An Impossible Love [l.t au]

3.

I make my way into my last period's classroom, only it's lunchtime. Mr. DeMarcs greets me with a derisive smile and tells me to take a seat. 

Stacy is sitting in the back of the classroom, eating her salad as if it's any other day. I take a seat near the front and take out my own packed lunch from my bag. 

"Pretty nasty weather," Mr. DeMarcs comments while looking out the window. The rain splatters across the window glass as thunder rumbles over. "In a way, it kind of feels like I'm doing you girls a favour here." 

"Absolutely," Stacy says sweetly in between bites. "You're always telling us to make the best of a rainy day. Maybe we could watch a film on the screen." 

He laughs at this and shakes his head. "Fat chance." 

I want to laugh at Stacy's confidence. I've never understood how do people manage to talk back to teachers or kiss up to them so blatantly. Teachers have always been this looming authority figure in my life, not someone I could just chat with like any other person. In a way, I envy those who can. 

Mr. DeMarcs checks his watch. "I need to warm up my lunch in the staff room. I'll be back in a couple of minutes. Don't do anything stupid."

As soon as he leaves, the room is immediately filled with silence. I look over to the clock on the wall. Forty five minutes left. 

To my surprise, Stacy calls out to me. "Hey, Alex, thanks for taking the fall for me earlier. I appreciate it." She pauses, then adds, "Have we had any classes together before?"

I turn around, concealing my shock at her gratitude. I shrug, "I'm not sure. Maybe?"

We have. At least one per semester for the past three years. 

She chuckles and takes a peak at her phone. "There's a party on Saturday. I'll send you the address if you want to come." 

Before I can respond, the distant chatter and laughter from some students out in the hall gets closer, and in walk Rachel, Louis, and a boy who I don't recognize. Stacy gasps and waves them over to her desk. 

"Hey, Stacy," The boy says, swaggering over to her desk. "Heard you got busted. Tough break."

Rachel giggles and leans against the wall. "Sorry, Stace, I shouldn't have told you to come out yesterday." 

"You should so be in here with me," Stacy teases. She quietly adds, "I could have been in worse company." 

I feel my cheeks flush under their scrutiny. She was embarrassing me, in front of Louis. The room suddenly feels smaller and more suffocating with them in it. 

I see Louis whispering something into Rachel's ear. We make brief eye contact before I dart my attention elsewhere, and he walks out the room. 

"Dick. He could have at least said 'hi'." Stacy says with an eye roll, and then lowers her voice, "Girl, is he still giving you trouble?" 

Rachel sighs deeply. "Like, I don't know what it is, but he's so distant..." 

Before I can hear what Rachel has to say next, the door opens again. Mr. DeMarcs storms back in, his face contorted with anger. "Out! All of you! This isn't a social club."

They shuffle out, and I think to myself, this is my chance. Without thinking, I shoot my hand up and ask to leave for the bathroom. He waves to let me go, and I quickly sneak my phone into my pocket before I race out the classroom. 

In the distance, I hear Mr. DeMarcs saying, "You can't just invite people in here, Stacy. This is detention, not a hangout spot."

I aimlessly begin walking my laps around the floor, searching for where Louis can be. My mind races with thoughts of what I might say if I see him, how I might finally get his attention. Elizabeth was right, I need to do something about this crush, and now would be the perfect time. Maybe I'll try cracking a joke in hopes of starting up a conversation. But halfway through my second lap, I freeze.