It's been 6 months since that night in the parking lot with Coach Nichols. It has been haunting me ever since.
Coach Nichols had not made a move since then. He chose to ignore me, as if we never had a moment outside of his car or he had ever supported me. I've started to believe that it really hadn't happened. I was simply overreacting and seeing something that never happened.
After about two months, I stopped trying to see a future for us. I stopped pretending about him. I focused on school instead. After all, it is senior year and graduation is just around the corner.
In the past few months, my parents finally allowed me to start dating. During this time, I started seeing one of the senior boys, Alex Conner. He's 5'11'', blonde, blue eyed, and a catch according to most girls in my class. Of course, I've never forgot about the bet that has been going around the senior class. $200 to the first guy who can fuck Emma Cross. I had no plans for Alex to succeed at this either.
We've been dating for three months and it's becoming clear that he wants to have sex soon. Why does it have to be so soon? I highly doubt he's a virgin, but he knows I am. Why is he trying so hard to take the one thing I have to offer a man so quickly? I mean, we haven't even told each other we love each other yet! I will not sleep with a man whom I do not know loves me. While I must admit, I have developed deep feelings for Alex, he's not showing he has for me. I can't just make myself into a slut just to please him. What would Coach Nichols think if he found out?
Alex is making it pretty obvious he wants to have sex on prom night. He constantly reminds me of this after party that is held every year at Lake Marcus by the seniors.
Here, everyone gets shit faced and starts fucking in the back of each other's pickup trucks. I still haven't had the heart to tell him my parents would never allow for me to go. I figured I would just let my dad tell him when he goes this weekend to ask him if he can take me to prom. My dad had already told me it was fine, even purchased my dress for me. It was a Macy's dress, but still rather nice and something I knew he couldn't afford. He simply wanted Alex to remember who he was and do what a gentleman should do and ask him to take me. Luckily, we're meeting up at Mario's Pizza, not my sad home. Even my parents are embarrassed to have guests over at their house.
Alex bumps my shoulder at the lunch table where I had dozed off into space, "Did you hear me?"
I blink a few times and look at him, "I'm sorry what?"
He scoffs and asks again, "Are you down to come over to my place tomorrow night? we can go out for a swim and I can cook a mean dinner?"
Alex lived out on Lake Marcus and his parents tend to never be home. I knew what he wanted, but I also knew how to stop it from happening even though I hated it. The things you do for love.
I stab my fork into the salad I was supposed to be eating, "Yeah, sure! Go home with you after school?"
"Yeah, that would be great. I need to talk to you about something anyways."
My heart dropped. He was going to break up with me, I knew it. Even though I knew he didn't really care for me, I did care for him. Also, prom was a little more than a week away. He was going to leave me without a date this late in the game?
I gave him a nervous smile and took a bite of my salad, trying not to think about tomorrow night.
**********
"Many of you may recall hearing about the Battle of Thermopylae from the movie 300. However, what if I told you the Battle wasn't just between 300 Spartans and over 10,000 Persians? It was more around 7,000 soldiers in total between various Greek city states." Coach Nichols droned on in World History.
While I have developed a passion for learning about world history, I just couldn't pay attention. Although I had given up on there ever being a thing between us, I still thought about that Saturday night whenever I came to his class. I still recall his fingers holding the back of my neck and his lips tracing my throat. Oh how I wish we could go back to that night and I would have been brave enough to kiss him.
There was a sharp tap bringing me back to my senses. I looked up to see Coach Nichols standing in front of me, his pen tapping on my desk.
"And who was the King of the Spartans who lead the battle at Thermopylae Miss Cross?" he asked in a harsh tone.
I flinched. He had become so cruel towards me. What had I done to change his attitude towards me?
I glared at him, "That would have been Leonidas. Of course there was a second King who remained behind in Sparta to rule during Leonidas's absence in battle."
Coach Nichols just stared at me. He appeared almost offended over the fact I knew the answer without having paid attention. As I said, I rather enjoyed learning world history.
"The Spartans were known for being strong warriors. It is even believed they threw unfit newborns off of a cliff if they did not fit the Spartan standards," he moved on.
I hated him for this.
After another 20 minutes of wallowing in my misery, the bell rang for next period. I began to gather my belongings so I could to head to Honors Calculus.
"Miss Cross, I would like a word with you," I heard Coach Nichols behind me.
I looked towards my fellow classmates who were all heading out the door, hoping at least one was going to lag behind for some odd reason. None did.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and turned to him, "A quick one Coach Nichols, you know how Mr. Matthews is over students coming in late to his class."
"I'll write you a pass," He retorted.
How wonderful, I could only wonder how long he wanted to keep me.
Coach Nichols took a seat at his desk and beckoned for me to sit in front of him. I reluctantly sat in the closest desk near him. I crossed my legs and looked up towards him.
"You wanted a word?"