Mr. Stump

Early Christmas Present

The next morning I wasn't functional. Did that really happen after school? Was I delusional? I walk into school with my head up in the clouds thinking about what had happened yesterday. Without knowing it, I accidentally bump into Miss Williams.

" Oh! I'm so sorry Miss Williams I was ju- "

" Its alright sweetie, I wasn't paying attention either. " her smile makes me settle. She was carrying two burned beakers, clearly another failed experiment from Mr. Way. I point to the beakers with only her shaking her head and saying " he had to try pears " making me laugh. We say our goodbyes, and as I walk away, Miss Williams gives me a strange look. I meet Kristina and Angie at my locker " hey there! " Kristina calls out escaping the arms of her boyfriend to clasp me in hers.

" Hello to you too " I cough out and return her hug. She finally releases me and I see her face suddenly look at something. She raises her finger and points to my neck

"What....is that...? An early Christmas present? " She says as a smile grows on her face. "What is what?" I ask. I yank open my rigged locker to the small purple mirror that was clasped to the door of the locker. Standing on my tiptoes, I find a small but noticeable bruise on the collar of my neck, peeking out from under my shirt. Angie peeks to see my neck and laughs " Oh my gosh! Is th- " but before she finishes I slam my locker and rush to the bathroom down the hall. I make it into the pink tiled bathroom, the scratched mirrors reassure my doubt that Patrick had left a hickey on my skin. I touch it softly, feeling that it was warm.

Kristina and Angie rush into the bathroom not even a minute later to confront me. " You better start talking Sanders. Who. Where. When. Now. " Angie says commanding her finger at me as Kristina nods her head while her arms are criss crossed above her chest. My cheek burn as I look towards the ground for something to change the subject. What was I suppose to say? That I had hooked up with Mr. Stump after school yesterday? Lie about it? Say it was from straightening my hair ?  

I exhale and just as I'm about to confess, the bell ring cuts through the silence and relieving me of Angie's questions.

" Whoops! Sorry guys I'll tell you later! " i muffle as I rush out of the girls bathroom.

I was late to my class, literature which is in the library. I see the librarian, Mr. Ross was too busy talking to Mr. Urie to notice I was late. I take my seat just as their conversation is finished. He strolls over casually fixing his fogged glasses, Mr. Urie pauses at the door looking at Mr. Ross and leaves down the hallway.

" Hello ladies and Gentlemen. I hope you're ready to learn more about famous authors in the 1700s " a groan comes from the back of the room. In my mind though, this is my favorite class. Not only was it in the old library of our school, but I wanted to be a writer when I graduated. Mr. Ross goes on about old stories and his favorites. My mind slowly drifts to if the characters were me and Mr. Stump. Him as the heroic hero and me as the damsel in distress, him swooping me off my feet and....I lower my head to hide my blushing cheeks of THAT thought.

Sad part of being a senior. I was a virgin.

Both Kristina and Angie had lost their virginity junior year at after prom as I was at the hospital with my father who was dying. He died from cancer of the heart and I was left with my mom. God bless her soul working 2 jobs trying to support life, all our hopes and dreams.

" Kora....Kora..." I hear pulling me out of my day dream. Mr. Ross was standing in front of me, his glasses sitting on the brim of his nose exposing his big eyes. He had a open book in his hand clearly asking a question for me to answer. "uh...uh...." I stutter out flipping my book open to a possible page we were studying. Mr. Ross places his hand on the page number of his book showing me where I had to maneuver the pages. " Thank you Mr. Ross " I say quietly hearing the snickers of the other stAnges.

Keep chill Kora, Christmas break is just around the corner....which makes me think what Mr.S-....Patrick is doing for Christmas. He didn't have a wife, would he be alone?

This thought sat in my head til I entered his class. As I walked in, we immediately made eye contact. We both knew that what happened yesterday was only the beginning.

★ Have a great Christmas readers! ★
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!