AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My eyes widen again as Mr. Vaughn yet again takes my words and twists them how he pleases.
“I'm not assuming, I'm merely thinking that it could very well be an option that shouldn't be ruled out.”
“So, what now?” The man says as he regards me with those cold hazel eyes that manage to make my pulse thrum with something I cannot quite name. “You think you know my daughter better than I do?”
I've had enough of his condescending tone. When I respond this time, I allow him to feel the heat of my anger.
“It appears that I do. I have lived nearly all my life with someone who was autistic. I know the signs and I understand why she is acting out the way she does.”
Mr. Vaughn shakes his head.
“Not only are you not competent enough to do your job, but you are going out of your way to diagnose your students?”
Fury rises within me at being told that I am inept. How dare he?
“You don't get to call me that, Mr. Vaughn,” I say in the coldest tone. “You're the one who has been claiming to be a very busy man, and I take your word for it because it would appear that Callie has been neglected and not properly looked after. If you'd spent more than just an hour with her, maybe you would notice these things I am trying to tell you about your daughter.”
My last words end with so much spite and loathing in them. When I’m done, I realize that I have slightly moved into his personal space and I'm almost jabbing my fingers against his chest with every word I say.
Up close, I can't help but notice how completely enchanting Mr. Vaughn's hazel eyes are. There are flecks of green that remind me of beautiful woods explored on sunny afternoons.
Blinking rapidly at my strange thoughts, I take a step back and watch as Mr. Vaughn digests my words in what could only be described as astonishment and rage. He appears to not know whether to feel insulted or thoroughly chastised.
I look to the side and see a couple of teachers openly eavesdropping with their jaws halfway on the floor. At that moment, I realize I have completely stepped out of line. I am instantly regretful of the things I said. I'm well aware that I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. That's exactly what he was trying to accomplish. He was baiting me.
It is too late to take my words back and it appears I won't even have the time to tender an apology because Mr. Vaughn is already striding toward the principal's office where he flings the door open and strides down the hallway toward the parking lot.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Mr. Beatles steps out a second later, looking like he is seriously considering running after Mr. Vaughn. Instead he stops at the sight of me and hurries over.
“What did you say to him? I've never seen him look so furious.”
I shake my head at myself.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Beatles, but I had to tell him about the possibility of Callie having autism. It appears he didn't take it well.”
