Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1 (12 page)

No. I’ve worked too hard to fail now. I just need to apologise to Mr Price and hope he forgives me.

Turning on my heel, I take a step away from the door.

A yelped screech leaves my throat when the belt loop of my jeans yanks me backwards into the door after sliding itself over the door handle.

Oh bloody hell.

I’m about to free myself when the door is pulled and I’m no longer standing but falling towards the dark blue carpet that covers the office floor.

I dangle for a moment by my hip before I hear a tear and fall onto my side.

“Kill me.” I mutter, my face heating as my hands cover my closed eyes. “Don’t even talk or announce yourself, just kill me.”

I hear a snort and then laughter… male laughter, right before hands grip me under the arms and pull me upwards. I don’t remove my hands from my eyes.

“Just point me in the direction of a cliff I can jump off,” I murmur as the male laughter continues and proceeds to get louder.

“You’re a disaster, you know that right?”

I remove my hands from my eyes and glare at the two similar looking men. Mr Price is basically a younger version of his father, who stands beside him, laughing silently into his hand. “I hate my life.” Then I glare at my History teacher and prod him in the chest. “This is your fault.”

“Oh?” He only looks amused.

“I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for you and now you’re laughing at me!” I prod his solid chest again before turning to his father. “Your son sucks arse.” And on that note I turn and stomp in the direction that leads to the exit, ignoring the laughter that follows me down the hall. This time Mr Price senior’s isn’t silent.

I can never show my face in this school again. Ever.

The entire way home I stomp, my face bright red and steam coming from my ears. Blah.

Isaac

I can’t help but feel a certain amount of satisfaction when, come Wednesday morning, Eloise walks into my class looking as embarrassed and annoyed as she looked after falling through the door to the school office.

I even go so far as to smile smugly at her as I hand her the class work.

Her eyes narrow bitterly, but this only makes me smile harder, especially when I recall her face when she blamed me for her clumsiness on Monday afternoon.

I haven’t seen her in the halls at all since Monday. I can only assume she’s been avoiding me and for some reason this only makes me smile even more.

“Okay, so I have something to run by you all before we begin.” I yell over their loud chatter and annoying laughter. They shush each other and take their seats. “As you all know, the Halloween party is coming up for the younger years.” A collective groan sounds throughout the room. They know what I’m about to ask. “I bet you guys loved these parties when you were in secondary school. It’s not possible without a few of you helping out at the food tables and keeping an eye on the halls.”

“I’ll help,” Shannon immediately says, a smile on her face and her hand in the air.

“Thank you, Shannon.” At least I’ve got one on board. Everybody else seems to be looking everywhere but at me. “Come on guys, it’s only three hours.” The groan sounds again. “Fine, let it be on your conscience when this gig is cancelled and… don’t think I won’t be telling them all who it was that let them down.”

“Why can’t the teachers do it?” Wesley asks, his chin resting on his bag that resides on the desk. “Surely there’s enough of them?”

“There are, but a lot of them have families to look after and the ones available are helping. Like myself and Miss Hart, we’ll both be attending.”

“Can we bring booze?”

I shoot him an incredulous look. “Is that a serious question?”

Nobody else volunteers and I’m already bored of trying to convince them. They aren’t interested, so what’s the point?

“You should do a haunted school theme,” Hayley suddenly adds, looking perked. “That would be awesome. Have people chasing the kids through the classrooms. I’m pretty sure you can hire people who can do that sort of get up.”

That actually isn’t such a bad idea.

“You could charge at the door. I’d pay for that.” Daniel, a boy who I’ve never heard talk before states, looking as excited as Hayley.

“Yeah!” Hayley starts bouncing in her seat. “Teachers could dress up as serial killers and ghosts. Like a haunted house, but a haunted school.”

“We’d need a permit and a lot of money.” I chew on my lower lip. “But it wouldn’t have to be students only. We could make the money back.”

“You’d just need a sponsor. What about Elle’s dad? He’s rolling in it.” Wesley turns towards the half asleep female and she immediately stiffens and glares at him. “It’s true. He does and he’d make it back, but even if he didn’t I doubt it would be more than pocket change to him.”

Eloise flips him off, clearly uncomfortable at the sudden attention.

“Her family aren’t rich.” Hayley snaps, patting Eloise’s hand comfortingly.

“Yeah right, they own half the buildings in town…”

“Their money is tied up in solid investment plans and accounts that can’t be accessed. They aren’t rolling in it at all. They’re comfortable and that’s it.”

I raise my hand and silence the ongoing argument that Eloise isn’t even a part of. It seems this isn’t the first time her parent’s money has been brought into the mix. “I’ll talk it over with the Head teacher and get back to you all on Monday.”

This seems to placate them, though not entirely. They’re a lot more alert than they were and I let them talk through their work, making sure to listen for any half decent ideas I could pass on to Katherine.

Eloise

“We could make it into a charity event,” Hayley blurts halfway through our lesson, startling everyone. “We could raise money for the poor ickle kiddies in the hospitals that are suffering from cancer and stuff. They can’t exactly celebrate Halloween like us and that’s really unfair.”

Mr Price nods, a smile on his face. “That we could. It’s definitely a possibility.”

“My dad would probably be happy to sponsor that,” I put in and again everyone turns towards me. “And if he doesn’t, then I bet Crystal would.”

“See, I told you she had money,” Wesley calls, pointing at me like I’m the main suspect in a crime.

“That’s enough, Wesley.” Mr Price demands, but his eyes remain on Hayley. “If you’d be up for helping organise it Hayley…”

“I am, I totally am! Eloise will too, won’t you Elle?”

I will? “Umm…”

“Like I said, we’ll discuss it Monday or after I’ve spoken to the Head Teacher. I’ll let you know. Thank you for the suggestions. Now can we please do our work?” His pointed look lingers on me. I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling at his accusatory stare. I don’t know why, but the thought of him actually thinking of me makes me happy, even if it is because he’s worried I won’t do the work, which I’m proud to admit I’m doing and hopefully doing well.

When the bell rings for lunch, I stand and look at our teacher. I’m not sure if I should be staying during lunch hour or not. Mr Price sees my hesitation and waves me over.

Hayley lurks by the door, waiting to see if I’m staying or going. I’m grateful for that. I don’t really want to spend lunch searching for her if I’m not to be tutored this lesson.

“Today I’m helping Miss Hart with organising the Halloween party, so you have this lunch hour off,” he says, smirking slightly.

“Right.” I nod and go to turn.

A warm hand wraps around my wrist, startling me. I blink in shock and my mouth falls open when he turns my hand over and places something in my palm before using his free hand to close my fingers. “Watch your step.”

When he releases me I look down at my closed hand and take note of the soft lump that hides beneath my curled fingers. I flex them, revealing the hidden gift, but my irritation spikes the second I do.

“My belt loop,” I comment wryly, holding the denim strip between my fingers, the same strip that tore off when I got stuck on the office door. “You must think you’re so amusing.”

Mr Price throws his head back, his strong, corded neck flexing as he laughs at my expense.

Growling, I stomp to the door, flipping my hair as I go and dropping the belt loop in the bin.

“Goodbye, Eloise,” he calls as I close the door behind me.

“What was that all about?” Hayley asks, her eyes glittering with curiosity and suspicion.

“Nothing,” I say, still growling. “Teachers are stupid.”

“Amen to that, Sister.” She links her arm through mine and we walk towards the hall. “But seriously, what was that all about?”

“It’s a long story.”

Her eyes narrow as she glances at me sideways. “Right… if you say so.”

“It’s nothing, he just… he thinks he’s funny is all.”

“You two seem… close?” She prods, her elbow digging into my side at the same time. “He seems to pay more attention to you than the rest of us.”

No he doesn’t. “He’s just doing his job.”

“If you say so.”

I sigh, pulling my arm free so I can look around to make sure nobody is listening in on our conversation. “Don’t make it into something it isn’t. You know how everybody around here can be. I’m not having my reputation and his tarnished because he wants me to succeed in his class.”

“Fair point. Nobody would blame you though…”

“Blame me?” What on earth is she talking about?

“Yeah, I mean… he is really freaking hot.”

“Amen to that, Sister,” I giggle, pulling her back into my side. “Come on, I’m hungry and I have an extra sandwich in my bag with your name on it.”

“Now that is a language I speak.”

“The language of sandwiches?”

“Is it ham?”

“And egg, with salad.”

“Then yes, the language of sandwiches.”

I shake my head with amusement. “You’re so weird.”

“And hungry…”

My stomach growls angrily, confirming the fact that I am too. “Let’s go. I think Garrett is meeting us in the hall.”

“Commons or actual hall?”

“Commons.” We both turn right at the same time, smiling together as the conversation shifts to things I’m comfier discussing.

Is she right? Does Mr Price pay more attention to me? It sure seems that way. And if so, then why me?

Isaac

I pluck the belt loop from the empty bin and pocket it. I’m not sure why I do it and before I have a chance to think about it, the door opens and in strolls Katherine, a book and pen in one hand and a bag of food in the other.

“Shall we begin?” She grins, her eyes dragging up and down my body before meeting mine. I nod and offer her my comfy seat behind my desk. “Such a gentleman.”

First time I’ve ever been called that and it will probably be the last.

“I’ve gotten a few students on board. Their ideas are actually really good, but I’m not sure we have enough time to put them into action.”

Katherine’s eyes light up. “If it means extra hours after work, I don’t mind.”

Well I do. “Right.”

“Unless you’re helping out with your mum. I totally understand.”

My guilt overrides my selfishness. “It’s fine. I’ll be able to fit a few late days in, I’m sure.”

“Excellent!” She claps her hands together and slides the bag of food my way. “Let’s begin.”

******

I sit by my mum’s hospital bed holding her frail hand as she sleeps peacefully, her chest rising and falling with each calm and relaxed breath.

My dad sits the other side, his head bowed from exhaustion and sorrow.

“She won’t move,” My dad says in response to my suggestion. “She’ll only get worse faster if she’s in a place that she doesn’t know.”

I know he’s right, but we can’t keep going through this. “Then we need to install a stair lift and make the house suitable.”

“Do you have ten grand?” My dad snaps, his troubled, bloodshot eyes on me.

“We’ll come up with something. We’ll have to.”

My dad’s shoulders slump and his head rests against my mother’s arm. “We’ll tackle one thing at a time. This is the second fall she’s had this month. Stair lift first. If we put our wage packets together, we’ll be able to have one installed.”

“I could get a loan.”

“No.” My dad lifts and shakes his head. “That should be our last resort. Right now it isn’t necessary. We’ll figure it out.”

I release mum’s hand and stand, eager to stretch my legs. “What about when it gets worse? What are we going to do then?”

“I’ll just have to leave work. I have a pension waiting for me. If I appeal and explain my circumstances…”

My mum groans in her slumber and rolls, wincing as she tries to move the leg that has been wrapped in bandages and placed on rolled up blankets to keep her elevated. My dad hits the button to call the nurse and, just like that, we both stop talking and instead sit in silence until the sun rises in the sky.

Eloise

“Mr Price?” I say softly as I walk into his classroom.

His head is on his arms and his eyes are closed. His face is towards me and the way his lips are scrunched and slightly parted is actually kind of adorable.

Maybe I should let him sleep.

Nah.

“Mr Price?” I make my way over to him, stopping when my thighs are against his desk. My finger hovers above his head for a moment before I make the final decision to tap his temple. I do it a little bit harder than I planned, but it doesn’t seem to stir him from his slumber. “Hello?”

I drop my bag on the floor, hoping the bang will wake him. It doesn’t, although he does let out an unattractive snort before burying his face directly into the circle of his arms.

I tug on a blond lock of hair at the base of his head, the sensitive hairs that sit along his neck. He only grunts and shrugs his shoulders.

“Does this mean I can go?” I reach for my bag again.

A vice like grip snags the sleeve of my jumper, causing me to jolt in shock and surprise. “I’m awake.” He says this without lifting his head from his other arm. “Sit.”

“Umm…”

The door opens without a knock and Miss Hart stops with her hand on the handle. Her eyes shoot between Mr Price and myself as he abruptly releases me and sits upright.

The way he suddenly moved just made this entire thing look extremely suspicious. I’m not sure what to do now. I’m certain that standing on the spot with wide eyes and twitching hands is really not helping this situation at all.