Love in the Dust: A Cowboy's Second Chance with a City Girl

Chandler Ray Givens

I walk to my old high school. I never dreamed I'd be back, but here I am, 10 years later, after being hired as the art teacher. I had just moved back to my own town after chasing my wild dream of traveling the world. I'm back. I wanted to settle down and see my family, as I've been gone for about 10 years. I had been getting my associates while I was traveling and a bachelor in art. I left the day I graduated.

Here I am once again.

I ran my hand through my hair, making sure I got all the knots out of it nervously. I walk into the break room, opening the fridge and sliding my lunch box into the bottom drawer, the only available spot.
I feel warm, as though I'm being watched, and I quickly raise up, straightening my back.

I close the fridge, look behind me, and see none other than Chandler Ray Givens.
Staring straight at me.

"There is still room; maybe you can fit your lunch in the bottom drawer with mine." I say with a small smile, attempting to leave. I absolutely loathe the guy; he is the biggest asshat I've ever met in my entire life.

I wasn't sure what he was doing here, and I didn't plan on finding out. He must be a teacher, either way.

"Hello, I don't think I've met you. I'm Chandler, Chandler Givens." He says he is holding his hand out for me to take.


"Margaret." I say this, looking at his large hand. I softly place mine and his and shake his hand.

His hand held on to mine a little longer than necessary.

Before I lightly pull it away.

"Well." He paused, grabbing my lanyard off my neck.
"Ms. Talley, I will see you again. At least now I know where to find you," he says looking down at my badge. Showing my picture, my name, and what I taught.

I pull it from his gaze.
I glanced at his badge; he was a couch. Scoffing to myself.

"What?" He told me with a smug look on his face that I just wanted to smack him off.

"It's just predictable; you are." I say, shaking my head and attempting to walk away.

When my arm was grabbed slightly firm, it didn't hurt, but it made me stop dead in my tracks.

The chatter from the students begins to fill the hallways.

"What do you mean predictable, Ms. Talley?" He asked, arching his brow at me as if he could get any more smug.

"Exactly as I said, it would be predictable that you would be a couch. You look like you would be one." I say, rolling my eyes at his question and yanking my arm from his grasp.

His face now held a smirk, as though I were complimenting him.

I definitely wasn't.

I walk away from him, not even wanting to be in his presence, remembering how much of a cocky playboy asshat he was. I didn't want anything to do with him.

I was actually relieved he didn't remember me, or at least he didn't yet.

I walk to my class, and the bell is about to ring. Glancing across from me is the gym. I wondered how often I would have to listen to him across the room. Grab a white board marker and write my name on the whiteboard. I look over and see Chandler walking into the gym. I feel him look into the room.

I sit down, waiting for the bell to ring. Taking a sip of my hot blonde coffee.

Helping ease my nervousness.
Taking a deep breath.

"Bing," the bell rings.
I glance at my watch on my wrist. Slowly, the students start to come in.

A bunch of new faces start sitting down and talking amongst themselves, with a few asking each other if I was a sub or the new art teacher.

once the second bell rang. I took another long drink of coffee. "Hello class, my name is Margaret Talley, and I will be your new art teacher. I'm going to take attendance, and then if any of you have any questions, I'd love to answer them."

I took attendance. Thankfully, everyone was here.

"Alright, now any questions?" I say with a small smile as I brush off my skirt.

Jarred raised his hand.

I pointed to him, noticing several hands.

"Are you single?" He asked me.

"Yeah," I say.

Pointing to Tracy.

"Do you have any children?" She asked

"No." I say, pointing to Jarred.

"How old are you?" Jarred asks.

"28." I'm still sitting in my chair.

Pointing to the next person.

"What do you do for fun?" Chloe asked

"Depends on my mood. Sometimes I like to hike, sometimes I like to bake, sometimes I like to draw, which isn't surprising, sometimes I watch TV or read. Etc." I reply.

Slowly answering their questions, finally none are left.

"Alrighty I'm going to pass out today's lesson; it's very simple. As I was letting y'all get to know me, I am passing the paper out.

"Draw anything you want to. Just take the next two days to draw it. I'll be collecting it tomorrow after class." I say
Walking back to my deck, I drink more of my coffee.
Softly smelling the coffee, the smell is pleasant.

I hear a whistle being blown in the direction of the gym.

I still can't believe the odds that he would be across from me.

When I toured the school, I knew about the gym, but I didn't know he'd be on the couch there.

He was so rude to me, constantly making fun of me with his friends and girl friends.

Calling me ugly. I mean, I wasn't cute. I know that my teeth weren't straight, and I didn't know how to properly care for my curly hair or how to care for acne. I wore big, baggy clothes compared to all the other girls at my school.

I sent some emails to parents who have emailed me wanting to meet with me.