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Sophie

ThefollowingMonday,I spend the entire day getting my classroom ready for the first day of school, which is tomorrow. Mom was thrilled to watch Samantha again today. My nerves are buzzing with excitement. I know this is only my second year of teaching, but I just love the first day of school. Meeting my new class of third graders tonight at meet-the-teacher night is what I live for. The second grade teacher, Mrs. Hartley, told me it’s a great class of kids.

Once I’m finished decorating and arranging the desks, I run back home to change and get ready before all the students and their parents arrive at Heartland Academy this evening. Being a private school, we have a pretty strict dress code. Teachers are expected to wear business-casual attire, but tonight I’m wearing my favorite sundress. Since it’s not an official school day, the headmaster won’t say anything about it. I smooth my freshly washed hair with my flat iron and put on a little makeup so I look professional. I don’t like to wear heavy makeup, but I add some bronzer to my cheeks and a few coats of mascara to my lashes. Taking in my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I decide to put a cardigan over my sundress and slip on my leather sandals. There we go: casual but still professional.

An hour later, I’m back at the school awaiting my students and their parents. Tonight, kids get to see their new classrooms and meet their teachers. It’s nice to meet the parents too and have faces to go with names.

Throughout the evening, I check off my students I have met and only have a few who haven’t shown up yet. There are twenty-one third graders this year: sixteen girls and only five boys. A lot of the kids look familiar since they were here last year in Mrs. Hartley’s classroom, which is right next to mine. Once in a while, there’s a lull of visitors and I peep in next door to the fourth grade room to say hello to my students from last year.

Gosh this is exciting, I love these kids already.

After several hours, the meet-and-greet is wrapping up. I glance at my class list and notice one of my students never showed up. Hmm, they must have forgotten.

I take a minute to set up for the first day of school tomorrow and grab my purse, but just as I'm about to flick the light off, a man wearing a suit and tie appears in the doorway along with a young boy.

“Knock knock, so sorry we’re late. I had a meeting, and it went much longer than I had expected,” the man says as he meets my gaze.

No, no, no. This cannot be happening.

“Wait, Sophie?” None other than Bradley from Saturday night’s blind date stands before me.

“Bradley, hi. This is a surprise.” I smile, trying to keep things professional. I look back at his son, who’s a spitting image of his father. “You must be Peter?”

He glances down at his feet bashfully and avoids eye contact. “Yes, ma’am.”

Aw, he seems really sweet and shy. I feel lucky to have such a sweet group of kids this year.

“Welcome to Heartland. It’s a great school and I’m sure you’ll feel right at home here.”

“Yes, I’m sure you’ll be at the top of the class.” Bradley interjects.

I purse my lips, annoyed that he didn’t allow his son time to respond.

Turning my attention back to Peter, I reply, “I went here when I was a kid! I know it can be intimidating to start at a new school, but you just let me know if you need anything, okay?”

He glances up at me through his thick black lashes. This kid is seriously a miniature Bradley. “Yes, ma’am.”

As I’m giving them a quick tour of the classroom, Drew and Penny appear in the doorway, Drew still in his black scrubs, looking devastatingly handsome. My breath hitches at the sight of him.

Penny runs and hugs me. “Sophie!”

“Hey sweetheart! Don’t forget it’s Ms. Miller here at school.” I say with a wink. She tries to wink back but ends up blinking both of her eyes dramatically, making me laugh.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re still okay with Penny riding home from school with you?” Drew asks as his eyes go back and forth between me and Mr. Vanderven.

“Yes, of course! See you both tomorrow.”

Drew is standing straight with his shoulders back. The way he’s standing reminds me of a guard dog. He’s still looking at Bradley Vanderven, his eyes slightly narrowed.

He looks back at me. “Are you heading home soon?”

I glance between Bradley and Drew, who are apparently having some kind of visual standoff. Bradley has his chin raised as if he’s daring Drew to do something. I have no idea what’s going on between them.

I clear my throat, pulling their attention back to me. “Yes, actually. I need to lock up my classroom, then I’m heading home.” I turn to Peter. “It was very nice to meet you. I’ll see you in the morning, Peter. Nice seeing you again, Mr. Vanderven.”

Bradley puts his hand on my arm gently.

“Please, call me Bradley,” he says with a quick glance back at Drew. “And yes, it was nice seeing you again, too. I really enjoyed our date the other night,” he says with a smug look on his face.

He seems awfully confident, considering I said no to a second date.

Drew stays in the doorway holding Penny’s hand. He looks tense. “I’ll wait for you to lock up and walk you to your car. It’s dark outside already.”

I smile at him. “Thank you, I appreciate that.”

Bradley and Peter continue to stand there awkwardly.

“See you tomorrow. Thanks for coming out tonight,” I say, hoping my dismissal is clear.

Bradley hesitates, but finally smiles curtly and leaves with his son.