Mr Wilson focused on the road as he sensed the tension between Sadie and Drew. He recalled how Sadie was not so thrilled the previous evening when he had informed her that Mrs Collins - Drew's mother - could not drive her son to school anymore. Mr Wilson was happy to help out an old friend at any time, despite his tight schedule and he immediately offered to pick Drew up every morning for school.
Smiling to himself, he assumed that the couple had just had their first fight or that they were uncomfortable with his presence. Although it had been decades since he had dated, he remembered that it used to feel awkward being in a car or even in a room with his girlfriend's parents or vice versa. Then he recalled that his only real relationship in his life was with Sadie's mother.
In an instant, Mr Wilson felt a slight pain in his chest, as if someone had just punched him. Tears filled his eyes as he did his best to shift his thoughts to the present. Lydia Wilson was in the past now.
Mr Wilson suddenly chuckled, shook off his memories, and decided to start a conversation with them, "So, um, Drew I hope you wouldn't mind if I took Sadie out on a father-daughter date tomorrow since it's Valentine's Day?"
Sadie took a peek at Drew from the rear-view mirror as she saw his puzzled glance. Their eyes met and Drew understood that he needed to help his best friend. Little did they know that this was only a test question asked by Mr Wilson, who was dying to find out what had happened between the so-called couple.
"Actually, I do mind, Mr Wilson," Mr Wilson raised his glance towards the mirror to get a good view of Drew, who sat at the back, and tried to hide his smirk as he studied Drew's alarmed features. Drew continued to explain himself as he looked out of the window to keep himself busy. "I have planned a romantic evening for Sadie, if you do not mind, sir."
Mr Wilson indicated to the drivers behind them that he was about to stop in a couple of meters. They were a block away from Yorkwood High but he knew all too well that Sadie would never approve of being dropped off right in front of the school. He always assumed that it was because she was not proud of his job, being the mayor of town. He had no idea of the struggles she went through every single day all because her father was a political figure.
As Mr Wilson found a spot and parked the car, Drew was dying to run out and make his way to school. But that would have been rude, of course. He noticed a warm smile appearing on Mr Wilson's face and heard him say, "Go ahead," Drew did not know what he meant, so Mr Wilson further explained, "Take her out tomorrow, Drew." And he kissed Sadie's cheek and reminded her to take care.
"So, um, your dad has no idea that we have ended everything, right?" hesitated Drew as they were meters away from Mr Wilson's car. He was keeping his distance from Sadie and kept his hands to himself. Although he was still angry at Sadie for loving someone else, he would not have done anything to get her in trouble with her father or with the school authorities.
Sadie was uncomfortable with the question, knowing that Drew deserved the whole truth, and decided to be honest with him, "No, Drew."
They walked in silence towards the school. Sadie wondered whether Drew would ever forgive her. Drew wondered whether she would still want him in her life as a friend. "I understand," he finally murmured. His eyes filled with tears but he looked away to hide his sad expression.
Sadie smiled and sighed, as if she were relieved. Her muscles relaxed and she released the strong grip on her messenger bag as her knuckles were starting to hurt. She glanced at Drew and slowed her pace until she stopped walking. "Drew," she said.
Drew was ahead of her pace but stopped walking as soon as he heard her call his name. He turned to see what had kept Sadie and saw her priceless smile plastered on her fair face. She blushed and walked towards him, ignoring that they were close to their school now and that people would start gossiping. Drew felt Sadie embrace him and listened to her thanking him several times. He wanted to say something but could not find the words. He wanted to conceal the abnormal number of times which his heart was beating. He was worried that the people around him, including Sadie, were able to hear it.
Then, he decided to ignore the world. So what if people could hear the beatings of his heart? So what if he still had feelings for his best friend? So what if he wanted to kiss her right there and then?
Instead of doing something he knew he would regret, Drew hugged her back and held her tightly. "I'll cover for you," he whispered in her ear.
Sadie lifted her gaze towards his as a tear streamed down her face. "Thank you," she gulped.
Drew absentmindedly kissed her cheek and instantly released his grip, knowing that he had kissed someone else's girl. He blushed, rushed towards the school main door, and disappeared. Sadie stood in the middle of the pavement and smiled. She flicked her curly hair and walked into the school, knowing that everyone outside the school was staring at her.
Walking into the school canteen, Sadie caught a glimpse of Mr Cooper at the counter. Sadie studied his outfit: he was wearing a white shirt and dark blue dress pants, holding its matching blazer effortlessly on his shoulder as he seemed to be talking to the canteen attendant.
Sadie casually walked towards him and ordered her coffee, without acknowledging him. "Morning, Miss Wilson," he said, without looking at her, as he paid for her coffee.
"Thanks," she smiled. Mr Cooper nodded, took his coffee and walked away. Sadie knew that he was trying to protect their secret this way, but deep down it was killing her. She smiled at the attendant and took her plastic coffee cup, following Mr Cooper.
She kept her distance and walked into the history classroom, locking it in the process. After placing her boiling plastic cup on the desk which was nearest to the door, she lifted her gaze towards her teacher. There he was, smiling his mysterious smile with his hands in his pants' pocket. "I knew you would follow me in here," he laughed, throwing his head back.
He's mine, thought Sadie as she admired his perfect light brown hair and handsome features. She chuckled and threw her bag on the floor, running towards him. He took his hands out of his pocket just in time to catch her. "You know me too well," she replied, in his arms.
"Goodness gracious," he exclaimed after some moments, still holding her. "You smell like a guy's cologne this morning. I like your usual strawberry smell better."
Sadie pulled back and confessed, "Well, I had two guys kissing my cheek this morning."
"Oh?" raised an eyebrow Mr Cooper, sounding disappointed. "And who might they be?"
Sadie moved her lips closer to his. She caressed his cheeks and murmured, "My dad," then she slowly pecked his lips and continued, "And Drew," And before her teacher could protest she announced, "And he's on our side, David; he will protect our secret."
A smile crept on David's face. This time, it was him who decided to kiss his girl. His lips touched hers like a gentle breeze, knowing that he was crossing so many boundaries by being with his student. But he wanted this; he wanted her. He stroked her face as he pulled out of the kiss and stared into her blue eyes. "I love you," he reminded her.
Sadie smiled and replied, "And I love you."
The bell rang, and it was too late for any of them to drink their cold coffees. Sadie unlocked the classroom and rushed to her locker, not forgetting to take her cup and her bag.
That afternoon, Sadie giggled and walked into the history class with Drew, finding Mr Cooper writing notes on the whiteboard. Drew looked around him and realised that they were the first ones to arrive. He felt tense but sat down at his usual place just the same as Sadie sat next to him without uttering a word.
Mr Cooper heard the movement behind him and turned round. Upon realising that he was alone with Sadie and Drew, he felt tense and, scratching his head, he said, "Well, this is awkward."
"You don't say," replied, sarcastically, Drew as Sadie elbowed him. He shrugged and replied to her gesture, "What? You've kissed both of us."
In a moment, however, other students filled the room. Although Mr Cooper thought this would ease the tension between him and Drew, he felt more stressed than ever. He paced along the path in between his desk and the writing board as he waited for everyone to settle down.
"Alright," he finally started. Mr Cooper placed his hands in his pockets and leaned against the teacher's desk. He noticed Sadie staring at him longingly and gulped. Then he decided to start his lesson. "Today, we're talking about Argentina."
The room was filled with students voicing their own opinion on the subject, including Drew and Sadie. It almost felt as if he were directing a choir, not a history class. Mr Cooper crossed his arms and sighed, waiting for the class to calm down. Suddenly, a male student who hated Mr Cooper's guts after failing him from the December tests, yelled, "I thought we were studying history, not geography." His friends burst out laughing and tapped him on the back while the rest of the class quieted down.
Sadie, who had heard what her class mate had to say, caught Mr Cooper's glance and rolled her eyes. Mr Cooper smiled at her and felt at ease. Usually, he would have sent a student with such an attitude out of his class but Sadie always brought the best of him. "Funny, Mr Jones," he chuckled, sarcastically. He walked around the classroom and addressed the rest of the students, "Okay, so I want you all to brainstorm and tell me what comes to mind when I say Argentina."
"Ponchos!" yelled one girl and she stood up from her seat and pointed at Mr Cooper.
Mr Cooper raised an eyebrow and shook his head as the girl blushed, realising that she was in history class not a clothing store.
"Coffee!"
"LIONEL MESSI!" he heard a familiar yell.
It cannot be, he thought. Then he turned to see Sadie smiling at him. It was her; she had said it. "Seriously, Sadie?" he shook his head and rested his hands on his hips. Beside her, Drew was laughing out loud while holding his stomach. Mr Cooper had no idea how he should react to this but he decided to smile. The rest of the class were anxious to see the teacher's reaction towards Sadie's nonsense, but they were disappointed when he said, "Garibaldi, not Messi - Gar-i-bal-di," he emphasised the syllables.
Oh, mouthed Sadie. By now, Drew had stopped laughing and was paying attention.
"Who the heck is that?" asked someone from the back.
Mr Cooper lifted his gaze and explained, "He is the guy behind the Italian Unification."
There were a lot of "Ohs" and "Ahs" sounding from around the classroom.
The bell rang to signify the end of the lesson. Sadie gathered her things and did her best not to look at Mr Cooper, who was sitting at the desk waiting for his students to leave. "That was a good one," smiled Drew as he waited next to her. "I taught you well, girl."
"You sure did," she chuckled. She could feel Mr Cooper's eyes piercing right through her. Not knowing whether she was supposed to talk him him or not, she decided to thank him for the interesting lesson and leave the class with Drew.
"Don't leave yet," said Mr Cooper softly when he saw her walking away from him. He glanced at Drew, who understood that he was the third wheel.
"I'll catch you later, Sadie," said Drew before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
After a few moments of silence, Mr Cooper said, "What was that about?"
Sadie seemed puzzled and asked, placing her bag on the desk behind her, "What was what?"
"The Messi thing."
Sadie stared at her teacher and replied, "Well, he was the first thing that came to my mind when you said Argentina."
Mr Cooper stood up and walked closer to her, leaning against his desk. Sadie could see his well-defined fit figure through his tight dress shirt. For a moment, she was lost looking at him until she realised that Mr Cooper was raising an eyebrow at her. "Earth to Sadie," he said.
"Sorry, I, um, was thinking about Argentina," she shook her head.
Mr Cooper smirked. "Anyway," he chuckled. "Are you coming over tomorrow?"
Sadie smiled and nodded. "Drew will surely cover for us."
"Great," he smiled. "Let me write a note to your other teacher, love, you're late for your lesson." As he was writing her permission pass, he continued, "I'm so sorry I kept you here," After kissing her forehead, he added, "I'll call you after school, alright?"