But even then, I knew—if she’d asked me to stay, I wouldn’t have.
Pride is a strong heartbeat, especially when it’s beating alongside the need to prove that you matter.
When I kissed her, it wasn’t desperate. It was devastating.
But at the time, we both thought it was necessary.
A knock at the door startles me from my thoughts and memories. I look up and see another familiar face.
Mrs. Hensley.
“Heard you were back,” she says.
“I promise I’m not here to make more messes during lab,” I tease as I stand from the desk. “How are you, Mrs. Hensley?”
This woman has aged. Her hair is now bright white instead of gray, and there’s a softness on her face, or maybe that’s just because I’m now her colleague instead of student.
“Kids aren’t the same. I miss the days you were in my classroom,” she replies.
I tilt my head. “You sure about that?”
She chuckles. “TikTok has ruined everything.”
I warm at her words, thinking about my TikTok account that is actually doing quite well. Brings in a little extra money, which is helpful on a teacher’s salary.
Mrs. Hensley then winks at me. “I’m just teasing. I know you have TikTok. Although attention spans do seem shorter, but if I remember correctly, your attention span wasn’t great either forotherreasons.”
I laugh. “Better reasons than a phone screen.”
“We can agree on that,” she says. “Well, it’s good to see you, Milo.”
“You too, Mrs. Hensley.”
“Greta,” she corrects. “I’m not your teacher anymore.”
“I’m not sure if I can do that.”
“You’ll learn.”
Then she leaves me alone in this room full of memories—of who I used to be, when I thought I’d never be enough.
I left to become someone new, but I didn’t realize how much of who I was would stay here.
5
SADIE
I glancedown at the large calendar I keep on my desk.
Tuesday.
Pay the water bill.
Print out worksheets for youth group.
DRINK WATER.
I reach over and grab my bubblegum-pink Stanley cup that Emma bought me for Christmas and take three large gulps.
