Stolen Innocence (Evergreen) [Student/Teacher Love Story]

twenty-four

"My daughter! Being awarded with 'Strongest Student' in her history class!" My mom screeches as she goes through the mail. My heart sinks at her words as I try to wrap my head around what she just said.

"Wait, what?" I question, leaving my spot on the dining room table to where she is in the kitchen.

"Oh don't act like you didn't know about this," She smiles over at me proudly, holding out the very official-looking typed out letter to me. I grab it from her outstretched hands, trying to understand what the hell this is.

"I really don't," I emphasize as I read it over.

"Well, don't act so surprised. I remember your teacher coming up to our car on the first day of class and complimenting you. You must be killing it," She smiles again naiively as she continues going through the mail.

"Mhm," I mumble.

All it says on it is that I've been awarded with being the strongest student in my class for the year based on my GPA and overall academic rigor. Yeah, right.

"It says there's going to be a ceremony, and your father and I will definitely be in attendance," My stomach sinks as I look up at her but she is completely unaware as to the panic she's just caused.

"What? Why?"

"Because, it's not everyday you get awarded by your school like this," She finally looks up at me, "Why are you acting so funny about this? Do you not think you earned it?" Her stare has turned accusatory as I drop the letter back on the island, shrugging.

"No. It's just weird. Usually they don't give these awards out until the end of the year. It's only November,"

"Well it is almost the end of the semester. Maybe they do two a year?" She shrugs as well, "Regardless, we'll be there,"

"It's really not a big deal, mom. It's just a stupid middle school award, it doesn't mean anything,"

"Then if it doesn't mean anything, why can't we go to the ceremony?" I roll my eyes, leaving the room as quickly as I entered it, not really sure what to say in response to that.

What the hell is wrong with him? He thinks corralling me into speaking with him with my parents is the best way to talk to me? In the state he's in? He's fucking lost it.

I hear my mom get up to go to the bathroom so I sneak out of the room to send a picture of the letter to my friends.

I mean you are a great student

Yeah, when ur not asleep

I send them a middle finger emoji before debating sending the picture to Ethan. As much as I want to laugh with him about this, I know it'll just cause more questions and get him even more riled up.

Should I tell Ethan?

Definitely not. He'll lose his shit...again

He's so in love with u

Just reading those words on my screen makes my heart soar. I don't know what the hell I feel for Ethan, but something about hearing that he could possibly be in love with me just feels...right.

Almost like, given enough time, I could love him too.

—-

Bianca and Hayden agreed to tag along for the award ceremony even though neither of them were awarded with anything.

"Doesn't it just seem a bit weird that I'm being awarded this for the whole year even though it's only been two months?" B and Hay shrug as we trudge toward the eighth grade lawn in our heels that my parents made us wear.