The Love Between Us

School

Rolling into the building I see kids leaving from school with their backpacks. It only been a couple of weeks for me, but I know it's been a year since then for them. Honestly, I can't wait to see the kids I used to teach.

Rolling down the hall I see two familiar faces and smiles. My coworkers Ed and Jessie are talking with each other in the hallway.

"Good morning." Smiling I watch as they both turn towards me. Jessie's eyes widen in shock and Ed starts coughing.

"Brooklyn!" They both let out in shock. Jessie's eyes roam over my wheelchair and Ed walks over to me.

He bends down and hugs me. Hugging him back I smile. "Hey, Jessie and Ed."

"Oh my gosh, what happened to you. You just stopped coming to work for a whole year." Ed questions.

"Well, I had an accident and was left hospitalized." Frowning I say.

They both look at me with sad expressions. "Are you paralyzed?" Jessie's voice is low as she asks.

"Yes, but it's only temporary." I smile rubbing a hand over my leg. "I'm trying to make the best of it."

They both smile sadly and Jessie replies "What happened with you and Connor. I've seen him up here kissing Samantha!" Jessie says motioning to her office. Honestly, that's the last thing I want to think about. Eventually, I'm going to run into her and I don't want to have to see her ever again.

I love this job though and I won't let her ruin that for me. "Connor and I are no longer together." Forcing a smile I pick up my phone and check the time.

"I need to go, Mr. Henry, is waiting for me in his office."

"Ok good Luck Brooklyn." Ed gives me a thumbs up and I smile.

Rolling down the hallway I make my way to Henry's office. The door is wide open and he sits there typing on his desktop. Rolling inside quietly I try to make myself noticeable.

"Good morning Mr.Henry!" I smile. He looks up from his computer and smiles back warmly.

"Welcome back Brooke. We've all missed you." He says standing up from his desk. "How have you been?" he adds.

"I'm dealing with the stress of waking up from a coma." Joking I let out a soft laugh.

"Well you may have been gone for a year but you are always welcome here," He sits at the edge if his desk and takes my folder of papers off his desk.

"I'll put your paperwork back into the system and you can start working in two days." He adds.

Nodding my head I smile. "Thank you sir." He holds out his hand and I shake it. "Also I'm sorry for what happened to you."

"Thank you sir. I'll be back in 2 days." Shaking his hand I roll out into the hallway. Jessie walks up to me and smiles.

"So how did it go?" She questions.

"I'm starting back in two days." Beaming she starts laughing.

"Great! I've missed seeing your face around here. Don't worry though I won't let Stephanie impact your day." She says.

"Thank you, Jessie." Pulling out my phone I shoot a quick text to Tristan.

Me:I don't have therapy today and I'm done with my interview do you think you could drive me home?

"So who's that fine hunk waiting outside for you? Have you already gotten a new boyfriend." She winks.

My face heats up and I look at her wide-eyed. "W-what no! What hunk?" Raising a brow in confusion I ask.

"He's tall with green eyes and brown hair. Looks like his arm is covered in tattoos." She says rolling her eyes.

Tristan: Ian is picking you up today.

Did he not have to work today?

*Ian*

Leaving work early I came here early for one reason. Brook. I'm done holding back. It's clear we both want each other and I'm going to take it all the way.

She rolls out of the school and our eyes meet. She smiles and makes her way towards me. "Hi"

"Hey." Leaning against the car I wait for her to lift out of her chair.

"Did you not have to go to work today?" She looks up at me.

"I went to work. Just came to get you today because I wanted to see you." Taking her wheelchair I fold it and put it into the trunk of the car.

Walking back over to her I lower my head. Her eyes widen as I whisper "I want you and I'm done holding back because of Connor."

My hand traces up her arm, but she stops me. "Ian stop! I-I can't." She frowns and shakes her head.

Biting my bottom lip I take a few steps back. Maybe I read her wrong. "I'm sorry Brook." Opening her car door I wait for her to get inside.

"Ian-." She starts, but I stop her.

"It's okay Brook. Forget about it." She gets in hesitantly and I close the car door. Running a hand through my hair I walk around and get into the driver's seat.

"So how did the interview go?" I question as I start up the car.

"It went great. I got my job back and I met with some of my coworkers." She smiles.

"So how soon do you start again?" I ask.

"Two days and then I'll be back there."

For the rest of the ride, we make small talk forgetting all about the awkward way I came to pick her up.