Page 27 of Pretending with the Mountain Man
Inside, my phone buzzes with an incoming message, but I ignore it. Whatever crisis awaits can wait until tomorrow. Tonight is just for us, this fragile, unexpected happiness we've found in each other's arms.
CHAPTER SEVEN
MELODY
One Week Later
Reality crashes backthe moment I step into Crimson Hollow High School. After a blissful week hidden away at Malik's cabin, the fluorescent lights and institutional beige walls feel like a cold shock to my system.
"Ms. Washington, welcome." Principal Brightly extends her hand, her smile professional and assessing. "I trust you're settled in town now?"
"Yes, thank you." I shake her hand, hoping my nervous energy reads as first-day jitters rather than guilt. "I appreciate the opportunity."
"Jordyn Kane McCrae speaks highly of you. Any friend of Sage Harris is a friend of Crimson Hollow." She gestures toward the hallway. "Let me show you to your classroom."
As we walk, students stare openly, whispering behind their hands. Small town curiosity about the new teacher, orsomething more? I tug my blazer tighter around me, suddenly aware of the hickey carefully concealed beneath my collar.
"Your predecessor left detailed lesson plans," Principal Brightly continues. "Though you're welcome to adapt them to your teaching style."
"I appreciate that flexibility."
We reach room 214, and she unlocks the door. The classroom is standard issue, rows of desks facing a whiteboard, motivational posters about literature on the walls.
"I'll leave you to get settled. Faculty meeting at 3:30 in the lounge." She hands me a set of keys. "Welcome aboard, Ms. Washington."
Once alone, I drop into the chair behind the desk, exhaling slowly. Just a teacher. That's who I am here. Not Sage's friend. Not Malik's lover. Just Ms. Washington, new English literature teacher.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Malik:Everything okay? Let me know if you need anything.
I smile despite my anxiety,typing back,
Me: All good. Just getting settled. Nervous about meeting students tomorrow.
His response comes quickly.
Malik: You'll be amazing. Dinner at my place tonight?
I hesitate,reality settling in. We’ve spent every night together since that first kiss. But now I'm officially Ms. Washington, and Crimson Hollow is watching. The looks from those teachers in the hallway weren't my imagination earlier.
Me: I think I should stay at the guest cabin alone tonight.
Maybe we need some space until I get settled at school. People are already talking.
The three dots appear,disappear, then reappear.
Malik:Understood. Take all the time you need.
No pressure.No guilt. Just acceptance of my boundary. Something warm unfurls in my chest, but doubt follows close behind. Is this too much, too fast? We've barely known each other two weeks, and already I'm deeper than I ever was with Jason after a year.
I turn to arranging my desk, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than the complicated emotions swirling inside me. By lunchtime, I've organized my teaching materials and reviewed the lesson plans for the week.
The faculty lounge buzzes with conversation when I enter, which dies down suspiciously as I approach the coffee machine.
"You must be Melody." A woman with auburn hair and kind eyes extends her hand. "Caroline Miller. I teach history."
"Nice to meet you." I accept her handshake, grateful for the friendly face.
