15. Foster
FIFTEEN
FOSTER
My lips have been burning since I kissed Sophie. Sure, it was only her forehead, but my lips were on her skin, and it turns out I like that more than my lips not being on her skin. When I moved away, she acted like the kiss was nothing new. Which was good, to everyone else in the room. To me on the other hand, it felt like I’d crossed a line—or blurred one. And now I was pulling into her driveway and this whole act was about to end.
“Would you mind if I drove on Thursday?” she asks before she gets out of the car.
“Something wrong with my driving skills?”
“No, you are an excellent driver, no notes.” She giggles. “I was thinking it’s a school night and you just might be tired by the end of the concert.”
She’s not wrong. Work has been intense of late, and the thought of not only going out after work but going somewhere that’s going to be hours of high energy is already making my eyes droop. “I won’t fight you on this. Are we going to leave right after school?”
“Yeah, probably for the best. We can grab food near the arena first, but we can figure that out later.” She doesn’t jump out right away; instead, her eyes focus on something out the windshield, her fingers tapping nervously on her thighs.
“Everything alright?” I ask, focused on her hands.
“Today was fun. You’ve got some great friends.”
“They are weird, though, right?”
She looks over, a wide smile on her lips, and I clench every muscle to keep myself from reaching for her. “A little, but weird is good. Weird is welcome.”
“Weird is good. It definitely keeps things interesting. They liked you, so if you want to pretend again with me, you’re welcome to do so at any time.” My heart drops when I see the smile fade from her face.
“It may be hard to explain if you find someone to actually date. Although this will probably be a fun story one day.”
“Soph,” I start to say, but she’s already opening the door.
“Yeah?” She stops her escape and looks back at me.
Things are good right now, I remind myself. She’s not going anywhere. She told me from the start that this was ideal because she wasn’t ready for anything real yet. She’s still coming to terms with what her ex did to her. And I have a feeling that what she revealed to me only scratches the surface. If I confess how badly I want this to be real, she may run, and I wouldn’t even blame her.
“Thanks again for coming with me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.” She gives me one last brilliant smile, although it doesn’t reach her eyes, and heads toward her front door.
I turn up the Nyx song, and her voice fills the car, singing about how we have a lot of time to make up for. “No kidding,” I mumble, backing out of the driveway and heading home.
Monday and Tuesday are two of the busiest days I’ve ever experienced in any area of my life. By the time I get home I don’t feel like doing anything other than crashing.
Sunshine
Heard you had a bit of a situation today. I hope you’re okay.
I had basically nodded my hello to Sophie Monday morning and then hadn’t seen her again. It felt strange to be so invested in each other for three days to then not even say the word hello.
I’ve got a nice bruise but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
We have a couple students who can have violent outbursts, and today I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a fluke, really. Justin hadn’t meant for his fist to connect with my jaw; that’s just how it played out. And I’d much rather be sporting a nice tiny fist-shaped bruise than see one of the students with one.
I bet you look really tough with all those tattoos and a bruised face.
I fear little old ladies will no longer accept my help when crossing the street.
Nah they’ll probably want to take care of you.
Time will tell.
Listen, I’m going to pass out any minute, but maybe I’ll actually get to say hi tomorrow.
Kids first, hellos can wait. Sleep well!
Wednesday comes and brings with it a tornado of drama. I don’t know a thing about astrology, but I can’t help but wonder if Mercury is in retrograde. I have absolutely no idea what that even means, but at this point I’m willing to put money on that being the reason things have gone topsy-turvy.
By the end of the day, we had one student run away from class which then inspired three more to make a break for it. Another student cried hysterically for the entire day, making us all worry about dehydration. Pete had an anxiety attack, which broke my heart. One of the other EAs fell and hit her head on the basketball net post, and the student she’d been out with was so distraught he hasn’t talked since. That’s on top of the normal amount of work we have on any given day.
If tomorrow is anything like the last three, I don’t know how I’m going to make it through a concert. I’m pretty sure I could fall asleep next to a space shuttle about to launch. No offense to Nyx, but her concert may be white noise at this point.
I’m mindlessly preparing to leave for the day, wondering if I should maybe not be behind the wheel, when I sense someone watching me. Turning, I see Sophie leaning against the door frame, holding her coat and bag, forehead drawn in worry.
“You look about ready to drop,” she says, pity tinting her words.
“You should see everyone else.” I laugh humorously.
“I did, that’s why I stopped by. Principal Wong said the board is ‘looking into getting more help.’”
“They say that every year, and then the following year it’s worse,” I scoff as I shoulder my bag and walk slowly toward her. I’m so tired I barely register how stunning she is, even after what I assume was an equally long day for her. She’s got her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail and she’s wearing slim green pants and a blouse with… “Are those toadstools?” I ask, gesturing at her top.
“Sure are.” She grins. “Are you going to be okay to drive home?” she asks when she sees me fighting off a yawn.
“Yeah, I’ll wake up when I breathe in some fresh air.” I watch as her eyes narrow in disbelief. “Honestly, it’s only a ten-minute drive, I’ll be fine.”
We walk out together, and the minute the cool air hits my face, I sigh. “Waking up?”
“A little… enough, anyway.”
“Don’t feel like you still have to come tomorrow. I am sure I can find someone, or I can go alone. I know most people are resistant to that sort of thing, but I’m an only child and I’m excellent at being by myself. Plus, I’ll be surrounded by rabid Nyx Avalon fans so I’ll just?—”
I put my hand on her arm to both stop her forward motion and her mouth. “I’ve been listening to Nyx Avalon nonstop since Cass asked me. I haven’t been studying to bail on the exam. But don’t hold it against me if I fall asleep.”
“Alright, if you’re sure.”
“I wouldn’t be saying it if I wasn’t.” If it were anyone else, I would have bailed already. In fact, I wouldn’t have agreed to go in the first place, but I’m going to take every single opportunity I can to spend time with this woman.
She walks to my car with me, as if she doesn’t truly believe I can make it there on my own before telling me to drive safe and heading for her own. I watch her walk away in my side mirror and then tip my head back. I am dreading and craving tomorrow night.
Gary demands my attention the minute I walk into my apartment, and I pick him up on the way to the couch. I’m drifting off to the rhythm of Gary making biscuits on my chest when it hits me that tomorrow is our third friend date and we’re going to a concert, something starting with C. Date one was an alumni gala, two was a barbecue. I bet I can convince Sophie to go through the alphabet with me.
I fall asleep with a smile on my face and brainstorming what we could do for D.