"Okay, everyone go to your lab stations and I'll begin to hand out the rats. Make sure either you or your partner grabs a dissection tray, and dissection tools," Mr. Heywood started, shooing everyone out of their seats with his hands.

There was the scraping of chairs, little groans, and some twitters of excitement. I stayed in my seat, looking down at the phone in my hand for any new news. My heart skipped a beat when I saw I had a text message from Laura. It took me a few tries to unlock my phone and read it because my hands were shaking.

"Still nothing."

I sighed, hitting the reply button and typing a quick "okay". Lance still wasn't conscious. But he wasn't in critical condition anymore either, so that was good. His mom had been keeping Casey and I updated constantly, which is why I had my phone out in class. Usually I stuck to the no texting in class rule.

"Phone away, Ms. Evers."

I nearly jumped a mile in my seat. Mr. Heywood smirked down at me when I lifted my head to grin at him sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Normally I'm supposed to confiscate it..." Mr. Heywood trailed off, the smirk on his face growing wider, probably thinking of the time he had tricked me. "But since I know you're worried about Lance, I'll let you keep it. Don't let me see it again."

"Um, thanks," I muttered, still pink-faced. I quickly slipped my phone into my pocket. "Mr. Heywood?"

"What?"

"Since Lance is my lab partner, what am I going to do? Should I join another group?" I asked, hoping I didn't have to work alone. Dead rats and me didn't mix.

"No," Mr. Heywood responded. "You'll be working with me."

My eyes widened slightly. How lucky was that? I couldn't stop a small grin from spreading across my face. He must have done this a thousand times! Now I wouldn't have to touch the disgusting thing! Mr. Heywood started raised an eyebrow at my expression.

"I hope you're not thinking that I'll be doing all the work," he commented, his smirk growing.

I scowled at him. Damn.

"No," I lied, determined not to give him the satisfaction of somehow being able to read me easily.

"Right..."

"I wasn't!"

"You can't lie to me," Mr. Heywood responded, shaking his head. "You think you'd realize that by now?"

I scowled at him. "Maybe I have lied--"

"Mr. Heywood?"

Sadie's voice gave me a start, and I turned to look at her. She smiled at me quickly, before redirecting her attention to Mr. Heywood. A small whoosh of air left my mouth and I swallowed nervously. I had totally forgotten that I was in class! Judging by Mr. Heywood's unsurprised look, he hadn't. He smiled at Sadie.

"Yes?"

"Are you going to pass out the rats soon?" she asked, an amused smile slipping onto her face. "My partner and I are ready."

"Right away," Mr. Heywood responded, mock saluting her.

Sadie giggled and I couldn't help a smile from slipping onto my face. As she walked away, Mr. Heywood gestured me to follow him into the supply room. I obeyed immediately, trailing behind him like a dog as he made his way towards the room.

"Grab that tub off the counter," he ordered, gesturing towards a humongous, white tub. "Get the box of latex gloves as well."

"What are you going to take?"

"The lab papers," Mr. Heywood responded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. I'm surprised he didn't add a "duh".

Scowling, I went over to the tub and tried to pick it up. Emphasis on tried.

"What's in here?" I groaned, trying to pick it up again. "It's ridiculously heavy!"

"Probably around forty dead rats..."

Immediately I stopped trying to pick it up, my face wrinkling in disgust. "What? Why do you have that many?

"There's about twenty students per class, that means ten rats for ten pairs, and I have four classes. Can you do the math, or should I elaborate?"

"I know how to do math," I snapped at him, another scowl forming.

Part of me was glad that everything was normal between Mr. Heywood and myself, but the other part of me was confused. I didn't want it to be awkward or anything, but I had been expecting at least something to be different between us after what Mr. Heywood had said last night.

But nope, Mr. Heywood was still the pain in the butt like he always was. A sigh escaped my lips as I tried once again to lift the heavy tub of carcasses. Just the thoughts of a dead rat made me feel nauseous. How in the world was I supposed to dissect it? I slid the tub of the edge of the counter, and immediately I realized I couldn't hold the weight, and struggled to put the tub back on the counter before it plummeted to the ground. It was the tub vs. me. It was winning.

A low chuckle came from right behind me and I jerked, the tub slipping out of hands. Immediately two hand shot out from either side of me, catching the tub before it even dropped three inches down.

"Smooth move," Mr. Heywood commented.

His chest was pressed to my back, and I could feel the vibrations from it as he spoke. I blushed from our proximity, standing stock still as Mr. Heywood set the tub back on the counter. He retracted his arms from around me and I stepped to the side, frowning at him.

"Mr. Heywood, you're going to take the tub. I'm going to take the gloves and labs," I told him, yanking the papers out of his hand, and then turning to grab the box of latex gloves. "Now let's go."

I glanced back at Mr. Heywood, who gave me an amused look, a smirk slipping onto his face. He easily lifted the tub of carcasses with ease, nodding with his head for me to exit the room. I did so, exiting the supply room.

"Since I'm holding the tub, you'll have to place a rat on each dissection tray," Mr. Heywood commented in a cheerful voice.

I froze, turning to stare at him in horror. "But I... they... I can't! I-"

Mr. Heywood chuckled again, rolling his eyes. "You're such a baby."

I narrowed my eyes and opened my mouth to retort, but before I could say anything a guy from my class, James, called Mr. Heywood over. He brought the tub over to Jeff's lab table and proceeded to open the tub, and take out a dead rat. I almost gagged.

Ten minutes later, an awful scent filled the room and a dead rat was placed in front of me. Students surrounded my lab table, watching with giddiness. Mr. Heywood was showing them how to take the fur off the rat.

"There's a split in by the base of the neck," Mr. Heywood explained, pointing at the place mentioned. "Use your scissors to cut down a straight line, all the way to the tail. Then do the same for the front, and you should be able to pull the arms and legs out of the fur easily."

"You look like you're going to be sick," someone whispered in my ear.

Turning my head, I realized it was James. He smirked at me, his eyes glowing with amusement. I rolled my eyes.

"Can't you smell it?"

"Smells great!" James responded, taking a deep whiff of air. "It's so... ugh." He covered his mouth and shut his eyes in disgust.

A short burst of laughter escaped my lips, before I covered it, glancing back at Mr. Heywood, who was watching me with a frown. I felt my face heat up slightly and I quickly averted my gaze.

"Ms. Evers, you'd better be attention," he warned.

"It's my fault," James interjected before I could reply.

Mr. Heywood raised an eyebrow, turning his eyes to James. "Well James, you too have to pay attention."

"Yes, sir!" James responded, lifting his arm up to salute Mr. Heywood, and nicking me in the face with his elbow. He didn't even notice.

A smirk appeared on Mr. Heywood's face, making it obvious he had seen the accident, as he returned his attention to the dead rat in front of him, cutting down the stomach. When it was fully open, you could see the rat's furless body.

"Can you guys handle it?" Mr. Heywood asked, turning his attention back to the class. "Taking the arms and legs out will be a little more difficult, but if you pull hard enough, they'll come out easily."

"I think I'm going to be sick," a girl commented from behind me.

Mr. Heywood laughed. "You'll get used to the smell soon, don't worry."

"Doubt it," the same student muttered.

"Alright," Mr. Heywood said, clapping his hands together. "Get to it. There's gloves right here, so grab a pair for you and your partner if you need them."

Students shuffled forwards to take the gloves, and I moved back to let them pass me. When everyone was all set, I went closer to the lab table, eyeing the rat warily. Mr. Heywood had a smirk on his face again as he pulled on some of the gloves. He tossed a pair at me, and then handed me the scissors.

"You cut open the stomach and I'll start pulling the legs out of the fur."

"I'll pass," I responded, feeling queasy already. "I can't really handle dissections-"

"Don't be a milksop," Mr. Heywood interrupted me, rolling his eyes.

I gave him a flat look. "What does that even mean?"

Mr. Heywood sighed, not even bothering to respond. I frowned slightly, turning my attention to putting my gloves on. What was I expecting, exactly? At least some kind of change in attitude, definitely. But everything was just so... normal. It was a little nerve-wracking.

Had there been no special meaning behind what Mr. Heywood had said last night? Did he just wish that because the gang was targeting me? Because I was a bad student? Or because he liked me in a way a teacher shouldn't like his student?

That thought was quickly blown out of the way. No, it couldn't be that. Mr. Heywood still loved Haley. He went to see her all the time, and he had said, "You never stop loving anyone." But as in he was still in love with her, or still loved her? They both had two different meanings.

I sighed, shaking my head slightly. I sounded like some weird, obsessed, stalker.

"Cut, Holly," Mr. Heywood commanded, grabbing my hand and bringing it to the front of the rat. "Right here."

For a second I relished in the fact he was holding my hand, but I quickly sobered up as he squeezed on down on my hand, making the scissors cut through the rats skin. I tried to yank my hand back, but Mr. Heywood held it firmly. Even though I was in the process of cutting up a dead rat, a blush still somehow made it's way onto my face.

"C'mon," Mr. Heywood said, rolling his eyes again. "It's not that bad."

I shook my head. "I can't," I stated stubbornly.

Mr. Heywood sighed, letting go of my hand and taking the scissors. "Fine, I'll get it out of the fur, and you won't have to do anything."

I blinked, staring at Mr. Heywood in surprise. He was going to just let me off like that? Maybe something had changed after all. A smile made its way onto my face.

"However, next lab day you'll be cutting the stomach open," he continued, a smirk slipping onto his face.

"That's not fair!" I protested, making a grab for the scissors. "I'd rather cut the skin off instead!"

"Too late now," he told me, quickly cutting down the rat's stomach. "I got the easy part."

I glared at him. "You're a jerk."

He chuckled. "I know."

"Mr. Heywood?" a new voice spoke.

Mr. Heywood turned towards the girl whom had spoken. She glanced at me before returning her gaze to Mr. Heywood.

"Can you help my partner and I?" she asked, pursing her lips. "We can't get the leg out..."

"Of course, I'll do it for you," Mr. Heywood responded, smiling at the girl.

The girl smiled back, and then started walking back to her table. I rolled my eyes, frowning at Mr. Heywood. He smirked at me for a moment, before nodding towards the rat with his head.

"When I get back I expect this rat to have not a trace of fur on it," he told me.

"But-" I protested, but stopped when he began to walk away.

I sighed, looking back down at the rat. Was Mr. Heywood really going to make me do this by myself? It was so unfair! I swallowed, picking up the rats' dead paw. To my surprise, the arm was already out of the skin. The other leg, and both arms were already out of the fur as well. I glanced at Mr. Heywood and found him looking back at me. He smirked, and I blushed, looking away instantly.

I hadn't even seen him do it for me. With new resolve, I pulled my gloves on tighter. The least I could do was rid the rat of the fat. As soon as I scraped the small knife against the flabby skin, I almost got sick. Dissection was definitely not for me.

Mr. Heywood ended up helping out every other group, and before I knew it, it was the end of the period. The bell rang as I quickly placed a plastic cover over the dead rat, writing my name on it, and placing it at the back of the room where we were storing them. The last student besides me left the room, leaving me along with Mr. Heywood. I quickly grabbed my books, heading towards the door.

"Have a good day, Holly," he said as I walked by.

I stopped immediately, twisting around to look at him in surprise. "What?"

"Have a good day, Holly?" he reiterated raising an eyebrow.

"You called me Holly!" I said in amazement.

"Don't I usually call you Holly?"

"Not in class," I told him, a grin growing on my face.

He smirked, watching me with an amused expression. "Why are you getting so excited?"

"I-I'm not," I denied, feeling my face heat up. "You just only call me 'Ms. Evers' in school when there's people around... Huh..."

"What?"

"You do only call me Ms. Evers when people are around," I commented, looking around to make sure the class was actually empty. "Why is that?"

"I don't know," Mr. Heywood responded, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.

"But you call everyone else by their first name!"

The door opened, and a group of giggling girls came in. I scowled in annoyance at them. Perfect timing.

"You'd better get going before you're late to class, Ms. Evers," Mr. Heywood commented, checking his watch. "You've got two minutes."

I sighed, brushing past the girls in the doorway. "Bye, Mr. Heywood."

The rest of the school day passed in a flash. When the final bell rang, I took out my phone to check my messages. There was one new message from Laura. Suddenly I was overcome with nerves. My hands shook as I pressed the open button. Two words stared back at me.

"He's awake."

Relief spread through me, and I had to hold in a cry of excitement. I quickly typed back, asking if she could come pick me up, but the sending failed. My phone had no service. I quickly ran outside, waiting impatiently for my phone to gain bars back. It never did.

"C'mon," I muttered, flipping my phone open and shut in hope to gain at least a little service. "Now's not the time!"

No matter how many times I opened and closed my phone, I still had not service. I growled in frustration. The hospital was way too far for me to walk, and my mom wasn't home. Who could I ask for a ride from?

"Jeremy!" I gasped, quickly going to his contacts and hitting the call button, forgetting I didn't have service. It wouldn't connect.

Another groan of frustration escaped my lips. I had to see Lance right now! I had to see he was awake with my own eyes! But first I needed a phone. Maybe I could use a teacher's phone. My eyes widened.

"Mr. Heywood!" I cried, out of breath from sprinting to his room. "Help!"

He looked at me with an alarmed expression on his face, immediately standing from his desk, and coming over to me. "What's wrong?" he demanded, quickly scanning my face. "Did something-"

"I need to use your phone!" I told him, now holding a stitch in my side. "It's important! Lance woke up!"

"He did?" Mr. Heywood responded in surprise.

"Yes," I said quickly, "now let me use the phone."

Mr. Heywood chuckled, letting me into his room. "Go ahead."

I grabbed the school phone from the wall, quickly pressing the buttons that led to the outside line. When I heard the dial tone, I quickly dialed Jeremy's phone number. On the second ring it picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi! It's Holly," I told him, tapping my foot anxiously. "Can you bring me to the hospital?"

"Why? Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice becoming concerned.

"No," I responded, "Lance woke up."

"Who are you talking to?" Mr. Heywood asked, suddenly appearing behind me.

"Is that Chris?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes," I told Jeremy, and then turned to Mr. Heywood. "It's Jeremy."

"Hi Chris!" Jeremy shouted, making me wince and pull the phone away from my ear. "Did he hear me?"

"Don't yell," I responded, frowning. "And I don't know. Jeremy says hi, Mr. Heywood."

"Why are you asking him for a ride?" he demanded, frowning at me. "I can give you a ride."

"Aw, he's jealous," Jeremy commented, letting out a little laugh.

"No he's not," I responded, feeling a blush creep onto my face. "And will you, Mr. Heywood? Right now?"

"Sure," Mr. Heywood responded. "I just need to grab my work. Do you plan on staying there for a while?"

"Yeah, why?"

He frowned. "I have somewhere to go at four, so ask Jeremy if he'll pick you up."

"I can," Jeremy told me, without needing me to ask.

"He can," I told Mr. Heywood, my stomach clenching in excitement. "I'll call you later then, Jeremy."

"Okay, talk to you soon then."

"Bye."

"I love you," he said in a teasing voice before I could hang up.

I rolled my eyes, a smile spreading across my face. "I love you too, Jeremy."

Mr. Heywood's head snapped to mine as I hung up the phone. He watched me with a frown as I slipped my cell phone back into my pocket. I looked back at him, growing self-conscious.

"What?" I finally asked, raising a hand to my face. Was there something on it?

"Nothing," Mr. Heywood said, turning away from me. "Let's go."

I narrowed my eyes in confusion, but followed him out of the classroom anyway. We went to his car, and he opened the passenger door for me. I climbed in and buckled as Mr. Heywood got into the driver's side. For some reason, he looked bothered.

I suddenly felt guilty. Was it my fault? Was I ruining some plans he had made? Mr. Heywood pulled out of the parking lot, still not saying a word. I fidgeted with my fingers nervously. Finally, I couldn't stand the silence.

"Sorry," I apologized, turning to look at Mr. Heywood. "Am I ruining your plans?"

He glanced at me in surprise, and then shook his head, returning his attention to the road. "No. Why?"

"I don't know. You seem bothered," I responded honestly.

Mr. Heywood immediately frowned. "Do I?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, is there something I should know?" he asked, his tone growing hard.

"What do you mean...?"

"You know what I mean," he responded, glancing at me again with slightly narrowed eyes.

"No, I don't," I responded, a frown now appearing on my face.

Mr. Heywood rolled his eyes. "Fine, don't tell me. Even though I told you about my past, even though it was private and I've never shared it with anyone but you..."

"What am I supposed to be telling you?" I demanded, growing irritated. "I haven't done anything!"

"Well, never mind then."

"No, not never mind!" I responded, glaring at him now. "Now you have to tell me. I didn't do anything to make you angry at me, right?"

"I'm not angry at you," Mr. Heywood said. "I'm just slightly annoyed."

"What? Why?"

"Lance is at the local hospital, right?" Mr. Heywood asked, ignoring me.

I scowled, but still answered his question. "No, he's at Cooley."

"Cooley?" Mr. Heywood asked, looking surprised. "Why is he there?"

"Better intensive care unit," I guessed, shrugging. "But we aren't changing the topic."

Mr. Heywood sighed, taking a turn onto the highway that led to the hospital. "I said never mind. It's your life and you can do what you want."

"What am I doing?" I responded in exasperation. "Mr. Heywood, just tell me."

"Chris," he corrected.

"I will never call you by your name if you don't tell me," I threatened.

"If I tell you, you might get mad."

I blinked in shock. Was Mr. Heywood's tone of voice embarrassed? He looked at me sheepishly, making me more surprised. The sheepish look was a new one too. Was the world coming to an end?

"Now I'm really curious," I said, leaning closer to him. "Tell me."

He cleared his throat. "I thought I said I don't want you to date Jeremy."

That was not what I was expecting. I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You did."

"So why are you two still dating?"

"Huh?"

Mr. Heywood's hands automatically tightened on the steering wheel. "Sorry, Holly. I'm just... I don't handle these situations well."

"Wait, first of all, Jeremy and I aren't dating," I responded, shaking my head. "We've gone on dates, but as friends. I thought we went over this last night..."

Mr. Heywood frowned, glancing at me for a split second again. "Then why'd you tell him you loved him?"

My eyes widened. Wait... was Mr. Heywood jealous? Jealous of Jeremy? Jealous, and admitting it? A blush fought its' way onto my face again.

"No, no, no," I responded, fighting the urge to smile. "Friends. We're friends."

"Oh."

"Why does it matter?" I pressed, biting my lip.

"It doesn't," Mr. Heywood muttered. "We're here."

I looked up to see the giant hospital displayed in front of me. Mr. Heywood drove me up to the entrance, gesturing his head towards the door.

"See you later."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me why me dating Jeremy matters," I told him, crossing my arms.

He sighed. "I said never mind."

"Fine. Then never mind about me telling you the whole truth about the situation."

I kept my face as straight as I could as I told him that total lie. He narrowed his eyes slightly. I almost smirked. Instead, I reached for the door handle. As soon as my hand came in contact, I heard the click of the locks.

I rolled my eyes. What an old trick. I unlocked the door again, this time holding the lock, and was able to open it. A small smirk of triumph appeared on my face. I turned back to give Mr. Heywood a smug look.

"Guess I'll talk to you later."

"Holly, wait," Mr. Heywood demanded, reaching over the seat and grabbing my arm. "I just want you to tell me seriously whether you're dating Jeremy or not."

"Why should I?" I responded, frowning at him. "What difference does it make?"

"Remember what I said to you the last night? Before we left?"

I frantically forced back the blush that was threatening to come on my face. "What about it?"

"Think about that," he told me, a serious look on his face.

"Huh?"

He let out a small groan of frustration. "Come on, Holly. Put two and two together."

"Put two and two together...?"

I almost gasped when I realized what he meant. If he was jealous of Jeremy, then what he said about being my teacher could only mean one thing... I stared at Mr. Heywood with my eyes wide. What was I supposed to say? Or did it actually not mean what I thought it meant?

Mr. Heywood sighed, placing his forehead against his steering wheel. "Did you figure it out?"

"You're gay and want to be with Jeremy?" I babbled, not knowing what else to say.

Mr. Heywood looked at me so fast I know he must have cricked his neck. He stared at me in incredulity. I forced myself to keep a straight face, and even managed to frown. It was a very hard feat.

"What?"

"I should have known," I said with a sigh, proceeding to get out of the car. "No guy can be as good looking as you and be straight, huh?"

"Holly? No. Wait!"

"Sorry, I've got to go! And I'm not dating Jeremy, I promise," I told him, turning my back on him. "See you!"

Mr. Heywood honked the car horn after me as I speed-walked to the entrance of the hospital. My heart was beating a thousand beats per minute and I felt dizzy. When I came to the hospital doors, I leaned against one for a minute, trying to cool my head.

When I finally calmed down, I groaned, sinking my hands into my head. That could have been considered a confession from Mr. Heywood. Something I never believed in my life to be possible. Something I should be jumping up and down and screaming about. But no. I played it off as though Mr. Heywood was gay. I groaned again. Unbelievable.

_________________________________________________________

Phew! Done! I was going to update yesterday, but I ended up watching A Very Potter Sequel again. I love it...

Anyway. I wanted to at least get one happy chapter before I make you guys all hate... um, never mind. I don't want to ruin anything. Haha...

So if you've taken biology, and had to dissect a rat before like I did, you know that smell I was talking about. Now imagine that mixed with cupcake flavored candles. My bio teacher thought it'd be a good idea to mix dead rat and cupcake candle. NO. Bad idea. Now I get sick when I smell that type of candle. The dissecting was actually pretty fun. The picture to the right is a picture of my rat lol. The guys at the table next to us played jump rope with the intestines, but then they get yelled at. While I was pulling the arms/legs out of the skin, I broke one of it's legs by acciedent, haha, and a piece went flying. But it was still disgusting. There was sooo much internal juice leaking and the stomach got punctured by accident. BLECH. And then my bio teacher made me open up the heart. It looked like there was mustard in it... but enough with grossing you out.

Vote! Like! Tweet! Comment! (: Facebook page to the right, to the right, yeaaaah.

OH YEAH! Question! What was your most embarrassing moment with a teacher? Mine was when I was singing "I'm a banana, I'm a banana!" and my bio teacher was standing right behind me, eating a banana. Yeah. Or the time I was telling my friend Cheyenne about how I'd kill someone (idk how it got brought up) and my bio teacher was right behind me again -_- He always came in at the most awkward times. BUT. He an awesome teacher, so it's okay... Ok, I'm shutting up now.