Hetty and Ryan: Overcome

Training Day 2

On the second day of training, Mariana had returned to work and sat at the same table with Ryan and Hetty. She filled every free moment with friendly chatter, explaining work-related things as well as asking Hetty questions about herself.

Ryan maintained his distance, for which Hetty was relieved. Mariana would certainly catch on if they interacted in the way they had yesterday, and Hetty would be mortified if her new colleagues suspected something between her and Ryan. She already felt thoroughly guilty over everything that had transpired thus far between them.

"Tonight is happy hour!" Mariana exclaimed to Hetty with infectious excitement, during their first break. "You have to come with us - it's a tradition before school starts."

"Ah, that's right," answered Hetty. "Ryan mentioned it to me the other day. I'll be there."

"Get your song list ready for the karaoke!" added Mariana animatedly.

Ryan came to attention as Hetty smiled tensely, shaking her head.

"No - she doesn't want to sing. I promised her if she comes, no one will pressure her to sing."

"Oh, okay! No problem - you totally don't have to sing," Mariana affirmed. Hetty smiled, grateful to both her and Ryan for not making a big deal about it. It seemed silly, but Hetty could barely tolerate it when people pushed her to do things she didn't want to do, even when they were joking or being encouraging. She was shy and stubborn and despised being told she had to participate in something.

Shortly before their break ended, a young, very slender and overly make-uped redhead approached their table, smiling at Ryan with a certain air of familiarity that make Hetty's hairs stand on end.

"Hey, you guys!" she drawled out out in an overly sweet, sing-song tone. "How are you, Ryan? I didn't get a chance to talk with you yesterday."

Hetty rolled her eyes inwardly, already despising the young woman's insincere tone.

"Hey, Tiffany. I'm great. How was your summer?" Ryan's tone was polite and fairly aloof - at least in Hetty's interpretation.

"It was amazing! I'm excited to be back and get into the classroom again though." Hetty was yawning on the inside. She tapped her pencil against her notebook, eyebrows raised skeptically, fully aware of the immaturity of her inner reaction.

Tiffany turned her attention towards Hetty.

"And I didn't get a chance to meet you yesterday," she said, relentless in her perfectly delivered small talk, dripping with phony sweetness. "Hetty, right?"

Hetty mustered up a very mild smile, bizarrely irritated by the flawless pronunciation of her name, which she was convinced had everything to do with the teacher's compulsion to appear perfect - and nothing deeper.

"Yes," she replied simply.

"I'm Tiffany!" the redhead gushed. "You're the new counselor, right? We're so glad to have you join our team." As if she was in charge of the whole damn 'team.'

"Thanks," was all Hetty answered, and behind Tiffany she saw Ryan smirk.

Tiffany turned back to Ryan. She leaned towards him and put her hand on his arm. "I hope we can catch up later. I'd love to hear about your new music projects."

Hetty felt her blood go hot. She composed herself with one long, deep breath. Tiffany retreated as Gio, their assistant principal, resumed the next segment of training. Sitting back down, Ryan glanced towards Hetty and rolled his eyes slightly. Hetty's blood calmed to a simmer, and she suppressed a grin.