My Loosing Game

Dealing with Mr. Matthews

"Since I'm seeing some new faces today, I want to take a moment to tell you a bit about myself," Mr. Matthews says with a friendly smile.

"I'm Mr. Matthews, your teacher for this class, and I'll be teaching you all about science this year."

As he speaks, his eyes seem to linger on me, making me feel uneasy.

I wonder why he's staring at me so intently.

Then, out of the blue, he focuses on me directly and asks, "Hey, new student, would you like to introduce yourself?"

I feel a rush of nerves and my heart starts to beat faster.

Now, all eyes in the room are on me,

watching my every move and waiting to hear what I'll say.

My hands start to sweat and I stand up slowly, my voice shaky,

"Um, hi everyone, I'm Liyora Brooks. I just moved here with my dad."

.

That statement I made was partially true—yes, I had recently moved here, but when I said I moved with my dad, it wasn't entirely honest. I just didn't want everyone to know that I was here all by myself in this unfamiliar town.

Mr. Matthews acknowledged me with a slight nod and a small smile.

"Welcome to Merry Hill High School, Miss Liyora. If you find yourself needing notes from previous lessons, don't hesitate to approach me later," he offered reassuringly before launching into the day's lesson.

It felt odd because he spoke to me as if we were strangers, as if he didn't recognize me at all.

I have to give it to him; he's a master at putting on a façade of normalcy.

His act is so convincing, I'd easily award him a perfect score for his performance.

As the class dragged on, I found myself eagerly counting down the minutes until it would finally be over. I couldn't bear to be in his presence any longer.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, I hastily gathered my belongings, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

But he had other ideas.

"Hey, new student, I need to speak with you in my office right away," he declared, addressing the entire class. I couldn't bring myself to refuse, and despite my reluctance, I reluctantly trailed after him.

As I stepped into his office, I couldn't help but notice how tidy and old-fashioned it looked.

Sunlight streamed in through a large window, brightening up the room.

I stood near his desk, feeling a little uneasy.

Then, out of nowhere, he walked over and pulled the curtain shut, blocking out the sunlight. It made me even more uncomfortable.

"Are you following me?" Mr. Matthews asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"What? Why would I do that? Don't you know only bad people stalk others?" I shot back, frustration evident in my tone.

"Hey, new student, watch your language," he warned, his voice tinged with anger.

"My name isn't 'new girl,' it's Liyora," I insisted. "And what if I don't listen to you? Mister, I don't see you as a teacher. Even if nobody else knows what you really are, I do. And I don't respect criminals."

His expression shifted to one of shock.

"A criminal? You're accusing me of being a criminal?" he questioned, a fake smile masking his true emotions.

I met his gaze squarely, refusing to show any sign of fear or backing down.

Then, he began toying with the bandage on his head, a calculated move.

"I have that wooden rod with me. I'm certain my blood and your fingerprints are all over it. What do you think will happen if I report this to the police? I'm curious to see what unfolds. Who will be deemed the real criminal?" he taunted with a sly smile, leaving me feeling uncertain and fearful.

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I hadn't even considered this possibility.

If he followed through with his threat and reported me to the police, I could be charged with a crime and potentially face jail time. It was then that I realized he couldn't possibly be a genuine teacher. No decent teacher would threaten their student with legal repercussions. He was hiding here for a reason, likely because he had committed some serious wrongdoing.

I couldn't allow myself to end up in jail or start my new life under such dire circumstances. Summoning my courage, I proposed a deal.

"How about we strike a deal? You don't report me, and I won't divulge anything about Saturday night. You can remain in hiding, and we both come out on top. What do you say?"

"A deal, eh?" he replied with a smirk, locking his piercing blue eyes onto mine. After a tense moment, he nodded.

"Alright, it's a deal. But if I catch wind of any rumors circulating in this high school, remember – the next day, you'll find yourself in police custody."

"I promise to keep quiet. But I'll be praying that you don't get away with your deception and are eventually apprehended by the authorities," I retorted, leaving his office feeling frustrated and shaken.

During lunch, Cristina introduced me to her wonderful friends, each with their own unique personalities. Josh's infectious cheerfulness and bright, sunny hair lifted my spirits, while Olivia's intelligence and friendly demeanor, accentuated by her bold glasses, made me feel welcomed. Being part of their group gave me hope that things might improve and that I could find my place in this new environment.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I was eager to focus on my part-time job and put the stress of the school day behind me.

With a determined smile, I met Ms. Wilson and began my job. Keeping busy helped me distance myself from the challenges of school and gave me a sense of positivity for the future.

As I lay in bed, contemplating how to handle Mr. Matthews, I realized I needed to proceed with caution. There was something off about him, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something sinister. Perhaps he had a dark past and was now masquerading as a teacher to evade capture. For my own safety, I resolved to keep my distance from him and avoid any further entanglement. It was essential to prioritize my well-being and steer clear of any potential danger he might pose.