“You can talk to me, you know.” The words were out of his mouth before he knew it and all Matthew was aware of was the heat growing at the back of his neck and how the air around them had thickened with the tension. This was about more than just clocking the blonde, he knew that much and he wanted to know what it was about. Why had she shrank away from him when he had come in? Why did she openly flirt and push his buttons but when he responded turned away, cheeks stained red? There was something going on with this kid anyone with two eyes could see it. The phone call. The attitude. The violence. “Look,” he groaned and ran a hand through his thick, shoulder length blonde hair which was in bad need of a cut. “Oh now you want to start following the rules, huh?” The corners of his mouth quirked up into a crooked smile. “I know I’m not supposed to be in here but I’m concerned about my student, I think the faculty would understand.” He held his hands out, palms up, for good measure. “Look. See? I’m all the way over here. Not touching you.”<br/><br/>To be honest Matthew was a little bit freaked out himself and trying his damnedest to cover it up with good humour. The way she had reacted to his presence…That couldn’t be normal could it? Maybe he should recommend for her to meet with the school counsellor? Either way he felt completely out of his depth here.<br/><br/>He spotted the blood on her hands and once he realised it was her own he figured the tactful thing to do would be to ignore it. The girl obviously had a lot going on and what she definitely didn't need was further embarrassment. When warning bell rang and he jumped, glancing behind him in disbelief. Seriously? How was he ever going to get Abby to open up to him at this rate?<br/><br/>“I wasn’t kidding about the seating arrangements,” he murmured, stepping back to open the door for her, gently nudging her sore hand away from the handle. “You’re sitting up front with me. Might prevent you from getting into anymore catfights as well. Just an added bonus from being close to me.” He smirked and gave a sweep of his arm, indicating she should leave before him.<br/><br/>Out in the corridor the few students who had lingered too long looked once, twice, then blatantly stared as Abby exited the bathroom followed by Mister Grey. Matthew frowned but did his best to shrug it off. He had only been checking up on her after all. But it wouldn’t do him any favours if this got back to Principal Wood which it was bound to.<br/><br/>“This way Miss Weathers.” Without another glance at the staring students he swept down the hall ignoring the plummeting feeling in his stomach.