Teachers Pet

twenty-three

"Chris come on!!" I shouted as if that would make him hurry any faster. There were only a couple of minutes until class started and I could not be late again. Mr.Stan had a strict attendance policy and I knew walking in late, all eyes on me, especially Flo's would not make me feel any better. 

The last few weeks with Chris had been good, especially since Fall break was a couple of days and I could not be more excited to stay home and relax. Just after I convince Aaron I couldn't come home for thanksgiving because Chris asked if we could have our own little dinner. I objected at first, wanting to see my parents after months of not being home. But with a bit of persuasion, I cracked, agreeing to a small dinner, just the two of us. 

"I'm coming, babe! Stop freaking out, it's just one class." I rolled my eyes, scoffing under my breath. To him, it was only one class. But to me, it was one hour a day that would be counted toward the rest of my life. 

I slipped the back onto my earring, looking at the diamond-plated stud shining against my pale skin. Chris had bought them a couple of days ago while we were out, something about how they would make my skin shine even more. I love him, and them. I knew the honeymoon phase would only last so long so I was preparing myself for the inevitable way he would get under my skin, annoying me to hell and back. But at least it hadn't happened yet. I was in the clear. 

Letting out a groan, I saw the time on the clock officially hit nine. I was now late for class. "I'm leaving and catching a taxi!!" I shouted through the door, ignoring the shouts from Chris, muffled by the shower. Grabbing my bag from the couch, I rushed out the door and down to the floor of the lobby. I passed the nice lady at the desk and the tons of rich executives getting ready for morning meetings. Housewives shuffled their kids onto the school bus, and even some young hot golddiggers kissed their significant others goodbye for the day while waiting until they kicked the dust, earning their entire fortune. 

I pushed open the doors, running into the streets and automatically calling a taxi to the sidewalk. Jumping in the back, I unlocked my phone, to see if Lizzie had sent me a warning about Mr. Stans's mood. So far nothing, so I was in the clear for now. 

"Where to miss?"

My head snapped up to the older gentleman in the driver's seat. He had white grey hair, and eyes that looked like they had seen everything. An old soul. 

"To the campus, please. I'm already late to class," I mumbled the last part, not wanting to seem like an immature and irresponsible college student. Of course, I was both but this nice little old man didn't have to know that. 

"Yes ma'am." 

I expected to arrive within thirty to forty minutes, not being able to catch anything from the lecture. But this elderly man sure could drive. We made it in ten, swerving and passing all the cars that were going just a little too slow. 

"Thank you so much," I breathed out, opening my wallet and attempting to scramble up a few bills to pay the nice man who got me to class only seven minutes late instead of thirty. I was about to hand him a small wad of one-dollar bills before he held his hand up, stopping me. 

"Don't worry about it, you need it more than me."

"What," I shook my head, holding the money further to him, "I can't let you do that, please." He grasped my hand, pushing the money softly back into my chest. "You go and succeed, even if you are a little late."

I pushed back the tears that were attempting to seep out before shoving my wallet back into my purse, "Thank you..." I trailed off, earning a smile from the man.

"Stan." He finished my sentence, holding up a card and slipping it into my hand. "Call me if you ever need to speed somewhere again." I let out a laugh, nodding and jumping from the taxi.