THE TEACHER (His Dark Lessons, Part Two)
Ava Claire
Copyright 2012 Ava Claire
****
I flashed my umpteenth smile as I hu gged another surprise visitor . I saved the real thing for Alicia, even though she was the rea son I had to put on a brave face for all these random peopl e . Just what the doctor ordered—an intervention masquerading as a dinner party.
Half of the girls she invited hadn’t even bothered with so much as a Facebook wall post when my father died and the others were reall y just friends by association. Apparently all it took was deli spirals and mini cocktails to get the condolences flowing.
I disengaged from some girl named Sophie who called me Cass like we were BFF’s even though we ’d only taken a biology clas s together a year ago and turned toward the kitchen. I drew a deep breath before refilling my wine glass and throwing it back like a shooter. It was just in time too because some Delta Phi girl let out a squeal as she shared the best idea yet—a party game.
Alicia pulled up be side me , toying with a napkin. She kept dodging my gaze, which was her tell. She knew she was in trouble.
“This is a great turn-out, right ?” she said brightly, molars and all.
“Uh huh,” I said warily. “Funny thing is , I thought it was just going to be the two of us grabbing Cookout and vegging out in front of the TV.”
“And we will totally just hang out—right after a round of Apples to Apples .”
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “I really just want to go home, Alicia. I don’t know most of these people and the last thing I want-”
“I know you haven’t been out since we went clu bbing after we finished finals. Right before…” Her voice trailed off and her cheeks were rosy with what she didn’t say . It had taken me all summer to finally admit he was gone. I could say it out loud now but it still wasn’t any easier to digest.
I wanted to be mad at her, but one of the reasons she was my best friend was because she knew me better than I knew myself. She’d offered me some time away after I lost my dad , even though she knew I’d pass, and she’d set this up because she knew it was the only way I’d be around other huma n beings outside of class. A s much as I dreaded awkward smiles and playing games , I needed it more than sitting at home alone.
“This was a horrible idea, wasn’t it ?” she said gra vely, her pretty features souring as one of her friends called out for us to join them. “I shouldn’t have sprung this on you.”
“ It’s okay, Alicia,” I said sof tly, ignoring the tiny voice in my head that said the road to hell was paved with good intentions. “I appreciate it.”
We walked to the den where the other girls were f ixed in a circle as one of them, I think he r name was Lauren, unloaded the game from the box. She winked up at me. “ Wanna judge the first round, Cassandra?”
I arched a brow , surprised someone actually brought a board game . "Apples to Apples? Really?"
It seemed impossible that Apples to Apples could be the cause of the fever pitch of excitement that built around us . Even if I was feeling sociable, playing that game would be the absolute last thing on my to-do list.
Alicia's voice rose over the clamor. "Maybe we should just hang out..."
Sophia's head perked up, a pout on her squirrely face. "But party games-"
"How about truth or dare?" Delta Phi grinned from ear to ear.
We officially reverted back to the third grade. Everyone else was noddin g like it was sheer genius and even Alicia was mulling it over.
I conceded, tugging a side of my mouth upward half-heartedly . "Sounds like fun."
I tried to tell myself it would be as they began going around the circle . It could be. I really did need a bit of escapism. A few minutes where I was too busy holding my smile and rolling my eyes to think about Chance's piercing eyes. Or how right his hands felt on me.
I blushed when all eyes turned toward me. I guess it was my turn.
Ava Claire
Copyright 2012 Ava Claire
****
I flashed my umpteenth smile as I hu gged another surprise visitor . I saved the real thing for Alicia, even though she was the rea son I had to put on a brave face for all these random peopl e . Just what the doctor ordered—an intervention masquerading as a dinner party.
Half of the girls she invited hadn’t even bothered with so much as a Facebook wall post when my father died and the others were reall y just friends by association. Apparently all it took was deli spirals and mini cocktails to get the condolences flowing.
I disengaged from some girl named Sophie who called me Cass like we were BFF’s even though we ’d only taken a biology clas s together a year ago and turned toward the kitchen. I drew a deep breath before refilling my wine glass and throwing it back like a shooter. It was just in time too because some Delta Phi girl let out a squeal as she shared the best idea yet—a party game.
Alicia pulled up be side me , toying with a napkin. She kept dodging my gaze, which was her tell. She knew she was in trouble.
“This is a great turn-out, right ?” she said brightly, molars and all.
“Uh huh,” I said warily. “Funny thing is , I thought it was just going to be the two of us grabbing Cookout and vegging out in front of the TV.”
“And we will totally just hang out—right after a round of Apples to Apples .”
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “I really just want to go home, Alicia. I don’t know most of these people and the last thing I want-”
“I know you haven’t been out since we went clu bbing after we finished finals. Right before…” Her voice trailed off and her cheeks were rosy with what she didn’t say . It had taken me all summer to finally admit he was gone. I could say it out loud now but it still wasn’t any easier to digest.
I wanted to be mad at her, but one of the reasons she was my best friend was because she knew me better than I knew myself. She’d offered me some time away after I lost my dad , even though she knew I’d pass, and she’d set this up because she knew it was the only way I’d be around other huma n beings outside of class. A s much as I dreaded awkward smiles and playing games , I needed it more than sitting at home alone.
“This was a horrible idea, wasn’t it ?” she said gra vely, her pretty features souring as one of her friends called out for us to join them. “I shouldn’t have sprung this on you.”
“ It’s okay, Alicia,” I said sof tly, ignoring the tiny voice in my head that said the road to hell was paved with good intentions. “I appreciate it.”
We walked to the den where the other girls were f ixed in a circle as one of them, I think he r name was Lauren, unloaded the game from the box. She winked up at me. “ Wanna judge the first round, Cassandra?”
I arched a brow , surprised someone actually brought a board game . "Apples to Apples? Really?"
It seemed impossible that Apples to Apples could be the cause of the fever pitch of excitement that built around us . Even if I was feeling sociable, playing that game would be the absolute last thing on my to-do list.
Alicia's voice rose over the clamor. "Maybe we should just hang out..."
Sophia's head perked up, a pout on her squirrely face. "But party games-"
"How about truth or dare?" Delta Phi grinned from ear to ear.
We officially reverted back to the third grade. Everyone else was noddin g like it was sheer genius and even Alicia was mulling it over.
I conceded, tugging a side of my mouth upward half-heartedly . "Sounds like fun."
I tried to tell myself it would be as they began going around the circle . It could be. I really did need a bit of escapism. A few minutes where I was too busy holding my smile and rolling my eyes to think about Chance's piercing eyes. Or how right his hands felt on me.
I blushed when all eyes turned toward me. I guess it was my turn.
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