Colleagues to lovers

Chapter 42

Sarah looks at Paige, not knowing what will happen next. She is so scared. She doesn't know what's going on. Paige is not sure how to break the news. Paige and Sarah have known each other for a while, but she still doesn't know how to tell them.

"Well, I have to tell you, I'm just not sure how," Paige says. "Okay, tell me. I need to know right now," Sarah says. "It has to do with Avery," Paige says. "Then why are you telling me that Daisy and Avery are together now," Sarah says. "Because you're her best friend. So you should know. She's fired," Paige says. "What did she do?" asks Sarah in shock. "She made out with a student," Paige says. "What the hell. That's why you're not telling Daisy. But why were you being so vague?" asks Sarah. "That's not the only thing. The one she made out with is Maggie," Paige says. "Maggie? Maggie as in my daughter Maggie? Are you serious?" asks Sarah. "I'm a hundred percent sure," Paige says. "I am so going to destroy Avery," Sarah says. "Calm down, Sarah. Maggie didn't mind. She had a great time with Avery. Don't think too badly of it," Paige says. "How did Jackson even find out? And how did he not tell me? I just had a whole conversation with him," Sarah says. "I talked to Jackson and I asked him if he couldn't tell you. That was the first reason you had to come back to school. But he had to think of something else, and then Ellie and Hailey walked into his office," Paige said. "What a crazy situation this is. I don't know what to think. I want to talk to everyone, including Jackson and the other girls. And Avery needs to be there, too," Sarah said. "Are you sure, Sarah? Is this what you want?" asked Paige. "This has to happen Paige. It won't be fun, but it's necessity," Sarah says.

Paige and Sarah go back to the classroom and sit down with the others. Sarah calls for Avery and Paige asks Jackson to come over. Avery arrives seven minutes later and joins the others. Jackson finishes some work and then joins them. Lyanna, Sarah, Paige, Stella, Jackson, and Avery are in the classroom. Daisy was very tired and went home. Sarah led the conversation with Paige. The others weren't really sure what was going on, but Avery and Jackson had their suspicions.

"Thank you for still being here, or for coming," Paige said. "We want to talk today about something that happened today. There is a person with us right now who no longer works here, and that is Avery. She was fired by Jackson today. And this time I agree. Lyanna probably doesn't know what I'm talking about, so Avery can tell me. Tell me your side of the story," Sarah says. "Does it have to be Sarah? There is no need for that," Avery says. "This is necessary, Avery. You're going to tell it," Sarah says. "Okay, this is what happened," Avery said.

It's 1:30 when Avery gets off work. She is sitting in her classroom, still finishing her work. As she is quietly reviewing tests, she hears someone walking past her classroom. She looks to the door and sees Maggie standing there. Maggie walks into the classroom and sits down on a table. It is quiet for a while.

"What are you doing here, Maggie? Shouldn't you be at school?" asks Avery. "No, we had to go home early, so I thought I'd go see where my mom is. But she's out," Maggie says. "You can call her on my phone if you want," Avery says. "No, you don't have to. I walk around the school and talk to some people. I like that," Maggie says. "There's not much exciting to do here, I'm just reviewing tests," Avery says. "Can I watch?" asks Maggie. "Yes, of course. Come watch," Avery says.

Maggie comes over and stands next to Avery. She looks at the test and at Avery checking them. She likes to watch, she doesn't normally see this. Her mom never checks at home. 

"What do you think?" asks Avery. "Cool," Maggie says. "Then you can do this in a few years. You can take over from me," Avery says. "You don't have to," Maggie says. "I'm kidding, Maggie," Avery says.

Avery looks deep into Maggie's eyes. She has her mother's eyes. And she really likes her mother's eyes, so she likes hers, too. At first glance, Maggie doesn't look like Sarah, but if you look closely, you can see that they look a lot alike. Maggie strokes Avery's cheek. "You're very beautiful, Avery," Maggie says. "Thank you, Maggie," Avery says. She runs her thumb over her lip. Then she grabs Avery's face with both hands. And she kisses her. Somehow it feels exactly like Sarah, she hasn't told her. Avery pulls away.

"Maggie, this can't be," Avery says.

She looks at the door opening and sees Jackson looking at her. Fuck, Avery thinks. 

"Avery, come with me," Jackson says.

"That's what happened. Then I had to go with Jackson and I couldn't tell my story and he fired me," Avery says. "What a story. This really could have been in a drama series. Could it get any worse? Has anyone made out with Jackson yet?" asks Lyanna. "Now that I'm hearing all this back to back, it's even worse," Stella says. "Maggie set this up. She wanted this. And you wanted it to be a version of me anyway. That's really bad, Avery," Sarah says. "It's not like that. Believe me, Sarah," Avery says. "I don't have to believe you, you're fired and I don't have to see you anymore," Sarah says. "Avery, I think it's best if you leave," Jackson says. "I'm already going. Good luck with your stupid school," Avery says. "Bye, Avery," Sarah says.