The Principal

Chapter 12

The music starts to slow, the bright lights dimming, signaling the end of the event. The last song plays, and people start to trickle out of the gym, leaving behind a trail of laughter and tired smiles. I'm still buzzing from the night-feeling light, carefree, and happy. The moment is fleeting, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

I glance around and see my friends slowly gathering their things. Cathine and Emily are already chatting, and I see some of the other girls hugging goodnight to their dates. The crowd has thinned, and the gym now feels quieter, almost peaceful. We've all had a great time, but now, it's time to wrap it up.

As I stand near the door with my friends, catching my breath from all the dancing, I notice a guy from my history class, Lucas, approaching me. He's tall, with messy brown hair and warm hazel eyes that always seem to sparkle when he smiles. He's one of those guys who's charming in a way that makes everyone feel like they're the most important person in the room. And right now, he's looking at me with that smile.

"Hey, April," Lucas says, his voice smooth, as he steps closer. "I was wondering... you want to go out this weekend? I know this great place in town-thought maybe we could grab coffee or something, just the two of us?"

I blink, surprised by the suddenness of the question, but I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips. I've known Lucas for a while, and while we've never been close, he's always been friendly and easy to talk to. His offer is tempting, and I feel a flutter of excitement. Maybe this is a chance to let go of the complicated feelings I've been harboring.

"I'd love to, Lucas," I reply, trying to sound casual even though my heart is beating a little faster. "I'll check with my mom, but I think it should be fine. Let's make plans."

Lucas grins, clearly pleased with my answer. "Awesome. I'll text you the details later."

Before I can say another word, Emily and Cathine join in, teasing me a little. "Ooooh, look at you, getting asked out by the cute guy," Cathine says with a sly grin.

Emily chimes in, "Should we make it a double date? We could all go grab food afterward. What do you think?"

I laugh, my nerves easing as I chat with them, but as I turn around to grab my purse, I freeze. Mr. Smith is standing a few feet away, talking with a teacher, but I notice his gaze flicker in my direction for just a moment.

I can feel the weight of it even without looking directly at him. The thought is unsettling-especially when I catch the glimmer of his wedding ring in the dim light as he adjusts his cuff. It catches my eye, and for a moment, the confidence I was feeling starts to waver.

Still, I stand tall, pushing the uneasy feeling aside. The attention is shifting away from me now, and I refocus on my friends.

Lucas finishes his conversation with me, and as we start to walk outside toward the parking lot, I hear the sound of the final songs fading away from the gym. The night is almost over, but I feel like I'm walking on air. A few of my classmates are still milling about, waiting for rides.

I'm just about to order an uber when I hear a familiar voice call out.

"April, you need a ride home?" It's Bri, waving from the side. "We're headed that way!"

I turn to look, and for a brief moment, I see Mr. Smith in the background, talking to a few teachers. His presence is subtle but undeniable. I feel the tension building up again, even though I try to shake it off. I turn to Bri and nod with a smile. "Thanks, I'd love a ride."

As we all pile into the car, chatting about the night's events, I can't help but glance out the window. The cool night air is a welcome contrast to the heat of the gym, and I take a deep breath, trying to push the thoughts of Mr. Smith out of my mind. I can feel his eyes on me from a distance, though. It's a feeling I can't shake.

As the car pulls away, I let out a sigh, thinking about the weekend ahead. A date with Lucas. It's a fresh start, a chance to leave behind whatever complicated feelings I've had.

But somehow, I can't help but wonder if I'll ever really be able to shake the feeling of Mr. Smith's presence, even when he's not around.