Across the Hall (G.N.D. Sequel)

9

Lexi's POV:

The next day

I find myself walking into school a little quicker than usual, eager to see Evan so that I can get a more accurate reading on her emotional state.

Once I make it to our section of the hall, I see her standing the at the board, writing.

"Knock, knock." I announce as I walk in.

She hardly glances at me, "hey, Lex."

"How are you?" I question.

Her answer comes with absolutely no hesitation, "good. You?"

"I'm not asking how you are to make conversation, Evan. I'm asking because I actually want to know. How are you?" I push her.

It's such a common thing to tell someone that you're "good" even if you aren't. It's easier to lie and give a simple, one-word answer rather than to explain everything going on in your head because in reality, very few people actually give a shit.

The difference here is that I actually care. I want to know how she is, the thoughts running around in her head. I just don't think she believes it.

"Lexi, can we please just not do this?" She sighs. "Telling you anything isn't going to make it better or make it go away."

"But Evan I-"

"Just stop. I have a class to teach and so do you, so go do that." Evan mutters, frustrated.

I know better than to push her too far, so I step off and leave her room without another word.

* * *

"Yeah, babe. I'll get something on the way home." I sigh, talking on the phone with Mia. "Mmhm, see you later."

No one warned me about teachers having to stay late on weeknights sometimes. I wish they would have though.

It's five o'clock already and I feel like I've made absolutely no progress. With first quarter teacher evaluations coming up, I need to make sure my lessons are spot-on, the assignments are laid out perfectly, and that I don't have any major screw ups.

I sigh and write "copy" on a few sticky notes, slapping them onto a few different documents I typed up.

I leave my room with the papers in-hand and head for the copy-room. I utilize all three machines, putting in the order for eighty copies each... so much paper.

While I wait, I walk back to my classroom to see what else I can get into.

The building is quiet, and I'm fairly certain there are only a handful of people left here, if that.

Under Evan's closed classroom door, I see a thin line of light. I furrow my brows and knock softly before opening the door, only going to turn off the light that she left on.

When I open it I find her sitting at her desk, tears on her cheeks.

"I- oh- I'm sorry. I thought-" I stutter like crazy, not meaning to barge in on her. "I didn't know you were here."

She quickly wipes her face, though I've already seen the tears, and sighs, "well, I am. Can you please close the door?" She asks. I bite my cheek and step inside before closing the door. She shoots me a look and tries to shoo me out. "Lexi, I just want to be-"

"Alone? No. I'm not going to let you sit here in your room and cry. What's the matter?" I ask her.

She shakes her head and leans back, her palms covering her face.