Chapter 9 Rissa
Rissa
I unlocked my classroom door and flipped on the lights. The familiar scent of crayons and tempera paint filled my nose. This space usually grounded me, but not today.
"Get it together," I muttered. Focus on the day ahead. Focus on the kids. I bustled around the room, setting out art supplies and checking the schedule. Placemats, circle time, story time.
Soon, the patter of tiny feet sounded in the hallway. Excited chatter and squeals of laughter grew louder as my students arrived.
"Good morning, Miss Rissa," chorused a group of children as they bounded into the classroom.
I smiled and greeted each one with a hug or a high five. "Good morning, everyone. Let's put our backpacks away and get ready for a fun day."
I immersed myself in their bubbly energy and guileless smiles.
Helped zip up coats, tied shoelaces, and doled out plenty of praise.
The worries that had plagued me started to fade as I threw myself into my work.
This was where I belonged. Nurturing young minds and guiding them to grow.
I couldn't let whatever was happening with Nathan derail me from that purpose.
"Miss Rissa, look at my drawing," piped up little Timmy, waving a crayon-filled paper.
"Wow, great job." I knelt to admire the colorful scribbles. "You used so many bright colors. I love it."
Yes, this was where I needed to be. Not reliving a passionate encounter, no matter how much it made my heart race. I straightened up with renewed determination as more kids filed in, their excitement infectious. Today would be a great day, focused on what mattered most—them.
As we settled onto the rug for story time, I pulled out the book I'd selected. A charming tale about friendly woodland creatures in Cades Cove. I opened the first page, showing them the illustration.
"Once upon a time, in a dense green forest, there lived a fuzzy bunny named Benny..."
But my mind kept wandering as I read aloud, describing Benny Bunny's adventures. Memories of last night flashed through my thoughts unbidden. The undeniable pull between us.
I blinked hard, trying to refocus. Found myself glancing toward the window as if I might catch a glimpse of him. Was Nathan thinking about our encounter, too? Remembering the intensity, the passion? Wondering what it all meant?
"...and Benny Bunny hopped through the tall grass, looking for… looking for..." Where was I?
A small hand tugged at my sleeve. "Miss Rissa?"
"Yes, Sophie?" I turned to her, grateful for the interruption.
She peered up at me. "You stopped reading the story."
"Oh, I did? I'm so sorry, sweetie. I must have lost my place for a second there." I tried to laugh it off as my cheeks warmed.
Sophie tilted her head. "That's okay. My daddy says that happens to people when they're in love."
I nearly choked. The book slipped out of my hands and dropped onto my lap. "He does? Really?"
She nodded solemnly. "Uh-huh. Miss Rissa, are you in love?"
Oh, geez. Now my whole face was flushing red. "No, no. Of course not, Sophie. I just got distracted for a moment. Let's keep reading and find out what happens to Benny Bunny, okay?"
"Okay." She settled back, but I caught her humming softly, like she didn't quite believe me.
I turned the page and continued the story, determined to pay attention. Trying desperately to ignore the wild pounding of my traitorous heart.
No. I was absolutely not in love with Nathan Gallagher. It was just a moment of weakness. A lapse in judgement. It didn't mean anything, right?
Later on, in the teacher's lounge, I stabbed listlessly at my salad, the lettuce wilting under my fork. I couldn't seem to muster up an appetite. Not when my mind kept replaying last night on a loop.
"You okay?"
I blinked, head snapping up to find Max watching me, brow furrowed.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just tired." I forced a smile.
Max smirked knowingly. "Tired or distracted?"
I scoffed, heat prickling up my neck. "Don't you have some multiplication to teach or something?"
He held up his hands in mock surrender, laughing. "All right, all right. I can take a hint."
He let it drop, thankfully. I didn't have the energy to deflect any more questions. Not when I could barely make sense of my spiraling thoughts.
My phone buzzed, making me jump. I fumbled for it, grateful for the distraction. Until I saw Tavi's name on the screen.
We need to get together.
I bit my lip. Making friends here sounded really nice. Especially shifter friends.
I'd love that.
Her response pinged through immediately.
Girls' night. This Friday. Krystal and I will pick you up at 8.
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. A real one this time. A night out with friends was exactly what I needed. A chance to untangle the mess in my head. To just stop thinking about Nathan for a little while.
Yeah. That sounded perfect. So why did my pulse still flutter at the mere thought of him? Why did some secret, traitorous part of me ache to see him again?
I dropped my fork into my untouched salad and scrubbed a hand over my face. I had to get myself together.
School passed in a blur. I had to make a quick stop after work, and then I could head home and bury myself in a book or something to distract me from my intrusive thoughts.
The automatic doors whooshed open as I stepped into the fluorescent glow of the grocery store. I grabbed a basket, the plastic handle cool, and headed for the produce section. Just a quick stop. In and out. Get what I need and go home.
"Hey, stranger." A familiar voice jolted me out of my reverie. I glanced up to see Jenna waving at me from behind the checkout counter, her blonde ponytail bobbing with the motion.
I mustered a smile as I approached. "Hey! How's it going?"
Jenna leaned forward, her elbows propped on the conveyor belt. "Same old, same old. Although..." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "The pack gossip is wild today."
My brow arched. "Should I be concerned?"
Jenna grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nope. But you should come to the next pack meeting."
A laugh bubbled up my throat, startling me with its genuineness. "I'll be there."
With a parting wave, I headed toward the back of the store, the basket swinging from my arm. I focused on the task at hand, mentally ticking off items on my list. Milk, check. Bread, check. I turned down the next aisle, scanning the shelves for peanut butter.
And then I saw him.
Nathan stood mere feet away, his broad shoulders hunched as he examined a jar like it held the secrets of the universe. My stomach plummeted, a sickening lurch that left me breathless.
Of course he was here. Of all the places, of all the times...
I contemplated turning around, slipping away before he noticed me. But as if sensing my presence, his head snapped up. Our gazes collided, a palpable force that rooted me to the spot.
His expression was unreadable, a mask of careful neutrality. But there was something else lurking beneath the surface. Something heated and intense, a simmering energy that crackled between us like an electrical current.
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. What was I supposed to say? What could I possibly say after last night?
No. I couldn't go there. Couldn't let myself dwell on the what-ifs and might-have-beens.
I squared my shoulders and strode forward, determined not to let him see how flustered I was. I reached for a jar on the shelf, my fingers brushing against his as he did the same. Heat shot up my arm at the contact, and I snatched my hand back as if burned.
Nathan smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Avoiding me?"
I forced a casual tone, shrugging. "Why would I do that?"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "You ran."
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze head-on. "We both did."
Something flickered in his expression, a darkness that made my breath catch. "Doesn't mean I wanted to."
The intensity in his eyes, the way he looked at me like a man starved, made my knees weak. I swallowed hard, ready to fire back a retort, but the words died on my tongue as Elle rounded the corner.
The tension in Nathan's face vanished, replaced by a stiffness in his posture. Elle's gaze flicked between us, her expression unreadable but guarded.
She gripped the shopping cart, her knuckles turning white. "Dad, let’s go."
Nathan hesitated, his jaw clenching. I forced a smile, stepping back. "See you around."
I turned and walked away, my pulse pounding in my ears. Nathan didn't stop me, didn't call out, but I could feel him watching me retreat.
And deep down, in a place I couldn't quite acknowledge, I knew this thing between us was far from over. It was a live wire, a current that hummed beneath my skin, refusing to be ignored.
No matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise.