This November

Chapter 40

"Dr. Foster, we're fine. If you don't mind, Nova and I have things to discuss."

Malik picked up Nova's hand, but she snatched it away. This was why he didn't want to come to the reunion. It could destroy his relationship.

"I need air, I'm going for a walk. Do not follow me!"

"Nova no! Let's talk about this. Babe, come on..."

Nova took off in a jog, but there was no way he was letting her leave him. He started to go after her but Dr. Foster grabbed his arm and held him back.

"Hey, you heard her, she said leave her alone."

Malik pushed his old principal off him. "You don't understand. Nova thinks I slept with someone else and I didn't. I was going to ask to marry her today and now...now she thinks I did this."

Dr. Foster glared his blues eyes at him. He felt like he was seventeen and called to the Principal's office again. "And did you?"

"What? No! I mean, yeah she gave me head, but...but..." He couldn't explain himself. It was a horrible thing to do when all he wanted was Nova. He could have resisted Starchima if he wanted. Why hadn't he? Why had he put their relationship in jeopardy?

Maybe he wasn't ready for love and marriage.

"You need to let Nova be," Dr. Foster said. "Stay here. I'll go talk to her."

"Will you? Thanks man, that's good. You talk to her. Tell her I love her and we can get through this. Oh, and don't tell her I'm going to propose today. Just...tell her how much I love her. And you know that, from back in the day. Just...do whatever, help me out here."

"I got you."

************

Nova wanted to get away. She did not want to be there. Not with her classmates knowing Malik cheated on her.

But she could get over it. If he was really telling the truth. If all that happened was Star pushed herself on him, like she likely did, and gave him oral sex...she could forgive that, right?

Could Malik forgive her for not telling him about Carter? The principal she knew he adored.

"Nova!"

She didn't want to turn around and face Carter. He would be the one that came after her. Why was he really here? She knew for a fact he didn't attend every single class reunion. He was here because of her.

"Nova!" Carter was at her side now, he stopped her walking through the park and stood in front of her. "I told you he wasn't the man for you. I told you to end this little fling with him and be with me, a real man."

She pushed him away. That was not what she wanted to hear.

"I love him."

"Love? Nova, he cheated on you, and he will continue to cheat on you. That's the type of guy he is. Always was, always will be." He rubbed her cheek. "Tink, you deserve so much more than that. Don't marry him."

"Marry him?"

"He wants to marry you. I can't let you do that. If you do...I will tell him all about us. I don't care, I will tell everybody about us. About how much I love you and you still love me. We can be together, in the open. Tink, you can quit the job, I'll take care of you or...or do anything else you want. Don't marry him. Marry me!"

He grabbed her in his arms and kissed her, but before he could get into the kiss, she pushed him away and smacked him in the face.

"What the hell is going on over here!"

It was Malik. 

She couldn't even look at him, she was busted. She looked down at her feet.

"November? You and...our principal?" Malik walked up to them, she wasn't sure all what he heard or saw, but her mouth couldn't move at this point.

"Yes," Carter spoke up. "Nova and I have been together before you came along."

Malik turned to him. "I am not talking to you, asshole, get the fuck away from us."

"No, I love her."

"Man, the fuck you say? You can't be in love with her, you're our principal. Fuck, you're her boss. What kind of sick twisted shit is this?" Malik turned back to Nova. "November, tell me, has he been...bothering you since we were in school together? Did he..."

"No!" She was so embarrassed it was coming out like this. "It wasn't like that Malik."

"Then tell me."

She stepped back from Malik, as if he would hurt her if he knew the truth.

"Carter and I were...together, for nearly two years. Before you came along and then we broke up."

"What?" Malik stood there in disbelief, shaking his head. "No! No! No! This can't be true. Nova, he's old! He's fucking old enough to be your dad."

"He's not my father, Malik. Far from that."

"Oh, so you think this is right? You were one of his students, for fucks sake! This is sick." Malik walked away, then turned back to them. "Wait a minute. Aren't you married?"

"Legally separated and I've filed for divorce. I'm going to be with Nova."

"No!" Nova said to Carter. "It's over! I keep telling you that. I don't want you anymore."

"Oh, so you two have been sneaking around behind my back? Nova, you have some nerve judging me over what happened with Star."

"That shit is different Malik! I'm not sleeping with Carter anymore."

"Oh!" Malik cringed hearing that. He could not imagine his Nova in bed with the guy he trusted.

"Oh come on Malik, be a big boy about this," Carter taunted. "I have done all the things with Nova, and she has done all the things with me. And trust me I know how to satisfy her better than you ever will."

Malik rushed him and punched him in the face.

"Fuck you!" he stormed off, turned to Nova. "And fuck you Nova. I can't believe I wanted to marry you."

"Malik!" she called after him, about to run after him, but Carter held her back.

"Let him go Tink. You don't need him. You still have me. I wouldn't leave you."