Elona’s POV
After this weekend of some more crying and being in bed, my father encouraged me again to get up, go to school, and have fun at The Dakota Agency. This heartache that doesn’t seem like it wants to leave is pushing me in the direction of what my father encouraged me to do. He was right… Don’t let Tristan get you down, he isn’t worth it, and show him what he lost. Do not let a man stop you from reaching your dreams.
Now I find myself at school, putting on a confident face, but I am hollow inside. I dressed in my black leggings, black and white sneakers, and a three-quartered black jacket that I kept open, revealing my lilac cropped top. I kept my hair loose, and it was already curled from the shower.
My father dropped me at school, and now I’m just walking down the hallway with my backpack strap over one shoulder. I don’t even want to talk. I hardly even eat anything, but at least I started taking my pills again, and I didn’t even eat the apple my dad offered for me to bring to school. I wasn’t feeling up to anything, but I had to be here for myself. It’s the final year with a few months left of school.
I entered the classroom, finding Cris and Spooky already seated at their desks. They were talking as the rest of the students entered the classroom and were chatting away with each other. Miss Johnson wasn’t here yet. As I walked to my desk which was next to Cris, it was like my heart sank because we were no longer friends, and we wouldn’t be talking to each other anymore. My eyes caught Spooky’s perfect blue eyes. He smiled as if happy to see me, sitting straight up from leaning towards Cris’ desk. She looked at where his eyes were. She just stared at me briefly before looking at him again, and then I took a seat at my desk.
I took my books out of my backpack and placed the backpack on the floor beside my desk. I opened up my book to a new blank page, grabbing the pen on my desk, and started drawing hearts in the top corner. I have to get through this day. One day at a time, my father told me in the car.
There was silence and then whispers, gasping. I looked up as to why the sudden change because Miss Johnson didn’t command a classroom this way. My eyes found a charmingly handsome man with dark hair, that was longish and fell over his forehead. He combed his hair to the back with his fingers, but his hair fell to the side. I swallowed. Who the hell is he?
The corners of his mouth curled up as his hazel eyes found mine. My heart stopped. Did I still have a heart within me since Tristan crushed it? I licked my lips before breaking eye contact and focusing on the blank page of my book again.
“I am Mr Monroe and I will be assisting with English until graduation. Miss Johnson is currently ill and in hospital,” he said. I looked up at him again. This time, I looked at his body as he moved towards the whiteboard. The white shirt and gray waistcoat hugged his lean muscles. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows. He was wearing black dress pants. I sucked in a breath with annoyance as he was not Tristan and I just continued to sketch in my book.
The entire class lesson was boring for me and I just wanted to get back home. No other man would live up to Tristan. I don’t even have a crush or any feelings for this handsome man in front of my class, who is my temporary teacher, but every other girl is going crazy over him. Tristan ruined me for any other man. I guess this heartache is so bad that I don’t want to date again. But when does this end?
Eventually, the class was dismissed and I packed up my things. As I stood up, I felt like the entire classroom was spinning. I held onto my desk until I could walk. I was just not feeling well all of a sudden. Cris and Spooky were still in class, but I walked slowly out of the class.
When I got into the hallway with everyone else chatting and walking. The hallway was spinning again. “Elona, are you okay?” I felt a gentle hand on my arm, it was Cris with a concerned look on her face.
“I’m okay,” I said in a whisper, but I was dizzy again and nearly fainted as Spooky caught me.
“I think you need to go home,” Cris said.
Spooky let me sit on the ground, and he crouched beside me as the hallway was now empty. Cris crouched beside me too and that’s when Mr. Monroe walked out of his classroom, furrowing his brows, he hurried towards us.
“Is everything okay?” he asked with concern on his face. Cris stood up and moved out of Mr Monroe’s way so that he could crouch, placing his hand against my forehead and then cupped the side of my face. I felt weak, to be honest. I needed strength.
“I think I just need to eat,” I said softly.
“Okay, are you okay with getting up? I think you need to go home for the rest of the day,” he said, holding my gaze. I will not say no to going back home.
“Okay,” I replied as I attempted to stand up, Spooky was already on his feet and Mr Monroe stood up, holding his hand out to me and I placed my hand in his as he helped me to stand. He placed his hands on my shoulders, not breaking his gaze.
“Are you okay with standing?” he asked.
“Yes,” I didn’t have the strength for questions.
“Is there anyone to take you home?” he asked.
“No. I can walk.” I said.
“I will take you home. We can’t have you fainting in the street.” He offered. I nodded in agreement, “I will grab my keys and then we can go,” he said, and then he went back into the classroom.
I adjusted the backpack strap over my shoulder. “Thanks, guys. I will see you around,” I said, and before I moved past them, I spotted Tristan standing by Miss Jenning’s desk. Was he signing papers to be part of things? Ugh. He was already looking at me, scowling. He was dressed in a black suit and white shirt.
I walked down the hallway, and as I passed him, he grabbed my wrist, the electricity still there between us. “Why are you letting him touch you like that?” he hissed, glaring at me.
“I don’t know why that bothers you that much,” I replied, but I was boiling with anger right now.
“I don’t want that man touching you,” he never broke eye contact with me.
“You can’t have it both ways. You chose her. So, fuck off.”
“Watch that filthy mouth of yours,” he hissed through clenched teeth. I yanked my wrist out of his grasp.
“You no longer have a say in my life,” I hissed.
“I don’t want to see you ruin your life for a man who you don’t even know. I am still here trying to protect you from men and from afar if I have to. You are still young. I care about you.”
“Well, you ruined me, you blocked me, so leave me alone to do what I need to and live my life the same as you are with your new family,” his expression changed to hurt and then I walked away.
I can’t believe that he still wants to have a say in my life. He made his choice, that choice was to leave me the hell alone. He blocked me, so why the hell is he still trying to meddle in my life? It’s best that he focuses on his own family that he chose. I will live my life the way that I need to, no matter how hurt I feel, this fueled the anger inside of me.