"-so it must equal 84" i finished, staring at the math textbook in front of me.

"good girl" mr gordon whispered in my ear, "i'm beginning to think that you don't need these lessons after all. maybe you're just here because you really do want me"

i had to try to control the vomit that was rising in my throat after hearing his words.

"nope" i replied, "i'm here because i need the extra help"

but i shouldn't have said that.

i received a hard slap across the face.

"don't you dare speak to me like that" he spat at me.

i could feel anger pumping through my veins and tears pricking my eyes.

"say you're sorry" he said.

i kept quiet.

"NOW" he growled.

"i-i'm sorry" i whimpered, feeling absolutely pathetic.

"good girl" he said, "now get out of my sight. you will receive your punishment tomorrow"

i had never ran so fast in my life, and i didn't stop until i was at the library.

"are you alright, dear?" asked janet, looking quite concerned. "you're out of breath!"

"yes" i answered, forcing a smile. "i just couldn't wait to get here"

it was a terrible excuse, but terrible excuses always worked on janet.

i took out my book and settled down onto my beanbag.

"are you sure you're alright?" asked scar boy from his armchair.

i was slightly taken aback. i was so caught up in my own thoughts that i hadn't even noticed he was there.

"y-yes" i stuttered, trying not to catch his gaze.

i was afraid that if i let him look into my eyes, he would know that i was lying.

"i'm remus, by the way. remus lupin."

even his name was beautiful.

"i'm evelyn hart" i replied.

"that's a.. that's a very p-pretty name" he stammered, whilst that shade of pink rose to his cheeks again.

"thank you" i smiled softly.

he didn't say anything else, and once again looked at his book.

but his eyes weren't actually moving across the page.

"happy reading, remus" i whispered.

"happy reading, evelyn" he replied.

that night we walked home together.

it was 11pm and pitch black, but i felt safe with him.

i felt safe with him from the moment i first laid eyes on him.