“And you thought I would actually tell you?”
She bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’m sorry, Ariel, you thought wrong. There will never be a time I speak to students about a teacher’s life. Now, is there anything else you needed?”
Her head dropped back as she groaned before she leaned forward and begged, “Please, Miss Baker. Please tell me.”
“No, Ariel.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. So, can I get some condoms?”
“Ariel—”
“They’re not for me. Well, in a way they are, but it’s just so others think I’m cool that I’m having sex.” I stared her down, and she added, “Okay, I might use one if something happens at the party this weekend.”
I pray for the students of today.
“Having condoms isn’t something cool. They’re there to provide people who are sexually active protection from sexually transmitted infections and becoming pregnant. Being sexually active isn’t cool either. It isn’t something to brag about. It’s meant to be a special moment in your life to share with someone you trust immensely.”
Ariel snorted. “Yeah, right. Do you know how many horny boys there are out there? They’d say and do anything to get into our panties.”
I believed it because it happened even in my time. Hell, it was still happening.
Sighing, I slid open my drawer and took out the basket of condoms. Ariel stood as I placed it on my desk in front of her. “Just because you have some condoms, don’t run off to the next boy who shows you interest. Find someone who is willing to wait, who loves you for you and not what’s between your legs.” She giggled. “And make sure you’re on birth control and he uses a condom.”
“Sure,” she drew out.
Doomed. All the kids were doomed.
Shaking my head, I waved her off. She skipped out of the room quickly, shutting the door behind her. Leaning back again, it was my turn to groan. There was a 50 percent chance my students listened to me. Those who did, I hoped I helped where I could, and it was for the better. Those who didn’t… well, there wasn’t much else I could do besides tying them up or offering the girls a chastity belt because they were just as horny as the guys.
Honestly, it blew my mind the number of students I knew of who were sexually active. I lost my virginity at nineteen and that was with a boyfriend I’d been with for three months. Why couldn’t they all be like that instead of dating a guy for a couple of days and giving it up to them?
A knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
Tom stuck his head in with pinched brows. “A boy has his penis stuck in a glory hole in the senior bathroom.”
Scooting my chair back, I waved my hands in front of me. “What do you want me to do? I’m not going in there.”
“Brooke—”
“Tom. I’m a woman. He’s a male student. You’ve got to deal with this one. I’ll be on the girls when they get their periods or anything else, but I am not talking to a boy right now when his dick is stuck. If he needs advice after it, I’ll help.”
“Fucking hell.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and stepped into the room. “Do you have anything I can cut the plaster with?”
“He’ll scream the halls down if you come at him with something sharp. Is he, ah, still hard?”
“Yes! Because he keeps trying to pull out so it’s rubbing…. I am not finishing that.”
Our lips twitched.
“Okay, tell him to stay still while he thinks of gross things and let it go down. He’ll be free soon enough. Please tell me you have the toilets closed off.” If someone caught him in that predicament, it would be hell.
Tom rolled his eyes. “Of course. I am the principal; I do know things.”
“And yet you came to me for advice. Who found him? Please don’t tell me it was another student? If it was, we need to get them to keep their mouths shut.”
“It was another teacher, thank God. I better get back there.”
“Good luck,” I called as he walked out and heard him muttering under his breath.
Tom, and even Reagan’s parents, always made me miss my own. It had been a tragic day when I lost them in a car accident when I was thirteen and Nana Bev took me in. I still missed them and made sure to remember all of our time together.
Still, I didn’t go without; Nana made sure of it. She might be harsh and rough around the edges, but she was amazing. She hadn’t had to take me in when I had aunts in other areas of the world who were willing. But I heard she’d threatened that if they tried to take me, she would hurt them in ways they wouldn’t be able to walk for the rest of their lives.
Many were scared of her. Others thought she was crazy. I just loved her for who she was.
She’d been disappointed when I told her about the mistake I’d made with Dustin. Only she ended the conversation with “Chin up, sweet pea. There’s other cock in the sea.”
I’d snorted and replied with “You mean fish, Nana.”
“Fish, cock, whatever floats your boat. You know I don’t care.”
I did.
My phone chimed, and I looked at the clock. I had time to peek at the text before my next student showed. Picking it up, I saw the name and thinned my lips. I met Rebecca the night after I helped Carter move in with Reagan. I’d gone to the bar, and she’d caught my attention. We’d talked, shared a little kiss, and exchanged numbers, but nothing other than that because I hadn’t wanted to go further, since my head had been muddled with thoughts of Dustin, even when she was willing.
Rebecca: Hope your day is better than mine.
It was attached with a picture of what looked like dog shit everywhere. Rebecca was a veterinarian.
Me: Okay, yours looks shittier than mine so far.
Rebecca: Ha, I thought it would. How about a drink tonight to help cheer me up?
My phone chimed again, and another message popped up. One that had my belly fluttering.
Closing my eyes, I shook my head and cursed my gut. Where were the butterflies when Rebecca’s name popped up?
Why did they have to act up when I saw his name?
Dustin: Hey, Brooke, sorry to put you on the spot, but is there any chance you could look after Benjie tonight?
Goddamn.
Benjie or Rebecca?
Me: Sorry, but I’ve got other plans.
Rebecca: Damn. Hopefully another time.
Me: Definitely.
Sighing, I opened Dustin’s message again and paused over it. I wasn’t doing this for Dustin.
I wasn’t.
This was for Benjie since I promised I would come back.
Me: What time?
Dustin: Six, if that’s okay?
Me: I’ll be there.
For Benjie.
Dustin: Great, see you then. Thank you!
I didn’t bother replying. Instead, I placed my phone in the drawer and shut it.
My stomach gave off another flutter.
Cut that shit out.
The man didn’t like me. I was doing this for Benjie. Dustin would be there for five minutes, so surely I couldn’t go back to crushing on him in that time. Actually, I refused to let myself be swayed by his big smile and muscles and humor.
He hadn’t wanted me.
He preferred his women slim, tall like him, and absolutely gorgeous. I wasn’t putting myself down. I knew I was okay-looking or else people wouldn’t approach me. But I wasn’t slim, and I wasn’t tall either.