Page 6 of I Think He Knows?

“Morning, Serena,” a voice mumbles, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turn around to see Ariel racing toward the coffee machine as if her life depends on it. Ariel teaches third grade and is possibly the most adventurous person I’ve ever met. She’s usually the life of the party, but sometimes I wonder what goes through her mind. Last year she sent around a sign-up sheet trying to get a group of the staff to get matching tattoos of our school mascot. It was a paper sign-up sheet on a clipboard. That’s how serious she was about the idea. Naturally she was disappointed when no one was eager to tattoo a cartoon eagle on their body. I appreciate her school spirit, but there was no chance I’d participate in that quest. She never went through with it, although that’s probably because no one validated the idea by signing up. I’m sure if she had a willing participant, she’d be proudly showing off the colorful eagle right now. However, this morning she’s not her usual energetic self.

“Hi,” I say. “Are you okay? You look exhausted.”

She nods. “I woke up at three this morning and decided to purge my closet. I’ve been wanting to do it for ages and keep putting it off. I figured I’d strike while I had the motivation. I never went back to sleep, and now I need to be on my game for the next seven hours.”

I cringe. “That’s the worst. Are you one of those people who pulls all-nighters to binge watch an entire series or rearrange your furniture?”

“Yes,” she wails. “And now today’s schedule includes a movie—educational of course. I can rest my eyes while my kids learn from someone else. They don’t need to be supervised the whole day, right?”

I hesitate. “Uh, good luck with that.”

She eyes me curiously and leans her head to the side. “You look nice today.”

I smile. “Thanks. Believe it or not, I try to look put together every morning before my adventure begins.”

“Yes, you have an active bunch,” she says yawning widely. “Ugh. I should’ve gotten an energy drink. How am I going to survive until three?”

“You’ll push through because you’re a professional,” I remind her.

“Yeah.” She stops, giving a thoughtful look. “We should get a group together and do an escape room soon.”

I giggle. Even sheer exhaustion can’t keep Ariel from planning a social event. She’s the cruise director of Eastern Lake Elementary.

“That sounds fun. I’d go.”

I don’t tell her my mind has immediately jumped to inviting Coach Cam. In my defense, the idea creates the perfect excuse to get a group of staff together. Cam is part of the staff, so he should be invited just like everyone else.

“Fantastic,” she exclaims, suddenly more alert. “Start spreading the word, and I’ll put together a group text.”

A few more staff members join us in the lounge before I grab my coffee and head to my classroom to start my day. Here we go—let the chaos begin.

* * *

“Hey, you,” a familiar voice says.

No, no, no. This isn’t happening.

Coach Cam just came into my classroom only to be greeted by my backside high in the air as I’m putting things on the lower shelves. Why did he have to walk in at this exact moment?

I quickly turn around to see a familiar grin on his face.

“Hi. You startled me.”

“Sorry.” He pauses. “I guess you didn’t hear me. You were very focused on your task.”

“Yes, just doing my daily organization, which is probably pointless because it will all be a disaster again tomorrow. It’s basically an attempt to keep my sanity.”

He nods. “Whatever helps. I think we’re all on the verge of losing it some days.”

“Very true,” I say. “How was your day?”

“Interesting, as usual.”

He stretches his arms above his head causing his athletic shirt to lift. This reveals the smallest bit of his toned abs, making me feel lightheaded. I quickly drag my eyes away from his stomach before he catches me staring or drooling—or both.

“So just a normal day?” I suggest, clearing my throat.

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