Beyond the Lesson (TXS) (GXG)

Confidence

Maira and Lucas dropped me off at home after we left the mall still thinking I was sick. But in reality I don't really know what happened. I mean was she flirting with me or was she playing with my feelings. "What's up?" Tyson asks when he comes down the stairs. I've only noticed I've been staring at the hardwood floors of the house and standing by the door.

"Oh uh I'm good. Just thinking." I say and go to the kitchen to get something to drink.

"Uh ok? Thinking about what?" He asks and I turn and he has his arms folded.

I shrug. "Life? I don't know. I was just thinking." He hums. "What?" I say with a groan.

He shrugs. "Oh nothing just wondering if this has anything to do with this crush of yours you won't tell me about?" I feel like my eyes just rolled out of my eyes.

"Wh-what?!" I ask and he raises a brow. "I-I don't have a crush I'm just stressed about school." I lie.

"Well why are you stressed about school? Are you failing?"

I shake my head. "Nah not like that. I'm just ready for it to be over."

He nods. "Yeah I've been meaning to talk to you about it." I tilt my head and he puts his hands in his pajama pockets and shrugs. "What's the plan?" Oh shit.

"Oh uh I don't have one yet."

"You don't have a plan for after high school?" I shake my head. "Well I'm not kicking you out or anything but I expect you to want to do something with your life. I mean you're smart, athletic. You have to have schools reaching out right?"

I shrug. "I wouldn't know I haven't gotten anything." I lie again. He sighs.

"Uh ok. But just think about something to do. I don't want you throwing your life away." He says seriously and I nod. He taps my shoulder and then goes back upstairs. I release a breath and go to mom's old office and get the camera. I get my bike and head to the lake. It's where I go to get most of my pics. It's just peaceful there. I ride through town seeing all the people in their own lives. I doubt they're unhappy or basically orphaned or having a crush on their English teacher that has clearly rejected them. I make it to the lake and put my bike by the bench. I take in a deep breath of the natural air and release feeling lighter already.

I start taking pictures of the geese family that lives here and an old married couple across the lake as they feed the squirrels. Love, something I always wanted and never really got. I have friends I love and of course Tyson but if you asked if I loved my parents, I don't even know what I could say. They were barely around and when they were they tried to fit in time for us rather than fit time for outside things. And then they killed themselves. How do you love people like that? Woof! I turn my head to see a dog chasing a stray baby kitten. "Milo, smettila!" I hear someone yell and the dog stops.

I look up to see Ms. Romano running up and hooks the dog back on the leash it inevitably will get loose from again. "Ms. Romano?" I say to be sure and she looks up from catching her breath and she smiles.

"This is getting weird now. Are you stalking me Ms. Kingston?" She asks with a serious face.

I shake my head. "No god no! I come here to clear my head and take pictures." I say and I lift the camera around my neck.

She nods. "Well this is the best spot if any. It's gorgeous here." She says looking out and the setting sun glows on her skin perfectly and makes her eyes lighter like gold.

"Yeah it is." I say and she turns to me. "Um what are you doing here?"

"I was attempting to have a nice walk but then Milo here got away from me." She says and I look down at the golden retriever.