Teacher's Girl (Aflyingwhale)

IAN's POV 

"Ma, I’m going out.Don’t wait up,"I was making my way down the stairs, heading straight for the front door.

But mom was quick.

She ran over and intercepted me, standing right in front of my way.

"Now, when you said you're coming home for Christmas, I thought you were coming home for Christmas.But we barely see you,"

"I promised the guys I'll have a drink with them.I'll be home all day tomorrow, promise,"I put my hands up in defeat.I never win an argument with my mother.

"All right then.You have a great night with your friends,"she paused for a second before continuing, "Don’t get into any trouble!"

"Relax mom, we're not sixteen anymore,"I laughed.

I said I wouldn’t argue with her, didn’t mean I didn’t get into trouble in the good old days.I was a bit of a troublemaker back then.I had trouble following the rules, But then again, I guess I still do.

"Who'd ever guess that at twenty four years old, my son would graduate grad school and become a teacher?"

"Not me, that’s for sure,"Oh, the irony.

I used to give my teachers such a hard time at school.That was if I bothered showing up at all.

And now here I was, your average good old fashioned high school teacher.

" l am so proud of you, lan.Your father would be so proud of you too,"she smiled tenderly.

The atmosphere got a little somber as the mention of my dead father would always do that to her.

"Thanks,"I said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek, "

"I'm off,"

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning,"she called out as I stepped out the door.

"See ya," My friends wanted to hit this new club that just opened downtown.

I couldn't care less where we were going or what we were doing, I just wanted to get away.

I thought leaving Georgia would do the trick, but it was like she was following everywhere.  I couldn't get her out of my mind no matter how far I went.

"I love you,"

Her words were still ringing in my ears.

I went to bed thinking about her, and I woke up with dreams of her.  Ending things with her was the right thing to do, but why did it have to feel so fucking bad? Every time I saw her face around at school, I felt like I was being punched in the gut.

It hurt so bad, I couldn't keep my eyes straight for two seconds.Sometimes I’d hear her voice.

She would talk and laugh with her friends.

I felt like such a creep, listening to her or watching her from the far, but that was all I could do.

And what I should have been doing from the very beginning anyway.It just sucked.Really sucked.

Knowing that there was a girl out there that loves me, and that I love in return, but we could never be together.

At least, not in this lifetime.

"Bro, why you bein’ so quiet, man?"my boy Tommy came over and sat down next to me.

"Yeah, it's depressing, dude," AJ followed after.

Tommy and AJ were old time friends of mine.

We went to high school together, we got into all sorts of trouble together.

But now Tommy was married with three kids and AJ became one of the top real estate brokers in the state.

And as for me, you know what happened.  We got a table at this club and AJ invited a whole bunch of people.

Everyone was having a good time, drinking, dancing, and talking about their new year’s resolution.

I tried to stay engaged, but my mind kept wandering back to her.

She’s in Georgia, and she’s happy and safe.

That's all that matters.

"Just leave me alone, man.I just need a drink," I said to the guys as they were waiting for an explanation.

you need a drink, we

as he waved the waitress over, "A round of scotch for us please,

that's still a thing," I

in trouble plenty

change,

I thought she was somewhere on the

taking a seat right next to me and her knee was

we all went

or

for a March wedding.  "Hey, all we had

waitress came back with

days,"AJ cheered as he picked up a

new ones to come,"Ally added as she grabbed hers

up mine reluctantly and toasted everyone before downing the drink.I wasn't as excited as everyone here was about

weeks and I couldn't wait

how’s life in Georgia, man? How’s teaching?" AJ turned to me as he sipped his

"It’s alright,"I shrugged.

hear you're a teacher now.Crazy how the world turned out, huh?"Ally

day after school? Remember the time we wrapped

oh and didn’t you guys

warehouse.We didn't actually burn

rolled her eyes, "You didn’t burn it, you just set

touché," Tommy relented and gave

funny when you look back.We were

the thought of all the stupid

and angry,"I

were you guys so

me a look.I

the world.My dad died when

was my

car crash, a drunk driver hit him.It was so out of the blue and senseless.As a kid, I just wanted

right, you know? Burn down things and trash places just because you're

feeling and they were with me every step of the

and you learn,"I said as

hear,"everyone followed

time, all our glasses were almost

said,

"Anything but warm beer,"

and he nodded

"Shoot, it’s the wife,"

as he picked up his

splashed across his face as he said,

can’t believe Tommy’s married

I watched him slipped through the crowd for the

town sometimes, playing football with

freshman year, he sat down on a stapler and got

at the memory and

that way, I

"Yeah,"I nodded.

ever thought of your

"What way?"

know, settling down, getting

"I haven't, I guess.

What about you?"

I've been thinking about that ever since I was a kid.I want to be a mom.Drive my kids to

but I used to have this massive crush on you back in high school.I used to write my name

up,"I couldn’t

my friends,

a good time back

smile crept up my lips as I remembered our days together.We lived not too far away from each other.I used to sneak into her room after her parents were asleep

prom night,"she let out a nostalgic

"Prom night!"I remembered that.

drunk and went skinny dipping at

on my arm, I didn’t remember getting it, but it

the beginning of

school, we all parted

to Boston for college and I went to

hadn't seen each

I was happy to know she grew up to be this successful

engaged,"I said to her after

she showed me the ring on her finger, "His name’s Richard.He's a

be a smart guy.He