Challenge Accepted

18 Chaperone

(Zion's Prospective)

Photography quote: "If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you're not out there, you'll only hear about it."
– Jay Maisel

I graded and graded the final projects and as soon as I got to Stella. Boy did her photos make me hurt. Her Artist Statement called both of us out. How we used to feel and how we feel now. She even added the feeling of heartache. I can tell she used Cole and Scar for the final photo. Flames behind their shadows, shaped as a broken heart. Once again, her editing skills made me think back to the dance we shared. I didn't know how to grade it. My personal emotions got to me. I couldn't grade anymore. I mean it deserves an A, but it hits too hard. She made me feel what she wanted me to feel. With her photo and Artist Statement. I gave her the grade and laid back on my wheeled chair. Time went by fast. We only have a couple days left till summer. That means tomorrow is the dance. That means tomorrow, we relapse back to the past. But without even talking to each other.  

As I slouch in my chair, I recall words from Stella's Artist Statement.  "I l choose this song to help myself, to share to viewers how heartache feels, this photo should tell the viewer that love is hurt, love can be a desire and lust that can be very hurtful in the end, if not careful." That sentence made my chest feel heavy. 

"Mr. Miles" A voice called from behind. I sit up straight and turn around in my chair, seeing a woman in a black blouse and blue skirt.

"Principle Feels" I greeted. 

"Please call me Amelia, we are coworkers now, aren't we?" she said with a smirk. For a while I thought she hated Stella and me. But turns out she actually found us entertaining. She would find us in her office many times, hearing so many arguments Stella and I had, when I was still a student.

"I was going to email you, but I found myself passing by your class and decided to just ask you in person. Would you like to be one of the chaperones at the dance tomorrow night? It would be me and a handful of other teachers. You may remember some that had been chaperones last year and you may have had them as a professor before. At first it may be awkward for you, but I think it would be a good experience for you". I hesitated to answer, but I heard a rumor going around that people wanted me to be a chaperone.

"Sure" I answered with a smile.

"Good, have a good rest of your day Professor" she said, waving goodbye as she walked away.

I took another glance of the pictures Stella had taken and I couldn't help but feel anxiety, wondering what may happen tomorrow at the dance. I know I just agreed to being a chaperone, but I can't help but regret saying yes so quickly. Part of me wanted to run and say no. But if I don't go. I know that it wouldn't help me move on from her. I know if I didn't go see her in a dress, see what I have missed out on. I would never be able to let go of us. Even though I was the one who said that I just couldn't do it anymore. This was harder than I thought it would be. Moving on from her. Moving on from us. It's so much harder than I thought. I honestly thought I was already ready to move on, I honestly thought I wanted to start new right away, until now.

*** Next day Second to Last Dance Zion's Perspective***

What, no cleavage. No skin besides a little chest. Not even showing her shoulders. She wore leggings that weren't even see through or had holes. She wore a long-sleeved black cardigan, over her red dress. A couple guys walk up to her, but she looks away. She just smiles and holds onto Scar like a shy kitty. She's so valuable yet she's letting no one get to her. "You can see she's off, can't you?" a familiar voice says behind me. I turn around and once again it's Principle Feels.

"What do you mean?" I smile as I look at her.

"Did you two get into another big fight?" She says with a smirk. I look away, not willing to answer her.