Page 105 of Can't Text This

Me:But do you want to get together tonight? Just to hang?

Monty:I can’t. I need to prep my schedule for the first week. It’s just days away.

Me:You’re killing me.

Monty:You’ll live.

Me:Not if I’m dead I won’t.

Monty:So dramatic.

Me:*cries a thousand tears*

Monty:If I’d have known you were going to be such a handful…

Me:I am way more than a handful and we both know it. ??

* * *

Me:We’re meeting tonight. I’m not taking no for an answer.

Monty:Yes, you are. I can’t.

Me:Can.

Me:Be prepared.

Me:It’s happening.

Monty:I’m too tired for sex.

Me:If you think you’re tired now, just wait.

Eighteen

Monty

“Good morning,class. I’m Miss Andrews.”

I slap my hand against my forehead.

“Nope. That’s dumb. Let’s try again.”

Squaring my shoulders, I hold my head high and try one more time. “Good morning, class. I am Miss Andrews and today…”

I stop myself because I sound ridiculous…again.

I’ve been standing in front of this mirror for the past thirty minutes trying to nail my opening for my first day, and everything I say sounds robotic or asinine—there is no in between.

It was the same way on Wednesday when I had my first set of parent-teacher meetings. I sounded so stupid in front of all the smiling parents, and I could have sworn I saw a few cringes when my voice squeaked mid “good evening”. My stomach rolls at the thought of having to do it again this Wednesday.

Good thing I have time to practice. Hopefully, the kids will be more forgiving than the parents.

I clear my throat and try again.

“Good—”

There’s a loud knock on the door and I nearly jump out of my skin at the sudden noise.