Page 28 of Just a Little White Lie

“Newlyweds?” I ask.

“Yeah. We got married this summer.” The dreamy smile she gives me is kind of adorable. “It’s so great. I love being Mrs. Cameron Jones.” She giggles and seems to float the rest of the way.

I bulge my eyes behind her back but can’t help wondering what that must feel like. I’ve never been loved-up in love. I’ve been lusty, smitten, turned-on, but I’ve never beenin love.I’m not overly romantic, so it doesn’t bother me that I haven’t, but watching Bianca… well, she kind of makes it look appealing, I guess.

As soon as I walk into the staff room, I make a lunge for the coffee machine. There’s a buzz around me as friendly people introduce themselves, and I’m lured to a table with blueberry muffins and the cheerful woman who made them. I also meet the art teacher, Lina, and have a nice chat with her friend Ezra, who teaches PE with Cameron. But the conversation gets cut short as I’m snatched away by Mr. Tech, who runs me through the intranet system. It quickly becomes a blur, and then the bell is ringing and I’m back in another classroom.

Erik has me covering a calculus class, which is just confirmation that he really does hate me. Thankfully, one of the students is a bit of a pro, so I basically let him lead the session. They’re a nice bunch, and it gives me hope that English won’t be so bad. It is my forte, after all, and I breeze through the class, as it’s a library session, and the sweet little Year 9 students spend most of their time hunting through shelves, reading books, and whispering to each other.

I get to chatting with the librarian, April Tomes.

“I’m sorry. What’s your name?” I can’t help a little giggle.

“I know.” She shrugs, adjusting her black rimmed glasses before smoothing a hand down her stubby ponytail.

Man, I’d love to restyle her look. She’s not a total plain Jane or anything, just uncomplicated, I guess. There’s so much potential there with her cherub face and alert brown eyes. Her glasses are super cute, I’d keep those. But it seems such a waste that her hair is simply pulled back without even a few long locks left out to frame her face. Some caramel highlights and a styled bob would look amazing on her, along with a little wardrobe change—maybe some pants that actually fit her properly and accentuate her curves. We’re about the same height when I’m wearing my heels. I imagine what a couple inches could do for her. Throw in a nice cobalt shirt to match her skin tone, and she’d be a total looker.

The image in my mind makes me grin, but she has no idea what I’m thinking as she continues to talk about her name.

“I work with books, and my last name is Tomes. It’s like it was meant to be.” Her giggle is contagious, and I join her, leaning against the counter and telling her about my day when she asks.

Her laid-back, friendly manner makes me comfortable enough to admit how challenging my morning was.

“Oh, really? I was wondering what they were going to do with that lot.” She rolls her eyes. “You should have been in the staff meeting last week. Teachers are so over them stirring up trouble and distracting the class, but I don’t know…” She trails off, and I raise my eyebrows at her.

“What don’t you know?”

“I have a few of them for English. I teach a couple classes in here that are smaller in size because the needs are a little higher. Mav and Arlo crack me up. They can be really funny, and Alexia just puts on that attitude to protect herself.” Leaning forward, she whispers, “These guys have come from poverty, and their home lives are terrible. Things have to be pretty bad to get an invite to this school. We’ve got the scholarship kids—they know they have to work hard to stay. Like Kai.” She points to an older student in the back of the room, who obviously is on a free period or something. He brushes a springy curl off his forehead and leans over a laptop that looks too old to still be functioning. “He got in because he works his butt off and has the grades to prove it. And then you’ve got the ‘charity cases.’” She mouths the last two words. “I hate that they get called that, but that’s the way they’re seen. The school has a special charity fund that pays for a handful of students. Someone in their family or a social worker has to apply, and the board selects the ones who need it most. These guys have got nothing, and they know it. But the school provides a decent package, right? They get fed well, nice rooms to sleep in, laptops and smartphones. It’s a great deal, but…” She sighs while my heart twists uncomfortably.

I trail my fingers along my collarbone, not wanting to feel sympathy for the laughing hyenas who humiliated me. But a part of me can’t help it.

The “but…” followed by that sigh really says it all.

“The worst part is”—April leans in, lowering her voice and confirming my suspicions—“they know they’re only here to make the school look good. Haven Academy has this rep for being elite with a big heart. It makes them all proud that they’ve taken on these down-and-outers, but have they really? How many people here genuinely care about these kids? It doesn’t matter how much stuff you physically give them if we don’t back it up with compassion. Are their emotional needs being met?” Her pointed look screamsI don’t think so!“How many teachers here are willing to fight to give them a better future? How many of them actually care what happens to these kids once they leave this place?” She shakes her head, looking disgusted. “Shoving them in a dance class just to get them out of the way? Ouch.”

I swallow, shifting in my heels and wanting this conversation to end.

“I’m just grateful that you didn’t walk out on them this morning. Those kids need someone to fight for them, to believe in them. I do what I can, but it’s nice to have an ally.” She squeezes my wrist, her smile so encouraging that all I can do is force one of my own.

It’s tight, and hopefully she doesn’t see right through it.

Checking my watch, I figure I better round up the students and get them back to class, but I’m stopped by Erik, who speeds into the library like Mr. Rush. The thought of the children’s book character has me biting the inside of my cheek to control the giggle inside me. But I can’t help picturing Erik all purple and triangular-shaped as he darts around the school, perpetually chasing the next task, with clouds of dust billowing up from his heels.

“Glad I caught you.”

“Oh?” I raise my eyebrows at him. The urge to laugh or even smile is stolen by the look on his face.

“I’ve got two minutes. I just wanted to confirm that you’re good to go for the rest of this week.”

“I…”

“We’d really appreciate the help.” His expression is almost desperate, and when I glance to my right and notice April’s hopeful grin, all I can do is sag and nod.

“Of course.”

“Wonderful.” He shows off his dimples, and I notice just how straight his teeth are. “Make sure you sign the paperwork before you head home. I want your pay to go through in the next cycle.” He shakes my hand, then briskly walks away.

“Always in a hurry, that man.” April snorts and shakes her head, but then her grin is back in place. “Great to have you on the team, Lauren.”

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