Chapter Two

Emi

It’s been almost ten years since I’ve lived in this town permanently. I moved back to spend time with my father, and the local high school I graduated from had a teaching position open in my field, so I applied and came back home.

Today is my first day on the job, and it is teacher in-service. It’s a day of getting to know each other and getting updates about the upcoming year. It’s my least favorite day of the year especially when I'm new.

“Now on to my favorite part of all this, introducing new staff.” Ms. Smith is the school principal, and while she seems better than the one, I had when I was here, she is still a little too optimistic for me.

“When I call your name, come up here and tell us your full name, where you grew up, and where you just came from.”

Unfortunately, she went in alphabetical order, which gave me the number two spot for introducing myself.

“Hi, everyone. As you already know, my name is...” As I was looking through the teaching staff, my eyes caught the one person I was hoping I wouldn’t run into, Jackson Dane.

I haven’t seen him in a while. I used to see him in passing when I came home to visit dad. He still makes my stomach flip when I see him.

“Are you ok, sweetie?”

“Yeah, sorry, as I was saying, my name is Emi Bay. I actually grew up here; my father still lives here, so I moved back. I come from a small school in the east. Oh, and I’ll be teaching history.”

I quickly sat down and tried to ignore everyone around me. I did not know that Jack was teaching; to be honest, I didn’t even know he was going to school for education. I figured he and Lauren would have moved away after college. Lauren always seemed to hate it here.

We spent the first few hours going over what they expected of us through the school year and how the school district was doing with funding. I was so thankful when lunchtime came around.

“Alright, everyone. I ordered pizza, so let’s take some time to eat and mingle, and then you can go to your classrooms to get things ready.” Ms. Smith stated.

I followed everyone to the break room, where the food and drinks were waiting for us. I felt like I was the new kid in school all over again.

I grabbed two slices of pizza, and a drink then looked for a place to sit.

I played it safe and took a seat at an empty table, but I wasn’t alone for long.

“Can’t let one of the new girls eat alone. I’m Stacy Clery, and I teach art.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Stacy.”

“Already bothering the new people, Stacy.”

“Ha-ha. So, Emi, this is Micah, and he teaches economics.”

“Nice to meet you, Micah.”

“If you grew up here, how come I don’t remember you? We should have attended high school together.”

“She was the little girl that was always with Tyson,” Jack said as he took a seat next to me.

“No way. You were cute then; now you’re just hot.”

“Cool it, Micah.” Stacy chided

“You look good, Remi. It’s nice to see you again.” Jack said.

“Thanks, you too.” I didn’t know what to say. It’s been a while since I had talked to Jack, and the last time we spoke, it wasn’t a friendly conversation. Our conversations always end in an argument because he doesn’t know how to not be a jerk.

***

Freshman year of high school

I sat down at the lunch table like I always do. It’s become routine to have lunch with Tyson, Jack, Alyssa and Lauren, except for today I noticed Lauren and Jackson holding hands. I knew she liked him, but he didn’t give any indication that he liked her.

“Are you guys finally dating?” Alyssa asked.

“We are. Jack asked me last night at the movies.”

When I looked up from my tray Jack was looking at me and I couldn’t make eye contact, so I looked down at my tray.

“So now both Dane boys are off the market.” I love Alyssa but she needs to stop.

“I just remembered that I have to put the finishing touches on my art project. I’ll see you all later.”

I didn’t have an art project due, I wanted to get away from them. I didn’t want to witness Jack being with someone else.

“Hey, slow down,” Tyson stated as he caught up to me.

I was on the verge of crying, and I didn’t want him to see me because it was embarrassing. He turned me to him and took one look at my face before pulling me into a hug.

“Is this about Jack and Lauren? I know you like him; you’ve always liked him. Don’t waste your time on him Emi. If he can’t see that what he needs is in front of him then he doesn’t deserve you.”

I let out a sniffle and tried to lie. “It’s not about Jack, I’m just having an off day.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“If you need anything let me know.”

I nodded at him and walked off. I know it's stupid to be fourteen and stuck on a boy, but I can’t help it.

***

Present Day

“I didn’t know you became a teacher. What do you teach?”

“Physics.”

“You always did like science.”

Jack has changed over the years. He got bulkier, and while he had facial hair, he was still very attractive. I hate to admit it, but I still have feelings for him, I thought if I stayed away, I would get over him.

“How is the wedding planning going?” Stacy asked Jack.

“I wouldn’t really call it planning.” Jack sat back in his chair as he finished chewing. I was completely shocked to hear he was getting married. Tyson and Alyssa never mentioned him getting engaged.

“We haven’t set a date. Lauren doesn’t want to feel rushed.”

“I didn’t know you were engaged. Congratulations.”

“It’s been a long time coming, according to Lauren. She was just happy we took the next step.”

I wanted to ask if he was happy and if this is what he wanted, but I figured it wasn’t my place to ask.

***

My favorite part about being in a classroom is letting the students have fun; it’s why I always decorate my classroom. I change it up frequently; the decorations match what we are learning.

I’m teaching American History this semester, so of course, all the decorations revolve around the discovery of America and the founding fathers.

I prefer group projects, so I moved the desks into groups of four, making it easier to assign the group projects.

“You came prepared.”

I let out a little yelp and jumped back.

“You scared me, Jack.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to see what you were doing here. My classroom is just across the hall.”

“I’m actually done. I’ll redecorate next semester when I’m teaching European History.”

“I was serious when I said it was nice to see you, Remi; I’m hoping we could leave the past behind us.”

“I would like that. We’re grown-ups and the past is the past.”

“It has. Well, I’ll see you around.”

“Bye.”

“It’s nice to see you guys on such good terms.”

“Tyson!”

I ran and jumped into his arms. I looked over at Jack and noticed that he seemed annoyed again. Was he upset because I was excited to see Tyson?

“You told me you would be done by now, and you’re not.”

“No, I am. Let me grab my purse and we can leave.”

“Do you want to join us, Jackson?” Tyson loved using Jack’s full name when he was already annoyed.

“No, I have to meet Lauren.”

“Sure, you do.”

“Bye Jack, I’ll see you later.”

***

“So, you and Jack?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked Tyson as we sat at a table in a coffee shop.

“You guys are finally getting along.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know if you count one civil conversation as getting along. You also never told me he was getting married.”

“He told you?”

“Someone asked him how the planning for it was going.”

“I honestly don’t think they’ll get married. She isn’t the girl for him. He’s settling because he’s too chicken to get the girl he wants, he’s afraid of rejection. Are you all moved in?”

“I am. I just need some last-minute items, but it’s all good to go.”

“I’m glad you’re back, Emi. I’ve missed my best friend.”

“I missed you too.”

“How is work going?”

“It’s busy; I would never have believed that being a financial advisor would make me so busy.”

“Are you still working on opening your own firm?”

“Yup, I just need more time to make a name for myself.”

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late,” Jake said as he sat down.

“Not a problem.”

Jake and I have an odd story. I met Jake at a party, slept with him, and a few years down the road, his mom met my dad, and now they’re married, so now we are stepsiblings. We have never talked about that night, and we never told our parents, and we would rather keep it that way.

“Are we throwing sweet little Emi a welcome home party?” Jake asks.

“No!” I yelled out. “No parties. I don’t want to be around that many people.”

“Fine. How about the three of us and Alyssa?”

“I would be fine with that.”

“Tomorrow night around six? I’ll bring the beer, and Tyson will bring the food?”

“Deal. I’ll be right back,” Tyson stated.

I looked to see where he was going, and he was walking toward Jack. It’s going to be miserable being back here. It’s going to hurt seeing Jack and being with him.