Part 16 (1/2)

My belly rumbles, my little one calling out for some grub.

Since my cupboards are bare except for some microwave popcorn, crackers and wine, I go back to my bedroom to get dressed. Fast food is calling my name.

After pulling through the closest fast food joint, I dread going back to my empty house. I make a right turn at the next light for a quick detour and head to work instead. School starts in a week so I need to get into my cla.s.sroom anyway and clean up. Maybe the endless task will help me take my mind off things.

When I arrive, I park as close to my building as possible, pull on my shades and haul a.s.s to my cla.s.sroom. I know I'm not alone, but if I get in and close my door fast enough, no one will notice I'm here, and I won't have to explain my sickly appearance.

I sit down and arrange my breakfast on my desk. I attack the greasy hash browns first. Instantly, I regret the choice as my face starts to feel oily and it's like I can sense the zits forming with each bite. I toss what's left in the trash and move on to my breakfast croissant sandwich. The melted cheese dazzles my taste buds and I lean back into my office chair to enjoy each bite.

When I'm finished with my fat-infused breakfast, I ditch the trash in one of the wastebaskets near the door and walk to the center of my room. I do a 360, soaking in each wall and trying to envision what I'd like it to look like this year. Last year's posters of my favorite Van Gogh paintings just won't cut it after seeing the student work at Ty's art center. Maybe I should call our art teacher and see if I can snag some old work so I can decorate my room. I doubt he'd mind. I'm sure he'd be happy to see it up on the walls for all to see. Or maybe I should wait until school starts and ask my students if any of them have some pieces they'd like to show off.

I decide to leave it alone for now and I fire up my computer. I'll start with planning my first week. I have to get all my handouts ready. Pick readings to interest my kids. Come up with a writing sample so I can evaluate their skill level. So much to do and so little time.

Like always, I'm distracted again. This time by the dust on my students' desks. It was really dumb of me to put off coming into work for so long. Usually it takes me days to figure out where to start. And today is no different. The walls, handouts, lesson plans, dusty desks. I can't decide. I stand up and pace back and forth yet again, trying to settle on a starting point. It seems impossible. I slide into one of the desks and rest my chin in my hand, taking in the scenery.

My thoughts go into overdrive again.

The summer went by so quickly. I wish I had more time to recover from the crazy that has become my life, but I don't. I need to snap out of this funk and move on. I can't allow my feelings for Ty and my crushed heart to get in the way of me starting off the school year right. I can't allow my feelings to get in the way of me taking care of myself and this little person growing inside me. Ty said he'd call when he calmed down. I should have just listened and waited for the call. Sometimes things are better left alone. And in this case, I would have liked to stay in the dark, not knowing that Ty has a new woman.

First Nick, and now Ty.

I'm destined to be alone.

The faint sound of voices and shuffling feet can be heard in the hall. I should have kept my lights off. I'm not in the mood for company and now someone is bound to stop in. Thankfully, I wore some old baggy soccer shorts and a hoodie.

I glance at the door just in time to see Shel and Matt peek their heads in.

”Oh my gos.h.!.+” she squeals. ”You're here.”

”And you're smiling. Are you sure you're happy to see me?”

She brushes me off with a wave of her hand. ”b.i.t.c.h, please. I totally wanted to kill you days ago, but I'm over it now that I see you. Get your a.s.s up and give me a hug.”

The giddiness in her voice makes my heart swell with love for my best friend. Even after all I've done, she still loves me and she's still here for me. She could easily hold a grudge for me keeping her in the dark and lying to her brother, but that's just not Sh.e.l.ly's style. We're more than friends. We're sisters. And we'll always have each other's backs. No matter how stupid we can be. Or, in this case, no matter how stupid I am.

I scoot out of the desk and open my arms to her. Matt smiles as he watches his wife and I rock back and forth in a girlie hug.

When I back away, she kneels down and plants her hands on my belly. ”Hey, baby girl. This is your auntie speaking. I can't wait to meet you.”

”How do you know she's a girl?”

She rises to her feet. ”Mother's intuition. I'm having a boy and you're having a girl.”

”You found out already?”

”No, but I just know. Don't you?”

I shrug. ”Maybe.” I've been back to the doctor's office. Maybe I know a little something. But I'm not saying till I have a chance to share the news with Ty.

”Can I have a turn now?” Matt says, after clearing his throat.

Shel and I laugh at his expense. ”Sure, big guy. Hi, Matt.”

He tosses an arm over my shoulder and squeezes me close to his side. ”Nice to see you, Mel. You look great.”

I run my hand over my messy hair and yank on my ponytail. ”Oh, yeah. You're full of s.h.i.+t, but thanks anyway.”

Shel reaches for my hand and gives me a sympathetic stare. ”How are you, Melly?”

And with that, the flood gates open. Tears well in my eyes and I try to fight the oncoming whoosh of sobs, but I can't. It's too late. ”Not good, Sh.e.l.ly. Not good at all.”

”What happened now? Did Ty call you yet?”

We both sit. Matt grabs a tissue box and places it in front of me, then leans against a desk next to Shel.

”No. After I talked to you, I went to see him. I wanted to make the grand gesture, like in the movies. You know, let him know I'm willing to move to San Francisco so he can continue working in the teen center. But when I got there, it was too late. Ty is seeing someone else.”

”What?” both Shel and Matt say in unison.

”Yeah, Taylor. Not only does she work with him, she lives with him too.” I pull two tissues from the box and blot at my eyes. Then I grab a few more and blow my nose.

”Wait. Where did you go exactly? Where did you see Taylor?” Shel asks.

”San Francisco.” Where in the h.e.l.l else? ”I went to his apartment and waited outside for him. She had a key and was talking to a friend about Ty letting her decorate however she wanted.”

”Melly, Ty does not have a new girlfriend. I promise.”

I can't believe she's going to lie for her brother. ”I saw her with my own eyes, Shel.”

”No, you didn't see anything. Tyler isn't ...”

Matt interrupts her with a hand to her shoulder, ”Shel, it's not your place.”

She arches a brow at him and he narrows his eyes right back. ”Fine.” Her gaze falls back to me. ”What is the number one reason our students end up getting into fights?”

”What the h.e.l.l does that have to do with anything?” I shout, throwing my hands up.

She slaps her hand on the desk. ”Just answer the question.”

With a heaving sigh, I reply, ”Miscommunication. He said. She said. And half of it isn't even true.”

”Right. That's what's happening here between you and Ty. I swear if you guys would have just talked from the beginning and been your usual in-your-face selves, none of this stupid a.s.s s.h.i.+t would've happened. You both need to learn to communicate because right now, everything is just one giant misunderstanding.”