Page 89 of When You Left Me Speechless

Poppy: But wouldn’t that get me in trouble? She could fail me. Or worse, report me to the university? I don’t know Olive. I don’t want to end up like that other student teacher.

Olive: That other student teacher was asked not to return because he was caught fucking his supervisor in a janitor’s closet on school grounds. > Honestly, I think you’re freaking out about nothing. Unless he fucked you in a janitor’s closet, and you left that detail out???

Poppy: No. I just can’t afford not to graduate.

Olive: Then tell Beth so she can help protect you. If this person goes to the school, like you think, she will be blindsided, and that could end badly.

Beth is sittingat her computer answering emails at the end of the day. We haven’t really spoken much more since lunch. “Hey Beth, do you have a minute to chat?” I ask through a shaky breath.

She looks up at me and smiles. “Sure, what’s up?” I walk over, shut the door to her office, and sit in front of her desk.

“I, um, well, I think I’ve made a huge mistake, and I wanted you to hear it from me and not someone else.” My voice trembles, and I can feel the tears start to well in my eyes. I do my best to push them away.

She shuts her laptop. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Mr. Peterson, would it?” Her mouth curls into a devious smile.

“Um, actually, yes, how did you know? Did he say something?” Tears start streaming down my face, but I swallow the sound that’s meant to accompany them. I reach out and grab a few tissues from the box sitting on Beth’s desk. She looks at me and then sits back in her chair. She lets out a long sigh.

“Oh honey, don’t cry. I have suspected for a little while that maybe you two had something going on. Ruth told me she saw you getting out of his truck a couple of weeks ago, and I didn’t want to assume, but then this morning, when I got to his class, he looked just as bad as you do. I’m sorry, but you both look like complete hell. When he saw me walk in without you, he looked and sounded so panicked, it all just clicked.”

I wipe my tears and let her words sink in. “I, I promise, we never acted on anything here at school. I’m such an idiot, but I ended it. I woke up and realized I should have never been so stupid, so I promise we are nothing, and I’m serious about being here and graduating. I haven’t even talked to him since it happened. Gosh, Beth, I’m so sorry. I totally understand if you want to report me or fail me.”

Beth shakes her head, stands, and walks around to the edge of her desk. She stops and props herself so she is sitting on the edge. “I know you’re a smart girl. What you and Logan do off this school property is none of my business, so as far as I’m concerned, there is nothing to report. You’re very bright and will make an incredible speech therapist,so I will not fail you. I’m glad you told me, but why now?”

“Mrs. Wilson ran into us this weekend when we were leaving his apartment, and I’m afraid she is going to go to Keller. Beth, it was awful. I just wanted you to know before it happens.”

Beth laughs. She actually laughs out loud. “You’re joking?” I shake my head. “Goodness, that woman is insufferable. Well, if that happens, I got your back.” She pauses before continuing. “Gosh, I’m not sure if I should talk to you as your supervisor or your friend.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, still in disbelief she is being so incredibly cool about all of this.

“Well, if I were your friend, which I hope to be after Friday, I would tell you he is a really good guy and despite the messiness of the situation, I am wondering why you ended it with him. You only have a few days left.”

“Because it felt like my only option and my only hope to save his job. This way, when Keller finds out, I can tell her we aren’t anything, and it’ll be the truth. Did he really look like hell?”

“Worse than you,” she laughs. “But seriously, I think he’s a good one. I don’t think Keller will care. You should talk to him.”

I marinate on her words for what feels like a few very long few minutes. “And as my supervisor, what would you say?”

She stands and walks over and puts her hand on my arm. “As your supervisor, I want you to stop worrying. You have four more days here, so let’s make the most of them. Go home and get some rest. Think about what I said. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”

I nod in agreement and thank her before grabbing my stuff and heading out to my car. I feel a little lighter now that she knows, but I still don’t know what to do.

CHAPTER 55: INSINUATIONS AND CHARMING STORIES

LOGAN

Itexted her last night to tell her I miss her. She didn’t respond. I’m not surprised. She was clear that what we were was nothing serious. I’m the idiot that fell for her.

It’s Tuesday, so I know she will be in the cafeteria when I arrive, and the anticipation of seeing her is killing me.

I walk in and survey the tables. The Tuesday Talkers Club is seated eating donuts with Beth and Poppy. She looks beautiful. Her hair curled just like I like it and she’s wearing a blue V-neck T-shirt that brings out her eyes. I let my gaze linger a little longer than I should, hoping she will look up, but she doesn’t. I consider for half a second walking over and saying something and then I stop myself. I pull out my phone instead.

Logan: Hey, chatterbox. Please talk to me. We can figure this out.

I watch as she picks up her phone and reads my message. Three dots appear on the screen, and for a minute, I feel as though she may respond. As fast as they appear, they disappear and she puts her phone back in her pocket. I keep mydistance for the rest of my morning duty and then sneak out a few minutes early so we don’t run into one another. If she doesn’t want to talk to me, then I have to respect that. It’s my fault we are where we are. She never wanted to go out together. I’m the idiot that didn’t listen and pushed her. Look where it got us.

On the way back to my classroom, I stop by the front office to check my mailbox. As I walk out, I pass by Mrs. Wilson. She looks me up and down. The look on her face tells me she thinks I should go to hell. I smile politely and continue towards the door.

As I walk away, I hear Keller say, “What do I owe the pleasure of meeting with you this morning, Mrs. Wilson? Please come in and sit down.” My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.

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