7

"Good day, Mister Marshall"

That face of his remained blank, steps drawn carefully while he pushed forward to have his seat.

It took me every thing not to dash out of the school's premises at the ring of the closing bell, not to hurry out from what I had been assigned to.

But I was here for a reason.

I sought this. Sought to work in my field, and render every of my help to anyone out there in dire need of it. I wouldn't turn away from it now.

The tense feel soon made its arrival into the space, with the eyes of the young man away watching me carefully, that gaze of his held on strong.

"Last time, you mentioned—

"I'd rather not talk about it" He cut in at once, pulling the silence into the room.

"Okay, we'll talk about friends and family" My voice remained low.

"I don't want to" He followed abruptly.

"What then would you like to talk about, Mister Marshall?"

"Why don't we switch positions here" He uttered, soon sitting up in the chair.

"I'll tell you all you need to know, if you let me ask you questions"

"That's not how it works, Mister Marshall" I followed.

"I'll answer every of your question, all you need to do is answer mine...…..With all sincerity" He let out.

I had turned silent, matching those eyes of his. It was just too tempting to ignore. Especially since I just might have an insight to who this person was, who so happened to have been entrusted in my hands.

Those eyes of his which did so well examining me, brought every terror about, every confusion that is, yet, I sat up in my seat, inching closer towards the desk.

"What do you need to know?"

***

"What interests you, Miss Sangretti?"

That voice of his remained calm, eyes warm on my profile

"Reading" I gave a weak smile.

"What kind of books do you read?" He followed.

"Books with happy endings"

He fell silent at my utterance, questioning gaze directed my way.

"You do know, life's quite the opposite" He stated.

"Which is why I try to run away from such reality"

"Why don't you face it?"

I shifted my gaze away, eyes anywhere but his, meanwhile, his scrutiny made sure to take my form, watching with keen eyes.

"I see you've got problems of your own" He relaxed back into the seat, levity rushing into that gaze of his.

"One who seeks to work the problems of others, yet, hasn't battled hers" He grinned.

"I have no problem" I followed at once, soon meeting that gaze.

"Everyone has a problem" He followed in a low voice, clearing his throat as he sat up in the seat.

I caught that look which crossed his eyes. That look that said, I know you're trying to keep some things veiled, but I'm down to reveal every one of it.

"How old are you?"

Reluctant enough, still, I was found foretelling.

"Twenty five"

"What was your past relationship like?"

"Mister Marshall—

"Please answer the question, Miss Sangretti"

I caught onto that hint of amusement which lingered in his gaze, with eyes examining me so well, they never took leave off my form.

"It was okay" I followed.

"What broke it up?"

When I uttered not a word, his gaze on me lingered even longer.

"Infidelity"

The silence had made its arrival, with my gaze leaving his at once, fingers went fiddling with each other.

"I told you to answer with all sincerity" He began.

"I answered with all sincerity" I followed.

"When I asked how your past relationship was, you told me it was okay"

"You lied"

I paused immediately, eyes on him the entire time.

What sort of human have I been put with? Why did that scrutiny peer on with interest, amazement, yet disbelief.

Whatever did he seek to gain from my own story.

At this point, he was found to be the consultant here, and I, the afflicted. His figure had soon relaxed back in the seat, ready to follow with another question.

"Do you still wear your purity ring?"

Those words rushed every shock to my face, with gaze found gaping on at him.

"I refuse to answer such question, Mister Marshall" My voice was laced with bewilderment, terror and pure confusion.

"You agreed to answer all of my question, if I'll answer yours" He stated.

"Let's not go back on our words now" He called.

It was just something about him. The way he managed to stay calm even in such intense situations.

"Are you a virgin, Miss Sangretti?" His voice was much audible this time.

"I'm not" I followed.

"Favorite position"

"What do you mean?"

"Favorite sex position" He clarified.

I believe the fright in my gaze was much evident this time around, as I was quick to catch onto the amusement which filled his eyes. It was like a game to him.

He enjoyed every bit of it.

Every bit of taunting me.

"What's your favorite sex position, Miss Sangretti?"

"Let's end this, Mister Marshall" My voice remained low, eyes kept away from his.

"It's only 4:00 p.m" He stated. "We've got an hour left, Miss Sangretti. So please answer the question"

For a long minute, I remained silent, eyes shifting through his, watching the glee which lingered there, and in a low voice, much so faint, my response followed.

"Valedictorian"

I caught the grin which tugged at his lips, with eyes doing so well to linger there. I was more stunned that he knew what that was, than him even daring to ask such question.

"I guess that will be all, Miss Sangretti" That voice was shadowed with every jocularity.

"What would you like to ask me?" He followed

"I want you to tell me a secret of yours" My voice was low.

"Something you've never told anyone before"

His eyes connected with mine.

One, two, the silence poured in, my utterance having managed to slap that smug grin off his face at once, In a low voice, he dropped those words.

"My brother's death was because of me"