Read Online Fly on the Wall by Trista Russell - Free Book Online Page A

she’d find hard to believe is that I was the corpse. I felt like I died when I heard what Trese had to say.
    â€œWould you like to talk about it?” she asked.
    â€œIt’s nothing tragic.” I shifted in my seat and stared down at the desk. “I may have just screwed something up for myself.”
    Ms. Patrick went on without knowing my problem. “Theodore, a lot of times we make decisions, and just because the result isn’t something that we expected, we consider it a mistake.” I wasn’t looking at her, but I heard the smile in her voice. “Nothing happens without purpose.” She reached over and quickly patted me on the shoulder. “So whatever it is, just know that in the end it could have a meaning that’ll blow your mind.”
    â€œI don’t know about that, but thanks anyway.” I smiled, though I couldn’t see how there could ever be a bright light at the end of my tunnel. “Thanks.”
    She chuckled like someone was tickling her. “Anytime.” She sat back in the chair like she planned on sitting there awhile, which made me relax. “However, Theodore, if you feel that the situation you’re going through is one that you can live without learning from, then do your best to avoid it in the future.”
    â€œI have a question for you, Paige,” I said.
    â€œExcuse me!” She pushed my head playfully with her index finger. “Who told you that you could call me Paige?”
    â€œWho told you that you could call me Theodore?” I laughed. “Ms. Patrick, please call me Theo.”
    â€œI will when you start coming to class on time.”
    â€œCome on,” I begged. “It takes less energy to say Theo.”
    â€œI’m not looking for an easy way out.” She smiled. “Maybe I like it the hard way.”
    Being a man, I took her statement and ran with it. I was tempted to respond with something like, “I like it the hard way too,” but I held back.
    She stood up. “I’ll think about it.” I checked her out from the back and was extremely pleased. Her navy skirt hugged her hips, and I found myself wishing I were a stitch in the fabric. Other than Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, and the thing I have for Oprah, Ms. Patrick was another older woman who was now on my “would do” list. She was tight work.
    â€œHey, sexy, are we sweatin’ today?” the new math teacher said as he walked through the door. He quickly covered his mouth when he noticed that she wasn’t alone. “I’m very sorry.”
    â€œHello,” she said.
    He looked at me through the sides of his eyes. “So, I guess we’re not doing it today either, huh?”
    â€œNo.” She looked over at me. “He has to be here for an hour, plus I was supposed to help Toni with the food.”
    â€œDamn.” He thought he was whispering. “I wanted to see you in those shorts.” I felt like the third and fourth wheel. I opened my textbook and pretended to be reading something . . . anything, but when they weren’t looking at me, I was peeping at them.
    She blushed. “So, how was your day?”
    â€œIt was cool. My first set of quizzes went over well.”
    â€œGood.” She looked like she was faking her smile.
    There was an awkward amount of silence before he asked, “Are you cold?”
    â€œNo. Why, are you?”
    â€œI’m not complaining, but . . .” He stared directly at her chest. “It sure looks like you are.”
    She gazed downward, humiliated, and snatched her jacket from the back of the chair. “Thanks.” I knew that she would’ve preferred he didn’t make such a statement in my meager presence. Now she probably knew why I was staring at her so much.
    She walked away from him to unplug the projector and he asked, “So, what time am I picking you up tonight?”
    She answered quickly in a whisper, “I