AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know that feeling.”
“Oh?”
I nod. “Growing up, I had a bit of a reckless streak, and it drove my parents nuts. But then they decided I had to pick a path and get my volunteer hours in for high school, so I worked in an elementary school program, and I fell in love with teaching. The idea that I’m shaping the minds of the future, building a better world, making things better for even just one kid…it’s addictive.”There I go again. Babbling.
“You make it sound enticing.”
I laugh nervously. “Most guys just want to me to shut up about it.”
“They are idiots.”
I laugh again, less nervous this time. James is nice to talk to. “Think teaching could be your ambition?”
He chuckles. “No. I’ve never been a kid person. They’re fine for other people, but even when I was one, I wasn’t exactly comfortable around them. I have three older brothers and a younger sister, and as much as I love them, I was never into the things they were into.”
“Five kids? Big family.”
“They’re great. We get along now, but back then, not so much. You? Any family?”
“My parents and an older sister. She’s the golden child, so when I came out doing my own thing, I think my parents got really worried really fast.”
He laughs. “Oh, same here. My older brothers are the golden children, but me and my brother Beckett are the most alike. Maya—that’s my sister—she’s into her own thing, too, but not for long, if our Mom has anything to say about it.”
“I see it now with my students. Even at four years old, the parents are already trying to sand down their interests and put them into a tiny, acceptable box. Why not just let the kids be themselves?”
“Yes! Exactly! I don’t understand the need to make everyone alike.” He sighs and requests his tab from the bartender. “Anyway, I could never be a teacher. For that matter, I’m pretty sure I could never be a father, either. I wouldn’t know what to do for them or what to say to them.”
I nod. “It can be awkward sometimes. But the thing with kids is, you just talk to them like they’re people, and it comes naturally. Sure, they’re tiny, uncoordinated, and have a relative belief in magic, but they’re just people who don’t quite understand the world yet.”
He pays his tab. “I think I just found something I have in common with kids, because I don’t understand the world, either.”
I giggle. “Same here. You’re heading out?” What a pity. This is the best conversation I’ve had with a guy in…maybe ever.
“I was. But it’s a nice night, and I enjoy talking to you. Want to go for a walk?”
“Yeah. Let me grab my bag.” He nods, and I dash off to the girls, all of whom wear a hell of a grin when they see me. “Not a word. I’m leaving to go for a walk. Nothing more.”
Together, they taunt, “Oooo.”
“And Jeanette?”
“Yes, hon?”
“Thank you for being the pushy kick in the ass I need sometimes.”
She giggles. “You can show appreciation in the form of getting laid.”
I roll my eyes, meet up with James, and we walk outside. It’s colder out now, but somehow, I don’t feel it as much when I’m walking with him. But after twenty minutes, the cold seeps into my bones. I hardly notice it, because I’m so wrapped up in our conversation, but he says, “Aria, your lips are blue. Are you okay?”
I laugh and hug myself. “Might be a little cold.”
“I have great heat in my truck, if you want to keep talking.”
Despite the red flag-free conversation, I’m wary of doing that just yet. “How about my car?”
“Sounds good.”
He follows me there, and once I get the heater running, I start to feel my face again. “That’s better. You were saying?”
