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I didn’t really expect for her to argue, but I didn’t expect for her to eagerly nod in agreement. “Okay, thank you.”
The poor girl didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t blame her one bit, but I hated all who had put her in this position. I was a damn near stranger, and yet the only person she had to turn to in a time like this. For her to be this alone, this abandoned, and this terrified… I needed to make it right.5CorrineBurden was my middle name.
At least it was when it came to my mother. I knew it. My nannies knew it. Everyone in my life knew it.
But I had tried so hard—once I was of age—to never be a burden on anyone else again.
So, sitting in my principal’s car, driving to his house, and frankly needing him so that I could make it through the night without having a complete breakdown, slammed me right back into burden category.
Mr. D kept tapping his fingertips on the steering wheel, and his jaw was locked as he drove in silence. I knew what he was thinking. I couldn’t blame him one bit, and frankly, he should stop the car and demand for me to get out.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” I said.
He quickly glanced my way and then back at the road. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”
“I’m not sure others would agree.”
“Take the principal and student part out of this. You’re a woman who’s in danger, and I can’t just let you risk your life by staying in that house. I’m helping you. Nothing wrong with that.”
Was he saying it to me, or to himself?
“You’re taking a student home with you. As innocent as this is, I understand the optics. I don’t plan on telling anyone,” I offered.
He nodded slowly. “I think it’s best for both of us if we keep this to ourselves, yes.” He looked over his shoulder as he took a sharp turn down a side street I hadn’t ever seen. It was quiet, no real traffic, and secluded. Perfect considering our current situation.
“No one has ever believed me about the stalker before,” I confessed.
“Well someone opened those doors again. Both of us can’t be losing our minds. I do wish you would have let me call the police, however. I’m starting to think there is no real way around that.”
“Have you ever been surrounded by paparazzi, Mr. D?”
“No.”
“Well, I have. And frankly, given a choice between one stalker and a bunch of stalkers with cameras, I choose the one I have.”
“I get it. And it’s the only reason I’m acting against my better judgment. I knew before accepting this position in Black Mountain that things would have to operate differently than I was used to. But we still have to figure something out.”
“Maybe if I can get hold of my mom, I can get some security, or a bodyguard,” I suggested, liking the idea even more as I said it out loud. I wouldn’t be alone all the time.
“Yes, well, that goes back to us somehow getting in touch with her.” He looked at me with accusing eyes. “Unless you weren’t quite being honest on your ability of being able to reach her.”
Wishing that was indeed the truth, I shook my head. “She’ll come out of her cave soon. It won’t be forever. I did leave a message with her agent. So, maybe he can reach her. I’m sure she’s shopping movie deals right now and in some form of contact with him.”
We pulled onto a street with well-manicured mini yards and rows of condominiums and townhouses. Everything was so orderly and uniform that it reminded me of a movie set. Though this area did not possess large mansions or expensive lodge-like houses, you could see that there was still a level of class and money present. It wasn’t easy or cheap to live in Black Mountain, but I guess you could call this neighborhood the least expensive area.
“I have a two-bedroom condo,” Mr. D said as he pulled into a single driveway and waited for the garage door to open. “It works for me. Simple, I don’t have to worry about yard work, and it’s clean.”
I looked up at the light gray two-story condo that was lined up with others exactly the same but with a slightly different color. Though the condo was two stories, it appeared that it was actually one story of living space that sat on top of the garage.
I wasn’t surprised when I got out of the car that Mr. D’s garage appeared as organized and orderly as it was. Everything seemed to have a home. He had a mountain bike hanging on a rack on the side, and above my head hung two kayaks. There was also a punching bag in the far corner with some hand weights below it. It made sense that Mr. D would be so active considering he was obviously in such good shape. And it also made sense he would be into the outdoors since—other than myself—it seemed everyone in Black Mountain loved nature and outdoor living to some degree.
