Chapter 47 Poppy
M id December
The bell rings. The final bell.
“Okay, make sure to work on your research project over break and have a good time off,” I yell, suddenly out of breath. “And, be safe.” Oh, please be safe. With winter finally here, the roads are snowy, icy, and bound to create some terrible conditions. Along with the multitude of poor choices high schoolers can make in this town…I should know.
Waving as the last student bounds out of my classroom, I rush down the stairs to join the other teachers at the front doors to see the kids off. Standing next to Noah, he leans over to whisper, “So, excited to meet the fam this week?”
“Shush!” My eyes dart around quickly, scanning the entryway. While not everything is a secret here anymore, Owen and I have somehow kept it fairly quiet from students that we’re together. I haven’t had one of them mention it to me and I’d like to keep it that way.
Before I get a chance to admonish him even more, my eyes catch with Owen’s across the busy hallway. He smiles and his eyebrows lift in a way that I’ve come to adore. It’s something in between surprise to see me and excitement, but I’ll take it. My heart flutters from the attention and I attempt to turn it back to sending students out for break and into the snow.
I am still slightly in shock that I’ll be meeting his parents in a few days. Like everything with him, things have been fast and crazy, but lovely. I’m sure meeting his parents will be more of the same, but it hasn’t stopped my nerves from wreaking havoc on my composure about the situation.
After the last student is ushered out into the snowflake filled air, teacher small talk ensues and I attempt to make a beeline back to my classroom to pack up. I’m stopped by Ms. Neemeyer, who asks for my opinion on an outfit for a Christmas party she’s attending with some coworkers. I wonder if Mr. Grube will be there.
After helping her decide and telling her how beautiful she will look, I’m safely back in my room and start packing up all of the grading I need to catch up on. Grabbing my laptop, papers, and a print I had developed for Owen’s present, I begin putting them into my bag. Before I can finish getting everything safely hidden inside, I hear, “What’s that?”
“What’s what?” I innocently ask, recognizing his voice instantly and maneuvering my body to hide the print as quickly as I can.
“That, there in your bag.”
“Oh nothing, just my computer and some grading.” Turning towards him, I smile and try to plaster on my most innocent looking face, but know I am terrible at lying.
“Mmhm, okay.” He wraps his arms around me before tilting my chin up to meet his in a sweet kiss. “You’re so sneaky. You ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.” We agreed to spend tonight at my place since his is already spotless for his parents’ arrival, order in food after the craziness of the last few days before break, and watch my favorite Christmas movie.
Taking one last glance at my classroom, I turn out the lights and head out into the snowy wonderland that has become Honey Cove. It’s hard to imagine being gone from here for two entire weeks, but the break is much needed and I am looking forward to the time with Owen and both our families. Despite these pesky nerves.
***
“How’d you like the pizza?” I say, my mouth still half full of my own slice. Owen finished a few minutes ago while I continued to scarf down more.
“It’s good. I like the pepper flakes they put on it.”
The movie ended a bit ago, but we’re still lounging on the couch, finishing our food and talking.
“How are you feeling about this week?” I’ve been secretly wondering if he is as nervous as I am about spending time with each other’s families. He’s met my parents a few times, so it isn’t anything new for him, but I would guess it’s still somewhat nerve wracking. Turning, I set my feet next to him on the couch.
“I’m really excited to have my parents here. They know the town of course, but it will be great to show them my own space and let them into my world here.” Nodding, he runs his hand up my calf.
“That makes sense. Are you feeling okay about spending more time with my parents?”
“Of course,” he shoots back, rather quickly. “I don’t get nervous around them anymore. They’re really nice people.”
I know that should make me happy, and I’d never want him to suffer, but how is he so calm? “I’m feeling a bit nervous.”
“I know, you’ve been biting your lip for the past week. I think it might be permanently marked.”
“So funny, silly guy.” I move to reposition myself away from him, but before I can, he grabs my leg again. This time using his hand to make his way up from my foot, rubbing slower, gentle rhythmic circles until reaching my thigh.
“You have nothing to be nervous about. They’ll love you,” he whispers. Moving his body next to mine on the couch, he pulls me in for a kiss. He looks at me intensely, setting my body on fire before adding, “I promise, they will. How could they not?”
My nerves are temporarily forgotten as I wrap my arms around him and quickly forget about the rest of the pizza I was planning on eating and decide on an entirely different type of dessert.