Page 22 of Defined and Defiled
Again, I'm puzzled. Mike was never my favorite, but surely he'd never hurt anyoneright? He stuttered asking me out just a few days ago. That doesn't scream coven shenanigans to me.
“No, thank you.” I really do have a lot to do. I always do. The student's test from today needs to be graded, though I plan to rope Richard in to help with that, and I still need to plan the pizza party the kids earned for scoring so high on their benchmark test. I'm just not sure how long any of it can stall Mike.
His eyes dart to my reading nook and then back at me,
“I like what you did to your hair today Shirely. Looks nice.”
I reach up and touch my hair where the red strands are coming out of my messy bun.
“I wear it the same way almost every day.” I protest.
“Yes, and you always look nice. I can't wait to return this book and take you out.”
I never recall agreeing to this date Mike seems set to take us on. He moves his attention away from the reading nook and towards my desk.
“Where did you leave it? I can just return it to the basement and pick you up when I'm done.”
I ignore Mike's question.
“You know, I've never really gotten the chance to talk to you one on one outside of maintenance needs.”
Mike looks startled before smiling.
“I'd love to get to talk to you more Shirely, when we go out tonight we can-”
I interrupt Mike, “As I've always said, why wait?”
Mike's smile tightens.
“What would you like to know?”
“How long have you been working at the school?”
Mike's smile drops for a second before he puts it back on, worse for wear.
“Gosh, it feels like forever.”
“How long is forever exactly?”
Mike watches me closely.
“You know, we really should be returning that book.”
I know I shouldn't be pushing him like this. It's too soon, and I'm alone but I keep thinking about his fingers on Sophia's sleeve, how he'd also rested his hand on Richard's shoulder in the AV club picture.
“How long have you known Principal Bailey?”
Mike's smile is long forgotten now.
“What are you really asking Shirley?”
“What did you do to Richard Diction?”
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Resolution (n.)
Res·o·lu·tion : the point in a literary work at which the chief dramaticcomplicationis worked out
