The New Professor.
“This is not the first time you’re doing this, Connor,” I chastise, trying my hardest to keep my voice under control. I’m furious and hurt. Connor, my crush right from when we were kids, and then we began dating in high school, leans against the lockers, his hands folded across his chest, watching me with a blank expression as I rant about him standing me up for the second time this week. “We planned that cinema date for months. It was to commemorate our relationship so far. Why are you doing this to me?”
“It’s just a dumb date, Halle,” he says calmly, exhaling. “Look, it wasn’t my intention to stand you up, but I’ve been putting off hanging out with the boys for weeks to be with you. That’s a sacrifice right there, so don’t be ungrateful.”
I gasp. That was such a bold lie. “You’ve practically hung out with them every day — ”
“Well not as much as I’m supposed to.”
I glance around quickly. We’re in the hallway, waiting for the bell to go for our next class. History. The students of West Dale High all have their eyes narrowed at us, whispering. Connor seems to notice this too as he bounces off the locker and places his hands on my shoulders.
“Mi amor,” he calls with a silky, pacifying tone. The one he always used when our argument comes to a head, and he can’t wiggle himself out. “We’ve had our issues. Loud, painful, and huge. This is irrelevant. We can always schedule a cinema date whenever you want. Why is it so hard for you to get that in your dumb skull...” he trails off, realization dawning at my frown.
He didn’t mean to say that part out loud.
“I’m dumb?” My question is a broken whisper.
He facepalmed. “Shit. Halle — ”
I brush past him. I’ve had enough. “Have a great day, Connor.”
“Halle. Listen. Come on, babe... Halle!”
Holding back tears, I ran down the hallway, side-stepping, and apologizing to those I almost knock down. I don’t understand anything. I don’t understand the guy I’ve loved all these years anymore.
The class is empty when I enter, and I make my way over to my seat and flop down, pondering over what just happened. Conner wasn’t always like this. I finally let the tears fall as I reminisce over the better years. When he would wake me up with a custom ringtone he’d made with his laughter. Show up at my door to take my hand and lead me to his father’s car for school. Our parents are both wealthy, and I’ve had a personal driver ever since I was little, but I enjoy riding with Connor in his father’s car.
He’d take me out to date every weekend — fancy restaurants, arcades, football matches, etc. We were always on the school gossip column, every week, and everyone was envious, as they wished to get a partner who’d love them as much as Connor and I love each other.
Then came senior year, and everything changed. The glint of love and admiration for me in his eyes faded, replaced by hesitancy and resentment. The calls reduced, the dates, the texts, everything, while his popularity soared to an incredible high — worse so among the ladies who would do anything to get into his pants. I can tell that Connor enjoys their affection and sometimes flirts with them, but I don’t want to let insecurity dampen my spirit. If he’s indeed cheating on me, it’s best I catch him on the act, than make up assumptions that won’t do anything but drive me mad.
“Woah, I didn’t know you loved history this much.”
I look up to see Samantha my best friend sauntering over. “Hey, Sam.”
“Why you in here so early?” She plopped down on the seat next to me.
I exhaled, shoulders sagging as a knowing frown creeps into her face. “Let me guess. The confrontation didn’t go well?”
I’m silent.
“Halle...”
“I know, I know. I’m so disappointed, and mad at myself.” I bite my bottom lip, the tears streaming down my cheeks with a lot more frequency than before. “I’d hoped that he’ll be remorseful and apologize. And at least have a good reason too, but no. He even called me dumb.”
Samantha gasps. “That asshole!”
“Language, Samantha,” I look around us. “A teacher could hear you.”
“Well, I don’t give a flying fuck! This has gone on for too long. You have to let him go, Halle. You deserve better.”
Ugh, here we go again with this. “Sam, couples have issues. They disagree, they fight, they shout, but they will always make up. One way or the other.”
Her nose turns up in disgust. “Are you even listening to yourself? This is a guy who’s shown you, time and time again that he doesn’t care. Maybe he did before senior year, but that’s now in the past. You have to move on. I hate seeing you like this.”
I’m thankful that the bell goes just then, and students file in in a throng. It saves me from exploding. Sam has never liked Connor...well, she once did but that was long before senior year. Her distaste for him has grown stronger ever since Connor and I began having our fallouts. I can’t blame her. She’s looking out for me.
“We’ll continue after the class,” she whispers, and I nod. Reluctantly.
A tall, slender man appears at the doorway just then, and flashes a smile at the class — at me. I blink, thrown off balance by that smile. It’s warm. And I could’ve sworn that it doesn’t belong anywhere on the face of a teacher. That too in West Dale High. “Good morning, class. My name is Anthony Carter, and I shall be your new History teacher. Starting...now.”
