No Such Thing As Perfect Love (A Christian Romance Novel)

A New Face

Chloe POV
"Okay class! The bell will be ringing shortly, so please pack up your things. Tyler, don't stand by the door," I called.
The students in my sixth period English class hurriedly packed their things. The bell rang, and most of the kids ran out.
"Don't forget to read the next chapter of Romeo and Juliet!" I yelled, but it was no use. The only students that heard me were the five girls that were still in the room. Everyone had ran to lunch.
When they were gone, I got up from my desk and looked around.
"Seriously? Again?" I sighed.
Tyler's copy of Romeo and Juliet sat on the floor yet again. Well, it wasn't Romeo and Juliette, it was a simpler version that will prepare my seventh graders for when they read it in high school. Usually we would do it in reading, but this year they combined reading and English for seventh grade, which caused two people to lose their jobs.
I was already the English teacher, so i got this job because I was qualified. The reading teacher went to one of the elementary schools.
Our six, seventh, and eighth grades are divided into two teams. Each team has a teacher for each subject.
The English teacher from the other team went to the high school, and the reading teacher took over as the English teacher. The thing was, this teacher was pregnant, so a new teacher had to start now, in the middle of October. The old teacher took the rest of the year off.
"Um, Miss Anderson?" A voice said from the doorway.
Of course. Tyler.
"I may have sort of," Tyler began.
"Here." I held the book out to him
"Thanks!"
"Please check to make sure you have it next time," I pleaded.
"I will, bye," Tyler said and ran off.
I shook my head and went to the counter to grab my lunch.
"Hey Chloe," A woman said from the doorway.
"Hey Olivia," I greeted. Olivia Davis was my best friend and the Blue team math teacher. (I was on the Blue team, too)
"Have you met the new Green team English teacher yet?" Oliva asked.
"No," I answered. Blue and Green are our school colors.
"Maybe he will be in the staff room for lunch!" Olivia chirped.
"Why do you care?" I wondered.
"Who knows, maybe he's single!" Olivia exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes. The two of us walked to the staff room with our lunches. Sure enough, when we got there, a new, rather good looking man was there.
Olivia and I sat down in our seats, which just happened to be across from the new guy. He looked deep in conversation with Mr. Reynolds, the Green team history teacher.
I opened my lunch box and pulled out a sandwich. It is kind of weird that I haven't met the new teacher yet. After all, he is right across the hall from me, and he has been here all morning. When Mr. Reynolds stopped talking, I decided to introduce myself.
"Hi. I'm Chloe Anderson, the Blue team English teacher," I smiled.
"Hi! I think you can guess that I am the Green team English teacher. My name is Luke Jones," Luke informed me with a bright smile.
"It is great to finally meet you," I said.
"It is great to finally meet YOU. I guess we are kind of like enemies. Being on separate teams and all," Luke joked, still smiling.
"You just wait until spirit week when we dress up as the colors for our school," I told. The day of the pep rally, all the students are asked to dress in the colors of the school. Since only the seventh grade teams are named Blue and Green, if a student wears mainly the color of their team, they will get a bonus point in the class of their choice. After the pep rally, we count the number of kids who wore their teams color, and whichever team has more kids wins. The only thing they really win is bragging rights, but that can be the biggest thing for teachers. Last year, the teams tied.
We made it a rule that teachers aren't allowed to hand out any clothes that are the team color. That happened one year. The team would have won if a kid on that team hadn't turned them in.
Anyway, back to our conversation.
"Jacob Reynolds was just explaining that to me. You guys get pretty competitive, don't you?" Luke asked.
"Yeah. Well, it's our one chance," I shrugged, smiling. I shyly played with the cross bracelet on my wrist.
"That's pretty," Luke said, nodding at the bracelet.
"Are you...?" I began.
"Yeah. I'm protestant," He answered, turning on his phone and showing me his cross screen saver.
"I am, too," I responded.
Luke still had that gorgeous smile on his face. It made me feel like a fan girl at a One Direction concert. Oh my goodness Chloe Anderson stop thinking about that.
"If you ever need help with any of the lessons or anything, just ask," I told, glancing at my watch and realizing it was time to go back.
"I don't mind if I do," Luke said.
Did I just blush? What was that even supposed to mean?
The bell rang, and I grabbed my lunch box.
"It seems like you and Luke are getting along," Olivia purred.
"He's pretty nice," I shrugged.
"And handsome," Olivia said, bumping into me.
I rolled my eyes.
"Come on, admit it," Olivia smiled.
"I don't pay attention to looks that much. He did have an amazing smile, though," I admitted.
"You would know. He wouldn't stop smiling at you. I bet he likes you," Olivia told.
"That's probably just his personality. Besides, i'm not in love with him," I informed.
"Not yet," Olivia laughed.
I rolled my eyes once again and walked into my classroom.
I went through my lesson as normal, forgetting about Luke Jones until I glanced out the door while my students were doing their work and saw Mr. Jones teaching in his classroom. Afraid he would see me, I quickly looked away and smiled to myself.
After seventh period was Study Hall, the last class of the day. While my students worked on their homework, I graded quizzes, which took my mind off of Luke once again.
When Study Hall was over, all of the teachers on the Blue team had a meeting about Spirit week.
When I got back to my classroom so I could gather my things, I found a note on my desk.
It was a phone number followed by:
Here's my number. You know, for work purposes.
-Luke
"Sure, for work purposes."
"Olivia!" I exclaimed.
"What? I'm waiting for you! Remember, tonight is our movie night. Your apartment, my pick."
"Oh, right. Let me just grab my bag." I shoved the note into my pocket and allowed myself a moment to smile.
Then, I picked up my laptop and followed Olivia to the parking lot. Olivia got into her car, and I got into mine. My best friend followed me to my apartment.
When we got there, it was 4:15.
I set my bag on the table and put my laptop on the charger. Olivia followed me inside and put her stuff in their usual place.
"What movie are we watching?" I wondered.
"A Hallmark movie," Olivia said casually.
"A Hallmark movie? Seriously? We're watching a cheesy romance movie!" I exclaimed.
"Yep! Isn't it great!" Olivia chirped.
"Do you ever get tired of being so perky?" I murmured.
"Actually, yes. But I just can't help it," Olivia sighed. "Now! Back to our movie!"
Would you believe that i'm the blonde and she is a brunette?
Olivia turned on Netflix and clicked on a movie with a cheesy title.
"This is so stupid," I said after ten minutes. "I can already guess the plot."
"Ssssh. This is the best part! Awww," Olivia squealed.
I groaned. "All Hallmark movies are the same!"
"I love Hallmark movies!" Olivia informed me.
Halfway through the movie, I ordered a pizza. There was finally something to pay attention to other than the movie!
Finally the end drew near.
"Can't you see he is obviously going to propose. I mean come on! Candle lit dinner, a walk in the park, the perfect moment, seriously!" I said.
"Oh my goodness! He'd proposing! I had no idea!" Olivia squealed.
I sighed and picked up my iPhone. I decided to add Luke's number to my contacts. Before Olivia could notice, I put my phone away.
"Well, the movie's over," Olivia sighed. "I have to go home now."
"Bye. See you tomorrow," I said.
"Bye!" Olivia called, grabbing the movie and her things and walking out the door.
I looked at the clock. 6:26. All that's left to do is grade quizzes. What fun for me.