Thicker Than Water | Rotimi FanFiction

Chapter Twenty Three.

ZARA'S POV

Sitting in my car in the parking lot of the school, I take a few deep breaths as I gently rub the side of my temples. I'm still stressed out about the conversation Rotimi and I had with that girl Natalie. Too much is going on! From Mac to my dad ...to Rosa's Mom showing up ..and I can't forget about the drama with Jayla and Ariel. I just can't think clearly anymore! I inhale and exhale deeply one last time before getting out the car.

Walking into the classroom, I see Jackson handing out construction paper to the kids.

"Sorry, I'm late. I just have a lot going on." I say.

"I can see that.. you look stressed." He says, walking to his desk.

"Wow. Thanks."

"I don't mean it like that..."

"Yeah... I know. Besides, I'm sure you're right." I sit down beside him.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

I want to say yes but there's honestly nothing Jackson can really do. Even if he could do anything, that would mean I would have to tell him about everything that's been going on—and right now, I have neither the time nor the patience.

"Honestly, I think the only person who could help is Jesus." I giggle.

"That bad huh?" Jackson says.

"Yeah but it'll be fine. Enough about me.. how's life for you?"

Jackson and I get up to help the kids with their work.

"Well, for me life is going pretty great. I might even have a new job." He smiles.

"Wow. So you're leaving me?" I jokingly give him the side eye.

"Yep! First chance I get, I'm running out of this place like a bat out of hell."

"What's hell?" Madison, one of our students, asks.

"Uh.. nothing." I say.

Jackson and I look at each other and burst out laughing.

"You need to be more careful Mr. Jackson."

He nods his head, smiling.

"So... tell me about this new job." I say.

"Well it's totally different from teaching. It's more in the entertainment field."

"Entertainment? Are you going to be a..."

I cover Madison's ears with my hands.

"...stripper?" I continue.

"Very funny, no. A friend of mine helped me get a celebrity personal assistant job."

"Wow! That's great.. I didn't know you even wanted to be in the entertainment business." I say.

"Yeah. I've always wanted to have my own PR firm. So, I figured I could start off small, make a few connections and work my way up."