Page 18 of A Damaged Soul
I didn't think so.
"So you want a boring, stuffy man who sits behind a desk? Because he too could die from being hit by a car crossing the street."
"It's not the same, and you know it."
"Maybe not, but are you really going to live your life with what-ifs? How is that living?"
I really hated when she was right. Of course I didn't say that though. Instead I picked up my sandwich and took a bite even though I had no ambition to eat anything. My stomach was in knots.
It wasn't until I finished chewing that I found the words to answer her. "We're just friends."
Molly popped a grape in her mouth. "You keep telling yourself that."
The rest of lunch, we ate in silence. Molly eating more than me as I picked at my food. By the time the period was over, I wasmore than eager to get back to my classroom and hopefully some kind of normal.
I managed to make it through the rest of the day without looking at my phone every five minutes. If my students noticed that there was something wrong, they didn't say anything, which gave me hope they didn't notice. It wasn't until I was on my way home that my phone rang again. A quick glance showed Rhett was calling.
"Hello?"
Rhett's chuckle filled my vehicle. "You sound surprised to hear from me. I told you I would call."
"I just assumed it wouldn't be until later tonight."
"You know what they say about assuming." Rhett laughed once again, and the tension I was feeling all afternoon slipped away.
"Something about making an ass out of you and me, I think," I teased him back, and it felt good to fall into a natural conversation.
"Yup, something like that." I wished I could see Rhett's face. I wanted to watch as he laughed and smiled. It was good to hear, but I wanted to see it as well. "So how was the rest of your workday?"
"Uneventful. The kids were good and did their work as asked."
"Is it ever eventful?"
"Oh yes." I chuckled. "Usually when my team teacher does a science experiment. It gets all the kids rowdy and then they come back to me hyped up like she gave them spoonfuls of sugar."
Whatever Molly had up her sleeve clearly didn't get done today, and secretly I was thankful. There were only so many times I could handle the craziness she brought to my classroom.
"Does that happen often?"
I laughed so hard I snorted, then immediately covered my mouth and nose like it would help take the noise I made back.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" It was a good thing we weren't on a video call. I was saved from Rhett seeing just how embarrassed I was.
"For what? Making a cute sound."
I didn't think it was possible for me to get even more red than I already was, but one look in my rearview mirror at myself and it was obvious that I could.
"Anywho..." I cleared my throat and made Rhett chuckle. "To answer your question, yes, it happens often. Almost once a week if I'm being honest."
"One science experiment a week? Is that normal?"
Ha! Nothing about Molly was normal, but instead of saying that, I tamed my answer a bit. "Molly is known for her crazy ideas."
"Was she the one who recommended you go out last Friday?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. It's all her fault I was out in the city."
"Then tell her I said thank you. Without her, I never would've gotten to meet you."
