I walked around the classroom, eyeing everyone's painting. "That looks great Jordan. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you, Ms. Anderson," he replied, beaming at my compliment.
These children are only between the ages of nine and twelve, but they are very talented. Their artistic ability is far more advanced than most children their age, which is why this gifted after-school program was created.
This program is just one of many filled with gifted children. There's a music program, a stage and screen arts program, and even a culinary arts program.
I was lucky enough to land a job here shortly after graduating college as an Art major. I didn't even know a program like this existed until my mother told me about it. Which I am truly grateful for.
"Alright class," I announced, clasping my hands. together. "Put your brushes down and head over to the cafeteria for snack time."
They cheered, as they set their brushes down and excitedly scrambled out of the door. Walking back to my desk, I plopped down into my swivel chair with a sigh.
Hearing the sound of a knock on the door, I looked over to me as Rider walked in with a bag of Chinese tåkeout in hand.
He flashed me an adorable smile. "Hungry?" He asked, walking over to me and setting the bag of delicious smelling food down.
I was glad we were back on good terms again. I hate when we argue. "Very."
He handed me my usual Lo Mein order, before pulling up a chair and grabbing his order out of the bag.
"I only have about a half an hour before I have to head back."
"I'm surprised you're even here. You're always so busy with law school."
I was proud of him for all that he's accomplished so far, but making time for our relationship has been extremely difficult.
The last two days were the most I've seen him. The only time I ever really see him is at night when he stops by my house exhausted and horny. I don't even remember the last time we went out on a date.
"It's a full-time commitment babe. And you know that becoming a lawyer has been my dream forever."
"I know, but I miss our dates. You used to take me out
at least once a week."
"I'm here now, aren't I?"
"I could hear the anger in his tone, which angered me. We're eating Chinese takeout in a classroom and arguing. This is hardly a date, Rider."
"I came all the way over here to surprise you, my girlfriend, for lunch and you're complaining." He stood to his feet and stabbed his Lo mein with his chopsticks. "I'm in no mood to argue with you, Phel. If you can't see that I'm trying, then maybe my brother would be more suited to fulfill your twenty-four hour need for attention."
"You know what?" I said, also standing to my feet.
"Screw you!"
He didn't even bother to take his food as he walked out of the classroom fuming with anger.
I didn't waste my time chasing after him and apologizing. I'm tired of everything always being my fault.
I take full responsibility for the mistake I made the other night, but I will not apologize for wanting to do something other than being his late-night booty call. It's clear what his priorities are. And if this is what our life will be years from now, then I don't want any part of it.
I never asked Rider to quit following his dreams. All I asked was that he spend just a little more time with me. A real date would be nice. You know, one that doesn't involve us arguing, apologizing, and having makeup sex.
I take full responsibility for the mistake I made the other night, but I will not apologize for wanting to do something other than being his late-night booty call. It's clear what his priorities are. And if this is what our life will be years from now, then I don't want any part of it. Once the day was over, I headed back to my house with the hopes of treating myself to a nice hot bath.
But when I turned onto my street, firetrucks and police cars were parked in front of my house.
My eyes widened when I saw the flames engulfing one side of my house. I flung my seat belt off and hopped out of the car to try and figure out how and why my house was on fire.
"What the actual hell is going on!?" I shouted at the Captain of the Atlanta Fire Department.
"How did this Happen!?"
"Ma'am, please calm down."
"What the hell do you mean 'calm down'!? All my shit is on fucking fire!"
"We understand that which is why my team is working hard to extinguish the flames."
I watched as the firefighters hosed down my house, eventually getting rid of the fire. One firefighter went inside and up to the second floor.
And when he returned, he had my lace black panties in one hand, -or what's left of it- and had my lamp in the other.
"We found the cause of the fire sir."
Both men gave me a knowing look, which had me looking down at the ground and biting the inside of my cheek with utter shame and embarrassment.
Rider had torn those panties off me last night. Clothes had been flying everywhere, our focus on finding pleasure in each other than anything else.
He kept me up all night. And as a result of that, I woke up late and had no time to pick up after myself. The plan had been to do just that when I got home, but I see the fire beat me to it.
At least the fire was only in my bedroom and hadn't spread throughout the rest of the house. I would have been devastated if my artwork had been among the things lost, because everything in my bedroom is replaceable, unlike my artwork.
"Do you have anywhere else you can stay until this place is fixed up?" The captain asked
I nodded. "For how long?"
"Depends. The fire was pretty bad so it could be weeks, or even months until then."
Months?
Ugh. Why me?
Thanking them, I got back in my car and called Josh. I could have called Rider and asked to stay with him at his house, but I really don't want to see his face right now.
The other option would have been to call my parents and crash with them, but I'd rather not relieve my teenage years.
Josh picked up after the second ring. "Yo, what's Up?"
"I need a place to stay for a little while."
"Why, what happened to your place?"
I explained to him what happened, leaving out the detail about it being because Rider and I were horny and careless. Josh doesn't need another reason to find humor in another one of my fuck ups.
"Damn, I'm sorry Phel. I wish I could help, but I only got one bed and the homegirl from the banquet has been in it every night. Why don't you call up Rider? Aren't y'all good now?"
"We were. But we got into it earlier, so I'm going to pass on that."
I didn't need to see him to know that he was most likely shaking his head at that.
"Well, I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Haywood wouldn't mind you crashing in one of their hotel rooms."
"Good idea. I'll give them a call."
"Aight. And let me know when you are straight."
"Will do." I hung up and pulled up Mrs. Haywood's number in my contacts. Calling her, I listened to the line ring until I heard the sound of her silvery voice on the other end.
"Phel, dear! How are you?"
"Not too great."
I filled her in on my situation, to which she happily offered me a place to stay. "I'll make sure Hector has everything set up for you when you arrive."
"Thank you so much Mrs. Haywood."
"Of course, hun. Stay as long as you'd like. You are family after all."
Ending the call, I sighed with relief and headed over to Haywood Hotel. When I arrived, I tipped the Valet and headed inside where I was greeted by Hector, the Manager of the five-star luxury hotel.
"Right this way, Ms. Anderson." He escorted me up to the thirty-fifth floor where the rooms were slightly larger and much nicer than the Others.
Not that the others weren't luxurious, but it would be an understatement to say that the rooms on the top floor weren't overwhelmingly grand.
"Who's in the Penthouse suite?" I asked, eyeing the door at the end of the hall where a room service cart was left outside near the front entrance.
Hector paused in front of room number 3500. "Mr .Haywood, ma'am," he replied, handing me a key card to the room.
"Richard Haywood, the owner?" I questioned, glancing back at the door.
"No, ma'am. Alejandro Haywood."