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He jogged toward the steps, ignoring the students who giggled and pointed as he passed.
On his short journey to Michelle’s classroom, Luke was dragged back to his high school years. Back then, he was awkward around girls and generally avoided them.
Ashanti was the only girl he’d felt comfortable around. She didn’t allow him to be shy around her. Not even when it was his natural inclination to do so.
Ash thrived in pushing him out of his comfort zone.
You’re about to get back with Michelle. Stop thinking about Ashanti.
Luke walked into the classroom the security guard had pointed out to him and let his gaze fall on the neat rows of chairs, the colorful posters on the wall and the white board.
Michelle was standing at the front of the classroom, her back to him and her arms stretching to wipe the top of the board with an eraser.
Her hair was pinned up and she wore a pink uniform shirt and black pants. He cleared his throat and she immediately spun and looked at him.
Luke hadn’t been sure what to expect, but he hadn’t anticipated the smile on her pretty face or the welcoming gleam in her eyes.
“Luke!” Michelle yelled.
He waved. “Hey.”
Michelle dropped the eraser and floated toward him. “It’s so great to see you. I hope you don’t mind meeting in the classroom like this. I’m the moderator for the book club and we’re meeting at four.”
Luke checked his watch. “Book club, huh? What book are you reading?”
“To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a great read and the kids…” Her voice faded. “But I’m sure you didn’t ditch the café and stop by my school just to ask about my book club. Although the girls would love to have you.”
He chuckled. “Thanks for the invitation.”
“Well?” Michelle tilted her head.
He inhaled a deep breath and stared into her eyes. All the sensations he felt when he first laid eyes on her washed over him. “How have you been?”
“Me?” Michelle dipped her head. “Fine.”
“I’m really sorry about the way I left things that night. I should have run after you.”
“It’s alright.” Michelle lifted her shoulder in a delicate shrug. “You had something more important to deal with.”
“Michelle, Ashanti and I… we’re really not like that.”
She shuffled her weight from one hip to the other. “What are you trying to say, Luke?”
“I’m saying…” he inhaled deeply. “I like—” Before he could finish, his phone rang. He almost skittered from the shrill sound blasting into the silent classroom. Luke pulled out his phone, intending to ignore the call when he saw that it was Yeye.
“Is it important?” Michelle asked.
“It’s my grandfather. I’m sorry. I have to take this.” Luke walked to the door and put the cell to his ear. “Yeye?”
“Luke, have you spoken to Ashanti today?”
At the mention of Ashanti’s name, Luke cupped his other hand over the phone’s speakers and tossed an anxious look at Michelle. She watched him innocently. Luke spun back around and hissed, “No. Why?”
“There was a breaking news report about a journalist who was attacked during her investigation. The details line up with the story Ashanti told us about. I think it was Ashanti’s case.”
Luke’s entire body seized at his grandfather’s words. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know,” Yeye said, sounding genuinely distressed. “The news report focused on the drug dealer’s arrest rather than the journalist who was assaulted. I was hoping she had called you and let you know she was alright.”
