Sweet Caroline

#26 Pink angel

Trigger warning! There's (sexual) assault in this chapter. Be warned.

"Oh my God, I think I forgot to order food!" Tiffany is running around the school in a frenzy. "Oh my God, we're gonna have a dance without a single snack to offer the kids or the parents!"

I laugh. She's been finding things to worry about all day. School ended earlier than usual to give the kids and parents some time to prepare and get dressed while Tiffany, me and the other teachers get the school ready for the dance. Normally, a dance wouldn't be so early in the day, but we can hardly keep the kids out until midnight, even if it is the last day before the Christmas vacation.

"Tiff, you ordered everything, it's all done. Sit down."

She slumps down on the chair next to mine and looks around at the cafeteria. "Is it too much? Did we go overboard? Should we have settled for less glitter?"

"You can never have too many Christmas decorations," I assure her. "Same goes for glitter. It looks wonderful and everyone is going to love it."

Tiffany glanced at me and grimaces. "Sorry I've been so nasty to you all week."

"It's fine. I'm just glad you're talking to me again."

I'm still high on Nathan even though I haven't seen him since our date, but Tiffany's attitude was starting to get to me. She's my only real friend in this town and I'm glad that she's easing up on me.

She looks around to make sure the other teachers aren't close enough to hear us. "Did you go on a date yet?"

I wiggle my eyebrows. "A lady never fucks and tells."

"Ew, Caroline!" Tiffany swats my arm and giggles. "I don't know anyone who's less of a lady than you are." She grows serious again. "And you're sure you can trust him? I mean, we all know of his... past."

"He's nothing but good to me, Tiff. Even if you don't trust him, I hope you do trust me. He's a good man. I really like him."

"Okay," she decided. "Fine. I'll get on board. Just don't let anyone else find out, okay? I don't want to lose another great colleague and friend just because she can't keep her muff in check."

"My muff?" I repeat, laughing. "Are you saying I'm thinking with my vagina?"

"Shut up!" She laughs and gets back up, looking around the school once more. "We should get home to change. We need to be back here in... what? An hour?"

She's right. I need to walk back home, shower, get dressed and walk back here. We both need to leave right now. Luckily, Tiffany drops me off at my place so I save some time walking and I decide to take my own car to the school so I have time to apply some make-up. My bruises have faded enough for me to cover them up almost completely. My face still looks a little banged up, but my throat is fine. Thank God. I was really looking forward to wearing my glittering green dress to this dance. It's modest, of course, since I'm technically working tonight, but I know I still look good in it. Nothing is on display, but it does show off my figure.

When I pull into the parking lot, I spot Rose and her mother Elise right away. Rose is in a cute red pants-suit – Elise is really sticking to the no dress thing, luckily – and I can't help but marvel over how much she looks like both Elise and Nathan. Her nose and mouth, his eyes and hair. I wonder who she got the fits from. Is that the fire of Nathan's youth or Elise's fussy temperament? I wonder why they ever got married and what happened to split them up.

"Miss Collins!" Rose tugs at Elise's hand and they walk over to me. "Look at my outfit!"

"I love it," I tell her, smiling at Elise. She nods at me, her own smile lighting up her face. She's pretty. Really pretty, especially in her tight black dress and her hair pulled back from her delicate face. She's about fifteen years older than me, but I bet most men would pick her over me any day.