Her Pet

Prologue

Ethan's P.O.V

As a Master's graduate from the University of Montana, I felt thoroughly insulted when I was recommended Imphal High School as my first choice of schools and to top it of, as a teacher of chemistry.

Not only was I a Bio major, I had to go teach in Imphal, a matchbox sized town bordering Montana. Somehow, I feel like Edward Cullen hightailing out of the city so the sun doesn't scorch his ass, but unlike Forks from Twilight with its population of 3,120 people, Imphal's population ranges between a bare minimum of 1,300 to 1,800 people. Not to mention there wasn't even an airport or railway station in sight.

The bus ride from Butte, Gold West Country, Montana took me almost 10 hours. Ten treacherous hours of admiring nature at her wildest and gloomiest overnight. So it was a relief when the bus finally pulled up at the station and I got a first glimpse of the town. Bright and sunny and totally not what I'd expected.

Here people didn't seem distant. Everyone greeted everyone with a smile. Quite a few of them was directed my way by giggly teens who most probably studied at the High School I was about to teach. I smirked, shaking my head as I pushed past them with my backpack slung over my shoulders, as their expression turned from hopeful to rueful. 'Be seeing you around', I thought to myself as I made my way to a cab that'd take me to Imphal High.

*

*

"Welcome, Mr. Whitmore. We've heard a lot about you from your teachers." Mr. Jeremy Bennett, the principal greeted me as soon as I walked through his cabin doors.

"Good things I hope." I took a seat opposite to his when he motioned me to.

"I'm afraid one doesn't exist without the other." He leaned back in his chair and looked directly at me. He seemed like one of those people you hate or love as much as you want but you simply can't ignore. "I also heard you were quite reluctant to teach here. Why is that?"

"With all due respect Sir, I have nothing against teaching, but for someone who has spent most of their life in Montana...it's difficult to teach in such a small town." There was no need lying, we could work better if I get all my cards out on the table.

"I see," he shrugged. "Fair enough. But since you are here," he pushed forward a blue file in my direction, "why not stay here for a year and then decide if you want to renew your contract or not."

I opened the file and quickly filled up the form inside. He was right, since I was already here, there was no use playing hard to get and a year's contract is going to be the shortest I'll get.

"Thank you, Mr. Whitmore, I'm sure you won't regret your decision." He gave me a folder envelope from a drawer next to him. "This has your appointment letter and the book list of all the books you'll need for this year but for the time being, you can borrow them from our library until you're settled in. Since you're a Masters graduate, you'll be teaching the seniors this year as a trainee teacher. Good luck, Mr. Whitmore and I hope to see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mr. Bennett." I shook his outstretched hand and

*

*

"This is your schedule, Mr. Whitmore. Good luck on your first day."

"Thank you", I took the piece of paper from the Principal's Secretary and went in search of my classroom. They had permanent classrooms for each subject, not just practical's but theory as well.

It was near the main hallway that I first saw her and something about her just had me rooted to my spot. The main reason for that may very well be her scarlet hair that stood out like a beacon amongst the crowd, made you notice her. Even the baggy clothes she had on couldn't falter my attention. And that is usually a major turn off for me.

She seemed to be in some important conversation with a brunette guy standing next to her. And from his body language, it was clear as day that the guy was into her, while she looked like she has friendzoned him completely. That's interesting.

"Hi there!"

Startled, I looked down at a young girl of about 17 or 18, caked with makeup, clothes down to near zero and hair a dull platinum blonde. "Yes?"