•Part 19•

                                    

                                          

Just over a week later Mitchell and I had recovered and it was time to face school once again. Mitchell let go of my hand as we entered the car park and we walked our separate ways. 
                          
"I hope you realise how serious this is," the headteacher looked disappointed.
                          
"I do, I take full responsibility of what happened," I nodded.
                          
"You've been seeing one of your students out of school hours," he spoke as he scribbled things down on a piece of paper.
                          
"That's what I told you," I replied sarcastically.
                          
"We will take a statement from Mitchell but if he confirms it you will be suspended and there will be a further investigation," he explained.
                          
"Will I be able to continue my career as a teacher?" I asked.
                          
"Mitchell Cobes is soon to be eighteen so even though you are forbidden to teach here there is a chance some other schools may accept you in the future," he continued.
                          
"I'm going to take some time off anyway," I admitted.
                          
"That's the right thing to do," he handed me a slip of paper.
                          
"Have you ended things with him yet?" The head asked.
                          
"Do I have to?" I frowned.
                          
"It'd prevent rumours going around the school and it would also do Mitchell some favours," he pointed at one of the bullet points off the slip of paper in my hand.
                          
"He could be kicked out of school!" I shouted, anger obvious in my voice.
                          
"If the pair of you go your separate ways then there's nothing keeping you together," he attempted to point me in the right direction.
                          
"But there is," I mumbled.
                          
"There is what?" The head relaxed back in his chair, his arms crossed.
                          
"I'm pregnant," I revealed.
                          
"Well, congratulations," he smiled.
                          
"Does that affect things?" I questioned.
                          
"I guess it shows that you are already committed to your partner and that you and Mitchell were a one time thing," he presumed.
                          
"That's the thing," I began.
                          
"You're not going to say what I think you are," he gave me a serious look.
                          
"It's his," I answered him.
                          
"Then I don't know what's going to happen," he sighed deeply.
                          
"If I resign, will there be a chance he could keep his spot on the football team and continue studying here?" I grew worried for Mitch's future.
                          
"I will still need to report you but there will be no need to bring Mitchell's name into it," I was relieved after hearing his response.
                          
"I'll collect my things, thank you for having me for the past few years," I shook the head teacher's hand and left his office.
                          
Thankfully students were still coming into school so the hallways were quiet. I headed to my classroom, I didn't know whether to feel sad and disappointed that I was no longer a teacher or relieved that Mitchell could still have the future he dreamed of. 
                          
"No hard feelings?" I heard Luke talking to Mitch as I walked past them.
                          
"Miss Hamilton, cup of coffee?" Mrs Allor called me just as I managed to walk past the boys without them noticing me.
                          
"I'm heading off," I waved her off and continued walking.
                          
"What about school?" She followed behind.
                          
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I'm moving away as I've been offered a teaching job at another school," I lied.
                          
"It'll be sad to see you go," she hugged me.
                          
"Keep in touch," I tapped her arm before making a quick exit.
                          
"Miss!" I heard someone call me just as I shut the entrance door. 
                          
As soon as the door shut behind me I could no longer call myself a teacher. There was no reason to respond to any students.
                          
"Where are you going?" a hand touched my waist from behind.
                          
"Go back inside Mitchell," I knew instantly who this was.
                          
"Have you called in sick? Is it the baby?" He grew concerned.
                          
"No, we're fine, just going home," I sighed.
                          
"You've told them," the sound of his footsteps behind me faded.
                          
"You've got a chance to live your dream so live it," I turned around to see him crouching down on the floor giving me a guilty look.
                          
"My dream is to be with you," He sulked.
                          
"You'll always have me, I mean you're kind of stuck with me now," I touched my stomach before walking back to him.
                          
"Who's supposed to help me pass English now?" He pushed himself up.
                          
"You'll get a new teacher, perhaps one that you shouldn't impregnate," I joked.
                          
"I wouldn't do it to anyone else," his pinky finger linked with mine.
                          
"I can still tutor you if you're ever behind," I smiled.
                          
"I'll see you soon then," he lifted his backpack onto his back and reentered the school.
                          
"Bye," I whispered to Mitch and also to the school.
                          
It didn't look as if I'd be back there for a while. I guess it was a good thing, I did often complain about going in so a break from early mornings and stressful days would be perfect. I could finally stop hiding. I could finally be pregnant.
                          
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