The Music Producer and the Teacher 2

Chapter 8: I've been a liar, been a cheat

I woke up bright and early the next morning to my alarm clock. Five in the morning always came early, but it made me glad I fell asleep so early last night. I immediately grabbed for my phone to check for anything from Marshall. I frowned when I found nothing. I really tried not to overthink anything. I went into the bathroom to attempt my makeup and remembered my episode from last night. I had become unfortunate enough to get puffy eyes the next day following an attack. More than likely from all the crying. I had managed to have all my episodes on weekends, so I didn't have to go to school like this, but today I wasn't as lucky. I managed to put on some makeup and using a cold rag, I got some of the swelling down, but not enough to make any major differences. I finished getting ready and left for school determined to have a better day than I did yesterday.

I pulled up and sat in the school parking lot. I decided it would be best to leave my phone in the car, but before I did, I wanted to leave Marshall a message for him to get later:

M:Hey babe. Just wanted to tell you I miss you and I hope I get to see you soon. Have a safe flight home.

After that, I put my phone in the glove box of my car and got out, locking it behind me. I wish I could put into words the feeling I felt. Almost like my phone was weighing me down and leaving it behind made me feel light and free.

I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth my day was. It was drama free, for once. It was also easy. Everything seemed to go smoother without having my phone as a constant reminder of the trouble that was my personal life. I got back out to my car and immediately pulled my phone from its hiding spot since I was sure I had some notifications by now. I had many texts and missed calls all from two people: Marshall and Melissa. Both seemed very desperate to get in touch with me. Almost like one was trying to get to me before the other, but I couldn't understand the reason. Melissa's messages looked like this:

1. Rissa call me when you get a chance(8:30am)

2. Rissa please call me. I need to tell you something(10am)

3. Rissa idk whats going on but whatever you do, don't text/call Marshall until you talk to me first ok?(1pm)

The final message showed up as I was reading the others, it just said 'call me' in all caps. So, I obliged. She picked up quicker than I've ever seen her pick up. "There you are! What the hell?! I've been blowing you up all morning!" she practically yelled at me. "Sorry, I left my phone in the car. I needed a break from the damn thing. What's so urgent?" I heard Melissa take a deep breath. "'Rissa, Kim wasn't lying to you." I had begun to look for my keys, so I could at least start my car, but I stopped dead in my tracks when she said this because I knew exactly what she was talking about. "I hope you don't mean what I think you mean." I said, not sure what else to say, although I'm sure she did. "'Rissa, I'm sorry, but they're fucking, or were. He wasn't really clear last night when-" "Hold on." I interrupted, "He was there last night? You spoke to him? Were you going to tell me?" I was aggravated. I wanted to see him. He could have said this stuff to my face instead of hers. "'Rissa, you cried yourself to sleep over the bastard. I just thought some sleep and a bit of a breather would do you some good. That's all. I meant well, and I've been trying to tell you all day." I took a deep breath in my best attempt to keep from firing off what was on my mind. I knew Melissa only had my best interest at heart. Sometimes, she was the only one. "Okay, I get it." I said finally. "But I'm going to call him now. I need to confront him about this obviously." I could tell she didn't think I should do it, but she reluctantly agreed to let me go so I could handle my business.

Before I called Marshall, I checked my messages from him. There were only two:

1. I miss u 2 baby. I'm home. I would luv 2 c u (9am)