Page 1 of Meet the Teacher

THE DAY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Istare at Zayn’s lips—the ones he just used to shatter my heart into a million tiny pieces.

“I’m sorry, what?” I ask, hoping and praying I misunderstood him.

His eyes meet mine. We’re so close that I can see the black pupils of his brown eyes despite the darkness surrounding us. A tear falls onto his cheek. “Trust me, this is the last thing I want to do. I want to be with you, Autumn, but . . .”

I freeze. “But, what? Why? I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

“Autumn, I—” A sigh escapes him. Zayn runs his fingers through his dark brown hair. “I’m truly sorry, but I’m not going to be at NYU with you. I, uh . . . I have to stay.” He clears his throat. “I’m staying here.”

“You’re not going to school with me? Not moving with me?” My voice cracks. I search his eyes for answers. When he doesn’t respond, I press for more. “So, what does that mean for us, then? Huh? Are you breaking up with me the day after our high school graduation? I,”—my voice shakes as I push the words out of my mouth— “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”

Tears begin to flood my eyes, causing me to forget we’re standing in front of our school. We were supposed to be meeting to celebrate. My thoughts are in a race with one another.Is he really ending us?He asked me to meet him at school so he could . . . break up with me? I thought he was the love of my life. Was that a goodbye kiss just now? One without warning? Why?

He backs away, eyes filled with sorrow and regret.

I want to turn around and leave, but I can’t help myself from wanting more answers. “Zayn, are you seriously doing this? Staying in this dump of a hometown we can’t wait to leave? And with a man you hate?” My hands tremble as my arms make their way across my chest.

Zayn exhales. “Autumn, he’s still my dad,” he says.

“What the hell changed? I don’t get it.”

He shakes his head. “You won’t get it, Autumn. I’m sorry we can’t all have it so easy and just go run off into the sunset.”

I scoff before the words fall out of my mouth. “It’s not the sunset, Zayn. It’s freaking college. You . . . got in. We had a plan. A plan, remember? We were going to live together after our first year in the dorms. How can you suddenly change your mind like this? And the day after our high school graduation?”

He runs his hands through his hair, releasing a sigh. “I wish I could explain it better to you, Autumn. I know I need to stay here. NYU isn’t for a guy like me, anyway.”

A knot twists its way into my stomach. I’m heartbroken and pissed.

“So, we’re just . . . over?” I ask, allowing a heavy breath to leave my lips.

He nods. “Appears that way.”

My whole body quivers, and my anxiety can’t stop spiraling. I can’t imagine life without him. What would my sister tell me to do right now? A salty tear makes its way to my lips.Be strong, Autumn. No guy deserves your tears.Realistically, I know she’d tell me what a douchebag he is, too.

Trying to summon my inner Summer, I lick my lips and wipe any remaining tears away.

“Fine.” I say, yanking off the charm bracelet he bought for me on my eighteenth birthday. “Here, you can have this back, too.”

He glances down at the bracelet I’ve thrown into his palm. “Autumn . . . it’s not what I wa—ugh, forget it.” He turns around and releases a sigh before he mumbles, “I still love you.”

He pockets the charm bracelet before walking away. With each step he takes, it feels as though a part of my body is leaving with him. Maybe my heart.

He doesn’t turn back around. After looking at my feet to verify I’m still standing, I lunge forward a bit and cover my hand with my mouth. I feel like I’m going to be sick.Is this some kind of nightmare I can’t wake up from?

When the wave of nausea slightly subsides, I stow my hands in the pockets of my dress and lean up against the brick wall of the school. I slide down the wall until my bottom hits the ground. I want to curl up into a ball and die. The tears won’t stop pouring out of me. I’ve never felt hurt like this before. My stomach feels like it’s been hit with a soccer ball, leaving me in a struggle to catch my breath.

I start hoping that maybe this is all some sort of joke, or that maybe he’ll realize what a stupid mistake he made and come right back. Vomit rises in my throat. Turning my head to the side to release it, I’m met with pain and relief simultaneously.

I unfold the flap of my crossbody purse, digging around for a tissue or napkin. I pull out a crinkled-up napkin, instantly recognizing the logo of Eats & Sweets, a cute little coffee and donut shop we always hang out at. Well, used to. I sob into the napkin as someone’s hand finds its way to my shoulder, startling me.Maybe it’s Zayn with a change of heart,I think to myself for a second, heart full of hope. I grab a second napkin, using it to wipe my mouth and a few tears from my eyes.I look to my right. Rather than disappointment, comfort warms me at the sight of Mason’s smile.

Mason and I have been best friends since the second grade. He’s the one who convinced me to go through with my first date with Zayn, which I thought was a prank at the time. I never thought the captain of the football team would ever notice an average girl like me.

“Oh no, love. What’s going on?” Mason asks. I see the concern written all over his face. More tears start to fall. I open my mouth to respond but only a gasp for air escapes it. It’s still hard to breathe, let alone say a single word. Mason nods as he grabs another tissue out of my bag and hands it to me. I wipe the clumps of mascara and tears away.

“Hmph.” Mason scoots closer. Noticing the pile of sick on the other side of me, he says, “Yikes, boo. You not feeling well or did something bad happen?”

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