Love At First Spike (GirlxGirl) (TeacherxStudent)

12

A/N: Lots of tea and angst, enjoy :)

Weeks had passed, and Miss Hart had become an expert at pretending I didn't exist. At first, I thought it was a fluke-maybe she was just keeping things professional, distancing herself. But it wasn't that. It was like I had become a ghost, completely invisible to her.

She pulled it off seamlessly. In class, she'd hand out assignments, lecture, and maintain the same strict authority over everyone-except me. She never looked my way, never asked me a question, never called on me. Even when I raised my hand, she'd glance past me like I wasn't even there. The worst part was at volleyball practice. She would run the drills like she always did, barking out orders, pushing the team to improve, but when it came to me? Nothing. She gave feedback to everyone-everyone-except me.

When it was my turn in the drills, she'd step aside and give instructions to another player, or act like she suddenly needed to check the equipment. If I missed a shot or messed up a pass, she wouldn't scold me like she used to. She wouldn't correct me. She'd just act like it didn't happen. The silence was worse than any reprimand could've been. It felt like I was drowning in it.

Mia had noticed. Of course, she had. Every time Miss Hart deliberately ignored me, I could feel Mia's eyes on me, her concern growing by the day. She never brought it up again after our last conversation, but I knew she saw everything. She didn't need to ask me how I was feeling because my face must've said it all.

Each day, my heart grew heavier. At first, I was hurt-crushed, even. But now? Now, I was just angry. How could she treat me like this? Like I was nothing? Was this how it was going to be forever-her pretending I didn't exist, pretending that night never happened?

I couldn't take it anymore. Every glance she avoided, every drill she ran without acknowledging me, every moment she made me feel like a nobody-it all piled up inside of me, filling me with frustration. How could she be so cold, so distant, after everything?

Was this really it? Was she going to avoid this forever?

Something had to give. I couldn't keep living like this, stuck in this limbo of being ignored by someone who used to see me-really see me. Every time I walked into that classroom or stepped onto that court, the weight in my chest grew heavier, and I knew sooner or later, something would break.

I had reached my breaking point. Weeks of being ignored, weeks of feeling invisible, and it had all come to a head. I couldn't stand it anymore. Something had to be done.

Thursday after school-I knew that was the day Miss Hart stayed late, playing volleyball by herself. I had seen her in the gym countless times, spiking balls, practicing serves, lost in her own world. Today, I was going to confront her. I didn't care if Miss Hart tried to brush me off. I wasn't leaving until I got answers.

The gym was quiet, echoing with the sound of a lone volleyball hitting the floor. I stood by the door, heart pounding as I watched Miss Hart, still looking every bit the professional coach-focused, precise, and cold as ice.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward. The ball bounced against the wall and rolled back to Miss Hart's feet, but before she could hit it again, my voice cut through the silence.

"We need to talk."

Miss Hart froze for a split second before slowly turning to face me. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were cold, detached-nothing like the woman I had once known.

"I'm busy," Miss Hart said, her tone flat, as if I was nothing more than an interruption. She bent down to pick up the ball, clearly intending to ignore me yet again.

"No," I said firmly, stepping closer. "I'm done being ignored. I'm done with you pretending like I don't exist. We need to talk, now."

Miss Hart's grip on the volleyball tightened, her jaw clenching, but she didn't respond. She turned away, ready to continue her drills, but I wasn't about to let it slide this time.