Richman High

Chapter 6 - She Said After Hours

Four grand. Two weeks. Teaching isn't as hard as I anticipated but nonetheless its hard trying to draft the first tasks in these boys' assessments when they're always on snack breaks. I suppose, I did bring it upon myself.

"Honey, why does Nicole always drive you to work?" Mom yells from the kitchen, "What's wrong with your car?"

To be honest, my car is perfectly fine but my rides with Nicole are the only times I'm able to physically see her and enjoy a deep and meaningful conversation. Nicole is the only one who knows about Luca working there. If Mom found out then she would assume that we'd have every chance in the world to get back together. No way in hell. He's with someone else now.

"I don't know." I fumble on my words.

"Well, start taking your own car. You're a grown woman with a job." Mom firmly puts, "You don't want to be known as the teacher who doesn't have a car."

"Okay" I comply in a whimsical tone.

Double-checking my bag, I reach it to see if I have today's lesson chart. I have to prepare these boys for their midterm exams. I don't care if it's only been two weeks. I needed results from this class. Nicole appears at the back of my head as I slowly recall her reaction to Luca working with me.

"That bitch"

"Don't call her a bitch. I don't even want to be with him." I laugh. "He said he wants to get back together."

"He said that."

I push the button of my side door to let some fresh air in, "He didn't say those exact words but he basically said it."

"What are you going do about him?" Nicole stops by the red light.

"Nothing, I'm just going to ignore him."

"Then quit." She says freely.

"I can't, I just started and I need the money for the surgery."

"How do you think this is going to end, Kenna?" Nicole changes her tone, "He loved you and he still does. And the fact that he still wants you back after you left him at the altar shows that he's hasn't change."

"You're supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side. I'm trying to make you see this in the long run."

"Then I'll deal with it when it comes." I wholeheartedly reply.

I need the money for this surgery. I need a fresh start.

Walking through the teacher's car park made me feel like a thousand bucks. I have my head held high and my heels are clicking away to my promise land. This steady income will get my surgery within a year and a half. I can just feel the ringing in my dead ear.

"Kenna!"

I turn to see Vince pace towards me, "You're here early."

"I have some things I need to print out." I explain.

"Ah, early bird gets the worm." His knowing mouth quotes.

"Better hop on it then, I don't want to be waiting half an hour like I did last week."

Vince and I part ways when we reach the teachers lounge. Many times I've wondered how fortunate it is that Principle Simmons and Mom are in the first stages of their relationship. I don't know how she came to know him but I'm so grateful. I really do appreciate the things Mom does for me. After the wedding Mom had tried her best to keep my mind off of Luca, she knew why I broke it off. What surprised me was that she understood where I was coming from and she wasn't offended. Luca and I were always on the same page. We weren't like fire and ice, we were like two peas in a pod and together, we set out our goals to reach our full potential. But that was all it was, nothing more.