Hetty and Ryan: Overcome

Staff Meeting

The library was buzzing with noise and activity as Hetty entered. It was the teachers' first day back, and they all seemed overjoyed to see one another. It was incredibly loud, and Hetty felt immediately overwhelmed.

Her eyes darted around for a familiar face or a place to sit. She didn't see Mariana anywhere. Before she could scope out a table, one person after the next began warmly introducing themselves and asking her questions. Hetty was grateful that everyone was so friendly, but a part of her introverted self wanted to sprint from the room.

She finally made her way to an empty table at the far side of the library. The other tables were scattered with papers of every color, Starbucks cups and water bottles. Melissa, the principal, walked by as Hetty was settling into her seat.

"Hello, how is everything going so far?" Her face was tranquil and kind.

Hetty smiled up at her. "It's going really well, thank you."

"This is quite the initiation. One day on the job, then two full days of staff meetings, and then school starts! Don't worry - we'll ease you in. If you need anything today, just let me know. Mariana actually won't be here because her daughter wasn't feeling well."

As Melissa was speaking, Ryan had made his way over to Hetty's table and sat down right next to her. He gently slid a grande Starbucks across the table towards her, smiling. That smile. It was that same damn smile as her first week of freshman year in film class. Smug, borderline cocky. But she knew he actually wasn't either of those things.

Hetty accidentally met his eyes, and amusement danced between them. She rolled her eyes slightly, then looked down to avoid smiling his way. Ryan saw Melissa looking at them.

"Coffee," she said, knowingly.

"Making sure she survives her first all-day staff training," Ryan replied.

"I see you two met already," Melissa offered.

Hetty forgot to act poised and had to stifle a laugh. She saw Ryan looking at her searchingly, presumably to see how much Hetty might want to reveal to Melissa about them.

"We actually know each other," he stated calmly. "I mean, we knew each other already."

"Oh, really?" Everything Melissa said was in a tone at once composed, genuine, professional and warm.

"We went to high school together," added Hetty, her cheeks a bit pink.

"Well, what a small world," exclaimed Melissa.

Once Melissa left them, Hetty snorted out an adorable giggle and put her hand to her forehead.

"Thanks for the coffee," she laughed.

"No problem. What's so funny?" Ryan asked teasingly.

"Hmh," was all she replied, with a little eye roll. Other people joined their table, and Ryan made everything easy for Hetty by introducing her. She felt more confident with him by her side.

"How are your sisters?" Ryan asked suddenly. Hetty felt dizzy nostalgia wash over her as she was transported to Mr. Adams' film class, where Ryan would initiate conversation with her every day by asking random questions - sometimes trivial, sometimes deep.

"They're doing really well. Denise lives in California still - she's an interior designer." Hetty felt the heat of his gaze, completely focused on her. She turned her body slightly in her chair so she was actually looking at him. Nothing had changed. She was still ridiculously attracted to him. Their eyes locked.

"Brooke married Cameron. They're so happy."

His brown eyes pierced her; he looked suddenly emotional. Hetty felt a dry tickle at the back of her throat. Her brain flashed to a searing memory in her parents' living room, where they had all spent an afternoon playing games and eating pizza, both non-couples pretending so hard not to be in love.