The Irish Teacher ( Colifer story ) #wattys2016

Dancing In The Rain

I sit in his classroom staring at the clock, the book laying open on the last page. Do you ever get that feeling of not wanting to read the last page?

I always feel like the story ending is a new beginning, a new story to follow on for the last. I don't know, it's fairly stupid. I always picture that I continue to live through the story, taking its quotes and spreading them throughout my time in this world. However, with the story.. I felt I was living every page. Each word sang to my heart, sometimes I think what he told me about this story is true.. If it is then I don't understand why he isn't doing something about it.

Why isn't he here? It's 8:04am and he normal arrives at 8:01am. Since last week, he hasn't been in Ill, apparently. The door clicks open as he dashes in adjusting his tie. He stops once noticing me.
I swallow and look at the last page.
'Hook was lost. He'd given up everything for her. Although, in his mind he knew he could never have her. And as he stopped there and watched her laughing with others, he knew he had to let her go. He'd picture all the times they could of had, teaching her to dance in the rain... Loving her unconditionally. But the world had a different plan for his princess, a plan that didn't involve him. And in that moment, he knew she deserved so much better than him.'
I slowly drag my eyes up from the last words and back to him.
'Did you mean what you said about this book being about me?' My eyes full.
'Jennifer-'
'Did you?'
'Yes. It's about you.' I half smile through my emotional state. I close the book, ending the story... Feeling a loss and complete despair.
'So why does it end?'
I sigh. He walks towards me, standing a few inches a way.
'Because that's the end of.. Our story..'
I hesitate.
'It doesn't have to be..' I can't deny all the feelings I felt for him and still do. He's still the same person I met and my heart still beats ten times faster when I see him.
'Jennifer you know it does..'
I move towards him.
'I don't care. I don't care anymore, I don't care you're my teacher.'
His eyes meet mine, I can feel his breathe upon my skin.
'I do.' He steps back, walking back to his desk. I follow.
'No. It's nothing to do with that. Its because I'm not the same Jennifer you fell in love with-'
'Jennifer-'
'No. Go on. Admit it, you nearly said it the other day. I'm not stupid Colin.'
He turns back around, his eyes once again drawn to mine.
'Fine. You're not.'
I move my hands straighten out his tie which was still wonky. I just hold this moment.
'Well, this is who I am now.'
I slowly remove my hands. His eye contact shifts around the empty room.
'Well I'm sad to hear that.'
'So that's it?' I sigh.
'That's it.'
He sits at his desk getting out his laptop. I place the book down in front of him.
'Here, in case you think of another chapter.' I weakly smile and leave the room.

3 hours later
'Jen!!' Lana runs behind me.
'Hey what's up?'
'I've had a wicked idea on how to get back at Bex.' I half smile, I think about everything Colin said...is this who I am?
'What?'
'Well first you need your makeup doing and heels...why do you not have them on?' I look at my shoes, tatty old shoes. My comfiest pair, that's who I am..
'I don't want to.'
'What?'
I see Colin passing.
'Im not the girl who wants to wear makeup.. I don't need heels and I certainly don't want to be bad. I'm the girl who'd much rather sit and read a book, a book about fairytales and Magic.'
Lana laughs, I look at Colin whos stopped by the door listening in.
'Really? You're being serious?'
'Yes. And if that's a problem then.. I guess our friendship is over.'
She looks at me shocked. I join my eyes with Colin.
'This is who I am. And I'm proud of it'
I smile, he too smiles before vanishing within the crowd.

6 hrs later
The small pub outside of town.
'I thought you'd be here.'
I look up from my drink, swirling the straw causing loads of tiny ripples. Colin sits at the other side of the table smiling at me tentatively.
'Well, here I am.'
I coldly reply.
'Jen-'
'Colin-'
We both stop, smiling at each other.
'About before-'
'It doesn't-'
'Stop. Let me just. Before, I said that I was happy with the new me.. I wasn't, I was upset.. I wanted to seem more mature because I wanted you to-'
'Love you.' He raises his eyebrow.
'Yes.'
'I do.' He smiles.
'What?' I blush.
'I love you, Jennifer Marie Morrison.'
I shake my head.
'There's a but?'
'There's no but. Not this time.'
I smile.
'Are you saying what I think you are?'
'Im sick of following the worlds rules, I want you and I intend to have you.'
I smile. My heart rapidly beating, I feel like I'm shaking and hyperventilating all in one go.
'I..' Im speechless.
'Jennifer, I understand if you've moved on.. If you don't want to anymore. If I messed up and I'm-'
'I love you.' I finally spit out the words. He stops mid sentence beaming a smile at me.
'You do.'
I nod taking his hand.
'So I was thinking, darts? Winner on drinks.'
He laughs getting up pulling my hand to the door, I look at him confused.
'I have a better idea.' He whispers opening the door to reveal the pouring rain.
'If you don't mind, I'd like this dance.'
He pulls me into the rain, it hitting my face. He spins me into his arms.
'Colin-'
'Don't say anything-'
He grabs my face and kisses me. So beautifully and so pure.
I'm in love.