Falling for an Older Man

two

"Sorry about yesterday," Sally greeted as I sat at the desk next to her, "I didn't think my Dad would be home so early."

I smiled sheepishly, "it's fine, the food tasted great," I told her as I felt my face go warm. I shifted slightly in my seat.

"My dad wouldn't stop asking about you," Sally spoke and I felt my heart throb curiously.

"What?" I inquired.

"Yeah. He couldn't believe that I actually had a friend. So cruel..." she lowered the corners of her mouth in an attempt to look sad. I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I realised she was joking.

"Did he like me?" I asked sheepishly.

She shrugged before raising an eyebrow, "he said you seemed nice."

"I thought I might have come across as rude because of how awkward I am around people."

"You were only awkward cos he's a weird old man," Sally laughed and I exhaled through my nose in amusement.

Sally sat up straight in her seat as her gaze was pulled towards the other side of the room. I looked over and saw Matthew walking in through the classroom door. Sally nudged me in the ribs and I made myself inhale deeply.

Matthew and I were childhood friends and we used to be quite close. But, a while ago, Matthew told one of his friends that he liked me... Really liked me. His friend couldn't keep a secret, obviously, and the gossip made its way to our friendship group. Ever since then, Matt has been distant.

Sally noticed my sudden melancholy and her lips formed a straight line.

"You should talk to him." She said lightly.

I shook and lowered my head, "it's not that easy."

"I'll talk to him for you," Sally suggested.

"God, please don't," I pleaded with her. She said nothing. I shrank down in my seat, an uncomfortable feeling resting there.

Soon the teacher arrived and the classroom was enveloped in silence. I couldn't focus because, throughout the lesson, my mind was elsewhere.

♥ ♡ ♥ ♡ ♥

It was soon lunchtime. I would have brought lunch to school but there's hardly ever anything in the house to eat. My mother usually comes home with takeaway or food she gets from her workplace as she works as a waitress at a restaurant. I actually get free lunches thanks to the government, but that's not something I've told my friends. They don't need to know.

I spot some spaghetti and ask the canteen lady for some of it. It reminded me of the pasta dish that Sally's Dad made for us on Friday, three days ago. I didn't speak to Sally's Dad much, but I couldn't help but think back to the way his hair was swept back with strands falling against his forehead, the loosened collar of his shirt, his rolled-up sleeves, his dark eyes, his smile...

"Hey Holly," Sally pushed me out of my daydream as I sat down.

I blinked and nearly shivered, "Hey."

You should come over again. If you want," Sally took a bite of her sandwich. Her dad must have made it for her. It looked tasty.

"That'd be nice," I told her.

Sally let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, good, because..." she trailed off. There was a look of sadness in her eyes. "You said your mum isn't a great cook, right? You liked my dad's cooking last time, so..."

"Sounds good," I reassured her.

She smiled, "cool, cool." It seemed like she was hiding something. I swallowed down an uncomfortable feeling of dread and it settled inside of me. I'll just ask her about it later.

♥ ♡ ♥ ♡ ♥

Sally stretched out and grabbed her laptop as we sat down on her bed. Her quilt was a gorgeous baby pink covered in beautiful flowers and birds. I smiled; it reflected her personality. It was certainly vastly different from my bed at home.

"Alright, let's see..." as she was browsing Netflix I clenched my teeth together slightly.

"Sally?" I caught her attention and she looked at me quizzically. "You seemed sad at lunchtime when you asked me to come over. Is everything okay?" She looked taken aback at the question, blinking in thought. "You don't have to tell me, sorry..."

"It's fine, I can just tell you," she took a breath. "It's not that bad. My parents are just going through a divorce."

I raised my eyebrows, "oh, I'm sorry Sally, that must be hard to deal with."

"Yeah... I guess" She bit her lip. "I guess sitting at the dinner table without my mum there just makes me... sad." Her voice trembled a little.

"I'm sorry I brought it up." She shook her head again.

"It's okay. My parents just... drifted apart I guess. I don't know the details."

"Well, I'm here for you if you need anything. You know, my parents split up too," I told her. My father left my mom when he found out she was pregnant. I was an 'accident'. My mum makes sure to remind me of that every so often. "It seems like your dad is genuinely nice. He's a good cook." I smiled stiffly at her.

She turned to me, looking me in the eyes. "You're welcome here anytime you want, Holly."

I smiled as I felt tears prickle my eyes. "Thanks. Um, where's the bathroom?" I quickly asked.

"It's on your left, as soon as you exit my room," she said.

"Okay, thank you," I hopped off the bed and hastily exited her bedroom.

I quickly entered the bathroom before closing the door behind me and locking it. I took a deep, shaky breath as I looked down into the sink. Sally telling me that I was welcome here made my heart hurt.

My mind randomly wandered to her dad. I don't know why my heart skipped a beat when I heard about the divorce. Strange...

I took a deep breath as I realised that Sally must be waiting for me.

I swung the bathroom door open and nearly gasped when I saw Sally's dad in front of me.

"S-sorry," I stammered in shock.

"Ah, sorry Holly." I curled my toes at the way my name sounded coming out of his mouth. "Dinner will be ready in about an hour and a half," he said, grinning at me, but I could see in his eyes that he wanted me to get out of the way so he could go to the bathroom.

"Cool," was all I could manage to squeak out.

He smiled and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

I mentally kicked myself. Really? 'Cool' was the least cool thing I could have said. I roll my eyes at myself and make my way back to Sally's room.