Begin Again (Again #1)(22)

“Majoring in journalism. Minoring in graphic design.”

“That sounds exciting. What kind of job do you want?”

“No idea.” He sounded thoughtful. “My first choice would be covering the film industry, but I know how hard it is to get a foot in the door. Especially now, when print media is struggling. That’s why I’m taking lots of different courses to keep my options open.”

Wow. He’d never said so much at once.

“What about you?” he asked, looking back at me over his shoulder.

“I want to be a teacher.”

“What grade?” he probed, as he held back a branch that crossed our path so I could pass. He followed.

“High school.”

I felt Kaden’s eyes on me but kept on walking.

“That’s a pretty short answer coming from you, Bubbles,” he said sarcastically.

I shrugged. There wasn’t much to say about it. My parents considered my dream of becoming a teacher absurd. But I’d already made up my mind.

“Were you one of those girls who was bullied in school and now wants to change other people’s lives?” asked Kaden.

I stopped in my tracks. My heart pounded. “No.”

“Then maybe you were the star of your high school and captain of the cheerleader squad, and now you want to give back what you got,” he guessed again.

I felt ill. I really didn’t want to think about my school years, about who I had been. I remained silent.

Kaden interpreted this as encouragement from me, and kept on guessing.

“Or maybe you were one of those girls who did everything possible to get attention? Alcohol from older friends, wild parties, men and so on?”

“Shut up!” I hissed, clenching my fists. I spun around and glared at Kaden, my eyes narrowed into angry slits.

Bull’s-eye. He had guessed correctly. And the surprised look on his face told me he knew it.

“Allie.”

“No.”

He ventured a step toward me as I crossed my trembling arms over my chest. “I’m sorry if I crossed the line.”

I sniffed.

He grew serious and looked me in the eyes. “I really do want to know what makes you want to teach.”

I swallowed hard and looked away. I hadn’t shared the real reason with anyone yet. And I didn’t really want anyone to know. Particularly not Kaden.

“Okay, then I’ll start,” Kaden said abruptly. “If my father had his way, I would be getting a degree in economics and business so I could work in his company eventually, like my older brother Alex.” He shook his head and shoved his cap backward on his head. “He doesn’t care that I want to do the exact opposite. I’ve always had a passion for film and design. My mom pointed me toward journalism.”

This time I held the branches back so Kaden could pass under them.

“What did your dad say about it?” I asked after a pause.

Kaden dug his hands into his pockets. “He wasn’t too delighted. Told me I should pick a subject that would bring payback in the future. When I moved here, he cut me off from all support.”

“What?” I blurted out.

Kaden just raised his shoulders.

“Just because your dreams don’t match his doesn’t mean he should leave you in the lurch. I mean, you’re his son!”

“I can manage without him.” Kaden avoided my glance; he just reached up and fiddled with his cap.

“What an ass,” I sniffed, but regretted my outburst immediately. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that. I only wanted … ”

“It’s okay.” He gave me a crooked grin and his caramel-brown eyes twinkled in the sun. “I like it when you talk that way.”

My cheeks grew warm as he looked at me. Crazy how many emotions could flow through one body within such a short time.

“I … I want to change the lives of young people.” The words came out of their own accord; they just tumbled out of me. I’d never told anyone about it before. “Naive, I know. But school years are the toughest time in life for so many. Aside from the fact that I also really like teaching, I want to be someone they can come to if they need to talk. I want to show them what’s really important in life. I want to … ” I hesitated. The rushing sound I’d heard earlier had grown louder, and I continued heading toward its source.

“What do you want to do?” asked Kaden, close behind me. He didn’t sound judgmental or bored, like my parents always were when I tried talking with them about my dreams.

“I don’t only want to teach them what’s in the lesson plan. There are so many values that aren’t part of the curriculum and that get lost along the way. So many teenagers have no one who cares, no one they can trust. I want to be that someone for them, someone they can come to if they need guidance. I just want to have a positive effect on these kids. To give them something that they might not be getting at home. And help them get back on the right track if they need it.”

Kaden had moved to walk next to me. He glanced at me sidelong, and my whole face felt red-hot. But the more I said, the better I felt. It did me good to share these thoughts.

“I like your plans,” Kaden said after a pause. “It’s hard to find teachers who put their heart into their work, who think seriously about their students.” He threw me another glance. “I think you’ll be a great teacher.”