Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

Chapter 31: Next Destination 

IAN's POV :

"I need your help,"Emma said as soon as I opened my apartment door.She was standing there with a long roll of paper, post-it notes, markers, and this huge ass book in her hand.

"Anything for you,"I replied and moved out of her way.

She walked straight for the coffee table and slammed the big book down.She then rolled out the poster thing and it turned out to be a map of the country.I took a seat next to her on the floor and read the title of the big book, The Princeton Review Complete Book of Colleges.

"My parents, my guidance counselor, my friends- everyone wouldn't shut up about college," she groaned and scattered the markers out on the coffee table."So if I'm gonna have to figure this out, I’m gonna need your help,"

"Okay," I said patiently.

This was not how I imagined my Thursday night to be like, but okay.

"You can use this book as a guide.If you see a school that I might like, write it down on the post-it note,"she said to me.

"Yes ma’am,"

"We can narrow it down by state.I prefer the east coast.I like the snow, I like the vibe,"she said as she circled the east coast area with a blue marker

"All these states here are no go," she circled the west coast and mid-west area with a red marker.

"And Georgia is considered...?"

"The south is neutral ground. But I'd prefer the north,"

This was the first time she ever mentioned wanting to go to school on the east coast. I eyed her suspiciously, but she chose to ignore me.

"Oh, and this is a total no go," she picked up a post-it note and wrote the word ‘Emory’ with an X next to it and stuck the post-it note on the map of Georgia.

"No Emory. Got it,"I agreed.

I didn’t want her anywhere near that SOB ex boyfriend of hers.

"So tell me, what are some good schools in New Jersey?" she said suddenly, piquing my interest. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"You wanna go to school in New Jersey?"

"Maybe,"she shrugged.

"It’s on the east coast.Location- wise it's still in the running,"

"Princeton is a great school,"

"And way out of my league,"

"Nothing is out of your league.But Rutgers is also good.And New York's nearby,"

"New York, huh?"

"And Philly too.There’s U Penn, Carnegie Mellon, Villanova, Penn State,"

"Whoa, slow down, I have to write these down,"

"Why are you picking a school based on location? Aren't you supposed to pick one based on its merit? Or if it has the major you wanted," I narrowed my eyes at her.

"That's the thing, I don’t know what I want to major in,"

"So liberal arts?"

"Liberal arts, definitely," she paused for a moment before continuing, "And the location thing… it's because I don’t wanna be too far from where you are,"

"Emma," I scolded, "You're never gonna be too far from where I am,"

"But you might move to New Jersey for the art gallery job.I don’t wanna be thousands of miles away from you and we can only see each other in the holidays," she whined.

"Hey, I told you, New Jersey is only one option.I can always find a job somewhere else,"

"Your family’s also in New Jersey,"

"I know, but that’s not supposed to be part of your concern.You just need to worry about you.Don't settle for anything less.Pick whichever school you like, anywhere in the world.We'll find a way to be together no matter what,"

For a long while, she couldn't say anything.

Her mouth was parted open and she just stared at me like I was something to marvel at.

"What are you saying?" she said finally.

"I'm saying we have options," I said as I laced my hand with hers.

: "Anywhere in the world?"

"With you, anywhere," Her eyes glimmered and a small smile escaped her lips.

She had the cutest smile I'd ever seen.

Leaning towards her, I locked her face with my hand as my lips delved to find hers.

She was my girl and I'd give the world to be with her.

Whenever.

Wherever.

Today was the last day of classes before summer break.

It was a Friday and it had been a long week.

The kids couldn't wait for the clock to strike three, they kept watching the minute hand as it passed ever so slowly.

I was watching it too.

It would mark the end of the school year and the end of my teaching career at West Lake High.

Though at first I cursed the fact that I have to meet Emma as a student here, looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

We were only a few minutes away from 3 o’clock.

I was thinking about dismissing the class early, when suddenly I heard a knock on the door.

"Mr.Hayes," Principal Finn creaked the door open.

"Principal Finn," I greeted.

"Can I see you in my office for a moment? Now?" he sounded persistent.

"Sure," I nodded at him before turning back to the class and said, "Guys, you're dismissed. Have a great summer,"

The kids roared in cheer and laughter as they jumped from their seats and scrambled for the door.

They were overjoyed to be out of school in the summertime.

Meanwhile, I followed Principal Finn as we walked towards his office.

Even the lounge room was empty since most teachers and staffs were already out and about.

They were having an end of the school year gathering at some local bar.

I figured I'd have to make an appearance later, seeing as it would be a farewell thing for me as well.

"Please, have a seat,"

Principal Finn motioned for the chair as he sat down in his.

"So..." I trailed.

"So, this is about your resignation," he said firmly.

He was watching me like a hawk, gauging my reaction.

I just nodded my head and said, "Yes, and?"

"How serious are you with going through with this?"

What kind of question is that? Of course I’m serious.I’ve put in the paperwork and everything.

"Very, sir.Why, is there a problem?" I asked.

He looked at me, took a deep breath, and sighed a long dramatic sigh.

This doesn't look good.

"Here's to the start of a beautiful summer!"

Emma was standing in front of my apartment door with a bag of takeout food in her hands.

"I got Kung Pao Chicken with extra sauce, just like you like it,"

Emma and I promised to have dinner together that night,celebrating the end of this crazy school year.

She walked in with a spring in her step and chatted away as she lay the food down on the coffee table.

Seeing her this happy, I let out a deep breath, dreading the news that I had to give to her.

"And FYI, I got my report cards today and I got all straight A’s! I think that deserves another celebration.Hey, why aren't you excited?" she said as she noticed something was off with me,

"It’s the summertime.We're free from school and we have all the time in the world to

"Emma, I need to talk to you," I cut her off and let out another sigh.

"What is it?" her face turned serious as she took a step closer to me.

"The school board denied my resignation,"

I stated, pausing for a moment before continuing, "They didn't have a strong enough probable cause to terminate my contract.If I still want to go through with it, I’m gonna have to hire a lawyer and petition the

court to terminate the contract.I've called a friend who's a lawyer and he says he might be able to help, but—"

"Whoa, whoa, slow down,"she said, cutting me off.

She gaped at me and blinked for a few times, trying hard to process everything.

"So, you're saying the school’s not letting you go?"she asked.

"Basically, yeah.But don’t worry, I’m gonna find a way to fight it,"I said reassuringly. She took a step back and crossed her arms.

Then she looked up at me and cocked her head to the side, studying my face.

"lan, to be honest, if it wasn't for us, do you even want to quit?"

I thought about her question for a while before answering, "Not really,"

"Then don't.Don't do it," she said firmly.

"But what about us?"

"We'll figure this out together.I know you want what's best for me, but I want what's best for you too.You should teach for another year and when I graduate, we both can leave this town together.Just like we said we would,"

That sounded great.But it was easier said than done.

"Emma, that means we have to keep doing...this.Sneaking around, lying to everyone..."

"Hey, we did this for a year and no one found out,"

"Except your crazy ex-boyfriend did," I pointed out the obvious.

"Except him, and he is no longer an issue,"

she dismissed it completely,

"I'm just saying, if we play our cards right, we might just make it," I narrowed my eyes at her.

Was she seriously asking to continue this charade we had going on? Would she be okay with that?

"We'll do another school year together, how hard can it be?"she shrugged as if to answer my question,

"Then I'll be off to college, say I don’t know, around New Jersey or New York.And you'll get a job, say I don’t know, around New Jersey or New York..."

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of that, the thought of Emma and me at some distant place together, living a life we knew we deserve.

As if she knew what I was thinking, she smiled right back and she moved closer, closing the distance between us.

"We're gonna make it," she said as if it was a promise.

"Are you sure you'll be okay with this? It’s gonna be a hard year for us," I said as my hand went to cup her cheek.

My fingers ran gently across her skin.

"I don't care what happens as long as we're together," she said with that gorgeous smile of hers.

How did I get a girl like her to be with me? I was so goddamn lucky.

"Right. Anywhere with you?"

I smirked and licked my lips.

"Anywhere with you," her smile grew even wider.

Leaning down slowly, I closed my eyes and felt her warm breath hitting my cheek.

I purposefully let our lips graze each other, but pulled away before anything could happen.

I wanted her to feel the anticipation.

I wanted her to feel this longing that I was feeling.

And just when she least expected it, I crashed my lips onto hers, hard and full of passion.

She gasped in shock and I used the momentum to deepen the kiss, slipping my tongue past her mouth where I could taste every inch of her.

I held her tight with both my hands and I had no intention of ever letting her go.

I’m gonna kiss this girl until my lungs give out.