Rose Grove - (H.S.)

09

TW // sexual assault.

"No, you can't take the hamster home," I sigh as I try to get all of my students by the door. "Get your bags, please," I say with a little more impatience in my tone. After a few seconds, I put my hands on my hips and my eyes scan the line as I hum happily when I see everyone is where they're supposed to be. "Let's get you guys out of here," I say as I swing my purse over my shoulder and make my way toward the door.

As soon as I swing the door open I feel my phone buzz in my pocket for what seems to be the millionth time today. My hand instinctively goes to pull it out but I stop myself and run my fingers through my hair knowing I shouldn't even look at it.

Harry has been trying to get a hold of me for the past few days. The end of our date was extremely awkward and I seriously considered jumping out of the car a few times on the way home. It was stupid to go out with him, I knew it would've gotten out of hand because there's no denying that we're attracted to each other. Whether or not Rho treats me right, I'm not a cheater. I've dedicated three years of my life to my boyfriend, I'm not going to ruin that by kissing someone who just shows me a little bit of kindness, which is the bare fucking minimum.

"Buzz, buzz," a small voice speaks from behind me, breaking me from the trance I was in. I clear my throat and attempt to ignore it since he was imitating the sound my phone has been making in my pocket all day long. I understand Harry feels guilty and believes he made me uncomfortable, but it's getting a little excessive.

"Alright, off we go," I say as I begin walking into the hallway and glancing behind me every few seconds to make sure everyone is following along. The third time I check on them, my eyes lock with Autumn's and my breath gets stuck in my throat.

Harry is going to be picking her up.

My hand gravitates toward my mouth and I begin mercilessly chewing on my nails. If he is so persistent about talking to me over text, there's no way he won't approach me when he sees me outside. I have no idea what to say to him. I can't see him outside of school anymore, obviously. I just don't know how to break that to him.

I push through the steel doors and hold them open so that everybody can get through and as far as I can tell, Harry isn't here yet. I'm praying to every god imaginable that he's running a little late so he won't get here until another teacher takes my spot here in ten minutes.

"See you tomorrow, bye!" I say with fake excitement in my voice as some of the children begin making their way to their parent's cars.

"My daddy was talking about you," Autumn stands in front of me and squints her eyes at the sun shining on her face. My eyes widen and I nod my head, not wanting to know what he had been saying "He said you were pretty," she giggles and holds her hands over her mouth like she's embarrassed.

I laugh softly along with her. "You're crazy, Autie girl," I sigh and mess her hair up slightly. "Do you know when your daddy will be here?" I ask, wondering if she can give me any insight.

She just shrugs and walks away from me to go sit on the sidewalk with a few other girls who are waiting on their parents. "Alrighty then," I say under my breath as I softly wave goodbye to the students as their parents continuously pull up.

I go back to chewing on my nails until I start tasting nail polish chippings in my mouth "Gross," I groan as I begin attempting to spit into the grass next to me. Once I stand back up and pull my water bottle out from my purse, I see Harry's car pull up. "Jesus," I whisper as I take a long swig of water to prepare myself for this unavoidable confrontation.

He parks his car and then hops out, his eyes quickly finding Autumn. He runs up to her and scoops her up into his arms, causing her to laugh loudly as she throws her head back. My eyes rapidly look between Harry and his daughter and the entrance door, desperately hoping that my replacement will walk out any second now.