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“We’re friends. Coworkers. She teaches across the hall. She probably just had a question about the drill.”
“You fit with her,” I whisper, not even sure if he can hear me.
Someone—likely another teacher or an administrator—has gotten the flow of traffic in the hallway moving again. Not to mention, the fire alarm is still blaring.
“I’m in love withyou.”
It’s overwhelming, hearing him say those words. They settle over me like a blanket of déjà vu. Like knowledge I already knew, but needed to be reminded of to remember.
I bite my bottom lip—the flash of pain an assurance that even if we are a dream, this moment is very real—and then tell him something I could have and probablyshould havesaid a long time ago. “I love you, Teddy.”
His grin is immediate and all-consuming. “Really?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, really. It can’t bethatshocking.”
Teddy laughs. “Are you serious? I left Glasgow, convinced I’d never see you again.”
“I was scared,” I admit. “Iamscared. And it had nothing to do with Ellie and everything to do with me. But I want this. You.Us.”
Teddy opens his mouth to reply but is interrupted by a loud, “Mr. Owens!”
We both turn to see Principal Anderson making his way toward us. Unlike with me, students are scurrying out of his way. Principal Anderson looks the same as he did on the day I graduated high school—overweight and underwhelmed.
His scowl is briefly interrupted by surprise when he registers my identity. “Miss Everett. Care to explain why you’re clogging up the hallway?”
I doubt Principal Anderson is much of a romantic. So, I answer, “Visiting,” rather than mention any of the more telling details.
“Did you sign in at the main office?”
“Yes,” I reply, feeling about five years old.
Principal Anderson harrumphs. “Mr. Owens, I can certainly think of more productive uses of your time than ‘visiting’.”
Teddy nods before he turns, brushing his lips against my forehead. I’m pretty sure someone passing by sighs. “I’ll be there tonight.”
“Okay.”
With one final smile, I turn and keep walking, melting into the flow of students heading toward the main doors.
Walking away from him, the way I’ve done many times before.
But this time feels different.
