Beyond The Classroom

Giving A Hint

The following day, Yoko found herself in the bustling corridors of Stonebridge High with her friends. It was their break time, and they had gathered near their usual spot to share snacks and chat.

As they munched on their snacks, Angel noticed something different about Yoko. "Hey, Yoko, you seem really happy today." She remarked, a hint of curiousity in her voice.

"It's a big change from a few weeks ago when you always seemed so down, what's going on?"

Isabell nodded. "Yeah, there's definitely something different about you. Spill it!"

Yoko blushed a little, trying to find the right words. "Well, it's just... I've been talking to Ms. Faye a lot lately, and it's really helped me feel better."

Angel's eye widened with interest. "Ms. Faye? Huh? So, what's going on between you two?"

"We're just friends." Yoko said quickly, but her friends weren't convinced.

"Just friends?" Isabell echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Do you still like her, though?"

Yoko nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, I do. She's really kind and supportive. I like how she listens to me and makes me feel understood. She's also very inspiring, always encouraging me to do my best and never give up."

Angel grinned. "Sounds like you've got it bad for her. But what about that girl, Mia, from the higher grade? You seemed pretty taken with her too."

Yoko took a deep breath, considering her feelings carefully. "Mia is different. I admire her because she's smart. She's someone I look up to, but it's not the same as how I feel about Ms. Faye. With Faye, it's more... romantic I guess? I feel something deeper, and something more special."

Isabell nodded thoughtfully. "I get it, So, Mia is like a role model but Faye is someone you have genuine romantic feelings for."

"Exactly," Yoko confirmed, feeling relieved to have sorted out her emotions out loud. "Mia is amazing, but Faye is the one who makes my heart race and gives me butterflies."

Angel and Isabell exchanged knowing glances. "Well, as long as you're happy, Yoko," Angel said with a smile. "And it sounds like Ms. Faye is good for you."

"She really is," Yoko agreed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at the thought of Faye.

They continued their break time, chatting and laughing about lighter topics, but Yoko couldn't help but feel grateful for her friends' understanding and support.

It was comforting to know that she had people she could confide in and who genuinely cared about her happiness.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of their break, Yoko felt a renewed sense of optimism for whatever the day might bring.

——

After their classes of the day, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Yoko made her way down to the lobby. She wasn't scheduled to clean today, but her friends Angel and Isabell were.

Decided to wait for them, she found a comfortable spot to sit, pulling out her notebook to pass the time.

Upstairs, Angel and Isabell were busy cleaning their classroom under the watchful eye of Ms. Faye, who was seated at her desk, going over some papers.

As the minutes passed, Faye couldn't help but glance up occasionally, her thoughts drifting to Yoko. Finally, she set her pen down and addressed Angel and Isabell.

"So, how's Yoko been lately?" She asked casually, trying to keep her tone neutral. "Is she doing okay?"

Angel looked up from sweeping the floor and exchanged a knowing glance with Isabell.

"Yeah, she's been really good," Angel replied. "She's been happier lately."

Faye nodded, trying to hide her relief. "That's good to hear. Is everything alright at home for her?"

Isabell chimes in, "She has her ups and downs. But she's hanging in there. She talked a lot about... certain people who make her happy."

Faye raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain her composure. "Certain people?" She echoed. "Who might that be?"

Angel smirked. A mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, you know, just some very special people in her life. Someone who really listens to her and understands her."

Isabell joined in, "Yeah, someone who she thinks is really kind and supportive. She's pretty fond of this person."

Faye felt her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to smile and act 'nonchalant.' "Well, I'm glad she had someone like that. It's important to have good friends."

Angel and Isabell exchanged another look before Angel decided to push a little further. "Ms. Faye, don't you think Yoko might... you know, have feelings for someone special in a different way?"

Faye's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "Yoko's a wonderful student and a good friend. I'm sure she'll find someone special in her life who appreciates her."

Isabell couldn't resist teasing a bit more. "Maybe she already has."

Faye laughed softly, though it sounded a bit strained. "Well, whoever it is, they're very lucky to have Yoko's admiration."

The girls finished cleaning up, as they were gathering their things to leave, Angel in close to Faye. "You know. Ms. Faye, sometimes the person we like might be closer than we think."

Faye's cheeks flushed slightly, but she kept her composure. "Thank you for the insight, Angel. Now, you two better hurry, or Yoko will be waiting too long."!

Angel and Isabell giggled as they headed out of the classroom. Down in the lobby, they found Yoko still engrossed in her notebook.

"Hey, Yoko!" Angel called out. Yoko looked up and smiled, closing her notebook. "Hey, how was cleaning?"

"Same old, same old," Isabell said, grinning. "But, Ms. Faye was asking about you."

Yoko's heart skipped a beat. "She was?"

"Yeah," Angel confirmed. "She was really interested in how you're doing." Yoko felt a warm blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, that's nice of her."!

The three friends headed out together, chatting and laughing.

On the other hand, back in the classroom, Faye sat quietly, contemplating the teasing and hints from Angel and Isabell.

Despite her outward denial, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was something more between her and Yoko.