The Irish Teacher ( Colifer story ) #wattys2016

Resurface

I inhale drastically, my fingers clutching tightly at the door handle.
Come on Jennifer, you can do this
I mutter as I push the door aside.
'Peace offering??' I call wafting the Starbucks in his direction, he sits legs up on the desk smirking.
'How do you know what I drink?'
'I don't.. I guessed.'
I awkwardly enter the room placing it down on his table. His eyes not leaving mine. He takes a sip
'Its.. My favourite, good guess.'
His tongue graces his lip with the side of his mouth raised into a small smirk. I roll my eyes looking back towards the door.
I shouldn't be here...
'I'm glad you came back.'
'I wasn't going to... But I-'
I stop myself just as he cuts in. Lifting my glasses onto the desk.
'I mean it's a good job you did, you left your glasses..'
I reach forward, teasingly he pulls them back.
'Well. There not even real are they?'
He laughs putting them on.
Damn
I switch off, not listening to my thoughts is the easiest thing to do.
'No. I just-'
'You wanted the attention.' He flirts batting his eyelashes whilst rolling his tongue in his mouth.
'No.. I just wanted to look the part-'
'What a sexy...secretary' he leans across the table resting on his hand. His eyes scanning my whole body, I shift looking back towards the door
You know you want to
I ignore myself once more
'Stop. Colin just stop. I need this job for the money!' He sits up.
'I am not one of those other girls you let work here and sleep with until you get bored and move on ok?'
I swallow controlling my outburst, Colin's eyes shift away.
'You understand that?'
'Jennifer.. My-'
'No. I just want to do my job; answer phone calls, paperwork anything Colin just you keep your space and I keep mine. I'll come to work in joggers if I have too'
He smirks.
'You'd still be attractive.' He flirt again.
Stop ignoring it Jennifer
'Don't!'
I start walking towards the door.
'I'll be outside answering calls-'
'Jennifer.. Your desk is over there.'
He points to the desk at the other side of the room, it's now I glance around not having payed much attention before, it's large glass windows covering two sides of the room. The furniture white and pristine.
'O, I'd prefer to work outside.. It-'
'No.'
He mutters watching me awkwardly standing between him and the desk.
'It will be noisy with phone calls and-'
'I don't mind.'
I exhale.
'Please Colin I insist-'
'Sit down.'
I sign and follow his instructions, I'm not going to win with him. There must be something he does to have such control over all the other women who've worked here... But what? Despite his charm and his accent...

I sit for a few moments, my eyes flicking between him and the phone.
'Please ring..' I mutter. His eyes still focused on me. That's it. I get up pulling the table.
'I'm just going'
Heavy than I thought. I continue to drag along the floor, it scrapping horribly.
'Jen.' Suddenly my wrists are grab as he turns me towards him. I lift my eyes to join with his.
Jen... He's missed you-'
'Look I'm sorry about before... You're right you're not like the others... I mean, let's just forget about it... Forgive me?'
He smiles, I hold my stubborn expression.
'How about I take you for a drink to apologise?'
Jennifer-
'Colin I can't I-'
My phone buzzes. I pull my hand out of his grip grabbing my phone.
'Let me just-'
I glance at the message:

Him
Sorry have to cancel on tonight's plans works hectic.
Love you babe x

I sign, locking my phone and looking back at Colin.
'I've got a dinner reservation that's just got cancelled so how about there?'
He smiles.
'That would be lovely.'  I half smile then remain back to my stubborn look.
'For you to apologise..'
He walks over to the table.
'Come on, I'll give you a hand taking this outside.'
I watch him lifting the table.
'You know, it's fine where it is.'
I play it calmly and collectively.
He puts it down, walking back to his desk.
You're starting to slip..

2 hours later
I walk over to Colin already sitting at our table, he gets up pulling my chair out for me. I smile tucking my dress in neatly as I sit. His grey suit rather dashing.
'You look nice.' He smiles awkwardly sitting back down.
'Thanks. Drink?'
I raise my hand to the waiter, he comes over having a chat with me before asking what drinks, I'm a regular here. It's a cheap place and the staff are nice.
He takes our order and dashes off.
I look back to Colin, it's so weird to imagine that he was my teacher...That I
Admit it
Knew him all those years ago, he taught me history. How strange.
'So Jen, how's things with you?'
I've never felt so distant with anyone my whole life. I smile looking back at him and the kitchen door. I wish the food would just hurry up.
'I...just came back from a holiday actually, with my boyfriend.'
'O, ye you have a boyfriend now..'
He mutters.
'So do you have a girlfriend?' I know the answer already, I think.
'I did have...' He looks away. I take a sip of my drink that's just been delivered to our table.
'What happened?'
'She just left one morning with my son.'
Son. That changes everything
'You have a son?'
The thought of Colin having a child, I just.. Well he is 26 years old it's not that unusual..
'Yes he's called Evan.'
I smile looking at my glass, if it wasn't awkward before it certainly is now.
'Was you married?'
Stop asking questions Jennifer!
'No-' his eyes drift off.
'Did she know about all those girls-'
'They was after her.' He snaps.
I look at him for a few moments. He's really hurt, I reach across the table grabbing his hand.
One touch
'You've been trying to fill a hole that's unfixable, no matter what you do it doesn't heal, right?'
He slowly looks back to me. His hand gripping mine
His touch..
'Jen-'
'Colin I'm sorry, I'm sorry about your son and your girlfriend but I need to go... Sorry'
I pull my hand back getting up.
'I.. Sorry, I just..'
I grab my bag dashing out of the restaurant.
Ignoring feels won't make them go away.