VJ

20 - Proud Teacher

Chloe

I am the proudest music teacher in the world right now. Jessie won her competition, and Lydia and Ember won theirs. Hell, my whole class won their section! I couldn’t be prouder if I tried!

I’m so proud that I’ve organized an award show at the community center. All the parents and other family members who would like to attend were invited. Everyone is welcome!

The girls are beyond excited, and the boys wonder if they’ll get the same treatment should they win. Of course, they will. I treat each kid the same way. I want them all to know their hard work is much appreciated and how well it pays off. They’re beautiful children with wonderful music careers ahead of them should they choose to go in that direction. Well, not all of them will make it in the music industry, as mean as that sounds. But I don’t tell them that.

Why crush a child’s dreams and imagination?

Why hurt them when it’s not necessary?

If I’m honest, I’m still reeling from the other night. I here later than I should have been. But I was getting the place ready for this evening. I could have done it the following morning, but I needed to take my mind off things.

It worked, and I was humming happily to myself when VJ stormed in, grabbed me, fucke.d me stupid against the wall, and then acted like it was nothing. But I know it was something. VJ is confused about how he’s feeling and about his feelings for me. He’s never felt these feelings, and the truth is, neither have I.

But I know I can’t make VJ understand as much as I wish I could. But I’m willing to try. It’s going to take a little time and patience. I have plenty of both and enough for the two of us. Not that I’m going to hear the end of it from Max when he finds out I’m still sleeping with his brother.

Okay, so I only see VJ when he wants to fuc.k me. We’ve never been on a date, never even watched a damn movie on TV together. That’s not who VJ is, but I know he’s capable of it; I just need to draw it out of him.

Am I setting myself up for a fall?

Probably.

But I have faith in the man.

VJ may well be a monster in his own right, but I’ve never seen that side of him. That’s not to say I won’t. But right now, I know better, however stupid that makes me. Although, I won’t be treated the way he treated me the other night. I’m not a damn toy.

Sure, I came hard; who the hell wouldn’t have?

I’ve never been fucke.d like that before, and to be honest, VJ is like a drug. I don’t want to want him, but I can’t help it. I like the way he makes me feel when he’s inside of me. I’m not looking at this as anything more than it is right now. Se.x with a hot man now and again. Plus, now that his biker friends know I’m off-limits, no one has so much as said two words to me that would have me cringing.

It’s not because I want to fear men; I just have my reasons. I’m not weak, and I’m not stupid; I know not all men hurt women. However, there are times when I can’t get the past out of my head, and it makes me feel a little crazy. It makes me feel frightened of things I shouldn’t be frightened of. But with VJ, there’s none of that when there probably should be.

Whatever, it’s my life. I can do what I like or who I like, as the case may be right now. I like VJ, not his cold attitude so much, but there’s something there that compels me to try.

Marley, Romany, and Colt’s mom is helping me set out the chairs for tonight’s event. Daisy said she’d be here by now to help, but I guess she got caught up with work.

Daisy is a journalist with the local newspaper. She wants to be a foreign correspondent in the field, but apparently, she’s not ready yet. Her boss keeps making excuses that he needs her here to work on local stories. I can understand why she’s frustrated. I would be, too.

Max keeps telling Daisy to hold on there and that her time will come. He’s good at building her confidence, even if he is dreading the day she’s sent out into the big wide world. He’s not relishing Daisy being in dangerous countries to report the hell she finds there.

We sat one day, Max and I, and talked about what happens when Daisy leaves for her job. He loves her so much and wants her to be exactly who she is. Max would never stand in the way of Daisy’s career or dreams. However, he is terrified that something terrible will happen to her out there. She could be killed, or terrorists could kidnap her, torture her, rape her, and everything that goes along with it before killing her in the worst way. If anything happened to Daisy, Max wouldn’t survive, and that is no exaggeration.

Daisy wouldn’t deliberately put herself in harm’s way, but she’s just one woman. An intelligent, strong woman. But even smart, strong women can end up six feet under.

“You’re a wonderful person for doing this.”

“The girls deserve it, Marley. They’ve done wonderfully these past couple of months.”

“Thanks to you.” She smiles while clasping my forearm. “You’ve done amazing things with these kids. For someone who is hearing impaired,” I love how she doesn’t call me deaf. “To do the things you’ve done with these kids... I can’t even explain how in awe of you I am.”

Shi.t, the tears are falling down my cheeks. I’m not sad; I’m touched by what she said. It meant so much to me. It’s nice to be appreciated now and again. I don’t do this for acknowledgment. I do it because it makes me happy to see the smiles on those kids’ faces when they win and even when they don’t. Because I make sure they know winning isn’t everything. It’s the taking part that counts. However, to have someone tell me how well they think I’m doing with their child means so much.

“Thank you. I love the kids, and I am so grateful you all gave me this chance to teach them. They’re all so wonderfully gifted, and I am so proud of them all.”

Marley winks at me, and we continue getting things ready.

Of course, the place doesn’t take long to fill up. Everyone made an effort to look good for their children’s sake. Every biker in attendance scrubbed up and left their cuts at home. The women look stunning. The kids look amazing. Each one is dressed to impress, dresses that probably cost their parents a fortune.

I don’t see VJ anywhere, which is a shame. Not for me, but I thought he would have been here for his nieces, at least.

However, I don’t let it faze me. I get on with the ceremony, calling each girl in turn to the stage to get their award. Each girl gives her thank you speech, and each one is so very proud of themselves as they should be. They have every right to be proud of the things they’ve accomplished.

I saved Jessica’s award for last, and as I call her to the stage, the applause is deafening. She walks toward me with a massive smile on her face. Her pretty white dress is typical for a child of her age. Well, it should be, but these days, even thirteen-year-olds wear clothes that are too old for them. Jessica isn’t allowed to dress older than she is. Her father would never allow it. I agree.

Her pretty, tanned skin shines in the overhead spotlight, making her smile even brighter. I hug her tightly. I narrow my eyes a little when she clings to me a little longer than she should. Something is bothering this beautiful little girl. It’s not my place to interfere, but maybe I can talk to her parents at the end of the night. They’ll get her to open up to them.

I take the mic as Jessie pulls away from me.

“I want to draw everyone’s attention to just how hard Jessica has worked over the past few months. Every one of my students is amazing. Each has a talent that blows my mind. Each works just as hard as the next. However, Jessica has excelled beyond anything I could have ever imagined.”

I look at her, and she’s blushing. She really is modest.

“That’s why I am very honored to give Jessica this award for excellence. You deserve it, sweetheart.” I hold the star-shaped trophy out to her while the whole room again bursts out in applause and cheers.

Jessie takes the award and hugs it to her chest, smiling as she giggles happily, proud of herself and the way others are proud of her. Jessie didn’t want to say anything today, not in front of all these people. She’s a shy girl, and I won’t push her to do that if she’s not comfortable with it.

“Can I have all the girls back on stage with their awards, please? It’s time for some photos.” I want to hang them everywhere. Plus, I’d like the parents and the girls to have something to remember tonight.

I hired a photographer for the evening, and he’s been taking pictures all night. However, now it’s time for some personal pics.

Once that’s out the way, everyone mills around, drinking coffee or juice and eating the cupcakes I baked for tonight. I stand back with a smile on my face as I watch them all. I’ve never felt prouder than I do right now.

“Miss Chloe?”

I smile at Jessica as she taps my hand to get my attention. She always does that. She’s so sweet. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“Can I talk to you in private, please?”

“Of course.” I narrow my eyes a little before leading her to the office where we keep the files on the kids who attend here.

I offer Jessie a seat, but she wraps her arms around my waist instead, shocking me. I stroke the back of her head, and I may not be able to hear her crying, but I can feel her shoulders shaking. I gently pull her away from me by the tops of her arms. I sit in the chair beside me and pull her in front of me.

“Jessie, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“Do what, sweetheart? What’s gotten you so upset?”

She sniffs and wipes her eyes with the backs of her hands. “I love to play, but I don’t feel good enough to be here.”

“What?” I am so shocked that I think my jaw locked with how far my mouth falls open. “Jessica, why on this earth would you think that?” She shrugs. “I would never make you do anything you don’t want to do. Never in a million years. If you don’t want to play or even sing anymore, that is okay, darling.

“However, don’t ever think you aren’t good enough because, believe me, you are amazing, Jessica. You play like you’ve been doing it for thirty years. You have skills most will never find.”

“But everyone makes fun of me for playing the piano. Everyone at school thinks I’m dumb because I can’t play like Lydia or Ember, and I can’t sing like Ember can.”

“Those talents belong to Lydia and Ember, and yes, Ember’s voice is superb, and no one can take that from her. But you can sing, Jessica. You have a beautiful voice, but your real talent is the piano, and you are so amazing, Jessica. Jealous people will say many things they shouldn’t. But don’t you ever let their mean words make you feel not good enough, sweetheart, because you are more than they are ever likely to be.”

I cup her cheek and wipe a tear away with my thumb. Kids can be cruel when they want to be, but to bash Jessie for her talents is wrong. She’s gifted; she didn’t ask for that. I’m nurturing that talent because I think it would be a damn shame to lose it. This little girl could be world-famous if she wanted it, or she could play for her family now and again if that’s the road she chooses. But at the end of the day, I believe she has something special, and I don’t want her to waste it.

“Do you think Aya cares what people say about her playing the harp?” Jessie shakes her head, and it’s so childlike and innocent that I can’t help but smile at her. “No. Your sister doesn’t care because she enjoys playing. Like the other kids, she likes coming here and learning all about music.”

“I like coming here too.”

“I know you do, sweetheart. Don’t let a few mean kids ruin this for you. Even if all you want to do is come here and play the piano and never take it any further, don’t give up. You don’t have to enter competitions if you don’t want to. No one will be angry or upset with you about that, Jessie. Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine with me and everyone around you.”

I gasp when she throws her arms around my neck. I hold her to me for a moment. Jessie really needed to hear that; I can tell.

“I love you, Miss Chloe.”

I smile as she pulls away from me. “I love you, too, Jessica. Now, go out there and get yourself a drink and a cupcake, and don’t worry about anything. Everything is as it should be. Smile wide and proud, pretty girl. This is your night!”

She laughs loudly, kisses my cheek, and rushes from the room.

I stay in my seat for a moment. I need to clear my head. What I just said to Jessica is true; she doesn’t have to do anything she doesn’t want to do. I’ll be proud of her no matter what, and so will her parents. However, I do wish kids weren’t so damn cruel all the time.

There’s nothing I can do about that other than be there for Jessica if she needs me, as I will be there for any of the kids in my care. My heart hurts for that little girl out there, and as her music teacher, it’s my duty to inform her parents. I just need to take them to one side and tell them calmly. Jett isn’t always levelheaded when it comes to his kids. He’ll flip his nut thinking Jessica is being bullied. I’m not sure it’s bullying as such, but it’s bordering on it.

I don’t want Jessie to have to deal with this alone. Keeping things like this to yourself never goes the way you think it will. Jessie will be just fine; I know she will. I’ll make sure of it.