Ava's POV:
Mr. Nocella’s eyes leaped around. He’s probably thinking of what to do next. Or maybe, he’s not thinking at all.
A student.
He’s caught by a student having another student inside his house.
“Miss Makee. This-”
“I had to come back early because Miles and Zach got tired,” I said. “They’re sleeping in the car.” My eyes went towards Maeve. “Eli is watching them.”
Mr.Nocella nods, “R-Right. I’ll go get them.” He looked at Maeve before he left the house.
I turned around.
“Aren’t you wondering why I’m here?” Maeve asked.
I turned around and folded my arms, “I can take a guess.”
Thick jacket and shoes on her feet. “He’s innocent.”
“Oh, I know,” I said. I took a single step towards her, “Considering how you still have your shoes on and-” I placed a hand on her cheek, but she quickly slaps it away, “how your face is still cold. I’m going to guess that you break your way into his house.”
Maeve’s hands curled inward.
I smirked, “Or are you hoping I’ll misunderstand the situation and spread some sort of rumor about you two?”
“I’m not the one who’s always around his children.”
I tilted my head to the side, “Unlike you, everyone knows about us.” I’m not stupid enough to try to keep my babysitting business a secret. Enough people at school know that I babysit Mr. Nocella’s children.
At first, the girls would be envious, but with time, the talk died down.
Now, no one cares.
It’s another part-time job that a teenager took to earn some extra cash.
“And unlike you, my boyfriend knows.”
Maeve’s eyes widen, “He...He-”
I tilted my head, “I’ll give you only one warning. Stay away from him.”
Maeve laughs, “Don’t tell me. You have a thing for Jarrett.”
How childish.
Her attempt to rile me up by using Mr. Nocella’s first name.
I chuckled, “Cute.” She’s not worth the time. I walked outside and towards the driveway.
Outside of the house, Eli and Mr.Nocella were immersed in a deep conversation.
“So, I think you should talk to her and change my test grade,” Eli said.
Okay, not that deep.
The closer I got, the clearer the sight got.
Mr.Nocella held Miles, and Eli had Zach.
I stopped in my tracks, and the warm sensation in my chest increased. When they looked at me, I cleared my throat and walked towards them.
Zach woke up. He rubbed his eyes and looked around, “Who are you?” He asked Eli.
Eli smiled, “I’m your new dad.”
Zach stared at him with his mouth wide open. It’s apparent he’s still half-asleep. “Oh.” He fell asleep in Eli’s arms.
Eli looked at me, “Look. I found us a kiddo. Can we keep him?”
I hit Eli’s head, “Take him inside before he actually wakes up and screams.”
Eli pouted and glared at me while he took slow steps towards the house.
“Young love,” Mr.Nocella said.
I looked at him, “Mr.Nocella. Are you teasing me?”
Mr.Nocella shrugged before he walked behind Eli. The air outside was warm, but my body only felt hot.
I hate to admit it.
Eli looks good holding a child.
I halted my steps when the two males in front of me did. The silence in the air was beyond discomfort.
“Hey!” Eli said. “Who are you?” I forgot that Eli isn’t well-acquitted with Maeve.
Now, who will make the next move?
Would it be Mr.Nocella? Would he introduce Eli and Maeve to each other? Then, how will he explain why Maeve is inside his house?
Or would Maeve introduce herself? Would she use her real name or a proxy name? How would she climb out of the hole she dug?
I leaned against the house wall. Observation may be the best option for me.
Eli looked around, from Maeve to Mr.Nocella, then towards me. He could feel the tension between everyone. Steadily, the discomfort got the best of him, and he bounced in his shoes with Zach still in his arms. He looked at me with pleading eyes.
“Elijah Wood,” Mr.Nocella said. “This is Maeve Remington. She is a fellow student at your school.”
“Oh?” Eli nodded, “Well, it’s nice to meet you,” he said slowly.
Maeve nodded, “Same.” Quickly, she made her escape. When she passed me, she stopped and gave me a spiteful glare.
When Maeve disappeared, Eli asked: “Where do you want me to put the kiddo, Mr.Nocella?”
Mr.Nocella looked away from the spot where Maeve left, and with his timely manner, his eyes happened to meet with mine. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but frankly, it’s best not to know.
“Mr.Nocella?” Eli called for him again.
“I’m sorry. What?”
“The kiddo? Where do you want me to put him?”
“Oh. Yes. Right this way.” Mr.Nocella walked into the house and showed Eli Zach’s bedroom. Once they laid Miles and Zach down, Mr.Nocella offered some juice for us.
We declined it.
I can tell he has a lot on his mind, and the drink offering was simply common courtesy.
Eli left the house while I stayed inside and waited for my payment. Mr.Nocella came downstairs with the white envelope. He ran his fingers across the top before he gave it to me. I grabbed it and checked it. Previously, I suggested that he pay me digitally, but Mr.Nocella stated that he is a dinosaur when it comes to technology. “I’ll see you next weekend.”
“Miss Makee,” he called for me before I had the chance to walk out the door. “About what you saw.”
I chuckled, “Don’t worry. I’m not blind. I can tell what happened.”
He shook his head, “Whatever you’re thinking, that’s not what happened.”
“So, you’re telling me. Maeve did not drive all the way here and pushed herself into your house. When you asked her to leave, she refused. Then, with awfully amazing timing, I happened to see everything.”
Mr.Nocella felt several emotions at that moment. First, it was worried - concerned that I may spread rumors about a teacher and student relationship. Even if he didn’t do anything, mere suspicion from the students is enough for the school board to resign him.
Then, it was surprise. He didn’t expect me to come to such a conclusion. Most likely, he thought that I think he’s only using me to get his children out of the house so he can fool around with Maeve.
Finally, it was relief.
He smiled, “Thank you.”
“Mr.Nocella. Why, though?”
I’m not certain if what I concluded is correct, or maybe they’re pulling a quick one on me. After all, in the past, Mr.Nocella did commit adultery and statutory rape with me.
One, at most, would ruin his reputation.
The second one would land him in prison.
His eyes went towards the front door to make sure no one else was present. Then, it went upstairs to make sure the boys were still asleep. Mr.Nocella sat down at the stairs, and I followed him.
“You know about the situation between Lexi and me.” I can tell this will be a heart-to-heart talk. He chuckles, “Well, everyone knows.”
His fingers pressed against one another as he stared at the carpet.
When I noticed Eli walking towards us, I shook my head.
He noticed the sign and walked backward until he’s no longer in view.
“Then, Maeve came,” he said. “She told me all about the peculiar problems in her relationship.”
“Her boyfriend,” I said.
He looked at me for a moment before he chuckled, “Of course you would know.”
“I don’t know everything,” I clarified. “But, I can guess what happened.” It’s probably easier for me to say it than it is for him. “She felt like you two were in the same situation, so she came to you.”
He nodded, “At first, she only came to talk, and as a teacher, I listened to her. But, then it got a bit...discomforting.”
I know what Mr.Nocella wanted to say even when he didn’t say it. Most likely, Maeve wanted more than a teacher and student relationship.
I patted Mr. Nocella’s back once and stood in front of him. “Would you like some advice from another person’s perspective?”
His hands pressed firmly into each other, then released, and back into the cycle. “Yes.”
“I suggest you report this situation to the school.”
“I would, but Maeve. She doesn’t seem-”
“I know,” I said.
Most likely, Maeve isn’t a stable person. I should know. I can pick up the signs. Even when our personalities aren’t the same, in a twisted sense, we are the same.
“But before you think of someone else well being, think of your children.” I looked upstairs, and he followed my action. “Think about the consequences if there are rumors about you and a student.”
It’s happening again.
These memories between us.
“You can’t save every person that comes to you.”
I know it’s still bothering me - the stain of guilt.
“And as much as you want to help, we both know you’re not in the position to help anyone.”
The longer I looked at Mr. Nocella’s face, the heavier my chest felt. But, someone has to tell him the truth - to lay down the reality before it’s too late.
The more I interacted with him, past the sexual means between us, I could see Mr. Nocella’s true nature - his complex.
He doesn’t notice it, but it’s there—this desire to save others, even when he can’t save himself.
A white knight on the verge of death.
When I didn’t receive a response from him, I said: “I’ll see you Monday, Mr.Nocella.”
Still no response.
But, that was it. I couldn’t help him any further, even if I wanted to. Now, it’s all on his shoulders - his decision.