EVER'S POV
What the actual hell is happening? Why is he acting like we're still together?....
Oooh! I get it! Yeah no that's not happening!
Not today, Satan! Not to-day!
"Get your greasy eyebrows the fuck away from me Enzo! We're not together anymore! " I made sure to yell as loud as I could, just so I could draw attention.
And it worked, I noticed a bunch of people had started to gather around us, and usually, it would freak me out because I hate large crowds. But I'm not gonna let him use me so that his 'reputation' as the "perfect boyfriend" would stay intact.
It's not happening!
"Baby, what are you talking about? We didn't–"
"I think leaving your "girlfriend" on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere after she told you she was pregnant, found out you were cheating, and calling her every name in the book– including an "easy lay" means you are broken up, but I guess I have to say it slowly for you to understand, "
At this point, people were whispering and pulling out their phones, but I wasn't focused on them. I was focused on the boy in front of me who was getting angrier and angrier by the second as I got in his face.
I can't believe I was ever in love with this person…
It's nice to see the bruise I gave him is gone though!
After all… That's his only asset…
"WE… ARE… DONE! " the sound of clapping from the crowd erupted as I walked away, making sure to bump my shoulder into his as I walked to class.
Dayum, that felt good!
"I'm so proud of you!," Bri wiped away a fake tear and fanned her face.
"They grow up so fast!" I only rolled my eyes, lightly shoving her into the bright red lockers that lined the long, narrow halls.
"Shut up! "
"Never! "
Luckily we have first-period English together, so as we walked down the hall with our arms hooked together– I felt like, despite the drama from this morning, today is gonna be a good day!
...…
I spoke too soon and now I want to go home…
And it's only 3rd period!
After the whole thing with Enzo this morning, people have been coming up to me asking questions about the pregnancy-more specifically if it was true that I was pregnant- or they would tell me that I was strong for coming to school in "my condition", whatever the hell that's supposed to mean.
On top of all of that, everybody stares. I hate it! I guess this time it was I who didn't think things through. So much for having a good last first day!
Feeling irritated, I pulled out a king-sized Milky Way chocolate bar that I always keep stashed in my bag. Ignoring the looks I was getting from not only the students but also my history teacher, I ripped open the wrapper and took an aggressive– and unattractively large bite.
The taste of the chocolatey goodness calmed my nerves just a little, but when I heard the sound of my teacher clearing his throat while he was giving me a pointed glare, I could feel the heat rising in my chest again.
"Ms. Monroe, I know that it's only the first day of school, but in the room, we have rules and –" my history teacher – Mr. Heartly began his lecture, but I was in no mood for bullshit.
"Sorry sir, if I may so rudely interrupt, " I began, a challenging look painted on his face as he gestured for me to continue.
"Are you pregnant with twins? Did you have to wake up throughout the night to vomit everything you've eaten within the last 24 hours? Because I am, and I did– so if I want to eat a damn candy bar, I will! "
…
The room was silent after my outburst, and I immediately felt horrible. Mr. Heartly seemed so taken aback by my words that he actually had to take a step back, almost as if I'd physically pushed him. Slouching a bit more in my seat I lowered my head, taking smaller bites of the delicious candy.
"... I'm sorry"
Mr. Heartly never said anything after that, he just turned around and continued talking about… well I don't know, I wasn't paying attention.
Mr. Heartly looked the same age–maybe a few years older than my dad; so he's possibly in his mid to late 40s. His hair was pitch black much like mine- he even had the same eye color! A pair of dark blue club master glasses rested on his face. He wore a collared white shirt with a navy sweater vest on top and a regular pair of khakis and black doc martens.
I'm sure that he had a few girls from my class drooling, but not me! In a weird way he reminds me of my father so I'll pass. Plus I'm not into older men, especially ones who could be my dad! No shame on those who do the whole age gap thing, it's just not my thing! I'll stick to liking guys closer to my age– like Adrian!
Okay, yes! I have a slight crush on Adrian! But that's all it is– a crush! Borderline admiration!
In the few days we've been apart without much contact I realized how much he's done for me even though we're practically strangers. Hell, he's done more for my kids than Enzo has, and the twins aren't even born yet!
...
I was hoping by the end of 3rd period Mr.Heartly would have forgotten about our earlier altercation, but unlucky for me, he didn't…
"Ms. Monroe, stay back for a moment, please? I need to speak with you, " I felt my shoulders sag as I bowed my head in shame, slowly shuffling my way toward his desk that sat in the front of the small classroom. A few of the students whispered to themselves as they passed, probably about how much trouble I'm probably in.
"Mr. Heartly if it's about what I said earlier, I just want to formally apologize! It's just that I have been dealing with a lot in the last couple of weeks an–" The sound of Mr. Heartly's chuckle stopped me in the middle of my rant. I think I was just about to tell him my whole life story if he didn't stop me.
I only stared at him dumbfounded, as he sat down on his black leather swivel chair. A vaguely familiar smirk on his lips.
He really does kind of look like Dad… it's weird… I think it's the eyes…
"Ms. Monroe, you're not in trouble– in fact, it's the opposite! If anything I feel that I owe you an apology, " a dusty pink covered his cheeks as he adjusted his glasses.
"My wife is also pregnant, so I know you probably didn't mean anything by your little outburst, am I right? " I could only nod in response, still feeling a bit ashamed
"I thought so… My wife Jasmine has mood swings as well– especially when it comes to her sweets! " We both laughed and I could see all of the love and admiration he has for her, it's really sweet.
"So I guess what I'm trying to say is… how do I put this? " I could almost hear the gears turning in his head as he tried to find the right words.
"I guess I'm trying to say that I can kind of understand what you're going through. Though not entirely because well– I'm a man, but– GOSH! why are words so hard! " This time it was my turn to laugh at his rambling.
I think I can guess what he's trying to get at…
" Is this your way of saying I can come and talk to you if I ever need someone to talk to? " I asked, still giggling a bit between each word. He was funny, I'll give him that!
I'm glad I'm not the only one in the world who 'word vomits' when they're nervous…
"Yes! That's what I was getting at! You can see why I'm not an English teacher!" he chuckled, sliding two slips of paper my way. I hadn't even noticed him writing anything.
"What are these? " I asked, picking up both of the pink sticky notes to examine them.
"One, is my wife's phone number, if you ever have any questions about your pregnancy you can give her a call. I'm sure she'll be happy to answer all of your questions. Plus if you ever need my help you can let her know, and I'll help in any way I can, "
"thank you Mr. Heartly this means a lot! But you don't have to do this… " I said, ready to hand him back the slip.
"nonsense! It would be our pleasure, plus you're about the same age as my son Taylor and honestly, you remind me of him too, " he paused, staring at my face.
"I think it's the eyes, you have the same shade of bluish gray… "
"Does your son go here too? " I was starting to feel a bit uneasy about how intensely he was starting, so I tried to change the subject.
"yes, actually he does! He just couldn't be here today because he had gotten a bit sick over the summer. It's what he gets for going on late-night swims in the rain!" he laughed, shaking his head lightly.
I can tell just how much Mr. Hartley loves his family and I must admit– I'm a little jealous of Taylor. Don't get me wrong my dad loved me and still checks in with me every day, but it wasn't always that way. And my mom… well she still blames me for things I don't even know about.
Dad still never answered me about who Niko was… I wonder if I should give him a call?...
"I used to go on late-night swims in the rain with my dad when I was little, but I don't remember much about that time because it was so long ago… "
I think I was 4, the last time I did that…
"What about this other slip? " I asked, clearing my throat while carefully placing his wife's number into my pants pocket. I'll plug it into my phone later.
"It's your late slip to give to your next-period teacher, " he laughed as I looked over at the monochrome clock attached to the wall.
I've been here for over twenty-five minutes!
"I'll see you tomorrow Ms. Monroe! " he called after me as I sprinted out of his room, nearly running into a student who had just walked out of the nearby restroom.
Let's just say that my math teacher wasn't too pumped about me missing almost half of the fourth period on the first day of school, but he let it slide when I handed him my late slip. Gesturing for me to take a seat in the empty chair in the back.
Just before I made it to my seat, I stopped dead In my tracks. Sitting next to me was someone I haven't seen in a long time.
Molly freaking Novak!
The girl who cut my hair in the 1st grade was back, and by the sly smirk that made its way to her face I know she remembers me too.
This is gonna be a long year! But I won't let it get to me!
Not today, satan! Not today!