Paradise Falls (Paradise Falls #1-5)(10)

“I suppose I have work to do as well,” Jacob said. His wounded expression combined with her remorse from dealing him undeserved rejection, and sent her eyes downward to her shuffling feet.

Hands folded subconsciously over her chest as she walked, and the tight metal band’s twisting burn dug into her finger. “I could--”

Her finger throbbed. Franklin staring at her from the honeymoon photo flashed through her mind.

“I’m sorry,” Jacob said. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“I’m not. I mean, you didn’t, I--”

I sound like I’m in eighth grade. Just spit it out!

Spit what out? What was she going to say? Eat lunch with me, mysterious rich kung-fu math teacher?

“I’m just shaken up. I’m sorry. Maybe another time?”

A toothy smile brightened his face. Jennifer guessed dental work perfected those movie star teeth.

Probably had them all knocked out when he broke that hand and got that scar on his face.

Something about how Jacob’s warm eyes shied away when she gathered enough courage to face him made her feel fluttery and strange. If the pair of them standing in the hallway grew any more awkward, then she’d burst.

“Maybe another time,” he said with a quick sigh. “See you between classes, I guess.”

Jennifer nodded before rushing into her classroom. She cursed herself for shutting the door so hard. Jacob probably thought she slammed the door on him.

So what? Why did she care what he thought about the way she closed doors?

You’re a married woman.

Her ring itched.





4.





Jennifer’s messenger bag produced a lunch consisting of a bottle of water, sandwich, and half an apple. The lettuce and cheese on dry toast was mashed into an unrecognizable shape, probably from the corner of her textbook landing on it when she fell.

She soldiered through lunch alone. The ringing bell startled her, and she used the dark computer monitor for a quick composure check. Red puffy eyes stared back at her.

High school was still new and strange to the freshmen, and Jennifer went through the motions without allowing them to test her too much. The Advanced Placement class was a different story. She had to cure a few cases of senioritis and explain again they really needed to read the entire syllabus.

The boy who fought with another student selling drugs was in her AP class. Jennifer didn’t know how he talked his way out of going to the ER, and she didn’t ask. He sat next to Krystal, and Jennifer hid a genuine smile at how Cole obviously liked the girl.

Her last commitment for the day was an Advisory group comprised of students from her other courses plus one or two others. She only had a short time with them, so she let them sit and chat quietly after a little icebreaker activity. Seniors could mostly take care of themselves during the advisory period. Both Cole and Krystal were in this group, and continued to sit together after students pulled the tables apart. Jennifer busied herself with the entering class participation grades and other menial tasks that built up during the day.

Feeling a bit fatigued, a loud yawn spread through the room as she walked to the windows. Thunderheads rolled in, and the wind rattled the windows. A dull haze of raindrops outlined a police car in the lot, and the boy that attacked Cole was in the back seat. She never learned his name. They’d probably been at him all day, and she hoped he’d get help before he ruined his life, but she didn’t want him back in school, either. The rain slid down the glass in sheets, and the sky darkened enough to cause the lights in the parking lot to turn on.

The Advisory period dragged to a close, and the small group put their chairs up without instruction, leaving the door open after shuffling out. Krystal lagged behind the others. Cole, the smaller boy from the earlier fight, hung around in the hallway waiting for her. Jennifer smirked at his reflection in the window, still wondering how he managed to talk his way out of an ambulance ride and early dismissal.

Krystal peered at her with concern. “What?”

“Nothing,” Jennifer said. “Go home.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Did I piss you off with the teasing? I didn’t mean to.”

“No,” Jennifer said. “Do I seem pis… angry?”

“Kinda.” Krystal shrugged into her book bag. “You got a little choked up in class.”

“I did?”

Jennifer blinked a few times and rubbed the bridge of her nose between her fingers. She never lost her composure in front of the students. Never. Krystal probably paid more attention than most, but Jennifer never let herself slip before. Get it together.

“Well, not choked up,” said Krystal, “You just seemed freaked out about something. Like, really intense.”

Jennifer shrugged. “It’s just the weather.”

“Do you need a ride? I have a car.”

Jennifer smiled softly. “No, hon. That wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll catch a ride with one of the other teachers. I’ll be fine. I’m an adult. I’ll live without you for a few hours.”

Krystal smiled. “Okay,” she sighed before heading off.

Jennifer kept an old field jacket that belonged to her father in the classroom for such weather conditions. She zipped it up, strapped on her bag, and pulled up the hood. During a final survey of her room, the grass under the thunderheads outside reminded her of Jacob’s eyes. The light was still on in his classroom. She was tempted to knock on the closed door and ask him for a ride.