Touchy...

Mrs. Mellon walked in and sat down at her desk at the front of the class. She made eye contact with Watson while all the other students were talking and causing commotion. Her eyes told him to approach.

“Yes ma’am?” He asked arriving at her desk.

“Good morning young man…” She looked at him differently than she did yesterday. She knew something about him. Something she didn’t know before. ‘Young man’ she said… those two words slid out of her mouth like syrup. He’s confused but keeps a straight face.

“Good morning Mrs. Mellon.”

“Do you have the form for the trip filled out?”

“Oh! Yes, I have it right here.” He walked back to his desk and retrieved it from his backpack.

“Here you go.” He handed it to her. She received the paper so gently, so calmly, she brushed his hand with her fingers as she did it. This was their first physical contact. It was unusual, she had never been this friendly with him.

“Thank you, Watson.” She looked over it intently. “Yes, I think everything is fine. I’ll approve this this afternoon for you and your sisters.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Are you going? Or is it just Ryan?”

“Ms. Ryan.” She corrected him sternly, but like a mother would do.

“Yes, Ms. Ryan.” He was scared of Mrs. Mellon for sure. She was always calm, but like a samurai, you knew she could obliterate you if she wanted to.

“I shall be there as well, young man. Is that okay?”

“Um…” What is she asking. Is it okay?

“Do you not want me to chaperone?” She pressed him uncomfortably, with a sly grin.

“No—no, I just wasn’t expecting you to ask me that. You’re a great teacher!”

“Well, I’m glad you think so, Watson. You’ve grown to be one of my favorite students…” Ominous thing for her to say. What had he done?

“I have?” he pondered.

‘Oh yes, ever since…” Just then the bell rang, and everyone began sitting down so Mrs. Mellon could give announcements. “Go on and take a seat…” She smiled at him; her eyes beamed at him with affection.

Watson took his seat. The bell rang again for the start of first period, as he was leaving Mrs. Mellon stared him down again and motioned for him to approach her desk, he did as he was told.

“Yes ma’am?”

“My apologies Watson, I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable…”

“Mrs. Mellon? I don’t understand…”

“Helen and I…” His heart stopped. He felt his limbs go numb. All the liquid in his body suddenly evaporated. “We’ve been friends for a long time.” She stood and rested her cheek on his ear. “I hear you’re a very good boy…” He sees her hand slowly move towards his crotch. She’s staring straight ahead, giving nothing away to the students who are still flowing out of her classroom. Another student calls her name, the trance ends and her demeanor changes back to what he knew. She walked around him and went to address the student. Watson runs out of the class without looking back. What has he done.