Miss Grande

Chapter 35: I'll Text You?

Before we hop into this chapter, I just want to try and use my platform for good, even if it only reaches 1 person.

I'd like to start by saying that if you don't support the Black Lives Matter movement, you don't support me as an author, and honestly I'd rather you not even bother to read my books. To add to that, black trans women lead the movement for gay rights, so for you to not support black lives after what they've done for you (assuming you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community because otherwise... why are you reading my gay books?), is not only blatantly disrespectful but also plainly insolent.

Educate yourself, sign petitions, donate, protest, reach out. Do your part.

With that said, hope you enjoy! This one is a little different👀
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*Ariana's POV*

   I closed my classroom door and did my best to hide my disappointment. Y/n wasn't here.

   She was rarely absent at the beginning of my class, but on the off chance that she was, she'd always show up before the bell rang. Today was different though. She never came through the door.

   I was beginning to worry. She was very responsible and kept on top of things, and it was so not like her to just not show up.

   I had waited all of my free period after her class, checking my school email constantly for any message from her, but there was nothing. I continued to check as often as I could during 3rd period, but throughout all of my incoming emails, none were from her.

   Lunch finally rolled around, and I decided to get up and move around. Chances were that she was fine. I mean, everybody has off days, even beautiful, smart, funny soccer captains like herself.

   Stop thinking about her like that. She is your student! I mentally chastised myself.

   I sighed deeply, taking a second to collect myself, before pushing my chair back from my desk and standing. I made my way towards the teacher's lounge after locking my door, hoping to find some sort of social interaction with my coworkers to take my mind off of a certain senior.

   The 'Teacher Appreciation Buffet' was set up today, which I mentally thanked the universe for since I had forgotten my lunch.

   "Oh this smells delicious!" I heard from behind me.

   I quickly turned my head to meet the voice. I took him in, admiring his jawline and outfit of tanned khakis and a pale blue dress shirt. He looked familiar, but I was certain that I hadn't seen him around the school before, not that I left my room or office all too often.

   I quickly smiled and nodded my head. "I guess I chose the right day to forget my lunch."

   He laughed and nodded. "I guess I chose the right week to start working."

   "New here?" I asked.

   "Yeah, semi-permanent sub for Jones."

   "Welcome to the team. Made any friends yet?"

   "I'm still working on that, but I think I just made friends with a beautiful brunette that still hasn't told me her name."

   I blushed and playfully rolled my eyes. "Miss Grande, but I guess you can call me Ariana."

   I stuck my hand out, and he didn't hesitate to give it a firm shake. "Miss, huh?" he chuckled. "Mister Bieber, but my friends get to call me Justin."

   We made our way over to the buffet, and I mentally took note.

   His hand was soft. His smile was sweet. His laugh was warm, but I couldn't help but to compare it all to y/n.

   Her hands were softer and more gentle. Her smile was sweet enough to give anyone a toothache and so bright it could light up the room. Her laugh was so infectious and music-like. She was just... She was something else.

   I internally sighed at my thoughts. I really needed to get over y/n and stop thinking about her as much. As cute and sweet as she was, it wasn't realistic. It put so much on the line for me and so much over her reputation as well, even if she didn't realize it.

      This is it. You've been given a chance to move on. Just pull yourself together and forget about her. She's just some kid.

   I plastered a bigger smile onto my face before speaking. "You know, Justin, friends usually give each other their phone numbers to keep in contact."

   "I don't know, Ariana," he teased back. "Work friends are different from regular friends."

   I bit my lip and nodded. "Well I guess we aren't work friends anymore, give me your number and go sit with someone else."

   He laughed and pulled out his phone. "How about a compromise: you give me your number, and we sit together?"

   He handed his phone to me with the 'new contact' page already opened. I quickly entered my information and gave him back his phone. We both grabbed plates and made our way to one of the small tables to talk.

We joked and flirted for the majority of lunch until we realized it was almost time for class. We quickly cleaned up our things and made our way out of the teachers' lounge.

He looked at me and smiled. "I'll text you?"

I teasingly shrugged my shoulders. "Who knows, I might text you back. Maybe I'll even see you around." I winked and made my way to my classroom without looking back.

As I got closer, I saw Sam by my door.

I smiled and greeted her. "Hey Sam. What's up?"

"Hey coach!" she eagerly greeted back. "Y/n wanted me to let you know that she won't be here today. I meant to tell you earlier, but I was busy all morning and you were gone by the time I got here at the beginning of lunch."

She wasn't at school at all? She never missed a full day. Was she okay? Did she get hurt? Was it serious?

Calm down. She's probably fine. Maybe she just needed a day off.

I nodded and sighed. "Thank you for telling me Sam."

She smiled brightly at me, and I couldn't help but smile back. "Anything for y/n." She laughed.

"Did she happen to say why?"

"Uh, no. She said she wasn't going to make it to practice and to let you know whenever I got the chance. She sent it at like 4am and hasn't text back since, so I don't really know what's up."

I smiled and gently patted her shoulder. "Thanks for delivering the message. Tell her I send my best wishes." I cringed internally as the words left my mouth.

Sam held her smile and let out a quick laugh. "Of course! Well, I've got to get to class, so I'll see you at practice coach. Bye!"

I managed to get out a small "Bye" in return.

I was aggravated with myself.

Some part of me was happy that I managed to momentarily let her slip my mind and tried to move forward, while the self-sabotaging part of me felt guilty for even flirting with somebody else.

I unlocked my door and walked in. The door shut on its own as I made my way to my desk.

She was missing school and practice out of nowhere, doing God knows what at 4am that made her make the decision.

Something was off with her, and I was over here flirting with somebody else instead of trying to figure it out.

I kept trying to push her away from occupying my thoughts, but obviously it was no use. No matter what, she found a way to take up space in my brain.

   At this point, she might as well rent a room.