17. Mysterious History Teacher

If anyone had told me before that I would be doing a door to door interview in the afternoon I would have laughed. My legs were aching and that's when I realised how incredibly rude the people in the neighbourhood were. None of them offered me a drink or at least let me inside their house. Might be because I was a stranger who was asking weird questions in the middle of the day.





After two hours I realised that I did not have much to go on. The neighbour who had called for help that night moved away. It was like everything was taken care of so that no one could dig further. But I was not going to let it go. The person who bought the house from the owner had a number I could contact. I considered that as a win anyway.





"Thanks for your time" I politely smiled but the lady on the other side was not gracious about slamming the door on my face. it had to do with me constantly ringing the bell and asking her questions when she was busy making fajitas.





Wiping the sweat off my forehead I narrowed my eyes on the other side of the street. There was a small cafe where I could actually get something to drink. With that thought in my mind, I simply walk for other not caring that I was crossing through the main highway. The sound of the vehicle was almost inaudible to me, my eyes widened as it approached in full speed and before I react I have pulled back abruptly.





Trying to control my breathing I opened my eyes and parted away from the stranger only to realise that it was none other than our history teacher. Ryan Stone had a notorious reputation in the school because he was very young and flirty teacher. With thick blonde hair styled into a quiff and those tight blazer pants, he was a walking sin. Not to mention his black-rimmed glasses. Sometimes it felt like he just wore those to look professional. Even though he was that fashionable and flirty no one reported him so it was all good. Also, the students had no complaints about him or his teaching methods. That automatically meant the Principal could not fire him. Personally, he could use some pointers on how to talk without innuendos then he was fine.





"Are you crazy? You could have died" Ryan's shrill voice made me flinch. I noticed that his car was parked almost behind the door of the last house I was interviewing. How did he get there so quick in time to save me?





I dumbly opened and closed my mouth, fully knowing that it was my fault and I should have been careful. Shaking my head I wrapped my arms around myself, shifting on my feet nervously.





"I wasn't- thank you so much! I don't know what would- Thank you"




Ryan sighed, "Anya it's alright. What are you doing here?"




His question threw me off and not to mention the way he addressed me with my name. Sure I had a history subject but I never got the opportunity to know him better because he was always occupied with the pretty girls. Besides history was not something I had doubts about.





I wetly smacked my lips together, my eyes lingering around. Suddenly felt as if there were no one way around us. At his stare, I sighed very well knowing that I had no choice but to tell him the truth.





"I just came to talk to a few people around here"




He lifted his eyebrows in a questioning manner, "Talk? Do you live close by?"




"No. No. I am working on an article for my college application so that's why I'm here"




He adjusted his glasses and blinked his eyes at me, "College application? That's early"




"I wanted to be prepared for anything, sir."




Ryan hummed, "Ambitious. Good. So what is this article about?"



"Also please call me Ryan. We are not in school" He added




My cheeks flamed at that. I chewed on my lips, "But sir-"




"It's fine to trust me. There's no one around here"




"Okay Ryan"



"Smart. Continue"



I blushed at the compliment. It was not every day that someone was praising me for just submitted my college application early. And also called me smart. My mum didn't even have an idea that I got into college. They would make a big deal about it and that's the last thing I want.





I nervously giggled, shaking my head, "Nothing it's not that's important"




It felt wrong to lie to him but I had no option. What's the point of keeping it under wraps when most of them knew what my article was about? Ryan was not one of the professors who did not sit at the table to gossip so he had no idea about the project I was working on.





"Oh come on! Are you seriously toying with me right now? I saved your life"




I gasped, "Are you playing saviour card already Ryan?"





"Maybe. Look I just want to help you and in that way maybe keep you away from dying" The teacher shrugged, a weak smile on his face.




I sheepishly ducked my head down and nodded. My cheeks were red from embarrassment. He saved my life only because I was being reckless and lost in my own world. It was embarrassing for me.





I rubbed my shoulder before clasping my hands together and nervously staring at him, "Again thank you for that. It's a top-secret kind of thing. Can you not tell anyone?"





Ryan hummed, "Cross my heart and all that hipster thing you lot say"




I burst out laughing at the look on his face as he uttered those words. Ryan Stone's lips twitched around the corner and for the first time, I could really understand why the girls in our class were insanely attracted to him.






"It's not a hipster"




"Yeah whatever"




"Okay, so you know Damon Arcuri right?"




At the mention of his name, Ryan shifted closer and a look of recognition crossed his face. I should be used to the reaction by now because most of them were intimidated by the name and the story behind it. They still did not know the truth and I need to find it as soon as I can.





He narrowed his eyes, "Unfortunately I met him. He's in my class. What about him? Wait-"




Before I could open my mouth and explain further he cut me off again, "You are writing an article on him?"





"Yes"




"Anya this is crazy. He is a convicted criminal you need to stay away from him and the story. There are tons of things happening in the town you could have chosen them instead of trying to dig up something that is buried in the past."





At the resigned look on his face I cleared my throat, "And the truth was buried with it. There is something not right with this case. He did not deserve to go and serve time."





"What are you talking about?"




"Damon... He is not the killer. t
There is no way that he could be the killer given the circumstances he was in. The lib- one of the closest people knows that and can vouch for that"





Ryan's eyes shot up at that and his face was pale white like he had seen a ghost.





"Witness? You have a witness for this article?"




"Pretty much," I said, my voice a bit elated. Ever since I found out about Damon being innocent the desire to catch the real killer and have him off her punished was intensifying.




He licked his lips, "That's... that's convenient. I think you can actually work this out"




I let out a small sigh, "I hope so too. Damon deserves justice. His parents and his brother deserve it too"





"Does anyone know about this witness? You know in case if anything happens- I meant to like it's always good to tell someone else about them"





I hummed, "Oh don't worry I got it covered. Kay was there with me when I was talking to the witness."




Ryan's face fell again. He was going to do something and I wanted to ask him so many questions. The first one being how could he save me so easily?





"Kay? The cheerleader?"




At that my mouth fell open, "Hey she's more than that"




Ryan was flustered at that and he tugged at his hair, "Sorry...I'm sorry but it's just easy for me to remember that way. There are a lot of students in my class"




"I was just kidding"




"Oh"



"Yeah...so I'll see you later I guess"




Ryan shook his head, flashing me the signature smile again, "If you want I can stay back for you...I mean to drop you back home"





"Sir...please I am fine. Besides, I think I have some work to do here. It may take a while and I'll call Kay to pick me up here"




Ryan sighed, "Okay then. Keep me updated on this! I'm really curious to know what you find out"




I was confused at that but nodded my head anyway, "Sure"



Then he walked away leaving me all alone.
***