Believe Me, I'm Lying [New & Improved]

Chapter Nine

I felt sick as I brought Elliot to Will's apartment on Monday morning. Will watched me with concern as I staggered to his room to drop the slumbering Elliot off into his bed. When I returned Will stopped me. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm feeling fine," I told him. "Besides the fact that I have to go face the guy who could either make or break my life in about half an hour."

Will smiled slightly. "Remember, if you need anyone to come beat him up..."

"Will, don't even joke. I don't want to do anything that could have me found out by the school. I've gotten myself into this mess. I don't want to go out with a lawsuit or something," I said. "Ugh, I don't even want to think about that."

"You can leave whenever, you know."

I shook my head. "No, I can't. And instead of worrying about me, I think you should be worrying about yourself a little more," I said, frowning at his still concerned gaze.

"Why?" he asked in surprise.

"It's Monday."

"And?"

"Your editor is coming today," I told him in a matter-of-fact tone.

Instantly Will paled. "Oh no..."

"Oh yes."

"I didn't finish my manuscript!" he told me in horror. "I'm going to have to ask for a deadline extension..."

"Good luck," I told Will with a laugh. "Sherry is such a bundle of joy when it comes to that."

"Will you ditch work and stay with me? She's nicer when you're around."

"I'm not skimping out on work. I'm not like you, Will."

"Low blow, Harley. Low blow."

I rolled my eyes, another laugh erupting from me. "I'm going to go now. Make sure Elliot eats some vegetables for lunch."

"Ay, ay, captain!" Will responded with a salute. "Have a great day."

"Try to survive," I said before I exited his apartment.

I arrived at the school a little later than usual. Students filled the halls, making it noisy and harder to get through. By the time I made it to the classroom, I decided I hated people. Especially people who walked at the pace of a turtle in the hallway.

"Ms. Allen!" a voice called from behind me.

I turned warily to see Zak coming toward me with a grin on his face. My eyes widened slightly when I saw he had a bleeding lip.

"What's wrong?" I asked in concern. "Did something—"

"Guess what?" he said, cutting me off. "I saw Tucker coming out of your room this morning."

"Again?"

"Again?" Zak echoed.

"Every day I catch him coming out of my room just as I arrive here," I told him, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. "Nothing's ever missing... But wait, that's not the point. What happened to you?"

Zak grinned again. "Well, I saw Tucker coming out of your room, as I just said, and when I confronted him about it, he punched me."

"He punched you?"

"That's what I said..."

"Did you tell someone?" I asked in surprise, looking around. "You should tell a teacher!"

Zak raised an eyebrow at me. "Aren't you a teacher?"

I froze as I realized my mistake. My mind raced, trying to think of a way to play this out. "Uh, well yeah, but... I-I..."