I could stare at his handsome face all day. When I'm with Blaine I can forget about Michael and all the pain and self hatred I put myself through day after day. It's bliss.

My Bliss is short lived as my phone starts flashing, vibrating around the table bringing me down from my high. Jolting us both out of our intense little world. Speak of the devil.

ONE NEW MESSAGE: STEF.

S: Heard off lover boy?

K: Yes.
And he's not my loverboy!

S: WELL?
New shirt?

K: He's just started a new job.
He's a Spanish teacher.
He works at Mckinley.
I am currently eating lunch with him.
No to the shirt.

S: I can't remember what you not being sarcastic sounds like. Weird.

K: For once in my life, NOT being sarcastic!

S: I don't believe you. Send me a picture.

K: Stef, I'm not sending you a picture!

S: .....

K: NO!

S: I WILL HOUND YOU ALL DAY

K: Still not sending a pic.

S: Remember that one night at the Karaoke Bar? Shortly followed by Flaming Ink?

K: bitch.

How embarrassing, can't believe I'm actually about to do this.

'You know how crazy Stef is right? I mean you've experienced it first hand.' I say letting my nervous chuckle fill the air around us. Oh god this is so cringe worthy. 'It's just, she doesn't believe you actually work here and well, she wants me to send a picture.' I say grunting trying to conceal my embarrassment with my hands.

'Sure I don't mind.' I let our a sigh of relief. 'I have a better idea tho'

K: 'picture goes here lol'

S: Oh dear lord.

'What did she say?' Blaine asks amused as I smile at my phone.

'Oh dear lord!' I say laughing, knowing she's sitting there less then pleased.

'Well I better go get ready for a bunch of seniors that can't even speak English let alone Spanish.' Blaine says rolling his eyes and smiling although it clearly frustrates him.

I chuckle and wave him a goodbye as we walk out into the crowded halls which resemble that of a cattle market. Although cattle would probably easier to teach!

______________________________________________________________________________

I give each student their test papers and return to my desk. Sneaking my phone out remembering I never text Stef back. I glance around making sure all eyes are down and all pens are scribbling furiously as I tap out my reply.

K: Yes.
So I heard you stole his phone and then threatened him?

S: Lies.

K: You said 'If you don't ring him and pay for his shirt i will find you dwarf'

S: That just doesn't sound like me at all. I'm sticking with my story.

I glance upwards and see Sean Henrick walking towards my desk. Shit. Busted.

'I thought no phone's were allowed on in class sir?' The Jock snickers.

'I'd hate to fail you Mr. Henrick, for cheating.' Am I actually attempting to blackmail a student?! Fuck my life. He opens his mouth as if to protest but I cut him off promptly. 'I didn't see you and you didn't see me, capiche?'

'What does capi..?'

'Oh It doesn't matter, just sit down!' I tell him waiting until after he has scowled at me and taken his seat do I look back at my phone to see another text.

S: I always thought you were the Samwise to my Frodo.

K: What the hell is it with you and Hobbit's?!

S: Well it seems you have your own real life Hobbit now :(

K: Oh god. Be quiet. Blaine is lovely.
Stop calling him a Hobbit.

S: Lovely aye? ;)

K: Shut up!
I'm with Michael as you well know.

S: God knows why.

K: You remember what happened last time I tried to leave him.

S: How can I forget, I spent 16 hours in A&E with you.

K: And I will be forever grateful. Lets not go into the details please.

I throw my phone in my draw, slam it shut and lock it like it will lock my past away, earning a few strange glances from the kids still doing their test. My perfectly good mood ruined again. Thinking back to that night makes my stomach tighten and the sudden lump in my throat makes me feel nauseous.

It was about a year into the relationship. Michael had slowly but surely moved himself into my house without me realising before it was to late. It was around that time he started to change. The long and short of it is; I confronted him. Told him I didn't want to be with him any more. He flipped out grabbing my arm, bending it behind my back until my shoulder dislocated. He grabbed me by my hair and snatched my head backwards as he told me; 'If you ever try and leave me again I will kill you. Do you fucking hear me? You're mine. I own every part of you, princess.' Those words have imprinted onto my brain. My head spins and my body becomes rigid at the pain, fear and helplessness that comes running back in my mind. I wince at the images that flood my mind of what happened next.

I remember him screaming down my ear, flecks of his saliva smashing themselves against my tear stained face as he tore my clothes off. Piece by piece.

I blacked out through the unbearable pain. Once he was done with me, he left.

I just remember waking up in a hospital bed, vision hazy from the pain relief and Stef holding my hand. She had just moved in next door and heard the commotion, she waited until Michael had left and came round to check on me. She covered me up and took me to the hospital. She was truthfully my saviour that day and has been ever since. Of course she wanted me to ring the Police but I couldn't do it. I was frightened of what would happen and I have been living in fear ever since.

I feel a tear escape and roll down my face as I quickly wipe it away hoping no students caught a glimpse of their teacher slowly falling apart. The bell sounds for next period and the kids place their tests on my desk. I sit there for three quarters of an hour staring into space, mind numb, not actually thinking a single thing. I'm so thankful for this free period right now. My stomach suddenly growls jolting me out of my misery as I remember only picking at my Ceaser Salad, too rapped up in conversation with Blaine to actually eat anything.

I reach for my draw to retrieve my wallet and head towards the vending machine as I see my phone flashing.

S: If Frodo can take the ring to Mordor, you can leave Michael.

I smile at the text, half sadness and half fondness as I shake my head and type out my reply.

K: If Frodo can take the ring to Mordor, you can stop living your life on Tumblr!
Do you actually do anything when you're at work?

K: Wait don't answer that!