Clara's Undoing

Clara's Undoing - Chapter Six: Extracurricular And The Ex-Sitter

The next morning came and I didn’t know why but I was more than excited to begin my coffee run for Mr. Parrish. I think I may have come earlier than I usually did and should have.

I ordered the macchiato today, even got muffins since my parents had already left this morning before I woke up and the only breakfast I had was a tic-tac stuck on my dashboard.

Mr. Parrish was already in the room when I got in, surprising me a little. I didn’t think he’d be here this early. I mean if he was gonna be this early everyday, what was the purpose of giving me a key?

“Good morning, Mr. Parrish.” I greeted him as soon as I entered the room. “You’re early.”

He gave me a soft smile, licked his lips, then said, “Good morning to you too, Ms. Wheeler. I’ve got some catching up to do but you’re welcome to pretend I’m not here. I’ll be in my office anyway.”

I handed him his coffee along with my waiver. “Here you go. As promised.”

A smirk crawled onto his lips as he took a long, careful sip. “Macchiato. Just the way I like it. Did you get the same for you?”

I nodded. “I did. Tomorrow, I’ll let you try something else. Oh right, I had your shirt laundered, I should be able to give it back by tomorrow.”

He smirked, an amused expression marred on his face. “Tomorrow’s Saturday.”

“Right. Monday then.” I corrected myself.

“No problem.” He said. We settled into silence, having nothing more to talk about so we just stood there for about a minute looking at each other.

“Yesterday’s experiment was so much fun. Tiring, but fun.” I said, trying to break the ice.

“You’re one of the few who thinks so.” He replied, placing his cup on his desk and organizing a humongous pile of paper with his hands. Only then did I notice how long and slender his fingers were. They were almost too pale too.

“Are you kidding?” I asked rhetorically. “I think your class is the most beloved subject in all of Bridgeborn. Given that half your students are female and they like it because of you, but the boys think you’re cool too.”

“Okay, kiss-a*s, you don’t have to suck up.” He said with a chuckle. “My classroom’s already at your disposal.”

I gave him a sheepish smile. “See? So cool.”

He laughed and then licked his lips again, realizing it was a mannerism of his and whenever he did, a pair of long dimples would appear on either side of his cheeks.

“Are those last week’s Investigatory Papers?”

He nodded. “You should see some of the stuff your classmates wrote in here. Makes me doubt how much they actually like me.”

“Can I do anything to help?”

“It’s fine, I’ve got it.” He replied as he picked the entire pile up with one hand and his coffee in another. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”

“I can’t possibly bother you any more than I already have.” I responded. “You do your thing, Mr. Parrish. You won’t even notice I’m here.”

He gave me one last smile before going into his office, leaving the entire classroom all to myself. I took one sweep around, appreciating the beauty of silence suddenly enveloping me now that I was alone. The glass windows above the lower bookshelf perfectly allowed the rays of sun that were beginning to shine from the beautiful horizon, overlooking the expanse of freshly-cut green grass outside. The painted white track lines had just been redone and the array of trees at the outskirts of the fifteen-thousand square meters were just freshly trimmed.

I took a seat on top of the bookshelf, looking directly over to the window, and took out my sketch book. This was the perfect spot; I could see the entire field from here with the middle school building just at the end while the rest of the high school section on the other end. Suddenly, I began to feel nothing but gratitude that Mr. Parrish offered to let me use his classroom.

With another sip of my coffee, I started drawing. My ruler and pencils were perfectly in-sync this time and everything flowed out like water from a river. Every stroke I was doing made sense and I loved how it was going.

“Is that what you do here in the mornings?”

I jumped a little, glancing behind me to see Mr. Parrish studying at my sketch over my shoulder. “Oh. Yeah. I love drawing Bridgeborn. It’s difficult to appreciate and draw it when it’s full of people, that's why I sneak in the morning.”

“May I?” Mr. Parrish smiled, laying out his hand.

I bit my lip, unsure whether or not I should hand over my sketchbook. “They’re actually not that good.”

He gave me a flat look so I was forced to hand it over to him. He started flipping through the pages, not a hint of reaction on his face which made me feel a little uneasy.

“I don’t let anyone see my drawings in case they’re bad, Mr. Parrish.” I said. “You’re lucky I’m letting you see them.”

“They’re amazing, Ms. Wheeler.” He finally said after l*****g his lips again. “This is pure talent.”

“More like inheritance.” I responded, rubbing a hand on my arm. “My Dad’s an engineer and my mom’s an architect so it wasn’t like I had a choice. It’s just this thing that could pass as a hobby.”

He smirked. “I disagree.”

“I guess they’re okay when it’s just for my sketchbook but you should see my works in Mr. Eugene’s Drafting class, they always turn out horrible. The buildings for my perspective drawing assignment looked like they were cereal boxes with holes.”

“Maybe you just have to stick with the subject that gives you the most inspiration.” He suggested. “Something you actually like to draw, like these ones.”

I shrugged and said nothing else. He handed me back the sketch book.

Suddenly, I felt my phone vibrating. I took it out of my pocket to see who it was and saw James’ name flashing on the screen.

“Excuse me,” I said to Mr. Parrish before I answered the call. “Hey. What’s up?”

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him walk back to his desk while I walked over to the corner-most end of the room.

“Are you at school?” James asked. “I dropped by your house to pick you up but you weren’t there.”

“Oh, yeah I’m here already.” I told him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were going to pick me up.”

“It’s okay, I should’ve called first.” He replied. “And I–uhh… I met your Mom.”

“She’s home? I thought they’d left already.”

“Ran into them driving up the driveway, I think they left something behind.”

“What did she say?”

“She asked if I was coming to their party. I told her I wouldn’t miss it for the world and then she gave me a huge smile that felt almost scary.”

“Oh God. I’m so sorry.” I said in disbelief.

“It’s fine, it was actually nice finally meeting her. I’m on my way there so we can have breakfast together.”

I couldn’t stop the smile from coming to my lips. “Okay. I’ll wait for you at the dining hall.”

The call ended and I immediately stuffed my sketchbook into my bag. I bid Mr. Parrish goodbye and thanks before making my way to the dining hall. There were already a couple of students who had come in by this time.

James came when I had already sat at our usual table and gave me a quick peck on the cheeks, startling me. He placed a tray of cereal in front of me and poured milk in. It was the sweetest gesture I’d ever seen someone do and I couldn’t help but feel warmth spreading all over in my chest.

“Thanks.” I said shyly. “So how did meeting my mother go?”

He let out a nervous chuckle as he scratched the back of his neck. “I think I made a good first impression.”

“It’s not like she didn’t know you before.” I said reassuringly. “She’s friends with your mother, I think.”

He hissed to himself. “Yeah but I’ve never really met any of my mother’s friends for security purposes.”

I frowned, unsure of what he meant by that. “Security purposes?”

He nodded, a huge cheeky grin appearing on his face. “You know, in case they see me walking around drunk at some party or club. I refrain from letting them know what I look like lest they rat me out to my Mom.”

I let out a huge chuckle. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

“See?” He nudged me on the side. “Told you I could teach you a trick or two if you stick around.”

“You know what, Evans?” I asked rhetorically before continuing. “I just might.”

He leant in to give me a quick peck on the lips which I happily welcomed but then he immediately turned it into a deeper one, ultimately shocking me.

“Hey guys!” Sidney’s voice echoed through the entire dining hall, cutting off our kiss. She sat opposite us around the long table and snatched the bowl of cereal from in front of me. “Early day for making out, don’t you think?”

My cheeks grew hot, turning my gaze away.

“Early day for sneaking up on people, don’t you think, Sidney?” James replied. “How come you’re already here? Aren’t you notoriously known for coming in just before the first period begins?”

“Had a little wardrobe crisis and my girl here hooked me up.” She said, pointing to me as she took a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

The rest of our morning was filled with plans for the weekend. Meaning it was all about Rhys Vanderbilt’s Trust Fund Party, which was another tradition in Bridgeborn where the person who turned eighteen and was already entitled to their trust fund would throw an extravagant party surpassing the usual ones we had on a daily basis.

It was like a coming out party for the rich and privileged. Whoever thought of it was a genius, although nobody was sure when it actually started. I asked my Mom if they had it back when she was attending here but she said all they had were the ridiculous dances and unlimited career fairs. So I figured it was someone after them.

James told me he was gonna be in my house at seven to pick me up for our dinner tonight, which was something I had been looking forward to since he asked me. We had decided to skip our after class coffee since we were gonna be seeing each other tonight which slightly offered me some relief. It meant I had more time to prepare.

By lunch, my nerves had already started to betray me. I was knocking things out left and right and my mind couldn’t remain focused. It was as if our impending date was trying to strip me off of my physical ability to stay upright.

I stopped by my locker for my usual book switch-out and as I was, a voice called me out from behind my locker door.

“Ms. Wheeler, do you have a moment?”

I swung it partially closed to see who it was and was surprised to be welcomed by Mr. Parrish’s charismatic green gaze.

“Yeah, what’s up Mr. Parrish?” I responded.

“I was wondering if you’d be able to help me out with the materials for the Physics Fest.” He said, subtly l*****g his lips before continuing—a mannerism he owns that I was now familiar with. “This’ll be my first as head of the department and some of the ones Mrs. Cowick handed down to me were a little outdated… and most definitely, literally filled with cobwebs.”

I nodded slowly and smiled softly. “Sure. When do we start?”

His face lit up, probably from the realization that he wouldn’t be doing this alone. I rarely see him as in-conversation with other students as he was with me and knowing him, he’d be too proud to ask others. This was the perfect opportunity to pay him back for letting me stay in his classroom in the morning.

“After class would be great.” He said. “Don’t worry, I’d be giving you extra credits for this. After checking last week’s papers, you’re gonna need them.”

My eyes widened in terror. “No way! I studied hard for that test!”

Mr. Parrish broke into a soft laughter. “Just messing with you.”

“You’re mean.” I told him. “Have you forgotten you’re asking me a favor?”

He licked his lips again, cleared his throat, and then straightened out his face. “You’re right. I apologize. I’ll see you after class.”

“There better be snacks, Mr. Parrish.” I said before he could walk away.

He gave me a curious look.

I shrugged and looked away. “I get hungry when I work.”

He smirked, shaking his head gently in disbelief of my personality. Well, he was the one asking for a favor, he might as well lay down some ground work.

“Clara?” A female voice came from behind Mr. Parrish.

Immediately recognizing the blonde-haired figure, I screamed as I gave her an embrace. “Jodie! What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for a consultation with Headmistress Mendoza.” She said against my hair before letting me go. “Wow you’ve grown so much!”

“I didn’t.” I said.

She had a huge grin on her face as she watched me from head to toe, a very pronounced amused expression evident in her eyes.

“No, you’re such a lady now! Isn’t she?” She asked subconsciously to the person on her right, which was Mr. Parrish who still hasn’t left yet.

He smiled briefly at her and nodded singularly.

“Oh I’m sorry, I’m Jodie Ackers.” She said, offering her hand to Mr. Parrish. “I’m a friend of Clara’s.”

Somehow, that eased my chest. Having her said she used to be my babysitter instead of being a friend felt like it would give me nightmares.

Mr. Parrish took her hand and gave her a polite smile. “Will Parrish.”

“He’s my Physics teacher.” I said when Mr. Parrish gave no information about himself.

Jodie’s sweet face morphed into surprise. “You’re a teacher? Where were you when I studied here?”

“He started the year you graduated.”

She nodded in understanding. “Huh. So I just missed you by an inch. Anyway, I better go meet Headmistress Mendoza now, but I’ll drop by your house tonight Clara so we can have dinner and catch up.”

I bit my lip. “Oh um… I have plans tonight.”

“Is it a date?” Jodie teased, pinching my arm playfully. “Have you finally taken my advice and actually put yourself out there? Do I know him?”

I smiled sheepishly before looking down and gently scratching the back of my neck. “Actually, it’s James.”

Jodie gasped. “James Evans? Are you serious?”

I nodded gently. Jodie was the first one I ever told about James Evans, the first to be bombarded with all of my newly discovered adolescent feelings for him back in third grade, and the first to show me how to take care of myself so that he would notice me. It was all her before I met Sidney. She graduated before I got to ninth grade then it was as if Sidney inherited the crown of being my fairy godmother.

Jodie shrieked. “Oh my God! I can’t believe it! I’m so happy for you, Clar! You’ve been pining for him since third grade!”

I immediately felt my cheeks growing hot. Jodie was spilling all the juicy beans in front of Mr. Parrish and this was information about me I didn’t want anyone knowing, most definitely, especially not a teacher.

Mr. Parrish cleared his throat and said, “I better leave you two ladies to talk.”

“No, wait!” Jodie exclaimed. “Are you free tonight, Will? Would you like to accompany me to dinner?”

Mr. Parrish’s eyes widened in surprise. He was so taken aback by Jodie’s antics I believe this was the first time I ever saw him unaware of what to say. I mean, he was usually silent but it was evident on his face that he knew what to say whether he decided to say it or not. But this time, his face was completely blank—and it was obvious so was his mind.

“Please?” She gushed, subtly batting her lashes while giving a soft smile—a Jodie power move. Oh man, he’s done for. “I rarely get to visit and it’s hard to wring out a word out from Clara on the phone so this is my only chance to get a front seat at her love life.”

“Jodie!” I cried in embarrassment, in an attempt to stop her before things got way too difficult for me to survive. She was digging the grave but I was the one who got to lie in it. “I’m sure Mr. Parrish’s very busy.”

“As a matter of fact, I’m free for dinner.” He contradicted, taking me aback. “I’ll see you tonight. If you’ll excuse me.”

Before I could even react, Mr. Parrish was already out of sight.