Only You

Ch 2

“So with that, I end today’s class. You are dismissed,” the kids cheered and one of my students dared to throw his bag in the air. “Greg, you’re in charge of cleaning up after since you love to make a mess around here. No complaints,” the boy groaned, probably at his stupidity and his friends laughed, I chuckled.

I began to rearrange my books and keep my things in my bag. Feeling quietly excited to go home and binge-watched some series. It had been a long week and a good night in would be great. Plus I canceled tomorrow's dancing workout session, I needed some me-time.

“Miss Ford,” stopping mid-step, I turn around to see the girls from my homeroom, waiting for me outside the classroom door. “Kylee and Winter. Hi, what’s wrong?” I frown when they both looked nervous.

“I know school’s time is over now but can we talk?” Winter, my shy 17-year-old student asked. With her big rimmed glasses and low pigtails, I sort of saw my younger self in her sometimes.

“Of course, but what kind of chat? A chat from women to women or teacher to student?" They blinked, as if not sure how to put their words at my attempt to joke. "Wait, is this about my cancelation of our dance class tomorrow?” they inhale nervously, and that's when I noticed, they looked scared.

“Hey… if you need the counselor Miss Ford and not your literature and homeroom teacher, I understand. We can go over to the counselor's office and talk. I have the keys,”

Both look hesitant at my suggestion but nevertheless nod. Leading them to the office, I inwardly sighed. There goes to resting early.

***

“Ugh!” I slumped into my couch and sighed when my feet sang in appreciation. They were going to be so sore and there is no one else to blame but myself. But then again, I love those heels, makes my tall figure, taller. “Tough day?” a voice hollered and I smiled.

Closing my eyes, I tried to nap and not focus on anything. “Not really but tiring because I had a few counseling sessions today and boy was it, uh… awkward…” the voice laughed at my short-lived misery and I could hear her footsteps nearing me.

"Where's Tess?"

"She went back to her parents, something about a family gathering. It's just us tonight,"

Nodding absentmindedly, I groan when I felt the soreness of my heel. My high heels can seriously end up killing me one day.

“Oh my god, you pig! Get your ass up and shower before falling asleep! Go!” and as expected, she s*****d my butt, nothing new here. “Dude! Let me nap!” I cried but she only added more to the assault.

“Fine! Ugh, you’re so annoying Brie!” I sat up to see my other best friend smirking and her palm open. She blew her hand like it was a gun before retreating it down to her side. “I know, but you love me the same. Now go bathe or shower!”

Her short, sleek, and black bob hair bounced when she shooed me forcefully. The funny thing about my friend is that she talks not only with her mouth but her body.

I can’t help but narrow my eyes in her direction. “You’re not my mom and I deserve to nap because I had a long day,” Brie rolled her baby blue eyes at my words, not buying my s**t.

“You’re a high school teacher! Of course, you would be worn out after that 6-hour teaching and weird teacher stuff. You were the eager one to be a teacher and now live with it!”

"It's better than having to see golf balls every day," but she shrugs at my lame attempt, "Not that bad. Especially when the clients are hot," and with a wink, she slumps next to me.

Snorting, I bump her shoulder playfully. “Yeah, whatever. At least I don’t deal with perverts customers even when they are good looking. Try and beat that,"

Brie narrowed her eyes at me but I shrugged and walked towards my room. Sighing, I took an hour-long shower. I really need to unwind and let loose, maybe Brie’s up for some drinking tonight, considering she has the week off. And because my night in was disturbed.

“I don’t want it,” she said even before I could open my mouth and ask. Frowning, I sat in front of her who was swiping men away from her Bumble account. Rolling my eyes, I snatch her phone away and laughed when she could not reach for the device.

“Dude! That’s not fair! Give me my phone back!”

“Not until you listen to me!” I jump away when she tried to grab it as she climbs the stool, her hand passed it by an inch. “No! And give it back!”

“Come on! Let’s go drinking!”

“No b***h I don’t wanna!”

“Don’t call me b***h and why not?” I whine and ran away when she began to chase after me.

For someone who is a few inches shorter, she’s a fast runner. “Because then you’ll drown yourself in the misery of Ryan and I don’t want to hear it!”

“That’s mean! And you're no better!”

“I know!” she caught up and jumped me just as I got into her room.

Struggling against her strength, I giggled when she straddled and tickled me on her bed. “BRIE! STOP!” she had her phone back but did not stop her assault. I was trying hard to catch my breath, she loves doing this to me. "TESS SAVE ME!"

"She's not here to save you!"

Our laughter mingled as she stopped, dropping next to me, panting. “I’m sorry. I’m not in the mood for a night out. It’s been a long day today,” still panting, I turn to look at her who looked sad.

Sighing, I pulled her close and she cuddled, “Was is Henson? Did he call again?” Brie was quiet but I know she heard me, “Yeah, giving me the same s**t again. I just want him out Sofy... I hate him. I just want to move on,”

I know, and I know it very well. What she is going through is similar to me but also different. If Ryan left me hanging when we never had a real relationship, Brie's ex keeps coming and bugging her like they were never done.

Tess hates it. She hates both of them for hurting us but she doesn't get it. Not when her relationship is going strong. But even when Tessa didn't have a problem like us, it didn't mean she doesn't care. She was the one who threatened to kill both men when we came home crying.

“Did you block his number?”

“I did,”

“Have you shoved his ass out if he made a surprise appearance here?”

“Of course I did like you taught me,”

“Then the last result we have is to kill him. I'm sure Tess would be happy to help me,”

“WHAT?!” she got up and I can’t help but laugh at her expression. It was priceless and she knows better than anyone that I was joking.

“Relax, I won’t do that to you,” but she merely looked at me with narrowed eyes. “He is a jerk but it doesn’t mean I want him dead. I just want him to stop disturbing me,”

“It’s only because you still have feelings for him. If you’re totally over him, it won’t be a problem,”

“Easy for you to say, have you gotten over Ryan yet? Have you forgave and forget about his disappearance?” she mocked with a shake of her head and I raise an eyebrow. “I have,” scoffing at me, she flicks my forehead before jumping out of the bed.

What is it with my best friends and flicking me on the forehead? I'm going to end up with a dent there one of these days.

“Yeah right. The only reason you want to go drinking is to see if you could catch his silhouette again. Don’t go there Fea, I suggest you take your own advice and go through Bumble or Tinder. Or would you like it if I tell Tessa what you want to do since she's not here?”

Sometimes I do hate my best friends, they truly like to slap me with my words. And those flicks to the forehead, like owwww, it hurts.

***

"And please do remember to finalize your report and submit it before your weekend break starts. I won't want to disturb any of your when you are resting,"

They know I'm joking but also serious. A few answers positively while the rest just groans, earning a chuckle from me.

"Welp, that's the bell. I hope you have a good weekend. See you next week,"

They were quick to pack their bags and before I could finish my own stuff, they're gone.

"Always running home like their house is going to vanish into thin air," chuckling to myself, I leisurely make my way to the teacher's lounge.

Humming to a tune, I was in the middle of checking some paperwork and rearranging them for next week when someone knocked on the side of my table. Looking up, Mr. Gerald grins at me, like always. No surprise there.

"Hi Miss Ford. Or can I call you Sofea since teaching hours is over?"

"Miss Ford is fine, what can I do for you Mr. Gerald?" I asked the obvious, he always does it on Fridays.

"Are you free tonight? Can I take you out for dinner? I know this new Korean restaurant that opened downtown,"

"Sorry Mr. Gerald, I have plans with my folks tonight. My mom is making her own Korean dishes, my all-time favorites, so I would have to say no,"

The disappointment on his face wasn't supposed to satisfy me, but it did. I just didn't like the guy like that, but damn. He keeps asking even if I keep rejecting, but I got to give it to him. He's very persistent,

"Ahh, so you are rejecting me again, I see. Well, I'll keep trying next week. Goodbye Miss Ford, see you on Monday,"

Before I could stop him, he was out the door and I groaned. What could make him stop asking me out? Do I have to be a married woman for that to finally happen?