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.

drink, we

waitress over, "A round of

a thing," I laughed at Tommy’s

that rule’s got us in trouble plenty of

things never change, huh?"

where she came from, I thought she was somewhere on the dance

a seat right next to me and her knee was

was an old friend, we all

or

for a March wedding.  "Hey, all we had was warm beer when we were sixteen, but we can afford whiskey

waitress came back with our

days,"AJ cheered as he

new ones to come,"Ally added as

the drink.I wasn't as excited as everyone

brutal couple of weeks and I

teaching?" AJ turned to me as

"It’s alright,"I shrugged.

teacher now.Crazy how the world turned

we used to prank Mr.Sheehan every day after school? Remember the time we wrapped his car in

oh and didn’t you guys

the warehouse.We

burn it,

relented and gave her

look back.We

shook his head at the thought of

angry,"I muttered in

you guys so

AJ gave me a look.I just

dad died when I turned

dad was my

was so out

know? Burn down things and trash places

and they were with me every step of

and you learn,"I

hear,"everyone followed

all our

said, "I'll get us another

"Anything but warm beer,"

and he

"Shoot, it’s the wife,"

as he picked up his vibrating

across his face as he

believe Tommy’s married with

said as I watched him slipped through the crowd for the

him around town sometimes,

sat down on a stapler and got his ass stapled

at the memory and Ally laughed

unpredictable that way,

"Yeah,"I nodded.

ever thought of your

"What way?"

settling

"I haven't, I guess.

What about you?"

ever since I was a kid.I want to be a mom.Drive my kids to soccer practice and

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

up,"I couldn’t help but

my friends, they all

had a good time

not too far away from each other.I used to sneak into her

prom night,"she let out a nostalgic

"Prom night!"I remembered that.

and went skinny

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

beginning

high school, we

went to Boston for college

each other since

up to be this successful and beautiful woman

um, congratulations by the way.I heard you're engaged,"I said to her

ring on her

be a smart