All Is Fair In Love and War

Chapter 12: Time to Reconsider

“I said to get out, Bryce! I don’t want to see you. Get out!” I scream, sliding down the door as tears fall down my eyes.

I was angry, believing that he used me to feel closer to his ex-girlfriend. Of course I’m sympathetic of his situation, however, it’s also not fair. It’s not fair to be with me intimately, knowing about my body issues and think about someone else. Someone you could possibly love until the end of your life. What about my feelings? Where did I fit into this equation?

Moments later there is no longer any pounding on the door. My apartment is quiet. Getting up I walk over to my bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. I wash my face to calm down the redness of my face. Once I’ve calmed down, I walk out of the restroom, open the door of my bedroom to let me into the living room.

Bryce is no longer there. I grabbed my belongings and my car keys before heading out for work.

I run out to my car and see Bryce standing next to it. He wipes his face and walked towards me.

“Let’s not do this now,” I say as I walk past him. “I need to get to work.”

I put the key to open my car but am suddenly spun. I gasp, looking at Bryce’s eyes. Tears are filling his eyes and slowly fall on his cheeks. His ocean blue eyes darken. The whites of his eyes look red.

“It’s not what it seems, Kay.”

“Then what is it? Please explain to me, Bryce. I’m not Debby, I never will! Why are you stringing me along?” I have the urge to cry but swallow back my tears to not show vulnerability.

“You and Debby are alike in many ways. I was dreaming with her and I had her in mind this morning. But, everything I feel for you is real. I like you, Kay. I seriously do.”

“We’ll talk later, I have to head to work,” I said turning my back to him and entering the car.      

--

I’m alone in the classroom and I turn to look at my clock. It’s 2:45 pm and I’m cleaning up the classroom before I leave. Fortunately, I was able to grade all the homework during lunchtime and while kids had playtime.

I hear a knock on the door. “Come in,” I say while I pick up tiny pieces of trash from the floor.

“Why hello, Kay.”

I look up and see Mrs. Steele standing inside.

Mrs. Steele was in her early 50s. She had silver long hair and really good skin, with very little wrinkles.

“Mrs. Steele, what a surprise to see you!” I scream heading over to her to give her a hug. “How are you and Mr. Steele?” Mrs. Steele was married to the former principal of the school, but he left after getting a promotion in the school district’s board.

She smiled, “He’s fine. He’s very busy as you could imagine.”

I was very fond of her because she set me up with Ron. Apparently he was her son’s friend and they knew each other since they were children.

“I came to give you this,” she says handing me a piece of paper.

I took the paper from her and read it. It was a teaching opportunity to teach children in El Salvador. Feeling excited, I smiled and hugged Mrs. Steele.

“This is wonderful,” I say as I held onto her. “Do you have more information about it?”

“I’m glad you like it, Kay. Just fill out the sheet, You also have to attach your resumé and a cover letter. You have to submit the paperwork to the principal today before 3:30pm. He will fax it to the organization and from there, they will contact you.”