“I know, strategies.” His brow furrowed.
I wanted to hug this little boy until he popped. “Yep. Strategies.”
If I had known how much my own therapy lessons could help my future students, I would have tried to learn even more.
Someone loudly cleared their throat behind me. I turned to see Jessica glaring angry daggers into my soul. If looks could kill, I’m pretty sure I would need a sub tomorrow. She fumed with her arms folded over her chest as she looked at the three of us.
We continued to walk down the hall, and I leaned toward Adam and lowered my voice. “Hey, so, um, about you and Jessica?”
Adam closed his eyes. “I swear, we’re just friends.”
“Does she know that?” I looked over my shoulder, making sure no one was behind me as we made it to the classroom. “You go ahead, Danny, I will be right in.”
He nodded and gave his dad another hug and left Adam and me in the hallway. I leaned against the doorway cubby leading to my room. “It’s just that I’m pretty sure she is planning my funeral.”
Adam sighed. “I mean, I told her I wasn’t ready to date anyone, and that I wanted to be friends.”
I pursed my lips together and released them with a pop. “I see…” I scrunched my nose. “That’s not exactly the same thing. But I guess it’s none of my business.” I looked at the ground. “Because, I mean, it’s not like we’re dating… We are also just friends.” I looked up into his brown eyes and they held me captive.
He shook his head slowly. “Right.”
“Right…” I waited, unsure what to say, and the English language completely failed me between what was spoken and what was left unsaid. I quickly exhaled. “Mkay, well, I better go.” I turned and rushed into my classroom.
Chapter Fourteen
ADAM
Iset the snow shovel in Mom’s garage along the wall with random tools and food storage and stomped the snow off my boots.
The last meeting with Faith about the fundraiser had been super awkward. She avoided being near me or even looking at me. My life was simpler before I started hanging out with Faith. Not happier, but definitely simpler. I pulled off my gloves and rubbed my forehead.
I walked up the steps into Mom’s house then removed my boots.
Was it because she thought there was something going on with Jessica? I wasn’t sure what to do there. Was it possible to be friends without hurting Jessica? It was obvious she still wanted to be more. At the music performance, twice she shifted closer, and put her hand in obvious hand-holding range.
Or was it because we needed to back off and just be friends because of the whole parent/ teacher thing? That was what Faith said last time she stepped back.
Whatever the reason was, my heart wasn’t listening very well. I slid out of my winter coat and hung it up on the hooks near theback door. But if Faith’s blush and eyes were to be believed, she wasn’t listening to those reasons very well either. The draw I felt to be near her was magnetic, and it was obvious she felt it too.
“Mom, I finished the sidewalk, but it’s still slick, so make sure you’re careful.” I’d noticed her sidewalk needed to be shoveled as I was dropping Danny off before the staff party. She’d slipped and fallen last winter, and her wrist still bothered her sometimes. I was worried she might get hurt and no one would be here to help.
“Don’t forget, I am the one who taught you how to shovel.” She placed her hands on her rounded hips and scolded me like I was back in junior high. “I hit a random patch of ice. Even sports stars like you can fall sometimes.” Her lips pinched into a scowl.
I held my hands up in defeat. I wanted her to slow down and take it easy, but I also knew better than to tell her what to do. “Where’s Danny?”
“He put on snow clothes and went to make another snowman.” She gestured to the sliding glass door that led to the backyard.
I nodded. That had to be his sixth snowman this week.
“So, what’s this about Danny’s teacher?” Mom raised an eyebrow.
I stutter stepped. “What do you mean?”
She raised her brows. “Please. I’m your mother.” She grinned. “I see all, remember? Just like those frogs that you thought you could keep under the bathroom sink.”
I went into the kitchen, ignoring her piercing gaze and questions. I picked up a cookie from the counter and popped it into my mouth. The good thing about it being burnt and dry was it took longer to chew.
“Now, don’t you avoid me.” Mom followed me to the kitchen and loosened her apron strings from behind her.
