Chapter 3
three
QUINN
Barely noon and it’s already been a long day. I didn’t expect my first day of teaching to be a breeze, but I hadn’t anticipated it would be as hard as it was. And I can’t even blame the kids for it. Most of them have been fantastic.
No, I’m distracted by my conversation with Declan this morning. I know I didn’t share anything too revealing, but the fact I shared any of that with him is not like me.
I can admit I’m a little closed off with people I don’t know, and I don’t make friends easily because of that. It’s hard for me to trust people, and I know it.
My mother really did a number on me. Then, there was the incident three years ago. That one still haunts me occasionally.
A knock at the door shakes me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see Principal Carter. “I figured I’d come check on you before the end of lunch,” he says as he moves closer to me. “How’d your first day go?”
“Not bad. You were right about the kids. They’re great. Very patient with me while I got my bearings.”
“Good, I’m glad. Did you have a chance to talk to Declan before the day got started?”
“Yeah, we ran into each other in the hall shortly after you left. He went over everything with me and offered to be here during second period if I needed him.”
“That sounds like Declan, always pitching in wherever he can.” He laughs softly.
“Did I hear my name?” Declan says as he pops up in the doorway.
“You did. I was telling Ms. Marks you’re always the first to volunteer when help is needed,” Principal Carter says with a soft clap to Declan’s shoulder.
“I don’t know if I would go that far.” Declan laughs, sticking his hands in his pockets, looking the tiniest bit bashful. “How did everything go?” he asks, turning toward me, a genuine look of concern crossing his face briefly.
“Fine.” I swallow the lump in my throat, not used to anyone but my family caring for me, and finally stand from my desk to join them in the center of the room. “Most of the kids were honestly perfect. There’s just one kid I can see being a troublemaker.”
“Tyler,” Declan and Principal Carter say at the same time.
“He’s a good kid at heart, but there’s some trouble at home,” Principal Carter continues before I can say anything.
“I want to laugh at the fact you both guessed it immediately, but I feel bad for the kid.” If Tyler’s having issues at home, I could probably relate to him pretty well, considering my past. “I’ll keep an eye on him. He didn’t do anything serious during class today. Just a few comments to get a reaction out of me and a laugh from the rest of the class.”
“That sounds about right,” Declan confirms.
Principal Carter claps his hands before turning for the door. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it. I only wanted to stop by and make sure you weren’t running for the hills.” He pauses at the door, turning to look at me. “You’ll let me know if you need anything?”
“I will. Thank you, Demitri.”
“How’d that feel?” Principal Carter chuckles.
“Not good, I’m not there yet.”
Declan’s head bounces back and forth, clearly uncertain what is happening.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Ms. Marks.” Principal Carter’s laugh echoes down the hall.
“I’m confused. What was that about?” Declan asks.
“He started as principal here when I was a senior, and I may have gotten sent to his office a few times that year.” I laugh, shaking my head. “It feels weird calling him Demitri.”
“So, you were a troublemaker yourself growing up,” Declan jokes.
“Well, I was probably a little like Tyler. Calling out for help without knowing how to.”
“Right, you did say something about life being a little uncertain your senior year.”
“That I did. And there I go again, sharing things I wouldn’t typically.”
“Maybe I give off a trustworthy vibe, and you can’t help yourself.” Declan is clearly trying to give me an out, and I appreciate it.
“Must be.” I open my mouth to say more, but my phone rings, interrupting us. “I’m sorry, I have to get that.” I turn for my desk, rushing to my phone.
Since I walked into the school, my phone has been set to ‘Do Not Disturb’. The only calls that would get through would be from my brother, my dad, or Lucy, Dad’s neighbor who keeps an eye on him throughout the day. The fact it’s ringing now when all three of them know I’m still at the school means something’s wrong.
Seeing it’s Caleb, I answer immediately. “What’s wrong?”
Caleb doesn’t mince words. “Dad had an accident. He’s been rushed to the hospital.” It’s loud where he is, probably standing in the hallway outside Dad’s room, watching the doctors like a hawk.
Caleb’s an attending in the ER. I know how badly he wants to be the person treating Dad, but he also knows he wouldn’t be able to focus the way he should. So instead, he’ll hover over whoever is taking care of him.
“How bad of an accident?” I ask, fumbling to gather all my things.
I see Declan in my periphery, moving toward me.
“Not horrible, but not great. He fell down the stairs. He definitely broke his leg, but he lost consciousness, so they’re concerned about a concussion. He’s being taken for a CT scan as we speak.”
“Okay.” I grab the desk for support. I know it could have been so much worse, but the fact he’s in the hospital at all has me nervous and uncertain.
“Quinn, why don’t you sit down?” Declan says softly by my side, his hand on my back, ready to offer support.
I sit as Declan suggested and look up at him as he stands by my side, concern etched on his face. “Do you need me to come to the hospital?” I ask Caleb.
“I don’t think so, but I know he won’t be home when you get there with Max, so I didn’t want you to worry. Though, I know you will.” It gets quieter on the other end of the phone, as if Caleb has stepped into an empty room, away from the hustle and bustle of the emergency room.
“You’re right. I will.” We both take a moment. “You’ll keep me in the loop?”
“Of course. You’re still good to pick up Max? Emily’s off today and can get him if something’s come up and you need to stay.”
“No, I’m good. My classes are done, and I met with the art teacher this morning before classes started, so I’m as caught up as I can be. A few more hours here to pass the time till he’s off, and I’ll be set.”
“Good. Declan’s a good man. I don’t know how I never introduced you two before. He’s been a really good friend. Not just to me, but to Dad too.”
I look up at Declan, who’s still standing sentry at my side, looking prepared to do anything I might need. Principal Carter was right. Declan is always willing to help.
“I didn’t realize you two knew each other.” I raise an eyebrow at Declan. He glances down and shrugs slightly, as if he might be a little ashamed he didn’t say anything himself.
“I don’t know how it slipped my mind when you told me you got the job at the school. Obviously, I know he teaches there. I also knew he was covering your classes, though, no one knew they were your classes when he started covering them.”
“We’ve had a lot going on. I’m not surprised it slipped your mind. And Dad’s, apparently.”
There’s a beat before either of us says anything. Caleb and I often find ourselves sitting in silence on the phone. It’s reminiscent of when we were younger, when Mom would be on a bender, and Dad would try his hardest to keep us away from all of it. We’d hide out in one of our rooms, doing our own thing but existing together. Knowing he was there if I needed or wanted to talk was one of the most comforting things in those days. It still is.
“Let me know what you need from me. You think he’ll be kept overnight for observation?”
“Probably, but we won’t know for a few hours.”
“Okay. Let me know. Max and I will come by for dinner and drop some stuff off for Dad to help keep him occupied.”
“Sounds good.” Caleb takes a deep breath and releases it before he says anything else. “I know I’ve already said it, and you don’t want to hear it anymore, but I’m really glad you’re home, sis.”
“I’m glad I’m home too.” My eyes water, and I bite my lip to keep my emotions at bay. “I’ll talk to you later. Love you.” I rush to hang up the phone, my arms folding on my desk and my head falling to rest on them.
There’s a moment of silence before I feel a hand land on my upper back, sliding up to the back of my neck before giving a gentle squeeze. I forgot Declan was here, and while his touch is surprising, it’s also comforting. Springing up to sit properly in my chair, I look up at him with tears in my eyes.
Declan crouches down next to me, removing his hand from my neck and letting it fall to the armrest of my chair. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, turning back to my desk. “For all intents and purposes, Dad’s fine. He fell at home, broke his leg, and lost consciousness, so they’re worried about a concussion. They’re running a few more tests and will likely keep him for observation, but he should be home tomorrow.”
“That’s good, but I asked about you, not Scott,” Declan says softly.
“Right.” I wipe my eyes before looking at Declan. “I’m okay.”
“It’s okay not to be okay. You don’t have to hold it together all the time. I can guess how close you are with your dad based on the way he always talks about you. This can’t be easy.”
“About that. Why didn’t you say you were best friends with both my father and my brother?” I stand from my desk, jumping on the opportunity to change the subject.
Declan stands from his crouched position, laughing quietly. “Honestly, I was more focused on our conversation, and then it felt like the opportunity to tell you had passed.”
“Hmm.” I squint at him. It’s not that I don’t believe him or that I don’t trust him exactly. It’s just that I don’t trust anyone outside of my dad and brothers.
“What? Shouldn’t that be flattering? That I wanted to be present in the conversation we were already having?” The smile on Declan’s face would probably sway a normal woman to his side, but I wouldn’t call myself normal, not with everything I’ve been through.
“Sure, it’s flattering.” I move to the whiteboard at the front of the class and begin erasing the notes I had written up there during my advanced photography class.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. The truth is your family has practically adopted me since I moved to town a few years ago. I sometimes forget it hasn’t been that long and that I’m not actually a Marks.” Declan laughs self-deprecatingly. “Your family also talks about you often. I forgot I didn’t know you personally.”
“Now I feel bad.” I turn back to look at Declan. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“It’s the truth. Your family loves you quite a bit. I know all three of them are very happy you’re home.
“I’m happy I’m home too. And I’m glad you’ve been there for all of them as well. I know they’ve been carrying a lot of weight, and I can only imagine the comfort you’ve brought all of them, seeing how you’ve already jumped in to help me so much.”
The bell signaling the end of lunch rings before Declan can say anything else. We both stand there a few moments longer, saying nothing.
“Tell your dad I hope he feels better soon. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Declan offers a quick nod before he turns and walks out the door.