Page 18 of When You Left Me Speechless

The coffee pot gurgles as I take the pot off the hot plate and pour myself a cup. After yesterday and the sleepless night I had, I’m desperate for the caffeine, so I snuck out of the cafeteria early to grab a cup before my day begins.

“Mr. Peterson,” Keller calls from the hallway outside the breakroom. “Do you have a minute?” I check my watch. I still have ten minutes before my first class of the day. I nod and follow her to her office.

“I have been wanting to talk to you about a position that is opening soon that I think you would be well suited for,” she says, leading me through the door to her office.

“Yes, ma’am? What is it?”

“Well, Mrs. Calloway’s husband got transferred, and they will be moving at the end of the year. That means theassistant principal job will be opening soon, and I want you to consider applying.”

“Are you serious?” I can’t believe the words she is saying.

“Very,” she smiles. “I know you finished your master’s last year and I have been extremely impressed with you since you started at Pecan Grove. The presentation you gave last fall was incredible. I think people are still talking about it.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” I try to gather my thoughts. “This has been my goal since I started here, so hearing you say you want me to apply, well, I’m not going to lie, it means a lot.”

“Yes, well, I can’t guarantee anything, and I’m sure we will get more than a few applicants, but I wanted to be sure you heard about it from me.”

“I understand. I’m always up for a little competition.” I can’t help but smirk.

She smiles at me and laughs. “I’m not sure when it will be posted, but I wanted you to have a heads up. I hope you consider applying.”

I stand, shaking her hand. “I will, thank you.”

Beth walksinto my classroom with Poppy at the start of my planning period. Poppy’s eyes don’t meet mine and instead look somewhere behind me.

“Thanks for making time to meet with us,” Beth says. When I agreed it didn’t register her student would be joining too, but here she is holding the largest cup of coffee I have ever seen. “You remember Poppy?” I nod.

“She will be here until the beginning of May,” Beth continues. “She was unsure about joining us, but I assured her you didn’t bite.”

Poppy nearly chokes on her coffee and I let out a small laugh. Her eyes shoot to mine for the first time since she walked in, and I can’t help but smile.

Beth pulls up a chair and takes a seat in front of my desk. I grab a chair for Poppy and set it next to Beth’s. “Alright, ready to get started,” I say, sitting at my desk and opening my laptop.

She sits down next to Beth and nervously twirls a piece of her hair around one of her fingers. She is staring at me, eyes blinking, mouth slightly open, like she isn’t sure what to say or do.

“Okay, how can we assist you with Freddie?” Beth asks.

“Well, I was thinking?—”

Poppy jumps up from her chair. “Oh shoot, I forgot my laptop. I’ll be right back.” Her voice is high-pitched and almost panicked.

“You don’t?—”

Beth tries to stop her, but she is already out the door and headed down the hall. Beth looks back at me and shakes her head. “I don’t know why she is so nervous. Hopefully, she’ll warm up to us quickly.” I smile and give her a laugh. I can’t help but think I know exactly why she is nervous and that it has nothing to do with Pecan Grove and everything to do with me.

POPPY

After we finishedup with the Tuesday Talkers, Beth informed me we would be meeting with Logan during his planning period. I tried to get out of it, saying I really needed to read through the students’ IEPs so I could be prepared for next week when I start working with the kids, but she insisted on me attending the meeting instead. I’m not really sure why I thought that would work, but I was desperate not to have to face him.

From the moment we arrived in his classroom, I wassearching for another excuse to get the hell out of there. I admittedly could have had some better timing, but the minute I realized I didn’t have my computer, I acted without thinking. I’m sure they both probably think I’m insane for how fast I ran down the hall, but at least I have now bought myself some time. I walk back into the speech office and sit down. I figure I can take my time to avoid having to interact with him a little longer.

Speech Sluts

Poppy: How was everyone’s first day?

Andrea: So far so good. These kids are precious. How about you?

Nicole: Mine was good! These old people are funny AF!

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