Number 25

Chapter 6

Lisa looked over to Ms. Kim approaching her. She was walking with slower steps than ever and her head was down. The sun was still rising in the sky and Lisa immediately noticed something was wrong.

"What happened?" Lisa got up. She didn't light her cigarette yet and she looked over to the teacher who looked to be in ruins. Of course, she still looked beautiful. She was wearing skin tight jeans and a blouse, but her facial expression said it all.

Ms. Kim didn't answer right away. She opened and closed her mouth multiple times. Lisa was starting to get worried. Ms. Kim barely looked like she slept and Lisa wanted to know what happened between now and Sunday.

They didn't text each other. They had no agreement that they would. Lisa didn't know what to say to her and she wasn't even sure Ms. Kim would want to talk to her but Lisa felt bad.

What if Ms. Kim was waiting on her to text her? Surely, she could have just texted her herself. Lisa was quickly figuring out that Ms. Kim was a guarded woman. She wasn't even sure if she was going to talk to her about whatever was going on. What if Lisa did get in contact with her. What if Ms. Kim told her what was going on?

Lisa knew, without a doubt, that texting was easier than actually saying words. She could prove it because Ms. Kim wasn't saying anything. She looked absolutely conflicted and Lisa didn't know if she should hug the woman or not. She kept her distance. Lisa also could tell that Ms. Kim was a strong woman and could hold her own ground.

"My dad." Ms. Kim said quietly and Lisa's eyes widened.

"Is he..?"

"No. But he was rushed to the hospital and I wanted to text you but I didn't." Ms. Kim said, but she wasn't looking at Lisa. She was looking past her to the clouds in the sky.

"I'm sorry. I should've just texted you." Lisa said.

"Don't apologize. I didn't text you either because it would be wrong."

"Says who?" Lisa asked.

"Me." Ms. Kim said softly and Lisa didn't like the tone of her voice.

"Ms. Kim.."

"I should go inside. I'm not up for a cigarette." Ms. Kim was normally a bubbly woman. That was the only word Lisa could use to describe her. She was always in a good mood and would walk down the halls with a smile on her face. But it was very obvious to anyone who came close to her, that she was very guarded and Lisa watched her hopelessly. She had no idea what to do and was glad she didn't light her cigarette yet. She wanted to go after the teacher but she knew it was a lost cause.

Lisa watched as Ms. Kim walked inside with her head down.

Lisa didn't know how she found her way here. Actually, she did but she wasn't going to admit it. She bought a dozen donuts of all different flavors, because who didn't like donuts and she also bought two coffees.

Lisa caught many eyes as she walked back in school, but she had one destination because she didn't have much time left. Her last class would be starting soon and knew Ms. Kim didn't have a class right now. Lisa let out an excited breath as she saw Ms. Kim writing something down. Her hands were full so she kicked the door and hoped it got the teacher's attention.

It did.

Ms. Kim looked up immediately. Lisa smirked because she could see that the teacher didn't want to smile, but she did. Lisa smiled back at her as she held up the box of donuts.

"I brought donuts and black coffee because I don't know how you take it and I got a whole bunch of milk and sugar." Ms. Kim was looking at her like she did when she stared up at the sports wall. She looked amazed and a little shocked and Lisa held the donuts up with a smile.