Page 27 of Always Been Yours

The first day of school has always given me a specific sort of thrill, even as a teacher. I don’t know how to explain it.

It’s a certain type of anxious excitement that only happens when you know you’re stepping into a new experience. And every year is exactly that.

The kids are one year older, gaining new knowledge, meeting a friend for the first time. The teachers are meeting a new class and getting another year to help these kids find another part of themselves.

I’d be lying if I said every class is an easy fit. Some years, it takes more adjustment. And that’s okay. Those are usually the years that there are a higher majority of kids who need more.More attention, more praise, and more encouragement.

This year I get the feeling that the students are going to get along pretty well and are excited to be here.

I’ve been teaching for five years now, and there are some things I’ve learned about how to base what the school year will be like. For example, this year’s class loved my silly ice breakers and we spent longer than I had planned playing two truths and lie, oncethey figured out the rules a bit. Heads Up Seven Up is another classic way to get the kids interacting with each other and learning names quickly.

The more excited and open they are on the first day usually means that they will feel that way throughout the year.

I sent out the email to all of the supervisors and coaches during my lunch, and a few of the supervisors have gotten back to me already, letting me know that they will have their ideas by the beginning of next week. We usually try to hold off on starting after school activities until the second full week of classes, allowing the students some time to get settled.

Not at all surprising, none of the coaches have replied to the email. Even though Iknowa lot of the coaches believe in accessibility to all students and the prioritization of education, I also know that Harper can be a bully and is the leader of the sports pack.

He constantly wonders why I won’t give him a chance.

He’s the type of man who not only peaked in high school but feels entitled to any woman he meets. Mrs. Gable loves him because he’s taken the football team to multiple state championships. And Knox, Grady’s assistant coach, and I are certain that she has a crush on him.

“Knock, knock.”

I turn toward the soft tap on my classroom door and smile at the friendly voice I recognize easily.

The very man himself.

“Knox!” I jump from my chair. He’s easily my closest work friend even if I’ve refused to let that expand outside of the school. “How are you? How are Lucas and the boys? How was Hawaii?”

He chuckles and opens his arms to give me a tight hug. “It was amazing! Remind me to have Lucas email you the photos of Mattyand Jake kayaking for the first time. Matty got a little sick but pushed through. Jake hated it but refused to give up.”

“Oh, no,” I laugh. Matty is in kindergarten at the school, and Jake was in my class two years ago. “Let Matty know that I was sick forweekswhen I first started to kayak but you get used to it eventually. If it’s something he likes, I would love to take you guys around the coves up in La Jolla sometime.”

“You angel, Matty would love that. But you know, Viv, that meansactuallyspending time with me outside of work,“ he jokes.

Rolling my eyes, I take another step back. “Just let me know when. What are you doing on the munchkin side of the campus?”

High Tides accepts students from kindergarten all the way to twelfth grade, but the classrooms are designed in a way to separate the younger kids from the older students.

“Oh, right.” He laughs awkwardly, glancing around my room. I raise my eyebrows, waiting for him to tell me what’s going on. “I was actually looking for Grady… Grady Miller. I haven’t had a chance to meet him since I got back to town. Selena said if he isn’t in his classroom to maybe check yours…” He lets the sentence drift off but gives me a curious look.

Selena, ever the meddling mother.

After everything that happened with former best friend Molly and ex-fiancé Brody, I haven’t allowed anyone into my life after Lexi. And as thankful as I am for her, at the time it simply was due to necessity. Knox and his husband Lucas have invited me to dinner multiple times and have encouraged me to meet someone at every single work function. I always refuse. He says that I’m an angel, but really, it’s him. Knox is one of the most patient men I’ve ever met. The fact that he doesn’t hate me after I’ve blown off his offers every time should say enough.

I knew from the moment I heard that he would be coaching withGrady that they’d be fast friends.

I try to break the tension with a teasing eye roll, and I turn back to the whiteboard, trying to keep myself busy in hopes that I can hide my reaction from him.

“Is that what the rumor is?”

“I mean, I wouldn’t call it a rumor. If anything, Selena seemed hopeful. Any idea what that’s about?”

I shoot him a sharp look over my shoulder that he answers with a grin. “No idea at all. As you can see, there’s no one in my classroom.”

I turn to face him now, and we give each other a long stare, waiting to see who’ll break first.

Knox is not nearly as stubborn as me. “Fine, I can see he isn’t here. I guess I can go check his room now.” He gives me a faux guilty look and backs toward the door. “I figured I would check in here first.”

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