Mrs. Walsh

Caught

At the end of the school day when the bell rang to send everyone home, I jogged across the student parking lot to the staff parking lot. The teachers were giving me sideways glances and scowls as I stood scanning the lot for Mrs. Walsh. 'Mind your own business, jeez!'

Cars began leaving the lot and I carefully scanned each one, earning me even more strange looks. When finally there were only two vehicles left, I took a guess at which could be hers. It was between the old dirty Lincoln Town Car and the shiny red Lexus RC. I chose the Lexus. While leaning against the hood with my arms crossed, I heard a door squeak open. I turned and saw those familiar silky brown waves.

"May I help you?" Mrs. Walsh strode towards me looking confused.

"I want to come home with you," I stepped in front of the driver's door.

"Not happening. Excuse me, Sophia."

She tried to get around me to get in her car but I didn't budge. "Please! I don't want to stay or anything. I just want to come over for a little while, we need to talk and I think we would both be much more comfortable doing it at your house instead of here in this parking lot."

She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "I need to make sure my husband isn't home. If he is, you absolutely may not come to my house."

"And if he isn't?"

"Then I suppose you'll come home with me."

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'I can't believe this is happening!'

As soon as Mrs. Walsh pulled into her driveway, I jumped out of the car, "I'll race you to the front porch!"

"Sophia I am not running in heels."

I stood in front of her and crossed my arms, "You're only saying that because you know you'd lose," I turned around with a smirk on my face laughing to myself. I took a step towards the sidewalk and Mrs. Walsh pushed past me giggling.

"Actually it was just a distraction technique!"

I gasped and chased after her. "That is so not fair!"

She took the stairs leading to the porch two at a time, "All is fair in love and war, my dear."

By the time I caught up to her she was stepping inside. "Love and war?" I gave her a playful shove and watched as her cheeks blushed a deep pink.

"It's just a saying, Sophia," she plopped herself down on her leather sectional couch and kicked off her heels before patting the spot next to her. "You said we needed to talk, so let's get to talking."

I left my own heels beside the door and strode across the large living room to sit next to her, "Well I don't know exactly what to say. It's just that we need to figure out what we are."

She sighed and turned to face me, "I don't want anything to be labeled. That's including me, you, and whatever we are. I really enjoy being around you and..." she looked away from me and took a deep breath "and I think I'm starting to develop real feelings for you, Sophia."

"Mrs. Walsh-"

"Addison. I know I keep correcting you but I think that outside of school you can call me Addison, but during school we have to maintain a professional relationship."

"I understand. Addison listen, I never pictured myself seriously being with another woman until you confessed your secret to me. I know that we can't be openly together right now, but I think that someday we could. I can see myself with you, I think I have feelings for you too."