“She woke up and felt a little tired, but she checked her messages and had a smile on her face,” Monica called out.
“Aunt Addy, did you read my text?” I wondered as I sped toward the school.
So, I’ve gone on dates—even had a whole thing with Lamar. I’vewritten my book and explored a new city. I got my tattoo, my belly ring, and dyed my hair blue. I’ve learned how to swim and was a vegetarian for a month. That’s eight things, Aunt Addy!”
Reflecting on what I’d accomplished and saying it out loud gave me an unexpected dopamine and serotonin boost. I felt proud.
“Your aunt is smiling,” Monica reported. “What are your remaining things?”
“Go to a Monarchs game—which I plan to do this weekend. I haven’t gotten tickets yet, but I’m supposed to be arranging that with Lamar.”
There was a pang in my chest because it probably wouldn’t be a good idea for me to go to the game this upcoming weekend.
“That’s only nine,” Monica pointed out.
I laughed as I backed into my parking spot. “The last one is pay off my student loan. Aunt Addy put that on there. At one point she said the book sales were going to take care of it.” I shook my head, amused. “I wish!”
“I think Addison is right.”
“The book is still being edited, so it’s not on sale yet… or ever.” My lips pulled into a smile. “But Aunt Addy always ends up being right somehow, so who knows. Now, how is she doing?” I asked.
“She’s a little groggy, but she’s comfortable,” Monica answered. “I was just about to get her some breakfast, but I knew she wouldn’t have wanted to miss your call.”
“Well, I’m glad you answered.” I pulled the key out of the ignition. “And I’m glad that you’re comfortable, Aunt Addy. I have to run into work because I’m a little late, but I love you, and I hope you have a great day.”
I ended the call, grabbed my stuff, and ran toward the building. I made it to my classroom and had a few students in there already. I had less than ten minutes before the first bell was going to ring. After a quick greeting, I rushed to get my laptop out of my bag and pulled out my files.
“Ms. Payne.” Drea, a first-period student, came up to my desk with another student, Gianna, in tow. “We have a question.”
“Yes?” I finished logging into the school website before I looked up at them and smiled. “How can I help you?”
“Are you really dating a football player?” Drea asked in a hushed tone.
I froze. “What?”
“There’s this picture of this football player named Hollywood with a woman, and she looks like you,” Drea explained carefully.
“And we think it’s you,” Gianna added.
“Some people at lunch yesterday said that it couldn’t be you because you wouldn’t be working here if your boyfriend was a famous football player,” Drea continued.
Gianna flipped her phone toward me and showed me the picture. “But we have eyes and it’s clearly you.”
I stared at the image. “That does look like me,” I said as evenly as possible.
“Because itisyou,” Gianna insisted, putting her hand on her hip. “Unless you have a twin sister, that is you.”
I looked between them. “Even if it was me, do I ever discuss personal business with my students?” I asked, deflecting.
“No,” they said in unison.
“So, instead of worrying about if someone looks like me or not, worry about if you read chapter four in your textbook.” I quirked an eyebrow. “Did you?”
Drea turned on her heel and went back to her desk immediately, but Gianna remained.
“Ms. Payne.” She lowered her voice. “I know it’s you, and I just wanted to say that I think it’s cool. The homecoming dance is in a few weeks, and I was hoping AJ was going to ask me.” She glanced over at the boy in the corner of the room. “Drea said even though he likes me, he’s not going to publicly claim me by taking me to the dance. She thinks because we’re bigger than the other girls, popular guys like AJ aren’t going to be out with us in public. And based on how things went down this summer at camp, I agreed with her. But after I saw that picture with you and Hollywood, I know if he wants to, he will.”
The bell rang, and she immediately returned to her seat.
