Chapter 6: °6•Coincidence

“Hello, my name is Tory Summer. I have an appointment with Mr. Bruce Rheims. I’m the new substitute teacher,” I announce to the secretary in front of me.

“Take a seat. He’s in a meeting right now.” She replies kindly as she points to the vacant chair not far from where I’m standing.

“Thank you,” I reply as I take a seat. While I wait, I take the time to check the messages on my cell.

‘Don't forget to call me after. I want to know how it goes.’

‘I will call you tonight, mother. Please stop worrying about me so much.’

‘...’ I see the three dots as I wait for my mother’s reply.

I turn off my cell phone before I can see her reply. I don’t need the distraction right now. Ever since I got to this town, I’ve waited for this meeting impatiently.

“This is unfair, Mr. Rheims.” I hear a student says as she steps out of his office.

“Maybe next time you’ll think twice before texting in class, Miss Evans.”

“But. But. Hmph!” She turns around and walks away without saying another word.

Talk about a coincidence. I think to myself as I laugh in my head. That’s exactly what I was doing.

“Miss Tory Summer, if you please.” He says to me as he catches me watching the scene before me.

I don’t hesitate as I stand from my seat and walk right into his office. He turns and looks at me closely but at a respectful distance.

He sits behind his desk. “When I received the phone call from your father a month ago, I couldn’t believe that he would let his only daughter so far away from him. The last time I saw you, you were what, twelve, fourteen? Now look at you, all grown up and ready to work for me. I can’t believe how time goes so fast. How’s your father doing?" He points to one of the chairs for me to sit on.

I take my place. “He and my mother are doing just fine. Thank you for asking, sir.”

“Please, when it’s just you and me, you can call me Bruce. I am one of your father’s close friends, used to be anyway. Everything changed when I moved here.” He clears his throat. “You’re not here to talk about your father. Are you ready to start tomorrow?”

“Of course, sir, I mean Bruce. Uhmm, Mr. Rheims.” Why do I have to be so nervous right now?

Breath. Breath. Breath.

“I have to say. You’re lucky to have a spot in our school precisely when you want it. Miss Sutherland had to leave for the rest of the year for a personal emergency just before I received your father’s call. But I have to ask, why was he the one to call me? You seem to be an independent young lady.”

“Normally, I would have been the one to make the call, but I had to deal with a personal matter that was hard for me.”

“Rose already told me all about what happened to you. She snatched the phone from your father and explained it to me. She wanted to ensure I would give you a chance, which surprised your father.”

Note to myself: I. Will. Definitely. Call. My. Mother. When. I. Get. Back. Home.

I can’t believe she did that to me. I feel so ashamed.

“Please don’t be angry with your mother. She did what she thought was best for you, and don’t worry. It’s not the reason why I hired you. I took the liberty to call your previous job, and I got only good recommendations. I assure you that is the reason why you're here today.

“Can I ask you, then, why you want to know why it was my father who called and not me?”

“These days, you don't know who to trust. I just wanted to know if you would be honest with me, even if you are the daughter of one of my good friends. I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable.”

I only nod my head in response. I don’t know what to say.

“Now that being said, I think it’s a good time for us to go to the staff room so I can present you to your coworkers. At this time, most of them should be there.”

As we step out of his office, Bruce walks in front of the secretary I spoke to earlier.

“Tory, I would like you to meet Lily Salazar. Lily, this is our newest substitute teacher. She will take Miss Sutherland’s class during her absence.”

We shake hands as she welcomes me. Lily seems nice. I love when I have a good feeling when I meet someone for the first time. It’s easier for me to talk to them after, and I definitely feel like I can speak with her.

I’m not naive. I won’t trust Lily immediately, not after what happened to Katy and me. I’m glad I can still feel this way toward others after all that happened.

As we walk through the hallways, I see posters with ‘Go Ligers!’ Written on them.

“Ah, yes, our football team. The school takes great pride in this team. Maybe I can introduce you to their coach if he’s here.” He says as if he could read my mind.

“No running in the halls, young man.”

“Sorry, Mr. Principal.”

“No rest for the wicked.” He mumbles as we continue to walk.

I don’t reply because something tells me he said that more to himself than to me.

I remember little about him. I know he’s one of my father’s good friends. I remember he always came to our house to watch the Super Bowl with my father until he moved over here. After that, my father stopped watching it. He said it wasn't the same without him.

“We’re here. Are you ready?” He turns towards me before entering the room.

“As ready as I'll ever be.” Just a yes would’ve been enough. I mentally scold myself.

“Everyone, may I have your attention, please? I want to introduce our new substitute teacher, taking over for Miss Sutherland until the end of the year, Miss Tory Summer.”

I step inside. I look at everyone before, waving my hand to them.

“Tomorrow morning will be her official welcome among us. I just wanted to give her a heads up about what she’ll deal with.” Was he trying to be funny?

“You know I’m messing with you all, all of you. You know what a wonderful group you are to work with.” Well, I guess he was.

Suddenly I feel a presence behind me.

“Miss Tory, here is the coach of the football team.” As he speaks.

I turn around, and it knocks the air straight down my lungs

Is this a joke?

Why is the universe against me?

Levi, my one-night stand, stands right in front of me.

I look at him, and from the expression on his face, he must think the same as me. What the fuck are you doing here? I know I said fuck, but in this situation, I’ll make an exception.