Page 54 of Jain

“I’m in shock, Jain.Why? Why would you get involved with your teacher, of all people?!” Her voice was eerily calm now, and I tried not to panic.

“I couldn’t help it.”

“Go to your room, please. I can’t even look at you right now.”

“Mum, what are you going to do? Please don’t—”

“What? Tell the police? You aren’t an adult, Jain—you’re still in school! How long has this been going on?”

“I was eighteen when I met him. I’m hardly a child,” I argued, knowing if I didn’t make Mum see how much I cared for him, she would probably call the police.

She gazed at me in disbelief, turning to shake her head. Then, she steadied herself on the side, exhaling deeply.

“I’m not stupid.”

“All those tutorials...” Mum whispered, her voice cracking as she began to realise how long this had been going on. “He never wanted money. Now I know why he wanted you.”

“Mum, he loves me. Please don’t ruin him.”

She closed her eyes before turning towards me.

“Jain, you’re not stupid. I’m sure youfeellike you love him—I’m not questioning that. However, I need you to do something, and you have to give me your word.”

Before she said it, I knew what it was.

Terror filled me, and I immediately shook my head.

“You need to stay away from him. I won’t report him if you promise me, you’ll end it all. Rightnow.”

Tears stung my eyes as she stared at me with anger and disappointment.

“Your exams are in a few weeks—you can stay home and revise if you choose to, it’s a great option that schoolhas given you. I don’t want you in that school unless it’s for your exams. I’m not forcing you, Jain—but what he has done is illegal. You’re his student.”

I knew deep down she was right, that we should’ve waited until I left school. But we loved one another, and there was no way I could be without him. I knew my mum wouldn’t think twice about reporting him, and Evan would lose his job and never work again.

“Please understand, if this was your daughter—you’d do the same. He has taken advantage of you, whatever he has told you.”

I began to cry then, and she reached out for me, wrapping her arms around me as I sobbed. I cried with relief for her finally knowing, for the sadness of what could’ve been, and for knowing what I had to do.

“If he loves you, Jain, he’ll support this. He’ll want what’s best for you, and he will understand he has made a very dear mistake. I will call him and make our positionclear. I’m sorry, Jain, but I cannot condone this.”

Part of me wanted to fight, but I knew Evan would lose his job. If my mum called him, I knew he would quit instantly.

He deserved much more than that...

I stared at my mother and realised that if I were in the same position as her, I would be furious too. I felt overwhelmed with tiredness and grief, and my mum reached out for me again.

“You deserve more, Jain. I’m sorry I didn’t see this coming. I feel so stupid.”

“Alright,” I whispered, burying my face into her hair. “But don’t call him. I’ll end it.”

She pursed her lips again and simply nodded.

“Make sure you do.”

I walked away, feeling horrific.

How could I have been on cloud nine less than twenty minutes ago, only to be feeling like my heart has been ripped out now?