Page 1 of Fight for You (Flirting with Forever 2)

Chapter 1

Hadleigh

I am nervous as hell. Right before winter break, our assistant principal, Miles Steele, called me into his office to let me know I’d been selected to mentor a student teacher for the next eight weeks. I know it’s considered an honor of sorts to be chosen, but I can’t help but feel a smidge grumpy about it. Eight weeks seems like an entire lifetime to have someone in my classroom. It’s like my second home, and now I have to worry about someone else infiltrating my space. And I’m expected to just turn my classes over to this person? That scares the shit out of me. I’ve finally gotten into the groove after four and a half years, and now it feels like the rug is being pulled out from under me.

My friend and coworker, Zoey, and I have met for one final hurrah at our favorite coffee shop before we head back to work tomorrow. As we get seated with our drinks, I ask, “How is it that time moves so slowly while we’re working, but so incredibly fast during break? I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to go back tomorrow.”

Zoey takes a careful sip of her steaming hot caramel macchiato. “Ugh. I don’t know. I do miss seeing everyone, though.”

My friend is definitely a people person and thrives on interacting with others. If someone says the phrase get together, you can bet she’ll be there. She’ll undoubtedly be late because she’s so damn busy with her work as a guidance counselor and everything that comes with that, but she’ll be there. In my opinion, she runs herself ragged by always focusing on others and putting everyone else first. So yeah, that means she’s constantly a smidge behind. At this point, it’s like her calling card. I’m used to filling her in on everything that she’s missed.

I skim my finger absentmindedly around the rim of my teacup. “I’m not ready to go back and definitely not ready for whoever this guy I have to work side by side with for the next few months is.”

Zoey grimaces as she observes my fidgeting. She tucks a stray hair behind her ear, and her gaze settles on my face again. “I tried to get more information about him out of Miles for you, but he didn’t share much else.”

Dammit. Usually, it’s handy to have a friend in the main office. As a guidance counselor, Zoey hears all sorts of things before the rest of us do. She’s my go-to for all the good gossip, but apparently, this time she’s in the dark just as much as I am.

“Here, look.” I hold out my phone for her. “Check out this e-mail I got yesterday. What vibe do you get from him?”

* * *

From: Sawyer Rivers

To: Hadleigh Beckett

Date: Sunday, January 2 12:24 PM (1 day ago)

Subject: Meeting

* * *

Ms. Beckett,

I hope this e-mail finds you well. I was told to contact you about my student teaching placement in your classroom this semester. I’d like to set up a meeting before my first day, if possible.

Sawyer Rivers

* * *

Zoey wrinkles her nose as she reads. “He’s polite, I guess.”

“You can say that again. He sounds … almost uptight. How should I respond?” My brows draw together while my thumbs twitch anxiously over the phone keyboard as I debate what to type.

“You should answer politely right back …?” She ducks her head and covers her mouth with her hand, giggling.

“Right. Okay, here goes nothing.” My lower lip is wedged between my teeth as I work through what I feel like is an appropriate response from a mentor to a mentee.

* * *

From: Hadleigh Beckett

To: Sawyer Rivers

Date: Monday, January 3, 2:26 PM

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