Page 81 of Compared
I’m doing what Hillary says. I want her to feel confident about me so she’s okay risking her job.
I just hope that confidence builds sooner rather than later.
CHAPTER24
MEG
I’m watching my window from my classroom, waiting for the moment when it looks like Tyler is loading up, getting ready to leave the school for the weekend. When that happens, I’ll head to my car so we can leave at the same time. I know it’s stupid, but I don’t know what else to do. I haven’t talked to him all week.
I’ve seen him. He’s been at the school, working on the playground remodel. My classroom window has a straight shot of his work space, and no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to look away. But I haven’t talked to him at all; even if he only says “Have a good weekend, Miss Johnson,” my effort will be worth it.
We went from our almost kiss in my apartment last weekend to…nothing.
Well, notnothing.
Tyler’s beendoingthings. He’s been bringing me drinks during school and leaving them on my desk. I know it’s him. I’ve asked Charlene and Jen, and they aren’t doing it, so that only leaves him. Somehow he managed to figure out what my favorite drink is—diet Mountain Dew.
Then there’s my car. Each day after school there’s a treat on the hood of my car. No one else’s car has a treat. Just mine. Yesterday, it was another delicious chocolate chip cookie.
It’s the little things.
And the little things are starting to add up in a big way.
I can’t stop thinking about him. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it or hide it. It’s like I have to know if this feeling between us could be something more, something worth risking my job over.
Tyler carries a stack of shovels to the back of his truck. I look at the clock; it’s five o’clock. He’s calling it a day. I grab my purse and turn out the lights, shutting my classroom door behind me.
* * *
TYLER
I throw some toolsin the metal box in the back of my truck as I finish cleaning up the construction site for the weekend. I’m moving slowly, trying to time my exit with Meg’s. Her car is still in the parking lot, so I know she’s at the school.
I have a plan.
When Meg walks to her car, I’ll strike up a conversation with her, and then I’ll ask her what she’s doing this weekend. Hopefully one thing will lead to another, and we’ll end up hanging out. The details of the plan are unclear, but I’m sure I can improvise.
“Dad!” Krew points to the side. “There’s Mrs. Johnson.”
He’s sitting on the back of my truck bed, playing with some Legos. I told him to alert me the second he sees her.
It’s showtime.
“Hey, Miss Johnson,” I say, meeting her at her car. “Are you leaving for the day?”
“I am.” She swings her keys around her finger. “What about you?”
“Yeah, I just got done. Do you have any big plans this weekend?”
She shakes her head. “Not really. You?”
“Krew and I have a frozen pizza we’re going to cook tonight.” I would ask her if she wants to join us, but I can’t. I can’t break the rules, and inviting Meg over to my house is definitely crossing some line.
“Fun.” She stands there for a minute like she’s waiting for me to say something else, but I have nothing else to say. I’m terrible at making things up as I go.
She presses the button on the car’s remote, causing the lights to blink. “Well, I hope you guys have a fabulous weekend.” She opens her car door and throws her stuff inside before sitting down.
I’m running out of time, so I do the only thing I can think of. I place my hands on the top of her door and lean over the side of it casually.
