Page 46 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

“Winnie... So...”

I shrug. “How can I help you?”

“Hey, you can’t do this to me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Like... I’m sorry if I’ve done something wrong.”

“No, you didn’t. I don’t want to talk about that ever. Just forget about that.”

He frowns and it hurts me more than it should. I don’t have to care. Even though we may have spent time with each other, it still doesn’t mean I have to care.

He says, “I don’t understand what changed overnight. If there was something you didn’t want, you could have told me.”

“I told you nothing’s wrong.”

“But we know something has shifted since. I may not be the smartest, but I’m not that dumb either. Why don’t you let me know what’s wrong? Like... Why are you keeping your distance from me?”

I hate him... I just want to be left alone. “I’m busy.”

He rests two arms on the counter, leaning closer. “I’m not leaving until I get an answer.”

“I’m not missing lessons because you want to plant your ass here.” I glance at the door. No students are here, so I guess he is going to waste more time with me. “Stop wasting your time.”

“Is it wasting time because I care about what’s going on?”

“It is. And you’re going to miss your lessons. The principal won’t be happy to know that.”

“Hey! That’s not fair.”

I shrug. “Life’s not about fair anyway.”

He sighs. “I just want to make sure we’re fine.”

“You and I are fine. We aren’t together, so there’s no ‘we.’”

“I don’t mean that in a bad way and I won’t think we’re dating or something just because, but... I thought we were at least friends, but you stopped talking to me all of a sudden.” He stares at the floor and... his low hanging, sad arms hurt to see.

Maybe I’m a bit too mean to him.

“Look, Telke, you may be a good guy, but... I need some time. Leave me alone.”

He sighs. “Okay. Just let me know if you need anything or are ready to tell me what happened.”

I nod. I don’t look forward to the talk, but I think I did owe him an explanation when... I did do an abrupt change.

He turns around and leaves, right when a few students are coming in for their lesson.

I stare at Telke’s back for another moment before I greet the students. They soon visit the selves, leaving me alone, standing behind the counter and...

Right, I was wrapping up the books until Telke interrupted.

I... I’ve never been someone who brings good luck to beings around me. So... Maybe I’m part of the reason Telke ran into the accident. It didn’t happen until we met, even though we were just co-workers with nothing special. It already didn’t work well for him.

And now...

What if it would only go downhill if we... what if it would hurt him even when we’re just friends?

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