Beyond The Classroom

Two Months Later.

The school's courtyard was bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Students milled about, some huddled in groups discussing the latest gossip, while others lounged on the grass, enjoying the rare break from their busy schedules. Victoria and Eric sat on a low stone wall near a cluster of blooming azaleas, their books and bags strewn carelessly around them.

Eric glanced at Victoria, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. 'So Vic, your eighteenth birthday is right around the corner. Excited?'

Victoria shrugged, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the patterns on her jeans. 'I guess. It's just another birthday, right?'

Eric's grin widened. 'Oh, come on. It's not just another birthday. It's the big one. The one where you become an official adult. You know what that means, right?'

Victoria rolled her eyes, but she couldn't suppress a small smile. 'What are you getting at, Eric?'

Eric leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. 'You and Mr Reed. Once you turn eighteen, there's nothing stopping you two from being together.'

Victoria's smile faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. 'I don't know, Eric. It's not that simple.'

Eric chuckled, shaking his head. 'Sure it is. You like him, he likes you. You turn eighteen, and bam! Problem solved.'

Victoria sighed, her gaze drifting to the distant horizon. 'It's not just about age. There's so much more to it. What if he's moved on? Or what if it's too awkward to even bring it up again? And then there's the whole school thing. People will talk.'

Eric reached out, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. 'Vic, if there's one thing I know, it's that Mr Reed hasn't moved on. The way he looks at you.... it's like you're the only person in the room. And as for the awkwardness, you two have been through a lot. I think you can handle a little bit of it. As for people talking, let them. They don't know your story.'

Victoria looked at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty.  'But how do I even approach him? Do I just walk up to him and say, 'Hey, I'm eighteen now, should we fuck again?'

Eric burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the courtyard. 'Well, that's one way to do it. But seriously, just talk to him. You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just let him know how you feel. The rest will fall into place.'

Despite herself, Victoria started to laugh too, the tension easing from her shoulders. 'You make it sound so easy, Eric.'

Eric smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. 'Because it is. We tend to overthink things. Just follow your heart, Vic. You'll know what to do when the time comes.'

Victoria took a deep breath, feeling a bit lighter. 'Thanks, Eric. I guess I've just been so caught up in my own head, worrying about all the 'what ifs' that I forgot to just... live.'

Eric nodded sagely. 'Exactly. Life's too short to worry about every little detail. Besides, I've seen the way you two look at each other. There's something real there. Don't let it slip away.'

Victoria smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude for her friend. 'You're right. I'll figure it out. Thanks for the pep talk.'

Eric winked at her. 'Anytime. And hey, if you need a wingman, you know where to find me.'

Victoria laughed, feeling a renewed sense of hope. 'I'll keep that in mind. You might just be my secret weapon.'

As they gathered their things and headed to class, Victoria felt a sense of determination growing within her. Her eighteenth birthday was approaching, and with it, the chance to take control of her own destiny. Whatever happened with Mr Reed, she knew she had the support of her best friends, and that gave her the strength to face whatever came next.