“Can you bring them?” I ask abruptly, knowing full well that Wafflin’ goes from diner to bar scene after seven p.m.
“Absolutely not,” Emma answers before Ellie can. “Steven will be home by eight, and Ellie said she will try to join after, if we are still out.” Emma gives me a side-eyed look I am unfamiliar with, but I ignore it.
“Oh good, we will definitely still be out.”
“Says the grandpa who never stays out past nine,” Kate counters with a raised eyebrow.
Ellie laughs so loud, I feel my stomach drop. Her laugh is bubbly and infectious, and I can’t resist laughing with her. If mocking my grandpa-like behavior was the cost of hearing Ellie relax and laugh like that, I will pay it tenfold.
Kate leans to Ellie and whispers something I wish I had ultrasonic hearing for. Ellie laughs again, still staring at me with her green eyes.
I could get lost in them.
God, she is attractive. Beautiful, actually, and, unfortunately,off limits.
I have to keep reminding myself that it is against the rules to date my staff—and a girl who plans to only be here for one school term probably isn’t the best choice to pine over anyway. But the more I’m around her, that reality becomes harder and harder to accept. She has quickly become someone I can’t get enough of.
Ellie and Kate continue whispering and giggling, and my smile involuntarily stretches across my face as I witness it. Her smile is contagious, and her laugh bellows out of her like a smooth wave. The first time I made her laugh, it was after I saidpacificallyinstead ofspecifically,and she lost it. I would usually run away in embarrassment over something like that, but it felt sacred to witness such a vulnerable moment for her, so I soaked it in. Unfortunately, quickly after her bit of laughter, Ellie retreated down the hallway like she was one of the students late for class.
I want to be around her any chance I get—hear that laugh and see her smile, but I am learning quickly that Ellie isn’t an open book. Or at least not to me—a complete stranger.
And herboss.
I have never had any issues building close relationships with my faculty. Not to brag, but I think I’m pretty welcoming and the faculty usually feel pretty comfortable around me. Even Malcolm—who is pretty much a drill sergeant who never smiles—opened up to me about his life after his first few weeks at Glendale.
But maybe I’ve beentoowelcoming to Ellie? Maybe too many “hi’s” in the hallway? Too many attempts at break room small talk? A bead of sweat builds up on the back of my neck as I start to replay every interaction I’ve had with her since she got here.
Surely they all haven’t been a disaster.
“So Wafflin’ at six,” Emma says again.
“Great, we have talked this plan up, down, and sideways, can we get back to class?” Malcolm starts to leave the breakroom, signifying the end of our meeting.
“Yes, good meeting everyone!” I call after them, trying to reiterate my authority.
Everyone follows Malcolm and they head to their own classrooms before the first bell rings. The break room is empty except for me . . . and Ellie.
She stays seated, drawing again, very unaware that I am just standing there silently watching her. Again,creepy, Ben.
I summon my acquired skills from those two improv lessons I took five years ago and plan to stifle a not-so-convincing cough.
But as I release the cough, Ellie stands from her chair. The two actions happen simultaneously and create a domino effect of startle, tumble, and crash.
Ellie yelps and falls back into her chair. But rather than staying upright, the chair fails at itsonejob and crumbles underneath her. Causing her to somersault backwards onto the ground.
Chapter six
Ellie
“OhmyGod,areyou okay?” Benny is immediately by my side.
From what I can tell, I am in the most awkward and unattractive position. One leg is bent and twister under me, my hair is draped across my face, and my other leg is caught on the toppled-over chair in front of me. I feel a slight breeze and am instantly aware that my skirt has ripped in the back, all the way up to my underwear. I feel . . . exposed.
“Here!” His big hands push the hair off my face and grab my arm to pull me up. His hand pauses on my back and I feel like I will combust from the heat that surges from where he is touching me.
He hoists me up as if I weigh nothing and puts his hands on my shoulders to keep me steady. “Are you alright, Ellie? Did you hit your head?” His eyes are filled with concern as he searches my face. I feel a tingle in my chest at the way he looks at me.
Hecares.
