DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the characters that you don't recognise

CHAPTER 10

Staring in shock at the 50-something principal that is sitting seductively on the desk before me I wonder what it is about me that attracts these demented older woman.

I'm a science teacher for crying out loud, science teachers aren't supposed to be anybodies 'flavour of the week', but some how I've turned into a poster boy for the older, unhinged principals at my school and it's really starting to freak me out

The latest one is Principal Cartwright, she's tall, skinny… old, and wearing a denim skirt that is too short, a pale blue t-shirt that is too low and as she stares down at me I wonder if she's trying to attract me with her eyelid aerobics or whether she's developed a really nasty twitch.

The fact she is slowly running her tongue over her brightly painted lips as she stares down at me with a eyes half open/half shut look, answers my question and I suddenly regret the fact I had a large breakfast.

"Principal Cartwright, it's Sunday, and I'm sure you can appreciate that I have other places to be, so if you could please get to the point"

"Dr. Oliver, how would you feel if I told you that you and I are going away together?"

If I'm sick now will she sack me?

I attempt to keep the look of repulsion off of my face but I can feel the blood draining from it and heading towards my feet.

This is a joke…right? She has dragged me into town on a Sunday morning to play some kind of sick joke on me.

Ha-ha-ha, now can I go home please?

"Uh…what?"

I don't have times for games, I told Kim I would call her and if I don't do it this time I know for sure she will never forgive me and the thought of that troubles me more than it should

"There's a school conference, Dr. Philips was supposed to be coming with me, but as I'm sure you've heard he's having some problems with his wife right now. She's 10 years younger than him you know, I've seen them together and I can tell you…"

"Principal, please, I have somewhere I really have to be. I appreciate the offer but I can't go"

"It would be a great opportunity for you to network"

"Networking's not really my thing,"

Actually, socialising of any kind isn't really my thing, wasn't when I was young, isn't now I'm old

"We'd have three days in which to get to know each other better, that can only be of benefit to the school. I know next week is short notice but I've managed to get cover for all of your classes"

If she keeps talking like this I'm fairly sure we're going to be saying hello to my eggs and toast sometime soon

"Next week? Aw man, I can't, I'm really sorry Principal. Cartwright"

"Please…"

Her hand's on my shoulder of my red/orange t-shirt and I'm fighting the urge to pick it off and give it back to her. I wish I'd worn a jacket, or a thick coat… two of them, anything to stop her looking me up and down like that

"Tommy, call me Alicia"

She's now running her fingers through her orange hair and grinning manically at me… I think her hair is naturally that colour but I really can't be sure, would anybody choose to dye their hair the exact colour of a fruit?

I have to end this craziness and get out of here, either that or wake up and find this has all been a really weird dream

"My girlfriend's a dancer and she has a show running next week, I promised I'd go every night for support I can't get out of it. Sorry"

I stand to leave but her hand is on my shoulder again only this time it's firmer and it's pressing me into my seat

"You're going to give up an all expenses paid trip… that includes flights, hotel- for two nights along with the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the top dogs in our profession -for a dance recital?"

Kat would have scratched her eyes out by now if she'd heard her refer to her staring role as… 'A recital'. Maybe I'll tell her later, just to witness her reaction

I shrug my shoulders and give her a 'what can you do' look

"It's a real shame Tommy…"

"Please, call me Dr. Oliver"

I'm not being obnoxious but the sound of her saying my name is really starting to creep me out, especially the way she draws it out so it sounds twice as long as it actually is

"Dr. Oliver"

Her sudden change in tone tells me she thinks I was being obnoxious

"I suppose New York will just have to do without you"

Wait a second, hold up.

…Did she just say New York?

As in New York, New York?

As in Kimberly?

My hearts pounding as one half of my brain fights with the other.

The words 'I'll go' are pummelling my lips in an attempt to break free, but I have to think about this.

At dinner the other night I promised myself no more flirting with Kim, no more holding hands and skipping down memory lane… not that we've had the opportunity to hold hands, not since the dance floor at the reunion anyways. Part of me hates that I went, part of me wishes I could forget the feel of her hand in mine or her body pressed tight against me. What was the song that was playing? … I can't remember but I do know it reminded me of Kim.

I also told myself that if she called again I would be honest with Katherine and tell her who it was.

Okay, I kind of didn't tell her Kim called last night but I couldn't go to New York and not tell her… could I?

God, no!

I can't believe I'm even thinking about it…

I guess if I was to go, I could tell her where I was going and ask her if she would mind if I called Kim and maybe caught up- I have to go for work anyways so why not make the most of it?

"Dr. Oliver, I'm sorry for wasting your time, especially on a Sunday, you're free to leave"

"It's a lot to think about right now Alicia, can I give you my answer tomorrow?"

"I thought you said your answer was no"

"Did I? Jeez, it's my memory you know… in one ear and out the other"

I stand and consider shaking her hand but the thought that she might take it as a come on causes me to take two steps away from her instead

"I'll let you know tomorrow ok, after I've spoken to Katherine"

The smile that snakes across her thin lips lets me know she's got completely the wrong idea about my change of mind but I'll deal with that later, for now, I'm out the door and heading to my jeep, a million thoughts all playing in my head at the same time