Finally, the bell rings and Ryan gives me a peck on the lips and we go in different directions to our first hours.
◆◆◆
Michael is standing by his door, just outside the classroom, surrounded by the usual gaggle of girls. I approach slowly, wondering if he'll look up and notice me. He's laughing and talking to Tracy Nemenski. Tracy has a rep for being easy and she never comes to school in anything that doesn't reveal her tanned cleavage. She's pretty, prettier than Kim even, with blond hair that curls down her back and light blue eyes.
I clutch my English Lit book to my chest tightly as I watch Michael nudge her with his elbow. He's holding his wrist up and she's tying something onto him. Shit, she's made him a new bracelet, corded leather, like his others. This one is red.
"You are really talented, Tracy, thank you!" Michael holds his wrist up for the others to see. "Check this out, girls. She did an awesome job, didn't she?"
He has to know I'm standing there. There is no way he doesn't see me. I'm so mad I could slap him but instead I rudely push my way between him and Tracy and go into the classroom.
I don't turn around to see if he's watching me. Two can play at this game. I take my seat and open my book to last night's homework. I've already written my paper on A Mid-Summer's Night Dream, properly this time, with no sexual innuendos. Pam and Linda come in, talking and laughing and glancing at me. I ignore them, staring at my paper.
I keep my eyes on my desk as Michael begins the class. I can't look at him, he's being so sunny and happy and flirty with all the girls, and I swear, maybe even some of the boys. Everyone but me.
"Everyone has their paper done, right?" He's saying, strolling around the class room. I notice he doesn't come near my row though. I try not to think about the last time we were together, the way his lips traveled down my inner thigh and back up again.
"Well you'll be happy to know I have another paper for you to do tonight!" Groans all around and he hands a stack of papers to his new favorite, Tracy. "You wanna hand these out for me, Trace?"
'Trace'? Seriously???
Tracy jumps up and starts delivering the papers around the room.
"Okay your first paper was about the four lovers and their relationships with each other. Your next paper will answer a series of questions you'll find on this hand out. Who can tell me what I want to see in this paper, and what I do not want to see?"
Tracy slaps a paper on my desk and moves on. I look around and no one is raising their hand. I'm usually the one with the right answers and this time it's no different. Michael always goes on and on about how he hates it when students just quote a bunch of facts to him instead of writing the answers out in proper essay form.
When no one else's hand shoots up, I raise my own.
Michael's strolling around the class and his eyes flit over me briefly. "Come on, guys. I've said this a million times. Am I talking to myself up here?"
What. A. Jerk. I cannot believe he's being so pissy. I snap my fingers to get his attention and wave my hand harder.
He glances at me, irritated. "Someone besides Taryn."
I pull my arm down and sink into my seat. Someone besides me. Wow. I bite the inside of my mouth and clench my hands into fists under my desk.
"I know, Mr. Hayes!" Tracy turns and gives Michael a dazzling smile. "I know just what you want."
I'm gonna puke. I break into a cold sweat and the room is literally spinning around me. I have to get out of this fucking room. My hand shoots up again and wavers unsteadily.
"Taryn, give someone else a chance to shine, yeah?" Michael snaps and the room erupts into titters.
"I need the pass please," I murmur, standing up unsteadily. "I'm not feeling well."
Michael goes to his desk and grabs the wooden pass and holds it out to me. Grabbing my things, I stumble forward and take the pass and he doesn't even look at me.
I run from the room and just make it to garbage can in the hall, retching. I clutch the edge of the can, the plastic trash bag sliding under my palms and gasp for breath. Nothing even comes up because I didn't eat breakfast.
After a few more dry heaves, I back away from the garbage can, wipe my streaming eyes and run for the bathroom down the hall. I lock myself into a stall and hold my middle as I sob quietly into my hands.
What happened to my beautiful love affair? Michael acts like he hates me now! I thought he loved me, I thought he wanted a future with me!
I cry for a little bit longer and then my phone pings. It's a text from Michael and I hitch my breath in when I see his name.
"See me after class."
That could mean anything. It could mean he feels bad and wants to make sure I'm okay. Maybe he wants to apologize and will tell me he loves me again! Or maybe he's mad...
I try to push that thought away because it's too unpleasant to contemplate.
I leave the stall and go to the sink to freshen up a bit. My eyes are red and my makeup is running in streaks all over my face. I grab a paper towel and wet it,
