Mr. Wolburn doesn't start until I make a small noise in my throat that brings his gaze from the floor to my face. 

"How are you and your sister settling in?"

I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this.

I clear my throat that's scratchy from disuse. I hate personal questions like this, but when they come from your teacher, it's hard not to answer. "We're okay."

"I see," he says, taking in my words. "You know, I met Cassie when she first came out here. Because she got here a few weeks before you, right?" He doesn't wait for an answer and smiles as he runs his hands through his disheveled hair. "Jogging accident." He shrugs. "It was dumb. There was a rusty nail on the trail and somehow, I missed it. I stomped on it, full force, and had to hobble back home.

"I passed your house just as Cassie was coming out and she ended up driving me to the hospital. She was heading to the ER anyway, for a shift that day. She got me a tetanus shot and patched me up. Nice girl."

It's not the first time I've heard store

ies like this. People like Cassie, both as a person and a nurse.

"When she found out I taught math at the school, she showed me a picture of you on her phone and told me to expect a new student. Do you jog?"

I glance up, surprised by the way this conversation is going, and shake my head.

"I know your sister does, but you should, too. It's great exercise. Gives you an excuse to be outdoors. We have some amazing trails around here."

He stops to unscrew the cap and takes a swig of his water before setting it on the desk beside him. He wipes at his wet lips. "If you're interested, I can show you where they are. I think it would be good for you."

Show me? As in, go jogging with me?

He can't be suggesting that can he?

"But you being an attractive young woman, it would be better if you didn't go alone. Facts of life, right?" He shrugs. "Shouldn't be that way, but it's dangerous to be on a trail alone. A girl disappeared from one last year. If you ever want to try it, tell me. I'll make sure I'm on the trail at the same time. You're seventeen, going on eighteen, right?"

I nod, but inside my gut kicks into high gear at the direction this conversation is taking.

"Your sister is pretty young to be your guardian. She's what, twenty-two... twenty-three?" He waits as if he expects me to tell him.

This whole thing is weird. 

Why has he stopped me like this? I waver between wondering if he's super chatty, or a little too interested in me... or Cassie? The sensation of his finger running over the skin at the back of my neck comes back to me, and I swallow.

"I'm not trying to be nosy here," he says, when the silence stretches on too long, "but where are your parents?"

"My dad's in Toron—"

"I know. I've heard and your mom lives in Mexico. But why are you girls not with them?"

Because neither wanted us, I think but don't say. Because Cassie, turning eighteen, was a gift to Mom, who had been looking for a way to unload us for years. There's no way she would ever come back. Not until I turn eighteen and all the risk of being legally forced to take care of me disappears.

"It worked out better this way."

He considers my words before he adds, "I heard what happened with Frank in the science hall. I want you to feel comfortable coming to me if he bothers you again. I'll put a stop to it."

"I'm good."

"But you'll come to me if it happens?" he presses.

"I will."

It's not true, I won't go to anyone, especially not him.

"Okay, because if you need a friend to talk to, I'm here."

I clear my throat. "Was there anything else... about the math I missed..." I pause, to let the words hang there for him to pick up and roll with.

"No. You're doing fine. I'll figure out my schedule and I'll tell you what day works next week. If Liz isn't available, then it might just be the two of us. But you're okay with that, right?"

"Sure," I say, hiding the misgivings this situation gives me.

"Great. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

When I come out, Liz waits, leaning against the wall to the right of the door. She says nothing to me but grabs her knapsack from where she left it. 

She heard the whole thing. 

There's no way she didn't because we were talking on the other side of the wall.

But since she won't talk to me, or even acknowledge I exist, why did she wait?

[Author's Note:

Next installment comes out on Monday at 9:15]