Short Stories

Envious Lust

He was the new boy at school once. A bad boy though. Pierced ears, jean jacket, short hair that was styled in a crew cut; who wouldn't fall for him? I was lucky. He fell for me too. Those were the days I remember most about my junior high years. The following school year, the high school ended up closing down and all the students for junior high and senior high school were in the same building.

I'm back in my high school preparing to finish college. I'm planning on getting an internship with my old English teacher. I just have to meet with the principal and see if he is considering me for the internship.

Walking into the office, I greet the secretary. She directs me to the principal's office and I thank her. I enter and smile at the principal.

"I'm here to ask about an internship with Mrs. Kwan."

"Emma, I presume? It's nice to meet you. You're not the only one who has been inquiring about an internship with Mrs. Kwan though. I hope you don't mind that I invited the other party to this meeting as well."

"Oh no, I don't mind at all. Who is it though?"

"His name is Sean. He mentioned that he was in your class here, so I figured why not try to see if you both could be student teachers with Mrs. Kwan. If that does not work, I can figure something else out."

"That should be fine. I don't see why it wouldn't. When is he expected to arrive?"

"Emma?" A familiar voice calls out. I whip my head around and shock covers my face. My jaw hits the floor and my eyes are as wide as the ocean.

"Sean? What are you doing here?" My voice raises an octave and I rub my sweaty palms on my pants.

"I'm here about the internship."

I turn back to the principal and smile nervously. He did say his name was Sean. Why wasn't I able to make the connection that it was my Sean?

"This won't be a problem Emma, will it? I need this internship just as much as you do."

"No, it won't be a problem. We'll make it work."

I turn and smile politely at Sean and take in his appearance. His dark brown hair is longer now, styled in a coif. His ears are still pierced, but instead of the jean jacket he wears a black blazer with a white undershirt and jeans. He's dressed to impress and I am impressed. He's sitting to my right which makes his left hand noticeable. He's wearing a ring. My heart plummets and I painfully rip my eyes away and focus on the principal. A small vibration can be felt as my leg bounces up and down. He's actually married. From the corner of my eye, I see Sean glance over at me, a flash of something in his eyes. Why wouldn't he be married? Him and his perfect hair and perfect eyes and his perfect piercings.

"Emma, are you alright?" The principal asks, startling me from my thoughts about Sean.

"I am. Just a little nervous and excited to be working with Mrs. Kwan this term." I force a chuckle out to make it seem like the man to my right is not preoccupying my thoughts.

"I'm glad that you both are looking forward to interning here with Mrs. Kwan. I just want to run a few ground rules by you before I inform Mrs. Kwan that she will have two interns working with her for the rest of the term. Firstly, as interns, you will not be paid. Second, this is a school and I understand that going to school together yourself may rekindle a friendship, but for the student's sake do not let that friendship get in the way of your duties as interns here. Lastly, I expect you to be role models of the code of conduct here. The students already know what is required of them, but if two new interns are seen disregarding the code of conduct that is in place, the students may follow your lead. That being said, you are dismissed. I will go inform Mrs. Kwan that you both will be joining her in class on Monday. Thank you."

I shake the principal's hand and stand up, walking out of the door ahead of Sean. I glance around the office taking in some of the decorations that are still there from when I attended school. The Rosie the Riveter poster is now above the door instead of hanging on the wall above the secretary's desk.

"Hey Emma, I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite and catch up?"

I stop in my tracks. Sean wants to catch up? The butterflies appear once again, even though he's wearing a ring on his ring finger. This can't be good.

"Catch up?"

"Yea, catch up. You know it's been three years since we graduated and I figured if we're going to be interning together, we might as well try to catch up."

"Sure, what did you have in mind?" I respond nonchalantly.

"How about we go get some veggie burgers and then go to the park?"

"Okay."

Matching my pace to Sean's, I can't help but stare at the damn ring on his finger. I look at my own hand and notice the lack of a ring. How did he even-when did he even get married? Who the hell did he marry? My pace slows down to the point where I fall behind Sean.

"Emma, are you okay?"

"No."

"What's going on?"

"I know I ended things between us and that we ended up friends again after, but you got married and didn't even tell me or invite me? To who?"

"Woah, Em, calm down."

"I mean, I was stupid for ending things with you! Sure, you scared the living daylights out of me when I tried to stop you from fighting, but I was young and naive!"

"Emma, you're misreading the situation."

"Misreading the situation? Sean, you're wearing a wedding ring! Who is she? Is she prettier than me? I mean, I never thought I'd say this again, but I love you Sean!"

"Emma?"

"What!"

"Are you done? I'd like to set you straight if you're done."

"Set me straight? How do you expect to do that?"

The second the last syllable leaves my mouth, Sean's lips are against mine. He glides his hands around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Our breath battles for command. He pulls back, resting his forehead on mine.

"I never stopped loving you, Em. This ring is a promise ring. I got it for myself in hopes that if I saw you again, I wouldn't fuck it up like I did last time. I love you." He whispers, making my heart melt.

I smile to myself. He's mine again and I'm the luckiest girl. My smile starts to fade as I remember the internship. I mustn't let myself get distracted by Sean Cameron.