Teachers Tapestry

Fifty-three

I take a deep breath and reply asking about my own car.

She says she'll pick me up from my house after school. I agree and put my phone back down.

I look over to the class who all seem to be busy in their work, except Zoë she's biting her nails frantically.

Whatever is going on there is not my issue.

I put my head back down and keep burying it in work. Soon the bell goes off and everyone is packing up.

"Please remember that tomorrow is your final day for your essay to be completed. I want it Friday morning. No later." I say coldly to the students before they leave.

I get my own shit together ready to leave but notice Zoë is lingering behind.

"Can I help you Zoë." I say coldly zipping up my bag.

"Yes actually." She walks towards my desk.

I motion a hand for her to continue speaking as I finish putting the junior essay papers in my desk.

"Quinn—"

"Zoë, I'm not getting involved in your relationship with Quinn. That is not my business." I say picking everything up.

"Please. I haven't talked to her two days. She isn't answering anything either. Please Valentina." She says and I raise my eyebrow at her. "Miss Fairbourne."

"Look, Quinn catches these moods sometimes. But she's generally a moody person, so it might be you." I said in a condescending way and she just looked at me. "She needs a nudge sometimes. If she isn't answering theres, more times than one, something wrong." I say coldly.

"She won't tell me what. I asked her repeatedly and she isn't giving it up. I'm getting worried."

"What's going on with Quinn isn't for me to tell. Not that I know anyways. Try going over, not today. She's working, so tomorrow or this evening." I said.

"Thank you." She says and texts away on her phone.

I have to bite my tongue for now and ask her about Collette. She probably knows where she is. I'm not a fan of asking about anyone, but for Collette, I'd do it.

"Zoë. Where has Collette been?" I ask her sternly.

"She's just not in school." Zoë shrugged.

"I can see that." I deadpanned.

"I don't know. But every time I go over she seems fine, wearing the same jumper as always. I don't even know where she got it. It's really nice." She says nonchalantly.

"Okay." I say flatly.

"I'm going over again today, want me to pass a message along?" Zoë asked as she finally looked up.

"No. It's fine." I said.

"Alright. Thank you so much by the way." Zoë said on her way out.

I gave her a nod of acknowledgment before she walked out and then left for my own house.

When I got home, Stella was already there, parked in my drive way.