AllFreeNovel
Share Us
To this day, I maintain my innocence that I had nothing to do with changing every sign that had Principal Horne’s name from Ian to Iam to be read asI am Horne,a play on words of sorts.
Since I was nowhere near the school that night, I would have no idea that there were one hundred and twelve places around the school with his name listed in some shape or form.
I’m still chuckling at the memory when his office door opens. Principal Horne looks exactly the same, with his wire glasses perched on his nose.
“Cooper, it’s great to see you.”
Rising from the chair, I meet him halfway and shake his hand. “You too, sir.”
He chuckles. “Please, call me Ian.” I nod, even though that feels weird. “Come on into my office, and let’s chat.” Ian extends his hand to lead me into his office.
“Have a seat, Coop,” he says as he closes the door behind him. I take a seat in one of the open seats in front of his desk while he takes a seat behind it. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
I shake my head and wave him off. “Oh, no trouble at all. I know you’re a busy man. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me this morning.”
“Of course, but I think I should thank you, actually. I spoke with Verne, and he said that you’re interested in taking over his fall ball clinic.”
“I am. I’m not sure how good of a role model I’ll be, but I promise to do my best with the boys.”
“I think the kids can definitely benefit from your knowledge. One of the best damn baseball players to walk this hall.”
An awkward silence comes over us as he processes his own words.Yeah, one of them—the other was gone too soon.Ian clears his throat.
“I know Verne went over what we expect of you, the schedule, and all that. Here is a list”—he pulls a folder from a pile on his desk—“with the current roster and their class schedules and contact information.”
I accept the folder and start browsing, not that I recognize anyone’s name.
“I have some paperwork for you to complete as well. All pretty standard.”
My eyes widen, and he must sense my nerves because he laughs. “Relax, Cooper. You only have to cross some t’s and dot some i’s. I don’t need a blood oath or anything,” he jokes. “Cooper, it’s all going to be okay. You’re going to do a great job. Both Coach Benson and I both have all the faith in you.”
I laugh awkwardly. “No pressure or anything.”
“Come on, let me walk you down to Coach’s office, where you can set up.” Ian rises, and I follow. He searches for something on his desk, shuffling a few items before snapping open a drawer. He retrieves a set of keys and holds them up.
“I thought I was being a baseball coach, not a janitor.”
He chuckles as we exit his office. “Alice, I’m going to walk Cooper down to show him around a little. If Eric Taylor shows up, let him know I’ll be back shortly.”
She nods and gives me a small wave.
We make small talk as we walk down the halls.
“Man.” I blow out a breath and grip the back of my neck.
“Feels weird being back, huh?”
“Yeah, something like that.” Memories flash in my mind of walking down the halls with Riley on my arm and Tanner beside me; getting caught kissing Riley against her locker by Mr. Kramer, one of the math teachers; and overall, feeling like being on top of the world.
There is an innocence that carries through the hallways in high school. As teenagers, we feel we are invincible, that everything in the outside world—all the dangers and evils and, honestly, reality—couldn’t penetrate our bubble. We learned quickly that it didn’t matter your age. When life was ready to throw you curveballs, it threw hard and fast. There wasn’t time to wait for the perfect pitch. It was happening whether we were ready or not.
I freeze in my tracks when we pass a classroom with an open door and I recognize that female voice.
Riley’s a teacher here? Once again, why didn’t anyone think to share that?
Honestly, it catches me a little off guard. Careful not to disturb her or make myself known, I stand there in the shadows just outside her classroom and observe her in her element.
“I mean, why would they kill themselves? There are so many more women out there that Romeo could have had. No need to tie himself down to just one and die over her,” a male voice says, followed by slight chattering.
