1x1 discussion
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Scout and Once Upon A Time
Michael wasn't sure he heard the girl properly. At first he thought it was a sick cat, but his gut told him is was much more than that. "Cora, why don't you go on inside?" He said gently. "I'm going to check something real quick." Cora nodded and felt her way inside easily. Michael sighed and hopped down the front steps of the school and turned to the right towards the space between this building and the next. He stood at the front of alley, gazing in it. "Hello?" He called, taking a few steps in. That's when her hunched figure came into view. "Oh good lord!" He cursed and ran up up to her, kneeling at her level. "What in the heavens happened to you?" Alice smiled slightly at his gentleness and assurance towards the matter. She knew he didn't know what happened, or at least all of it. It was classified information. "Do you know why I'm here?" She heard herself asking. "I'm not retarded or anything...if that's what you're thinking."
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Jayden looked at her. "I know you aren't retarded" He said a little offended that someone would think that he would think that. "The only way to get good grammar is to practice by writing and learning new vocabulary everyday." He was being too nice right now. "Lets jump in right now." He asked her some questions about the first chapter. "Tonight you will read the next two chapters by the next class. I also have a vocab worksheet that will be due at the end of the week. We will have quiz on it." Handing her the sheet of paper. "I want you right now without looking up the definition to write a what you think it means"
"Hey, it's alright." He said softly. "I'm not going to hurt you. I want to help you." He sighed. "I live here," he gestured to the school. "And I work here. It's safe in there, I promise you. You don't have to protect yourself anymore. Please let me help you." He begged.Alice nibbled on her bottom lip and nodded in agreement. It wasn't nice to label herself as retarded. She was just fed up with people thinking she was. Once a man found out she wasn't well educated, they never stuck around. "Yes sir." She took the seat and read it over. Definitions weren't much of a problem as grammar itself was, but it was still difficult.
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Jayden looked at her. " I don't think your stupid, I'm trying to make it easier because grammar isn't the best for some people" He said. Sighing some turning around. "Tell me when your done and feel free to speak"
Michael's heart sank. "Come here..I'll take you inside and get you something warm to wear and eat." He gently touched her arm. "I'll help you up," he said gently. "If I didn't miss school for almost two years I wouldn't even be here." She mumbled to herself as she picked up her pencil and began to write the definition down, or what she thought was it.
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Jayden nodded his head. "I don't get you I try helping you and be kind to when I did that you thought I was treating you like a retard now when I don't be easy you on you get mad" He said shaking his head. "All I am is trying to help, but I guess I can't help someone who doesn't want to be help. You can come here everyday and do what I ask, but if you aren't enjoying it then there's no since of learning."
"I won't let anyone hurt you. Not even your uncle. Runaway now. Come stay here. It's safe. I promise you," he was practically begging. He couldn't let her leave; couldn't let her slip from his grasp this time. He wanted to hold on tight and help her through whatever is going on. She gaped at him, sitting back in her seat. "I never said I didn't want to learn. And I'm not mad." She scoffed. She stared down at her lap sadly. "I just....I've been through a lot and I never thought I'd get an opportunity to learn again. I'm really grateful that you're doing this for me when you could probably be doing better things." She glanced up at him apologetically.
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Jayden bit his lip. "I'm sorry for getting a little upset." He said. "I just got out of college so this is my first job" Dropping the subject. He wasn't about to ask whats wrong because it was none of his business. "I'm going to give the rest of the hour to finish that and we will go over it quickly then move on."
Carefully and gently, Michael helped her to her feet, keeping an arm around shoulders. "I want to help you because I know you're pain. Or I at least seen it before." He said. "Now come along, I'll get you something too eat.""I'm sorry to." She said, sighing softly. She nodded at his instructions and picked up he pencil again and scooters forward in her seat. She held her other hand around the locket that was around her neck as she began to write with her left hand.
Mod
Looking down at his watch Jay notice it was 9:35a.m he had to plan a quick grammar lesson. He looked at basic grammar worksheet he had. He had enough for one day for a year starting from easy to the hardest that would be perfect.
"Of course I'm not going to leave you hungry." He scoffed. "I don't even let myself go hungry. This is a pretty big school and we have plenty to eat. Just come along with me and I'll take care of you." He said as he helped her up the front steps of the school.Alice spent twenty minutes writing down the definitions that she knew, leaving two of them blank. The ones that she did answer were correct, and one wasn't. "I think I'm finished with this. I'm terribly sorry if it's wrong," She sighed.
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"Don't worry about its suppose to help you practice making inferences and using context clues as used in the book. I have this quick grammar worksheet we will be doing." He handed her the paper and then went over the answers to the vocabulary sheet. "How well did you do?" He asked.
"You won't be a burden. I'll let you sleep in my chambers which is in the basement so you won't be taking up the empty rooms that are for future students. We have a train arriving tomorrow with some more students on it. We also have many girls around your age that would be more than happy to give you one or two of their old dresses. As for work, you'll catch on fast." He smiled. Once they were in the school,he led her down a hallway.Alice took the grammar sheet and checked it out as he asked her that. "I'm not sure. I mean I know I got at least two definitions right, but that is all I'm afraid." She sighed.
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"That's okay we will get you to it" He said assuring. "I know this will be hard at first, but it will come to after practicing."
"I may not have to help you, but I want to." He assured. "And what food would you like? The cooks will make anything, but they usually go by the meal plan for today. Lunch is being served in an hour and I believe ham and cheese sandwiches with a side of Caesar salad are on the menu today." He carefully led her downstairs into the basement."Yes," she nodded. "I like hard though. I don't mind keeping busy." She said. "It's a habit I picked up recently..." She trailed off with a sigh.
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Glancing up from his desk. "Well that's good because there's going to be a lot of work. Here's the worksheet complete that for homework as the next two chapters of Pride and Prejudice. " He walking over to the table with the History supplies in hand. "For the next part I gave you a 11th year leveled is that too high?"
"Miss, please. Stop questioning everything. You'll get to bathe then eat right after. While you're doing so, I'll find a dress for you I promise." He led her through a door which was his room. There was a single bed in the corner and a dresser, a bookshelf and a washing pitcher. There was another door that led to a small bathroom.Alice bit her lip, nodding. "I think eleventh grade will be alright. I dropped out half way through tenth." She told him softly.
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"Each day we will have an hour lecture and you would take notes. If you want a fun way of learning I can do that too" Jay said being very formal about everything. He was stiff and needed to loosen up.
"Nonsense. You'll occupy my bed until further notice." He touched her shoulders and smiled, but then frowned when she wouldn't seem to look up at his face. "You can look at me. I won't strike you or yell at you." He said calmly. "I think we both need some fun; A way to loosen up a little." She smiled sweetly. "But by all means, don't let me tell you how to teach." She joked, softly giggling.
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"Fun. I am fun I gave you lots of English and we are about to jump into a hour lecture. What is more fun that?" He asked being dead serious. "Anyways each the chapter's vocabulary will be due as well as the questions at the end of the section. A chapter quiz will be assigned then you will do a unit exam." He told her. "Isn't doing that much work fun?"
"Yes I am sure." He sighed. "There is nothing about you I don't like. So please just sit here while I get the bath running for you." He escorted her to his bed.She raised an eyebrow curiously as he spoke. He had to be joking....right? There was no way he thought all of that stuff was fun. Yeah she liked keeping busy but there had to be limits. "Well, not particularly no." SHe said.
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Raising eyebrow. "Your crazy" He said. "This is fun stuff" Thinking she was crazy. "Lets the lecture" He started the lecture.
"Make yourself comfortable." He smiled and went into the en suite bathroom. He knelt down by the porclain tub and and turned the nobs until warm water rushed out of the old taps and into the tub. Alice sighed inwardly and rested her chin in her hand as she listened to his lecture. With her other hand she twiddled with her pencil. This was going to be a long day.
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He could tell she was losing interest in his lecture. Cursing at himself mentally. "Okay we are going to take a stand still. What is History?"
After a few minutes he walked back into the room. "What's your name?" He asked as he grabbed towels from his wardrobe.Alice took a second to realize he actually said something. She blinked and stood up straighter. "History is events that happened in the past that have impact our world today."
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Jay nodded his head some. "That's partially right the other half is cause and effect. Everything about history is cause effect. Another point to be made is history is being made today. Think about in the future kids learning history will have way much more to learn than you." Smiling some.
"I will not hurt you no." He clarified for the billionth time. "I'll get you something to wear once you're settled in the bath." He said, putting the towels under his arm so he could hold out his hand to her, which he did.Alice nodded. At his response, she started thinking about having her own kids, which she didn't expect to have anytime soon, if not at all. She also briefly thought about her friends that are probably already married and pregnant. She sighed softly. "Yes." She agreed.
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She looked like she was lost in thought. "Is everything okay?" He asked. "I understand this isn't probably the best situation to be in, but at least its better than nothing" Jay softly spoken.
Once he knew she was settled Michael went upstairs to the top floor and over to the right where the girl's rooms were. He located Cara's room and softly knocked."Come in!" She called.
"Sorry to interrupt you Cara but I was wondering if you had any old dresses that no longer for you or you don't like?" He asked as he walked in.
"Oh sure!" She smiled. "Let me check." She walked over her drawers and pulled one open.
"Everything is fine." She nodded, but then sighed. "My mind wandered elsewhere im afraid. I apologize. I am very grateful for this opportunity."
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"I know you are" He said softly. "Its fine my mind wanders all the time." That was really a lie , but she didn't need to know that. He stayed focus when it come to school and work that was his life.
As Cora looked for a dress, Michael quickly went back downstairs and asked the cooks go prepare a plate for an extra guest. They happily obliged and with that Michael went back upstairs where Cora was in the hallway, holding out a pretty flight pink dress with white trim around the collar and sleeves and the hem at the bottom. "It's to short for me." Michael nodded and took it. "Thank you Cora. Dinner will be soon," Alice leaned back in her seat and fanned herself with her small hand. "Do you mind if we go outside for a break? I need some fresh air." She said, her voice shaking a little. Ever since the murder of her parents she has developed regular panic attacks. If she didn't regulate her breathing with fresh air, she would have an attack.
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Taking a small pause from his work. "I guess if you can eat lunch too." He told her. "You can always come back when your done." It would leave him time to plan out the rest of the day. She did look a little pale. Would it be wrong for him to ask why and pry?
Michael took the dress downstairs again and took it into the basement. "Lunch isn't quite done yet but it will be soon." He said as he placed the dress on the back of a chair, along with some undergarments."Thank you sir." She said quickly and grabber her small lunch pale before bolting out of her seat and running outside onto the porch. She gasped for air and leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths. She closed her eyes.
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Seeing her run out made Jay wonder even more what was wrong with her even more. He didn't bother asking because it wasn't his business. Sitting at his chair he decided to take a little nap because he was exhausted from trying to make everything perfect.
"Yes of course. The dress is on the chair along with some undergarments. I didn't get you a corset because I figured you'd want your wounds to breath." He said, then walked up the stairs and waited on the landing."You're fine, Alice." She whispered to herself as she did her usual breathing technique. Her body began to calm down and she was relieved. Alice sat down on the porch steps and pulled out her sandwich from her lunch pail.
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Falling into a deep sleep. It was something that he hadn't done in awhile.
After a few minutes, he took one step down. "Are you decent?" He asked, then slowly made his way downstairs. At the sight of her smiled brightly. "There's a young lady!" He chuckled teasingly. "I was wondering where she went, or if she was under all of that filth in the first place."Alice finished her sandwich then snacked on a few grapes until she was sure she wasn't going to break out into a attack. She packed up her lunch and went back inside, only to see him sleeping. She giggled and walked over to her desk where she deposited her things, then walked up to his desk. "Sir?" She touched his shoulder gently.
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"What?" He asked knowing it hadn't been an hour. "You know you have an hour break" He said. Looking at her he was having a good nap.
"Oh, my bad." He raised his hands. "You're just a lady. A beautiful lady." He smiled and sat down on the edge of his bed."Well i already ate and I have no idea what I'm going to do for a full hour." She said, taking her hand back.
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"I don't know do whatever normal people do for an hour? Take a walk mingle with people" He suggested. His combed hair was all bed head. The deep green eyes looked at her. "Fine lets get back to work"
"I think it's true. But you're clearly going to be stubborn about it so whatever." She sighed and stood up. "You can sit here. I'll go get your lunch." He made his way toward the stairs again.At the thought of mingling with people, Alice shivered inwardly. Mingling was something she was not good at no matter how pretty she looked or how smart she acted. Everyone seemed to know somehow. "It's alright if you want to rest," She said. "I can find other things to entertain myself." She played with the collar of her dress.
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Jay looked at her. "Its fine I don't mind teaching now." Realizing she acted weird. If they knew each other for months he would take her out to mingle, but that would be weird since they just meant and he didn't want other people to think he was dating a student that would look awful for him.
Michael trekked up the steps and whistled as he entered the kitchen. "Thank you Beth." He smiled and took the tray that had Lily's lunch on it then carried it back downstairs. "Here's the lunch I promised." He placed the tray on his lap."Oh, alright then." She nodded and moved over to her desk again. "Sorry for leaving do abruptly," she blushed. "I have these sort of...fits sometimes and I don't know how to control them."
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"Its okay" Jay nodded his head. It was really none of his business really and he kept saying that to himself. If they wanted him to know about her past they would of told them.
"Yes, all yours. Ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes and a side of chips. He smiled. "Oh and a glass of milk. I hope it's enough. Lunch tends to be small." He sat down on the bed beside her.She nodded. "I'll try not to let it happen again. I would hate for it to interfere with my studies." She sighed. She didn't think he wanted to know was wrong. For the people who did know, they just shrugged it off and told her to get over it.
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Biting the inside of his cheek. "You see I figure if you want to tell me what your problem is you would have. Its none of my business. Your just like any other person." He said looking at her. "I would like to know if you were a murder." Jay said with a light smile.
"We've tried." He sighed, holding his hands in his lap. "But the town doesn't always like the school being here. Some think better buildings can replace it." He told her. She smirked a little at his comment. It was a honest thing to wonder. "I'm not a murderer....but my parents were the ones murdered." She whispered the last part, staring down at her lap and biting her lip.
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Jay shut his mouth. "Oh I'm sorry for your lose." He said softly.
"There's only so many blind schools in the country. Some families have to travel days away just so their kid can get the proper education for their imparement. This one is growing in popularity. But no they wont close us down. We're to successful." He explained.Alice played her her locke abscently. "I am to." She whispered. A sadness came across her soft blue eyes.
Looking at her nodding his head slowly. "Okay we will do a grammar lesson daily and do writing skills as well as a vocabulary to get that grammar up" He said smiling some. "No worries everything will be okay"
((Sorry its so short in class))