Chapter 2 #2
I spot Cory and Trina as soon as I enter the cafeteria.
Cory is the other science teacher at Mount Tyler Academy, and Trina is one of the English teachers.
They are my work besties. I don’t always see them during the school day, but I’m really happy that they happen to be getting lunch when I am.
I wave to Cory and Trina and fall into line with them.
Perks of being a teacher: I can cut in line.
“Hey Kinley,” greets Cory; Trina smiles and echoes him.
“Hey guys, I’m so glad I ran into you! You guys can hide me.”
They give me a perplexed look and Cory asks why.
As we work our way to the front of the line, I quietly explain my confrontation with Allen.
Trina’s wide eyes, arched brows, and gaping mouth would be comical in any other circumstance.
At least seeing her reaction solidifies my weariness. I’m not overreacting.
“You have to be kidding. He is so weird, but I have never heard of him doing that to anyone. I wonder why he would do that.”
Cory has a smirk on his face and says, “It’s because you’re such a babe, Kinley.”
I glare at him.
“Ha, ha. If that was the case I would have a man by now, not creepers. And you better watch it or I’ll sick him on you, Cory. Tell him you just love his crazy tie collection.”
Cory looks alarmed. I’m pretty sure that Allen isn’t into guys, but Cory doesn’t know that. Trina laughs at us both before saying, “Don’t worry Kinley; we will protect you.”
We all make it up to the front of the line, pausing our conversation as we each grab food from the cafeteria workers. Being the best work besties, they decide to walk back with me to my room, serving as a buffer, just in case Allen makes another appearance. Luck is on my side—at least for now.
My luck continues through the rest of my day, thank goodness.
I have a stack of tests that still need to be graded, but I’m thinking that those can wait until I get back from my mini vacation.
I pack up all my things, shut down my computer, turn all the lights off, and lock the door.
I breathe a sigh of relief that my weekend has now officially begun, and I’m damn well going to enjoy it.
I hurry my way out to my car, passing a few of my students that are still waiting to be picked up.
They all wave and greet me. I have some really awesome students.
Waving back, I tell them to have a good weekend and to make good choices.
They are teenagers; there is always a chance for poor decision making over a long weekend.
Their laughs at my response make me smile.
With a smile still on my face I get to my car, unlock it, and begin putting all the odds and ends that I tote along into the back seat.
I really need to clean out my car. It’s beginning to look like a hoarder lives back there.
I make a mental note to clean it out when I get home so Beretta will have more room for the drive, but I’m distracted by the loud scuffing of feet behind me.
I turn, thinking it’s probably a kid running to their car. Startled, I take a step back. Allen stands next to me, looking very determined to talk.
My mood immediately darkens. Looks like my luck has run out.
I was so close to getting out of here and not running into him.
I mentally prepare myself for the insanity that I’m sure will come out of his mouth.
I’m almost positive that he’s going to say something awkward and ridiculous, and it will put me in a foul mood.
I steel myself and ask, “Did you need something, Allen? I’m kind of in a hurry to get on the road. ”
“Yes, Kinley, I wanted to give you one more chance to change your mind about this weekend.”
Fucking hell, I knew it. I didn’t want to deal with him!
I roll my eyes, flabbergasted with his audacity.
“Allen, I don’t have time to have this conversation, and I really don’t know why you think that this is acceptable behavior.”
I give myself a mental pat on the back for not using the variety of curse words that I really want to use.
Go me for being an adult! I almost let a smirk slip through when his body stiffens and his beady eyes bulge behind his unfortunate glasses.
He hadn’t been expecting me to talk to him like that, but I honestly don’t want to deal with him anymore.
“You didn’t have to be so rude, Kinley. I come to you to ask you to go away with me, since I know we are meant to be together and all you do is turn me down.I think you should come and make it up to me.”
I’m being punked, this can’t be real. What the fuck is wrong with this dude?
“You have to be kidding; Allen I don’t know where you got the idea that we are ”meant to be together” but that is not going to happen.
If I have done anything to make you think that, then I’m sorry, but this has to stop.
We are co-workers and that is it. Now, I’m going because I have somewhere to be. ”
I turn away from him, hoping that will be the end of it, but just as I get to my driver’s side door his hand snaps out and grabs my arm.
I gasp and try to jerk my arm back, but he tightens his hold on me and pulls hard on my arm, causing me to stumble into him.
My heart rate and breathing speed up as a spike of adrenaline courses through me.
Being this close to him, I’m overwhelmed by his foul scent, sweaty moth balls mixed with something else that I can’t place.
I fight the urge to gag, that won’t do me any good. I have to get away from him.
“What the hell do you think you are doing, Allen!”
There’s no one else in the parking lot. No one else to see.No one to help me. My heaving breaths fill my ears, sweat glides down my back and beads on my brow. I’m all alone.
“Please don’t leave, I just want to talk about this.”
Letting the need to escape flood me, I rip my arm free from his grasp and leap away. I don’t want to be anywhere in his vicinity. I find my voice as I attempt to reach behind me for my door handle.
“There is nothing to talk about, Allen, and don’t you ever touch me again or not only will I be reporting you to HR, but I will also call the cops on your ass.”
His hands raise in front of him as if in surrender, but something crosses quickly over his face that makes me even more uneasy.
“I’m sorry, Kinley; I didn’t mean to make you mad.
“ He wrings his hands before continuing. “You go and have a good weekend.” An unnaturally high-pitched laugh comes out of his mouth and then he adds, “I’m actually going out of town as well, so I guess I will see you when you get back. Please don’t be mad at me. ”
With that, he whips around and walks away, not even pausing to look back at me. I don’t understand him at all, but I’m not going to stand there and think about that.
Wrenching the door open, I jump into my car and lock the doors.
The urge to scream or cry is hard to resist, but the need to get out of here is stronger.
My trembling hands make it difficult to get the car started, but I manage.
Thank god. I have to take several deep breaths to calm myself down enough to even think about driving home.
I do not need to get a ticket for reckless driving, that really would be the cherry on top of this shitty encounter.
As soon as my tires hit the street, I breathe a little easier.
Fuck I need a drink! Megan better have more than one bottle of wine chilling.
I’m so confused; nothing that I’m aware of has changed in the few years that we worked together.
His behavior just doesn’t make sense. Maybe Allen’s going through something, but I still can’t believe he grabbed me.
My arm still stings where his hand had gripped so tightly.
I will definitely have to speak with my principal when I make it back to work next week.
For now, I’m going to put it aside and not dwell on thinking about him.
I’m not going to let this incident ruin my weekend.
Driving home, I call Megan to let her know I’m going to be on my way as soon as I get Beretta. I just really need to hear her voice. Unfortunately, she doesn’t answer, and I’m forced to leave her a message. I’m a responsible adult, and I don’t text and drive—at least not in a school zone.
Pulling into my driveway, I check the mail—junk and bills as usual.
When I push open the door, I dump the mail off on the side table as I walk inside and call for Beretta.
Closing my eyes, I take in a deep calming breath.
I let the familiar comforting scents of home envelope me.
Citrus, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon and sugar from the snickerdoodle cookies I made a few days before.
The clicking of nails on wood makes my eyes open as Beretta pops around the corner. She is her usual cheerful self, wagging her tail as she trots towards me. Licking my hand in greeting, I crouch down to hug her.
“Oh Betta Boo, I’ve had such a weird day.”
She answers me with a big wet kiss up the side of my face.
“I wish you had been with me; then that dumb guy would have never touched me.”
Straightening up, I walk over to the back door. I swear I hear her growl, but when I look down at her following me closely, she just wags her tail. Shrugging, I open the door and let Beretta out.
“Alright, go do your business; we have a ways to go in the car.”
Nudging my hand with her nose, as if in agreement, she lumbers out the door.
Keeping myself occupied I make sure Indy has enough food and water. Then I look over the house one more time to make sure everything is in order. I hate coming home to a messy, cluttered house after being gone for an extended period of time.
Who wants to clean up when they have just gotten home from being out of town? Not this girl.
Satisfied with the cleanliness of my house, I race outside to clean out my car.
Thankfully, there isn’t as much to clean up as I had originally thought.
Checking my phone I realize I need to get on the road quick.
Back inside, I open the back door calling to Beretta.
At the sound of my voice, her head perks up from what she is sniffing at, and she comes running.
My stomach growls inconveniently. Ugh, we need to get on the road, and I need to get gas somewhere along the way.
Maybe I’ll grab a coffee on the way out, too.
Snatching Beretta’s leash off the hook by the door and my bag, I’m finally ready to go. Flipping off the lights, I open the door. Beretta is already waiting for me, wiggling with excitement and a small smile spreads on my lips.
“Alright, baby girl, let’s get on the road.”