Shallow Dreams

"It was all fun and games until hard feelings and the society got in the way".

Immediately I parked my car in the school's parking lot, I stepped outside to embrace the March breeze. I knew I was running late already and any moment from now, the electronic bell will buzz for first period.

I started my way into the school building, where I was met with crowds in the hallway. I stopped for a moment to register what was happening but I could not get a definite answer. I shoved the swam of bodies as I tried to make it to the front.

There was murmurings carrying a rumor that I knew could not be true. As I made my way to the front, I bumped into Courtney.

"Woah, slow down", she said almost running out of breath.

"You should slow down. What's up? What's happening?" I questioned cluelessly.

"Didn't you hear?" A brunette with hazel eyes whom I've come to know as Samara chimed in, catching Courtney and I off guard.

"Hear what?" I questioned, prompting an eye roll from Samara.

As Samara opened her mouth to talk, a distorting sound came from the speaker in the hallway, suddenly, we heard Principal Baker's voice.

"Attention students. Today isn't really a wonderful day as most of you already know. It is sad to inform you all that Mr. Justin is no longer a teacher in New Land High", there was a long pause before she continued. "And also, Daya Swift won't be joining us again".

My heart raced a hundred miles before I could process what was going on. Did they just fire one of the best teacher here or he resigned? And what about Daya Swift, did she leave the school or otherwise?

I stared at Courtney and Samara in silence as they stared back. I have no idea what to say or was happening, but as far as I know, it had something to do with whatever made Principal Baker make that announcement.

"They were in a relationship", Samara finally said, breaking the silence as the crowd in the hallway began to disperse.

"Oh? For how long?" That was the only words that came out of my mouth.

"How long is too long for you?" Courtney questioned, furrowing her brows.

"So they were in a relationship? Wow. That's cray", I said as my face flatten with a smile. "I'm obviously late, catch ya later", I told the girls as I waved to them, walking away.

My walk to my first period class was slow, this day just couldn't get any better. When I entered the class, everywhere was silent and it was as if someone had died.

Okay, first of all, Daya Swift-- a student-- was in a relationship with a teacher. Maybe the school management found out and they took action against it.

In New Land, relationship between two people with a huge age gap was a sin, no matter how much you claim you love the person. Once the quorum of this town gets to know about it, it is not going to end well at all, only those who fights for their love gets to have it.

I was feeling sad for Daya Swift and well, Mr. Justin. Although, being in a relationship like that doesn't make any sense, but what they had kind of made sense to them and it is no one's business. To them what they had was real, but I know that they knew this kind of student-teacher relationship was not going to have a life here.

There is nothing like love in New Land, only just power and position and while you try to love a little, it dies immediately.

******

I was stressed out about the day and through out this week I have been thinking about...you know...the ish. Of course, a meeting was called at the town square hall and it is mandatory for everyone to attend, except the kids (11 and below).

I was taking a walk around the park with Donny, my little Yorkie puppy. Both Donny and I needed the little exercise, because the past few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions, which included empathy.

The park was just less than a quarter mile from my house and it was something I could bear walking to and fro. There were lots of things that were catching my attention as I sat on the bench, Donny on my lap, licking its fur. Within my peripheral vision, was an icecream stand, beside the icecream stand was a face-painting kiosk.

I have always wanted a face paint ever since I was a kid, but my parents were always against it, saying the chemicals in the paint could spoil my skin, giving it eczema, their oh so perfect excuse.

I rose from the bench, Donny striding behind me as I strolled over to the face paint kiosk to look and maybe get my face painted, take few pictures, post on my social media accounts, then clean my face before heading home.

I was stopped on my way when I could not feel Donny's weight on its leash. I looked down but I was met with an empty leash. I felt like screaming, where could have Donny wandered to in this place filled with people?

I tried retracing my steps back as I was yelling Donny's name. "Donny! Hey boy!! Where are you?" I was getting frustrated and angry with the scorching sun burning against my skin.

My eyes was stinging with tears as they threatened to spill. I can't lose Donny, I just got him a month ago and I know what I went through when I begged my parents to get him for me. They never wanted to get him for me at first, stating I was not responsible enough to take care of anything or anyone other than myself. Donny can't be lost at this point.

I followed my steps back to the bench, Donny was not there, now the tears had spilled, forming strokes on my face. I sniffed multiple times, wiping the snot on the sleeve of my sweater. As I raised my hand to wipe my eyes, I saw something white running towards the merry-go-round in a faster pace.

"Donny!" I called out to the running object as I followed behind in its trail.

I was already tired from the whole running and finding Donny, finding Nemo wasn't as hard as this. I stopped when I saw a figure carrying Donny in his arms, rubbing its fur.

"Donny", I yelped in excitement as I rushed forward to embrace my dog in a stranger's arms.

I immediately collected Donny from the guy as I took my time to assess the guy. He had gray-blue eyes brighter than the sky, he was maybe six-foot-one tall in height. He was kind of muscular because the muscles in his arms was visible even with the long sleeved button down shirt he was wearing. He had that chiseled, sharp jaw line, he was very broad and smelled like after shave, mixed with an endless supply of magnolia and to be very honest, he was very pretty that I could not peel my eyes off of him.

"I saw a beautiful Yorkie wandering around and I was wondering who had the dog", he said, as one of his hand was running through his pitch black hair, which disheveled it, making him more pretty.

I flashed him a smile. "Thanks for finding him, you're a life saver". He smiled back at me as he turned and left.

I was left alone, standing in the middle of the park with Donny in my arms as I stared at the stranger's retreating figure.

Something vibrated in my pocket, snapping me out of my trance. I dug into the pocket of my slacks, withdrawing my phone. I unlocked it and stared into the illuminated screen as a text message from Collins appeared.

Collins

Mom and dad are at it again. Come home, ASAP.

I threw my phone back into my pocket as I folded Donny's leash and put it in my pocket, holding Donny in my arms, I started for my house, before one of my parents would murder the other one because of whatever is it that made them always act like cat and dog.

It took every ounce of strength in me to not faint of exhaustion on the road as I ran like an athlete to my house. I pushed the door to the front entrance breathlessly, dropping Donny on the floor as he whimpers and ran away. I raised my head directly to the dinning table as I saw my parents laughing. My mom was ruffling my dad's hair as he was teasing her. The sounds of their laughter was echoing in my head like a sharp sword.

I continued exhaling hardly, gaining their attention. I brought out my phone from my pocket and stared at Collins' message once again. It said what it said earlier. I drifted away my eyes from the phone to Collins who was grinning like an idiot.

"Look who finally decided to show up", Collins said, waving at me. "By the way, the plates are waiting for you in the sink".

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!" I said aiming towards him as he ran upstairs.

*****

What d'yu think about this chapter?

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

I love constructive criticism.