See Me After Class(116)

I twist my hands together. “Some students need that extra visualization to help them understand.”

“I can see how showing a movie that corresponds with the book is relevant, but this teacher is particularly adamant about the nuisance it has caused for classrooms around you.”

My heart stutters to a stop.

My breath escapes me.

And every happy feeling drains from my body and pools around the legs of my chair.

She doesn’t have to say who this teacher is.

The complaints—I’ve heard them before. They’ve all come from the man who loves me, or who I thought loves me.

“You can just say Arlo. I know it’s him.”

She sighs. “Unfortunately, that’s what it has come down to, which surprises me. I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’re a couple, which isn’t against school policy, so please know what I’m about to say has nothing to do with that.”

What is she about to say?

“But the school board values his opinion greatly. Arlo Turner is one of the top reasons why we’re a public school with the highest graduating percentage.”

I grind my teeth together to keep them from chattering.

“He’s a great teacher.”

“And like I said, knowing there’s a romantic relationship between you two makes this rather uncomfortable, but I have to give him credit for being able to set aside his feelings and give us honest, critical feedback.”

Yeah, what a real hero.

“The school board thought it best that at the end of the semester, we part ways.”

Oh fuck. Fuck. Shit. No.

I’ve never in my life felt such a painful stab to the heart as I do right now.

Tears well in my eyes and betrayal sinks heavily in my heart, turning it into a dark shade of black. His face pops up in my head, and instead of the handsome man I love, all I see is hate.

Hate for him.

For his stupid arrogance.

For his inability to open his mind and see there are other ways to teach students than just standing up front and lecturing them.

Trying to keep my emotions at bay, I say, “I understand—”

She raises her hand. “But that was their suggestion, not the verdict.”

“Wait,” I say, my throat closing tight. “So, I haven’t been fired?”

She sighs and looks me in the eyes. “The reason I hired you, Greer, is because you’re unique. Because you don’t play by the book. I liked that about you. I also liked your vibrancy. You’re captivating, but, yes, I think resorting to CliffsNotes is not how we would prefer our kids to learn. I know there’s more you can give. Better ways you can help them understand. Innovative ways like the dress-up day. You bring literature to life, and I know you can figure out how to continue to do that moving forward.”

A tear falls down my cheek and I quickly wipe it away. “Thank you, Nyema.”

“Of course. You’re on strict probation though. Ditch the CliffsNotes and any other online resources you plan to give the kids to read. Stick to the book. The movies are fine, as I know you show short clips right after you read the parts in the book, and then you discuss. I told the board it’s bringing that scene to life for them. But start thinking of new ways to help the students learn the literature.”

“Of course.” I nod. “I’m more than happy to provide you with an updated lesson plan. I’ll just need a few weeks.”

“Two weeks, please. The faster the better with the school board.” Leaning forward, Nyema winks at me and says, “I have your back.”

“Thank you.”

“And Greer?”

“Yes?” I ask, ready to bolt out of here as quickly as possible.

“I don’t want you to be mad at Arlo. He did the right thing. As always, he put the kids first.” Easy for her to say.

“Yes, he did.” I give her a soft smile, suck in a deep breath, and stand from my chair. “Thank you for being open and honest with me.”

“Of course. If you need help with lesson plans and some new ideas, I might have some up my sleeve. I’d be more than happy to sit down with you and chat.”

“I’d love that, actually.”

“Good, I’ll have Joanna set up a time. As for now, deep breaths, everything will be okay.”

“Thank you, Nyema,” I say as another tear falls down my cheek.

“Are you okay?”

No.

I feel betrayed.

Played.

Like an absolute fool.

“Yes, just a lot to process. I’ll be fine.”

With that, I give her a quick wave and walk out the door. I stand in the hallway for a few seconds, trying to compose myself, but it’s no use—I’m a ball of wretched sorrow, and I need to get the hell out of here.

Wiping at my eyes one more time, I scurry down the hallway, past Joanna, and— “Greer, hold up.”

I glance over my shoulder in time to catch Arlo pop out of a waiting chair and charge toward me.

Oh, hell no.

Turning away from him, I walk more quickly to the exit and hurry down the hallway toward my classroom, wishing I’d taken my things to the meeting so I could go straight to my car. Silly me, though, I was hoping to talk with Arlo afterward.

What a fool.