Page 133 of Mine Forever

“Yeah,” I said quickly. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. “I’ve gotta go, I’m gonna be late.”

“Hey, wait a sec.” Andy grabbed my shoulder. “June, look, I really want to talk to you.” He glanced into my eyes and I flushed hotly.

“I’m really sorry,” I said quickly. “But I’ve got to run to class.”

“I didn’t mean here,” Andy said. He smiled, like it was a joke.

I forced a smile right back.

“How about we go out to dinner this Friday?”

“Oh, god, Andy, I’m sorry – I can’t. I actually have plans that night.”

Andy’s eyes flashed. “Oh yeah? With another guy?” I could tell he was struggling to keep his voice neutral and calm.

I blushed. “Uh, no, I’m just going out with my roommate, Angela,” I lied.

“Oh?” Andy raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

Why are you giving me the third degree, I thought in exasperation. Just let me go!

“I don’t know yet,” I said. “Look, I’ve really got to run. Bye, Andy!”

Andy narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know how you can be like this, June.”

“What?” I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I don’t like being toyed with,” Andy continued. “And I hate how you’re trying to play me. Hot and cold, which is it?”

Thankfully the bell rang just as I was about to open my mouth.

“I can’t talk,” I said quickly. “Bye, Andy!”

Andy stood there, glowering at me as I ran off towards my classroom.

Thankfully, the kids were just starting to file in as I took my place at the head of the class. Ruth raised an eyebrow at me.

“Sorry,” I mouthed. “Bad traffic.”

Ruth nodded.

As I called the class to order, I couldn’t quite get Andy’s words out of my mind. What had he been talking about? Hot and cold? I wasn’t even sure what that meant!

The day, thankfully, seemed to speed by. I was afraid of running into Andy, so I stayed in my room for planning and lunch. It was pouring rain, and the kids were so restless by three-thirty that they were practically bouncing off the walls. I was more relieved to see them dismissed than usual, and my stomach was in knots by the time I left school.

At home, Angela was making a batch of sangria. She poured some into a glass and held it out towards me.

“Rough day?”

I rolled my eyes and took a sip. It was good, and I closed my eyes as I savored the fruity tastes bursting on my tongue.

“It was okay,” I said. I shrugged and carried my glass into the living room before flopping down on the couch.

“What happened?” Angela narrowed her eyes. “You nervous about tomorrow?”

I blushed. “Yeah,” I said. I wrinkled my nose. “I dunno. Someone I work with said something kind of odd to me.”

Angela snickered. “Oh, girl,” she said. “Like what?”

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