I timidly reached for him, knowing the door isn’t locked. If we got caught, it would ruin us both. But as he gathered me in his lap and buried his head in my chest, I lost my thoughts.
"It's over again for us, isn't it? I'm losing you again,” I cried.
"No," he murmured, lifting his head and angling it back to look in my eyes. "For now we have to stay away from each other until you graduate. Things will start to get tricky after today."
"This is all my fault. Seven long months without you, I can’t—“
“Shh, we'll stay away from each other at school,” he smoothed my hair away from my face, “but I'll find a way see you after school."
My despair lifted as I kissed him deeply. He slowly pulled away, grabbing his phone off the desk and checking the time. "V, I'll have to see you later. We’re running out of time."
I stood. "See you later.” I blew him a kiss before walking out the door. I spotted the principal walking towards me, and he nodded as he passed. I turned my head to watch as he stopped at Connor’s door and walked inside.
I started to shiver with fear and panic.
“Hey, I knew I’d find you here,” Amber said as she came around to stand in front of me. “Are you okay?” She frowned.
I closed my eyes and shook my head no.
‘What happened?”
I wish I could tell you.
“Nothing, it’s fine. Let’s get to class, we’re late.” I pulled her hand, walking away from Connor’s door.
Please be okay…
Chapter 9
The day was long and dragging. All I wanted was to see Connor again. As we finally walked into Connor’s class, we were welcomed with the words FIELD TRIP across the board.
Connor stood at the podium with his messenger bag across his body. He ignored us as Amber and I took our seat, but smiled at the other students as they arrived to class.
Emma was the last to walk through the door. She headed straight to our desk. “Have you tried out your new ID yet?” she whispered to Amber.
Amber glanced at me before answering. “I did. I got beer at the fair.”
“Nice.” Emma grinned and looked at me. “Do you want to buy one?” I blinked and narrowed my eyes. “Well, I take that as a no.”
“Emma, please go to your desk. I have an announcement to make,” Connor ordered.
She rolled her eyes. “Talk to you guys later.” She walked back to her seat.
Connor turned to the board and wrote down the address of the art gallery. “Write down the address. I’ll see you all there.”
***
As we entered the massive art gallery, Connor turned around and walked backward as he addressed us.
"I want you guys to experience art at its finest. Fall in love and appreciate every piece.” Connor looked to each student, holding my gaze for a beat longer than the others. "Before the end of the semester, I hope to teach each one of you to enjoy the simple things of life. Now go explore, and come back to me with any questions."
We scattered and I made it a point to walk the opposite way of Connor. Amber walked toward the sculpted arts and I sauntered toward the painting section.
As I stood studying a painting, Emma walked up to me. "You're a bitch," she hissed. "Don't think for a second I’ve forgotten what you did to me. But lucky you, Mr. Tomlinson is sprung on your vagina."
I glared at her. “You're just like your mom," I deadpanned before walking to the next painting.
She followed. "If I can't get you directly, I’ll hurt you through Mr. Tomlinson.”
I turned to face her, my blood boiling. "I can slap you again right now. Is that what you want?" I retorted. "Look, go live your life, be happy. Don't live a miserable life like your mom."
She took a step back, looking as if I'd just slapped her. "We were happy until your dad came into my mom's life, into our lives. I will always hate you all for what he put my mom through." And with that, she turned and walked away.
Connor walked over to me. "You should go home," he whispered. "I'll go over around five." He walked to the other side of the room.
I walked toward the next room, my mind a mess as I looked for Amber. I found her sitting with Tanner, a boy with long brown hair and skater clothes. He was flirting with her and I watched as she shoved him playfully.
“Hey, I don't feel too good. Can we go home?" I asked as I reach them.
She looked guilty, as if I’d caught her doing something bad. She blinked. "Yeah, sure. Did Mr. Tomlinson say it was okay?"
I nodded.
Disappointment crossed Tanner's face as she stood. “I’ll see you later.” She smiled.
We left the museum and headed home.