not in the mood for friendly chitchat so early in the morning.

I instantly move to my seat upon entering the cla.s.s where I'll be learning History for the next two hours. My arms fold on the desk and I automatically plant my face into the centre. A silent yawn rips up through my chest and only relaxes my body further. I could easily sleep right here, though I'm unsure why I feel so tired. I wasn't restless last night. I got at least nine hours of solid rest.

It's probably hormones.

The cla.s.s fills around me, but I don't bother lifting my head yet. Mr Price has yet to arrive. I know this due to the loud animated chatter coming from my peers.

I have to admit that the second Mr Price walks into a room, he certainly commands attention. Even my head whips up at the sound of his footsteps crossing the threshold. He clears his throat so the few that didn't notice his arrival all take their seats and take out their books and pens.

"What is up with you today?" Hayley hisses as I focus on Mr Price's back. He's telling us to do something and is clearly writing something on the large white board, I just don't know what.

I shake my head, attempting to clear the sleepy fog that has settled between my ears and behind my eyes. "Tired." To prove my response, I yawn again involuntarily. "Maybe I'm coming down with something."

"You're not pregnant are you? Because when my mum was pregnant, she was totally tired all of the time," Hayley mutters, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"I don't have a s.e.x life, Hayley. How the h.e.l.l could I be pregnant?" I whisper as my eyes scan the room for unwanted listeners.

She thinks on it for a moment, her pen tapping against the table. "Good point. Dehydrated?"

This is a possibility. "I'll get a drink at break. Can we just do this now please?"

"Only if you agree to come to Hopper's with me tonight."

Blink. "That loser's? No freakin' way."

"Please? It'll be fun, you'll see!"

"I'm working. As you already know."

"You finish at nine; come afterwards." She clasps her hands under her chin and I can't help but sn.i.g.g.e.r and shake my head at her feeble attempt of a puppy dog look.

"I'll think about it."

"Ladies." Mr Price snaps, his eyes on us.

We both murmur our apologies and bury our heads in our text books.

Isaac Pregnant? Holy f.u.c.k. Something like that to think about and worry about would explain her flakiness and absence of focus. Jesus Christ. What are kids doing these days? Why aren't lads keeping a cover on it?

I don't remember a time I ever had s.e.x without a condom as a teen. I was always too worried about messing my life up.

Poor girl. She'll probably be another single mother only just making it by, unless she chooses option two. I'm pretty sure termination is completely confidential and free nowadays.

I should talk to my mum about this.

No.

Eloise hasn't told me directly. It's none of my business.

I just can't help but wonder if she's alone in this, with only her friend to guide her. Her equally naive friend, who seems less level headed than Miss Blackburn.

What a f.u.c.ked up situation.

How do I deal with this?

There's only one way to deal with it; sit back and wait until she goes to somebody. A small nudge here and there won't hurt, though. Maybe if I just let her know that I might be male, but I am here if she needs... f.u.c.k. I don't know what the f.u.c.k she needs. Who am I kidding?

The cla.s.s listens well, save for a certain few who take it upon themselves to attempt to disrupt. Luckily for them I send them away and allow them to disrupt wherever the h.e.l.l it is they end up. This isn't secondary school. There's no law that says I have to teach them if they're unwilling to learn. This is a sixth form college cla.s.s and that means I make the rules.

I'm certain most of my students hate me, not including the majority of the female students. The other faculty members don't seem to appreciate me either, not that I care. Mostly I keep to myself and them to their selves. I like it this way. Even with the lovely Katherine as company on occasion, this town is starting to bite at me with the same loneliness that forced me to flee in the first place.

I have to get on with it, for my mum's sake. She deserves to have a loving family around her, especially now.

When the bell rings, I stand by the door and wait for each student to pile out, one by one. In my hand I hold a sheet of paper containing the questions Eloise failed to answer during our last lesson. I tap her on the shoulder with the paper as she pa.s.ses and, with a dazed look in her eyes, she stops, moving slightly to the side to allow her peers to pa.s.s. Hayley also waits, but seems immersed in a game on her mobile phone.

"The work you asked for," I tell Eloise, waving the sheet slightly to draw her attention to it.

She smiles weakly and takes it with only a moment's hesitation. "Thank you. I completely forgot."

Of course she did, the poor girl. I stare at her for a moment, wanting to offer... something as a way to improve her mood. I wish my mind suddenly held even the slightest nugget of wisdom that could guide her in the right direction. Whatever that may be.

"Hand it in when you can; there's no rush," I say quietly, suddenly feeling awkward as her green gaze pierces my own.

"I'll do it while I'm working tonight and drop it in next lesson." She a.s.sures me and I notice a twinkle of determination in the shadow of her irises. "Thanks again, Mr Price."

I nod and wave her along like I would any other student. "Take care, Miss Blackburn."

She seems to catch her breath and I watch her cheeks pink slightly before she ducks her head and exits the room. Hayley, seemingly oblivious to our entire exchange, follows quickly, her eyes still on her phone. I'm left alone with a few stragglers, wondering what Eloise's reaction was about.

I sit perched by the window on the arm of the couch. My mum is currently in her favourite chair by the small, open and unlit fireplace, a circle of cloth in one hand and a needle in the other.

I decide to ask the question that has been plaguing my mind since this morning's lesson and hope that my choice of wording will get me the right answer without revealing too much. "If you discovered that a student in your cla.s.s was pregnant, what would you do?"

My mum stops her sewing and blinks in surprise as her silvery eyes come to mine. "What year?"

"Sixth form, she's... seventeen I think."

Her brow furrows as she absently places the needle and cloth onto the mantelpiece, turning to look at me with more than a little concern. "It would be none of my business. She's not underage and unfortunately there are no laws stating that we have to speak to her or her parents, not unless she comes to you directly for advice."

I blow out a long breath and rub my temples for a moment. "I just don't like how she seems to have drifted. I saw her just last night and..."

"What?"

And I've gone and said more than I was supposed to.

"Her car broke down. I helped her." I explain briefly and clasp my hands between my knees. "She's been slightly unfocused, but not to the point where I thought something this big might be affecting her. I've never been in this situation before, so I'm unsure on how to deal with it."

My mother lets out a bark of laughter. "You've never faced teen pregnancy before?"

"No, I mean yes, I have. I've just never been the first to find out."

She inhales deeply and exhales before relaxing back into her chair. "The only thing you can do is mind your own business at this point. Keep an eye on her mental state and general health. Reach out to her if you can. Let her know she's not alone."

I nod, accepting this to be the best course of action at this point in time. "I just feel so bad for the poor girl."

"Don't we all, but it's not your place to educate her in that area."

Don't I know it?

Being a male teacher has so many ridiculous limitations.

Eloise When work finishes and I finally enter my home, I immediately hear sobbing coming from the kitchen. It halts when I slam the door to notify the house of my arrival.

I daren't go and see my mum right now. I never know what to say when she and my dad go through their rough patches. They always make up, but this time... I don't know... it just seems so dreary and hopeless. I've never seen them so separated and I'm sick of most of their arguments being about me and my wellbeing and whether or not I'm getting enough attention.

I'm fine! I'd be better if they'd stop ignoring each other and then screaming at each other when they are in the same room.

Part of me feels like this is my fault. Ever since my dark days, they've been off kilter. Dad blames Mum for how I was behaving and Mum blames Dad, yet neither of them blame me. It's my fault. I've said it numerous times, but they never listen. I could have said no and stayed home, but I didn't. They didn't push me away.

There wasn't really a reason for my behaviour, other than that my dad can be really controlling. By age fifteen I felt like I wasn't really experiencing life as a normal teenager. He likes to know where I am, where I go and who I'm with. I'm seventeen and my curfew is ten, unless I've prearranged something with his permission. I know it doesn't sound unreasonable, but I felt like it was at the time and I suppose that caused me to lash out at life. I drank a lot; I hung around with boys... I lost my virginity in the back of a car behind an old warehouse.

My memories go back to Justin, who left not long after that night. I smile fondly at the thought of him. My first crush, my first real kiss and my first awkward s.e.xual encounter. It's a shame he left. I should probably call him sometime, see how he's doing. We both made promises to keep in touch, but never did. I was too busy partying and drinking and he moved what seemed to be miles away.

I honestly think I'm just the excuse for my parents. It's like they both need something to push them apart and I'm now officially that something.

As if I don't have enough on my plate without suddenly being the blame of my parents' downfall.

Once in my room, I load my laptop and open a few chat boxes, though my normal happy and chirpy self decides to hide under the bed in a different home and in a different country. I find zero joy in listening to my friends talking about getting drunk at the weekend. What's the point in it anymore?

Is this depression? Am I depressed? Or am I finally growing up?

If it's the latter, then I doubt I'm the first to say that growing up sucks a.r.s.e. I totally get why Peter Pan flew away to Neverland. I think I've missed my opening to join him. One I'm not blonde, two, my name isn't Wendy and three, I'm almost cla.s.sed as an adult.

Sigh.

Chapter Seven.

Isaac She's isolating herself. I've been paying a little more attention than I normally would these past two weeks and I'm not happy with my discoveries. She's no longer sitting with her normal group of friends. She smiles less and less each day and, from the conversations she has with her female friend in my lessons, she's not drinking at all. This last one brings me a small amount of relief. At least she isn't harming her body and the foetus.

"Miss Blackburn, could you stay behind for a minute? I need to speak with you." I tell Eloise as she stands. My eyes scan her body, particularly the area around her midriff. She's not showing, so she isn't far along. That's a.s.suming she's decided to keep the invader.

She looks nervous as she makes her way to my desk and waits patiently for me to close the door behind the final member of cla.s.s. Of course a few of them are curious, but they don't linger, far too eager to get to their lunches.

I don't waste time. I immediately display her past work and quirk a brow in question.

She seems oblivious to what it is I'm referring to. "Problem, Sir?"

"Your work is incomplete."