Him

12: He and I Head Home

"Alright class, have a Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe. Class dismissed."

For a moment I thought Mr. Goldberg would talk to us forever.

I get up from my desk, grab my books, and place them in my bag.

"Ms. Jennings, can I speak with you for a moment?"

I nod, internally wanting to leave.

"Sure, Mr. Goldberg."

I walk towards the front of the classroom, and he gets up from his desk, holding a packet in his hand.

It's not until I'm next to him that I see that he's holding my packet from a previous assignment.

"This was a very well-written essay and if you'll allow it, I would love to put it for submission in the Writer's contest."

My essay was titled, "What It Means to Be a Black Girl, With A White Dad."

We were told to write something that we have had to deal with our entire lives.

I was always made to think that I had to pick a side, white or black.

It was annoying, if you looked at me, I looked like a regular black girl but standing next to my dad and going places with him, I was a mixed girl.

I was ready to tell him sure because I didn't think it was that good but then I remembered that Mona would submit something too.

She's always loved writing and wanted to be a journalist and knowing her, she would have signed up for it.

Mona already hated me, and this would probably make her more pissed but as I said before, it's not like I have a chance at winning.

"Yes sir, you can submit it."

"Great, I'll keep you updated."

He smiles and I smile back, turning to leave, "Have a great break."

"You too, Ms. Jennings."

♡

"You ready to go!"

I look around my room one last time, making sure I haven't forgotten anything.

"Yeah, I'm coming."

I leave my room, close my door behind, and head to the living room of our apartment.

"Theo, where's my duffel bag?"

"In my car, let's go."

He grabs his keys and wallet, heading for the door but I stop him.

"I thought we were taking mine, it's a Ford Explorer, perfect for road trips."

"But your aux is janky, and I like my car better, so come on."

"Ugh, I don't know why we take one car anyways, you intolerable on trips."

"It's an hour and a half Isa and you don't like paying for gas."

He had a point with the last part, I swing my crossbody over my shoulder and head out.

♡

By the time we get to our residential area, it starts to get dark outside.

Theo's family messaged us to let us know they'd be over my place, so we park into the long driveway that leads to my house.

We weren't rich but we were comfortable, sort of upper-middle-class, I would say.

I lived in a 2-story modern Spaniard home.

Our porch had a small swing and the back led to a pool and garden.