Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty-One

"I've got an idea." I hear Ian say as I carried my empty plate over to the sink. I dumped it in and turned back round to face him. He was sitting at the kitchen table still and looked deep in thought. "What's the idea?"

"I was just thinking. Maybe...after school we can do something."

"Do something?" I repeated hesitantly. What was he thinking? He smiled, "Anything you want. Get a take-away, go cinemas maybe. Whatever you want." Wow, he was full of ideas. I hurriedly shook my head, "N-no. I want to stay here after school."

With that, Ian gave me a freaked-out look. As if I was crazy in a way. "Why?"

"Um...I... I just do, ok?"

"No, tell me. Why not? I thought you'd love to do something after school?"

"I'm closing this conversation!" I sang and covered my palms over my ears. I shut my eyes tight, trying to block his presence out. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful as I felt Ian's hands clasp around both of my wrists, yanking them down to my sides. "I can assure, you are not closing it, Miss Copper."

"Well, that's funny. Because I can fucking assure you that I am!" I suddenly shouted out of anger and snatched my wrists out of his grip. "Don't fucking dare! Don't!" I shouted as he reached out to grab me again.

His eyes grew sad and eventually he gave up. "Alice, calm down. Let us talk about this."

"How many times!? I don't want to fucking talk!"

"You don't realise, that maybe talking is what you need." Ian said calmly. He was so calm and patient it irritated me, I just felt like ripping my hear out. "That's the problem with you teachers! Talk, talk, talk...fucking talk! What if us students don't want to talk!?" He stared at me blankly, his hands hanging at his sides. "I'm just trying to help you, Alice. You need to learn to open up to people."

"Why? So then everyone can fuck with my head and use me? No thank you!" I scoffed and turned away, grabbing my hoodie off the kitchen stool and my school tie which I hadn't yet put on.

I made my way out of the kitchen and through to the hallway. As I made it to the front door, Ian reached out and twisted me round to face him. The action shocked me beyond anything, he had never run after me before when I always stormed off, he just let me get on with it. However, once he turned me round to face him, I noticed the look in his eyes. It looked so saddened and pained, and a rush of guilt immediately flowed through me. My stomach swirled in waves, not knots.... just waves. Waves of guilt and pain. Something I always desereved. He must have felt worst than me from the painful look in his dark chocolate eyes which now stared pleadingly down at me.

"I'm not asking you to give yourself away to anyone. Just open up. That doesn't mean to everyone, just me at least. Something simple, that I ask of you. It'd make our situation a whole easier." His voice was soft, calm and most of all patient.

I signed and ran my fingers through my hair, "Oh, you mean the situation you made about promising Mrs Burnette that you could help me?"

"I mean, the situation about you getting your act together before Mrs Burnette take action to kick you out of the school. Is that what you want?" He asked and leaned his face closer to mine until our noses were only inches apart. I could feel his warm breath hit my cheeks and immediately caused the hairs on my skin to stand up.

I tensed as I replied reluctantly. "Fine."

"I'll see you in English, period four. I want a two paper essay out of you by the end of that hour lesson. If it's not done, you're staying back for two hours and I'll make sure you write it." He said in a firm and strict tone. Fuck, he's serious. He's gone all teachery on me. I gulped and he let go of my arm, letting it full to my side. "Ok, Sir."

"Go." He whispered and I immediately turned towards the front door and bolted out.

I had to walk to the bus stop and get the bus to school. Obviously, Ian couldn't give me a lift because the teachers and students at school would suspect something. It was never normal to see a student and teacher together, getting out of a car. That just wouldn't be right, I had to play it call. It wasn't just about the fact we had kissed, it was more about the fact that I had been living on my own and he was now looking after me.

If anyone found out I was now living with him without governments permission, he would possibly be sacked and I'd get put into care, plus I'd have social services around me. Social services were the last thing I needed, i fucking hate those people.

I arrived at school within half hour. Since Ian lived further away from the school than i did, so considering I was travelling from his house it as twice the journey. I flipped my hoodie over my head and made sure no one could see my face. My hair covered my face as I kept my eyes on the floor and my ear plugs blaring loudly in my ears.

"Alice! Alice!" A voice find voice is ringing through the air, but my mind is to involve in my music. I can't even notice its my name that is being said.

"Alice! Alice, fucking answer me!" Ooh, shit. Whoever it is has got issues, judging by their temper.

I pull the ear plug from my left ear and look over my shoulder to where the voice is coming from. Natasha. What was she doing here? Well, more to the point, why did she want to talk to me, after all that had happened and the awkward silence between us and especially Dylan. "Oh, about time! You do realise I'm going to have no voice tomorrow morning, right!?" She pants as she finally catches up with me. We're face to face, in person and actually look at each other. I look at her with a baffled expression, "Why are you talking to me?"

She looks at me then, as if I'm crazy. "I'm your friend, Alice. You really think I was going to sit back and let you collapse as you try and survive without me?" Typical big headed, Natasha. Same old, but for some reason...I was glad to be able to speak to her again.

"You're my mate. Mates look out for each other, and I want to look out for you. I'm so sorry I didn't run after you that day and gave you the silent treatment..." She paused, "I just felt hurt when you just walked off and left me. I didn't know how to take it. You hurt me. I don't want to lose a friend."

"Oh..." Was all I could say.