"That's quite alright, don't cry."
The bell rang, and she stared at me in horror as I smiled reassuringly. "I'll take you there, don't worry. You won't be in trouble."
"But—"
"You won't. What's your name?" I kindly smiled as she looked up at me.
"Tamara Oldstein," she answered obediently, her eyes wide.
"Ok, Tamara, let's go."
Evan
"First impressions count, and you arriving fifteen minutes late to my class tells me you don't care for punctuality. Detention after school."
"But Sir, I was lost—"
"I'm sorry, did I allude to the fact that I care? Next time be on time."
I ignored her protests and turned back to the rest of the class. An email pinged on my screen, and I almost stopped talking when I saw the sender.
Martin, Jain.
Somehow, I managed to continue the lesson and ignored it until the end when I saw what it said.
Evan,
Tamara Oldstein was late to your class today because of me. If you've been your usual grumpy self, please apologise to her. It's my fault.
Jain.
I glanced up, seeing the girl in question packing her bag away, checking her watch quickly.
"Tamara, I think there was a misunderstanding. Youwere with Miss Martin?" I called, and she blinked, mumbling something under her breath.
I raised my eyebrows as I held a hand to my ear. "Sorry, didn't catch that?"
"Yes, I was with her. At least, I think it was her. Very pretty, young..." Tamara blushed wildly, and I nodded.
"Indeed. In that case, you need not attend detention. My apologies. Do you need any help finding your next class?"
She stared at me as Kellan Clark finally stood, still texting on his phone.
I nodded at him. "Kellan. Would you please help Miss Oldstein find her next class?"
Kellan stared at me with disdain before rolling his eyes. He glanced at Tamara, who was burning a scarlet red, and I felt a pang of guilt.
"Sure. What have you got?"
Even I blinked in surprise, especially when Tamara dropped her books, and Kellan helped her pick them up.
Kellan was not a gentleman, nor any kind of gallant boy, but he had no trouble helping the new girl.
"Uh, design tech? I can find my way—"
"Clearly, you can't," he pointed out, holding his hand out for her to pass him.
"Thank you, Kellan," I murmured when he shot me a strange look.
