Unprofessional (Under editing)

Chapter 12 GET ME OUT

When we got back to work on Thursday, it was super awkward between Mr. Collins and I, I could barely look him in the eye. I felt so embarrassed. I just couldn't stop thinking about what Jenny and Val said. I knew they meant it out of love, but I couldn't help but feel dirty and used. And the worst part is that I had no reason to feel that way. It was consensual. It's just the way he made me feel after.

This whole entire week has been so awkward I've been avoiding him😅. For example: he walks down the hall and I'll duck behind a wall. It's not that I'm scared of him—far from it. It's just that I'd do anything, literally anything, to avoid having an actual conversation with him.

"Okay, I'm back with our food," Valerie announced, as she placed the bags on the table.

"Oh thank God, I'm starving," Jeanette said, eagerly reaching for hers.

"Yeah, me too. I'm so—OH FUCK."

Just as I was about to agree with Jeanette, he walked into the cafe. And, like the mature adult I am, I immediately ducked under the table.

"What the hell is going on?" Valerie asked, looking around in total confusion.

"Shhh!" I hissed from under the table, frantically waving my hand to quiet her.

Jeanette casually glanced to her left. "Nine o'clock. It's you-know-who," she muttered, jabbing her head toward the direction of the cash register, where Isaac was ordering.

Valerie looked over, eyes wide. "Why the fuck is he here? He never comes here. Didn't he say, 'Everything you people eat is garbage'?" she asked, sliding into the booth next to where I had been sitting, looking just as baffled as I was panicked.

"Oh yeah, I remember that," Janette said casually, sipping on her drink just as Mr. Collins grabbed his food and walked past. He slowed down and glanced at our table.

"Good afternoon, ladies... Why the hell is Rowan under the table?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I forced a nervous laugh, my mind scrambling for an excuse. "Haha! I, uh, dropped my earring! Yeah, I needed to get it from under the table, and... I think I found it!" I said as I slowly rose from beneath the marble table, pretending to inspect my empty hand.

Isaac gave me a knowing look, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah... okay," he replied, before turning and walking out of the cafe.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a frustrated sigh. "Did that son of a bitch seriously not believe me?"

Valerie smirked. "Well, technically, you were hiding from him."

"That's not the point, Valerie!" I shot back, crossing my arms.

"Then what is the point?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"I don't know yet!" I huffed.

Jeanette, ever the voice of reason, cut in. "Hey, you guys, why don't we focus on the most amazing part here?"

Valerie and I exchanged confused looks. "What part?" I asked.

Jeanette grinned. "Rowan, this is the most we've ever heard you swear."

Valerie's eyes widened. "Oh yeah! Come to think of it, you never swear."

I sighed dramatically. "It's because he brings out the worst in me."

Jeanette chuckled. "True. But you also need to stop snapping all our pencils in half when you're stressed, honey. We're starting to run out."

Sheepishly, I looked down at my hand, realizing I was indeed holding a cracked pencil. "Sorry..."