"Do you wanna hang out after school? My mom is gone for the week so i've got the house to myself." Sam's offer was tempting but i first had to meet Ms. Lopez for our weekly session together. "I have something after school but i can come over around 6." Sam got excited. "Should we do a sleepover? We haven't had one in ages." I was kinda happy she suggested that because i couldn't stand being alone in my apartment any longer. I laughed. "Please let's do that, we need some quality time together." I turned back to the teacher and listened as he explained some math problems.

The day went by quite quickly. I actually paid attention in most of my classes this time and it worked out for me. Ms Davis even complimented me on my work and that hasn't happen in ages.

Before my last class David and i snucked out to smoke a cigarette. We had 10 minutes left before class started so we had enough time. We walked around the back of the school so no one could see us. There usually weren't other people around at this time but i could see 2 others leaning against the wall.

As we got closer i recognized the two. Riley and Jade. They were both in some of my classes and i actually hooked up with Jade once.

"Hi guys" they both greeted us with a smile. "I didn't know you smoke David" Riley said as she watched him take a drag of his cigarette. "Well that's what you get from hanging out with Rachel." We all laughed. I jokingly pushed him. "Now don't blame your problems on me bad boy." He chuckled.

We all sat down and talked for a little. I noticed David flirting with Riley. I had to giggle a little. I always suspected that David had a thing for her, but he was being very obvious right now so i could finally tease him with it.

We all had history class together so we walked back to the classroom. I locked my arm with Davids. "I see someones having a little crush on miss long legs here" I pointed towards Riley. David acted surprised "What are you ta-" I didn't let him finish his sentence.

He really thought i didn't notice. "Oh come on now pretty boy, you weren't being subtle." David rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Okay okay, you're onto me. She's just so cute i can't help it" "Why don't you just ask her out, she seemed interested in you." I replied. He blushed.

"Do you really think i should?" "Yes you dork" I said "She's got the hots for you, trust me on this one." He smiled. "I'll think about it"

School was over and i was getting ready to meet up with Ms. Lopez. I fixed my make-up to make sure i looked good. It felt wrong to try to look good for a teacher but i couldn't care less. I wanted to impress her so i had to look good and work on my confidence. No more being shy, i told myself.

I opened the door to her classroom and walked in. She looked me up and down before saying anything. "Welcome Rachel. Take a seat" She pointed to the table in front of her making sure i didn't take the seat all the way in the back again.

I made my way to the table she was pointing at. "Hi miss" I put my bag next to the table and sat down.

She had her glasses on the tip of her nose and looked at me over her glasses. "You look beautiful." I blushed. I reminded myself that i wasn't going to be all shy again. "You too miss"

She grinned. "You can call me Ava when i'm not teaching." I smiled. That's a beautiful name.

"So Rachel, we agreed to meet every week to try to help you. This is only gonna work if you actually trust me and open yourself up to me. Are you willing to try that" I nodded "I'll try my best."

"Can you start by telling me what was going on last monday? You were visibly exhausted, showed up late and then failed to return back to class. You don't pay attention, you flinched when i touched you and you were on the verge of crying. That's not something i can ignore."

I was taken back by her words. I suddenly felt

overwhelmed and didn't feel like opening up to her anymore. "Well if we're gonna go into my problems do i at least get to know something about you? It's not fair that you get to hear about my life but i don't know nothing about your life."

She smiled. "Well i suppose you can ask me a few questions, that's only fair" I didn't think she was actually gonna agree with me so i quickly had to think of a question i was gonna ask her.

"Are you a lesbian?" I blurted out. It was a bold question and sounded way better in my head. She looked at me a little longer than usual before replying. "Why do you ask?" She said. God what an annoying answer. "Well you said you were on a date this weekend, and i saw you with another woman so i'm just curious."

She grinned. "Aren't you supposed to watch the movie instead of me?" I blushed. She made me sound like a pervert. "But to answer your question, yes i am. Men aren't really my thing."

I laughed. "They're not really my thing either." I said. She looked at me and turned her face slightly sideways. "Good to know" She said. I could hear the playful tone in her voice.

"So how was your date?" I asked. Not sure if i was crossing a line here. "You're very curious about my love life." She said, looking straight into my eyes. I decided to not break eye contact with her. I had to proof that i wasn't some shy girl that couldn't hold eye contact.

"I just love love miss" I replied. "Ava" She said. "You can call me Ava." "Well i just love love Ava." She chuckled.

"Since we're so curious about love, do you have a boyfriend Rachel?" She asked me. I wanted to say no but i hate lying so i decided against it. "Yea i do." She raised her eyebrow. "I thought men weren't really your thing?" I didn't know what to say. "They're not." I just said.

Ms. Lopez, or Ava quickly turned to teacher mode when she asked me how my relationship with my boyfriend was. I hated lying but i wasn't about to tell her how awful it was. I broke eye contact and looked down. I mumbled "It's good, he's great." I don't know if my lack of enthusiasm or the fact that i didn't look at her gave it away, but she didn't buy it.

"If you're gonna lie to me, be better at it." She said with a sharp tone in her voice. "Look at me, and tell me again how great he is."

I let my eyes slowly meet hers. I couldn't do it. "He's great" I said again. Still not looking directly at her. My mood shifted. I liked being alone with her but talking about James hurt me. I looked down at my hands. I played with my bracelet, not wanting to look back at her.

"What's going on Rachel? You can talk to me. I promise you can trust me. I don't know what's going on but i know there's something there." I heard sympathy in her voice. I couldn't bring myself to answer so i kept playing with my bracelet.

"Rachel, look at me." I slowly looked up. My eyes were filled with tears. I was trying so hard to keep them from falling. I didn't want her to think i was weak. "We're having some problems, that's all" I quickly said.

My anxiety got the best of me. My whole body felt hot and my jacket was suffocating me. I took it off and laid it down on my lap. My skin could finally breathe again and i calmed down a little.

Ms Lopez her gaze turned to my arm. She raised her eyebrow. I couldn't immediately figure out why she was looking at my arm like that until i realized James had left a huge bruise on my arm. I grabbed my jacket and put it over my shoulders so it would cover my arms. Not that it would help because she had already seen it and i could see the worry in her expression grow.

"Did he do this you?" She asked while moving her seat closer to me. I had to get myself out of this situation. "No i just fell, no big deal." I don't think anyone would have believed that but i was hoping she would.

"I'm not stupid Rachel. If he did this to you we should rea-" I cut her off. "It's not what you think miss. It was an accident and it was my own fault. He didn't mean it like that."

Tears fell from my eyes. I wasn't sure who i was trying to convince. Me or her. I couldn't stand it any longer. I grabbed my stuff and ran out of the classroom. I could hear her call my name but i ignored it and walked out of the building.

I ran to the back of the school to light a cigarette. I sat down against the stone wall and started sobbing. I so desperately wanted to open up to her. I wanted to finally open myself up to help, but it was so hard.

Not too long later i heard two foot steps walk up to me. I looked up to see who it was. Ms Lopez. I dried my tears with the back of my hand. "I'm sorry for walking out." I said. She didn't seem to mind. She sat down next to me and grabbed my hand. "It's okay."

I started sobbing louder when she grabbed my hand. Not used to a touch that had no bad intentions. "I don't know what to do. I don't want him to hurt me even more." I quietly said.

Ms. Lopez wrapped her arms around me. "Don't worry, we'll get you away from him." She stroked my arm with her hand.

My sadness turned into comfort. Her touch was soft and her presence gave me a sense of freedom. I looked over at her. She smiled at me. With tears still in my eyes i smiled back at her. We continued to sit there for a while, taking in the calmness of her being.