19. Gideon
Chapter nineteen
S he’s seventeen , I tell myself for the hundredth time. I am not some creepy pervert. But I don’t know what it is about her. She doesn’t look seventeen, but that’s not an excuse for practically drooling over her.
I know better than to act like that. I was raised in a refined part of West London where tradition is everything, appearances are paramount, and emotions are considered a sign of weakness. If my parents saw me interacting with Mina, they’d be terribly disappointed.
Grabbing my flask of earl gray tea, I take a sip in hopes of calming my racing heart. Glancing at her, I fix my tie as I try to get this conversation back on track.
“Good. Well, I think you can still learn a lot in math and science, but maybe art isn’t the right fit for you. Instead, I’m going to give you an independent study. It means you can choose any topic that interests you, research it, then write a detailed report on what you find. You don’t have to hand it in until the end of the semester. I can give you a topic, or you can come up with your own. I’d recommend taking some time to research your own. You’ll gain more from doing that, I think.”
She nods in agreement, and I can’t help but smile at her. “Good. You can spend the period in the library, or you’re welcome to leave campus.” She looks surprised. “Let’s say, for example, a couple of twins decide to take you home over lunch break. You could spend your lunch period plus third period researching and writing using their library and internet, then come back for gym class.”
I see the understanding on her face at my suggestion, and she slowly nods. “Brilliant. For today, you can stay in here.” There were definitely more appropriate places for her to work, such as the library, but I can’t help but want to keep her close.
“I thought it would be a good idea to help fill in the gaps you may have in your education with more of a personalized plan. I’m going to give you some workbooks to work through, and if you get stuck on anything, you can just ask me questions and we’ll figure it out together. That way, you can work at your pace. Based on what the twins told me, I have a feeling you’re going to go through this stuff really fast. Does that sound okay to you?” She nods her head again, looking pleased.
After handing her a few workbooks, she works quietly and quickly. She seems captivated with the content, just as I’m captivated with her. I can’t help but stare at her gorgeous face. The twins are right—she definitely doesn’t look her age. But looking seventeen and being seventeen are two completely different things. I need to be careful around her, but lord, it’s so hard. Literally. I adjust myself subtly under my desk. I need to look away before somebody sees something inappropriate.
After about forty-five minutes of her working, I realize she hasn’t paused at all. She’s reading and answering the questions as she goes, not even needing to skim back through what she just read. Does she have a photographic memory?
I want to know more about this intoxicating girl in front of me. I want to know what makes her smile, why she doesn’t talk, and above all, I just want to make sure that she’s going to be okay. It’s very clear there’s something going on with her, and I just can’t figure out what it is. I hope she’s not connected to the murders happening in this small town, but it seems more and more likely that she is at least connected to the person who is.
“Mina, love?” She looks up at me. “Are you finding that work easy?”
She thinks for a second, biting her bottom lip. I want to bite it for her. NO! No, I don’t. She nods her head, unaware of the battle going on in mine.
“You know that one book there is equal to an entire twelfth grade geography class? Which means you’re learning what other students are learning in an entire semester in less than one period. That’s remarkable, do you realize that?” I ask her, not trying to hide the admiration from my voice.
“Once you finish that book, let’s move over to political science, shall we?” She nods her head and smiles, then turns back to her geography book to finish it up. It only takes her about another five minutes to completely finish, and I’m still amazed at how smart she is. I pass her the political science textbook and workbook and try not to blatantly stare at her while she works.
Eventually, I glance at the time and realize the period is almost over. She’s already halfway through the book. I tap her hand that’s resting on the table, and she quickly looks at me, surprised, as if she forgot I’m here.
“Are you enjoying that subject?” She puts her hand up and turns it back and forth as if to indicate so-so.
I smile back at her. “It’s almost time for gym class. Shall we get this stuff packed up? You can take these home with you and bring them back on Monday, if you like. I can even give you a couple more to work on over the weekend if you have some free time? ”
She smiles at me and nods enthusiastically. I give her some textbooks, and as she’s putting her stuff in a bag, I hear a knock at the door. “Enter.”
Max and Jasper walk in and give her wide smiles. She smiles back shyly. I wonder why she feels shy around them when she’s spent more time with them than she has with me, and they’re closer to her age.
“Hey, Sweetheart, did you enjoy your independent study with Mr. Hargrove?” Max asks.
She nods sweetly at Max as he moves forward to grab her bag and throw it over his shoulder. Jasper grabs her hand as the boys say bye to me, and Mina gives me a small wave and a smile.
“See you later, Mina,” I say, and she smiles and turns with the twins to leave my office.
I can’t help but wonder what she thinks when she sees me. Does she see a creepy old man? I feel like the smile she gives me means she sees me as something more, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I can’t afford to get involved with a student.