Teachers Pet

26: Cold Shoulder

        "Are you gonna eat that?" I blinked rapidly, forcing myself out of my own bad thoughts. I had to stop doing this to myself.

       "What?" Jill pointed to my fruit cup with her fork. I looked down and shook my head. I watched as she took it and started eating it. I never liked the school breakfast that much. It was a poor excuse for food.

       "What's on your mind?" What wasn't? Class was about to start and I had to once again face first period with Jake's silent treatment. I'd texted him after Nolan had finally let me out of his car a few nights ago. I found out he was mad at me for telling Jill everything. I tried to explain that I could trust her, but he wasn't willing to hear me out. Now he just calls me Miss Harper and avoids looking my way in class. He won't even pick me when I have my hand up.

       "Jake." She threw her head back and ate the last of her fruit. I made a face, never liking to see her eat. She had no shame. She was the type of person to eat ribs with her hands, not caring who was watching.

       "What about him?" I told her how he was mad at me, but she didn't really have advice for when your lover teacher gives you the cold shoulder.

       "He's still mad and I don't really wanna go to class. I might ditch if anything."

       "Does he still wear that cologne you like?" I blushed, thinking about how he still wore it. I found it weird, that even though he was mad at me, he'd still wear the scent that I liked so much.

       "Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything."

       "It means he's still trying to impress you. He can't be that mad if he wants to smell good for you. Just talk to him." It wasn't that simple. Why was everything so simple for Jill? Braver and stronger... I wish I could have the courage and confidence that I once had. It was easier before, to talk to him when I didn't feel so attached to him. Everything I say now, it makes it feel like I could lose him. When the bell rang, I started to panic.

       "I'm definitely ditching." I got up and started to turn to the exit, but Jill grabbed me by the shoulders and guided me the other way.

      "Go to class, and face him. Come on." She locked arms with me, making sure I wouldn't run away when given the chance. I talked to myself, trying to go through different conversations in my head. Preparing myself for each possible one was all I could do. As we reached his class, I felt like I would throw up. I need more time to think!

        "I have to go to the bathroom," I told her quickly. I turned away from the door, but she stood in my way.

       "No, you don't. Stop stalling and go in."

      "I can't. What if he yells at me? What if he tells me he wants a break? What if he doesn't say anything at all? What if- "

        "Morning, Miss Harper." Jill spun me around, making me face him. His face was hard, absent of anything kind. He looked over my head to Jill and tensed his jaw.

       "Miss Newman. Don't you have somewhere else to be?" He sounded so unwelcoming, so harsh. Was it still too late to ditch?

       "I sure do," Jill told him quickly. She touched my shoulder before rushing away. I looked over my shoulder, wanting to follow her. When I turned back, Jake was staring after her too.

       "Jake... " I whispered his name, hoping to get him to just look at me. He needed to see my face to see that I was sorry.

       "You can go in, Miss Harper." I stared up at him for a moment, thinking of just walking away. I couldn't though. With a heavy sigh, I went in and went straight to my seat. Cassie was asleep, using her backpack as a pillow. I saw her gum roll out of her mouth, making me cringe. I sat down feeling a little hopeless about me and Jake. How was I going to get him to talk to me? And he thought I was the stubborn one.