Adoring Ms. Stevens

Chapter 31

Shiranda's POV

   I'm reading my book in the library, eating my lunch.  It's good today, I love chicken teriyaki.

A few more minutes of peace go by before I feel hands massaging my shoulders.

"Hey, Baby."  Kiera's voice says.  She kisses on my neck.  She's all up on me.  "Get off me, man."  I say as I shake her off.

"What's wrong?"  She frowns at me.  I'm actually mad annoyed at what she did to Ms. Stevens.  She didn't deserve that.

"I know what you said to Ms. Stevens.  What the hell is wrong with you?  Why the hell would you threaten her?  You know that's my Econ teacher.  Why would you try to start shit with her?"

"Baby, I-"  "And don't give me that "Baby" shit.  You seriously need to stop claiming me like we're official.  I don't know if that's you being overconfident or unnecessarily territorial, but the shit needs to stop.  It's getting on my goddamn nerves.  We need some space.  You should go."

She looks at me with a sad expression.  "Fine."  She says, sounding crushed.  She exits the library, finally allowing me to get back to my book.  I turn the page, then take a sip of my juice.

.....

"Talk to your future wife?"  Ms. Stevens questions me, joking around.  We're doing tutoring in my room, sipping on glasses of peach lemonade.

I roll my eyes.  "She's definitely not my future wife, but I did talk to her.  She totally owes you an apology."

"Eh, it's alright.  I don't get involved in high school mess, and I'd rather ignore it."

"No.  It's not right.  She needs to apologize to you.  She was acting crazy, and honestly, if I were you, I would've went off on her when she said what she did.  She had no right to do any of that, and it bothers me, especially the fact that she did it to you."

She smiles.  "I appreciate the fact that you're so passionate about what's right and what's wrong.  Where'd you get that from?"

"My mom taught me to stand up for what's right and for what I believe in."  "Where is she, by the way?  And what about your dad?"

I blow out a breath.  "My, uh, mom is deceased.  She passed away when I was 13.  As far as my dad goes, I've never met him.  Don't know who he is."

Unexpectedly, she pulls me into a warm embrace, taking me by surprise.

"I'm so sorry for your loss.  It must've been so hard for you,"  I hug her back, finding.....comfort......in her embrace.  "Is that why you live with Deena?"

"Yeah.  After Ma died, Deena kinda had to grow up fast.  Well, she was 18, but she had just recently turned 18.  She saved up the money she had from her job and got an apartment for us.  Eventually, she got us this house."

She pulls away.  She puts her hands on my cheeks.  "Shiranda, you're a very strong person.  I just want you to know that."

A tear threatens to leave my eye.  "Thanks, Aurora.  It means a lot.  It's just been so hard without her.  Her and Deena were all I ever knew, and when she died, a part of me died with her."

The tears finally fall down my face, and she immediately pulls me in for another embrace, her hand on the back of my head.

"I'm here for you no matter what.  I'm so sorry you've been having a hard time.  If you ever need to talk something out, you can always come to me."

I sniffle and pull away, wiping away the tears.  "Can I just lay here with you?"  "Of course."

She moves away all of our materials.  I lay down, my head resting on her lap.  I feel her soft hand gently stroking my hair, and for the first time in a long time, I actually feel.....relaxed.