Chapter 24 Owen
F irst day of school
Bracing myself for the smell of stale coffee, I open the door to the faculty lounge. But that’s not the scent that hits my nose when I enter. It’s floral and I recognize it right away as poppies. Sure enough, Poppy is here. Her back is to me and she’s looking through packages wrapped in cellophane with little name tags on the counter, while holding her own cup from Bobbi’s.
God, she looks amazing. A sleeveless silk-like shirt that ties at her neck shows off her toned arms. I’m already curious what it would feel like to wrap my arms around her when movement catches my attention. Noah’s standing off to the side of the lounge, the only other person here, thankfully, with an amused expression on his face.
“Having a good morning, Owen?” His smirk tells me that I was staring.
It’s like I stop thinking when I smell her perfume, hear her voice, or, lord help me, see her. Something about her holds my entire attention without giving me a chance to remind myself that we’re coworkers. Period.
“We’ll see, I finished off my coffee from Bobbi’s, so I’m going to cross my fingers that water will be enough to make it through today,” I say, feeling heat rise on my cheeks with my embarrassment as I walk to the printer.
The mischief in Noah’s eye doesn’t help that embarrassment lessen. Maybe I’m just reading into things and he’s not acting like someone who’s just waiting for two people to get together.
“Are you ready for today?” he asks, possibly having pity on me.
“Almost, I just need my updated syllabus,” I explain, unlocking my job from the queue. “I was approved to test out a few options for audiobooks for more students, so I needed to make a few edits.”
“That’s awesome,” he says, patting me on the back.
“Thanks, it felt like a big win for the students.”
“Congratulations,” Poppy says, picking up what looks like banana bread in the little package, drawing our attention as the printer churns out copies of my syllabus.
“What are you two doing Thursday?” he asks after a moment. “I feel like a happy hour will be in order after school.”
I glance between the two. She pauses, so I decide to dive in since a happy hour sounds pretty ideal. “I’m in. Where would you like to go?”
“I’d be up for Calico Cafe, they have great specials on Thursdays.” I’m surprised to hear her suggestion since we haven’t talked again about being coworkers and friends. Or even coworkers who attend the same happy hour. “We could call ahead and reserve a table next to the boardwalk.”
“Consider it done,” he says enthusiastically as he strides to the door. “I have to run, but look for your bag, Owen, the parent association asked me to deliver some treats and they’re delicious.”
Just like that, as I’m gathering up my papers, it’s only Poppy and me in the lounge.
“Are you feeling excited for the students to be in the building?” Damn, I need to work on my small talk.
She unlocks something from the printing queue while I staple my packets. “I think I am. The first day always feels a little frantic, but it’ll be nice to hop into things with the students again. What about you?”
“Similar. Well, I’ll be nervous for another few minutes. But once the students are here, I tend to get out of my head about everything I might be forgetting and just teach. Plus, my first class has a bunch of students I taught when I first got here in the spring, so I’m definitely excited to get to work with them again.”
I take a breath, feeling like I’m going to really ramble if I don’t slow down.
“I understand what you mean. I know you’ve already taught here, of course, but I remember what it’s like to be the new teacher. Noah and I were hired the same year, actually,” she says.
The door opens and most of the math department enters. They greet us and return to their chat as a handful of papers are spit out of the printer, claiming her attention.
As the other teachers get coffee from the carafe, I’m once again grateful I’ve been starting my day early enough to get Bobbi’s before work. Even if Samson has been a little cranky when I begin my workout.
I count my packets once more, thanks to my first-day jitters, and then grab the little package with my name on it from the counter. The wrapper crinkles as I inspect the contents, grinning.
Definitely banana bread.
“Have a great day, everyone.” I give them a wave with my banana bread and leave the lounge to the sound of echoed sentiments. A sense of calm washes over me while I walk the quiet halls knowing they’re about to be filled with the sounds of lockers shutting and students talking.
I’m here, in the small town I hoped to land in, about to start off the school year teaching the courses I love, and making plans to meet up with two friends for happy hour in a few days.
Of course, now is the time that the little part of my brain that likes to doubt things every now and then reminds me of something: very recently, I was packing to move back to New York. This almost wasn’t my reality.
When I get back to my room, I pull out my phone to make sure everything is on silent only to see I have a handful of new messages in a group chat.
Brandon: My wife and I want to say we hope you kick some serious ass today, Owen!
James: That sounds like the wrong encouragement. He’s not engaging in combat.
Brandon: Correction: Kick some metaphorical ass today, Owen!
Graham: I’m on the other side of town from James and I swear I heard him sigh in exasperation just now…
James: I do not sigh in exasperation.
James: Brandon, go back to your honeymoon.
James: Owen, have a good one.
Brandon: My wife is currently ordering us breakfast.
Brandon: (did you see how I called Andi my wife twice today already?)
Graham: By the time Owen catches up, the first day of school will be over if Andi doesn’t take Brandon’s phone.
A huge grin spreads across my face. This is what I wanted. To be closer to my cousins. To be teaching what I love. To be making this my home.
Owen: I fully intend to kick some major metaphorical ass, thanks.