Page 6 of Between Love and War
Fine. He really does look like someone important. If he were just a regular human, it would be a terrible waste of height. And face. And torso. Fortunately for the human race, he looks like Supermanandhe’s the captain of the national basketball team. Unfortunately for me, he’s also really arrogant, sarcastic, and mean enough to make you want to throw a chair at him but also admire his face from a safe distance.
So naturally, I hate him.
Oof. Okay, wait.Hateis a strong word. Maybe I just strongly, emphatically, with all the kindness in my heart… don’t like him very much.
He shrugs. “Look, Miss…” He looks at the nameplate on my desk despite me introducing myself earlier, “Kate, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m not exactly here by choice.”
Oh, I’veheard. Everyone within a ten-mile radius has heard.
“Well,I’mhere by choice,” I say, trying to sound calm. “So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat this like some chore you’re being forced to suffer through.”
He leans back, arms crossed. “And I’d appreciate it if I didn’t have to be here at all. But life is disappointing sometimes.”
I suck in a breath, my fingers tightening around my folder. “Okay,” I say with a too-sweet smile. “Then let’s make this easy for both of us. Show up. Follow instructions. Maybe don’t shove anyone. Think you can manage that?” Okay. That was mean. And I’m not usually mean. I give free food to delivery riders and take in stray cats. Why is the guy bringing out my inner goblin?
Michael barks out a short, humorless laugh. “Guess we’ll find out.”
For a second, we just stare at each other. Then he adds, “And if you could not hover over me like I’m about to set the school on fire, that’d be great.”
I snap the folder shut with a little more force than necessary. “Fine.”
“Fine.”
“Great.”
“Perfect.” He stares at me. I try to stare back, but it’s hard to be intimidating when your eye level barely makes it to someone’s armpit. I give up before my neck cramps.
“Are we done?” he asks.
“For the day, yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Alright, Miss Kate.” He turns his back, and it isn’t until he’s at the door that he mutters, “This is gonna be a long three months.”
“For you and me both,” I retort. I don’t know where I’m getting this confrontational energy from. As the door clicks shut behind him, I can already tell that whatever these next three months have in store... I’m deeply, profoundly not ready for it.
I’m still muttering to myself five minutes later, pacing the length of my classroom.
“Show up, follow instructions…” I mimic in a flat, monotone voice. “Yeah, like I’m asking him to build a rocket. All he has to do is throw a ball andnotact like he’s allergic to kindness. Why is that so hard?”
I storm over to the chalkboard, grabbing a piece of chalk. I pause, take a breath, and write my usual daily quote about happiness: ‘Kindness costs nothing but means everything.’ I stare at it for a second. Somehow, that feels too pointed today.
Grumbling, I erase it and write: ‘Be the rainbow in someone’s cloud.’ Still too preachy, but it’ll do. I sigh dramatically and drop the chalk back into its tray. “And what kind of person wears sunglasses indoors?” I mutter again as I draw butterflies around my chalkboard rainbow. “What’s next? Leather jacket at recess? Gonna rev his motorcycle on the playground?”
“Miss Kate?”
I whirl around so fast I nearly trip over my own feet.
Polly’s tiny face peeks through the slightly ajar door, her big brown eyes wide with concern. Behind her, her mom Tricia is holding a paper bag in one hand, trying not to laugh.
“Oh, Polly, sweetheart!” I smooth my hair like that’s enough to erase the fact that I was just having an imaginary argument with a grown man. “What are you doing here?”
“Actually,” Tricia says, stepping inside. “It was me. I just wanted to bring you some pastries to apologize for my brother.”
Her brother?
She must catch the look of confusion on my face because she adds, “Michael.”
I blink. “Michaelis your brother?”
