Collided Souls

I M O G E N

You know it's hard to focus on teaching another class when all my mind plays is Cane's eyes. Every time I say something even remotely similar to something he'd say—or about his infuriating personality—bam. His eyes flash through my head. I hate this. I hate this so much.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," I said, waving to my exiting class. Luckily, I only had to teach two today. Everyone offered their goodbyes and went on their merry way.

After my little confrontation with Matthew and Cane earlier, I had worked up an appetite. My stomach growled at me like I'd betrayed it. I couldn't leave just yet, though—there were papers to finish. The same papers I was supposed to complete when I was in the teacher's lounge with Cane the other day... but we all know how that ended.

"If it isn't the hottest teacher on campus," a familiar voice rang out across the room. I snapped my head up to see the best trio I could've asked for. Leona, leaning dramatically against the classroom doorway.

Jenny, smiling and waving. And Rip—Jenny's husband and my best friend since high school. Basically, we're siblings in everything but blood.

"Aren't you looking fine today?" Leona teased.

"Never thought getting hit on by a student would be this fascinating," I replied, playing along as they walked toward me.

"Hey," Leona shrugged. "What can I say?"

I giggled. "It's against school policy."

"Screw them. They've got nothing on me." She grinned, wrapping her arms around my neck and placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Le, you know I hate when you do that. You always leave a lipstick stain," I said, deadpan.

"Not this time." She winked.

"Anyway..." Rip drawled, slipping one hand into his pocket while the other wrapped protectively around Jenny's very pregnant waist. I smiled at her belly—they'd been trying for a while, and now they were finally expecting. "Lunch?"

I narrowed my eyes at the big tattooed guy. "Are you reading my mind?"

"Depends... does your mind involve a burger?" he teased back, mirroring my squint.

"Stop that!" I reached over and pinched him. He knows that freaks me out—especially since we've known each other since freshman year, when I may or may not have dumped an entire bowl of soup on myself because I forgot to tie my shoes.

"Ow!" he hissed.

I stuck my tongue out at him, giggling. Then I shoved the last of my papers into my bag—those could wait to be graded tomorrow—and powered down the projector. Slinging my bag over my arm, I double-checked to make sure I had everything.

You wouldn't believe how many times I've left something behind—either in my classroom or in the teacher's lounge. Again– thanks to Cane. At least this time, I had my phone.

I stopped.

Swirl of green and black.

No.

You hate him.

"Umm... earth to Imogen Eliza Stokes?" Leona waved a hand in front of my face.

Blinking away the image of those damn eyes, I forced a smile. "We should go."

Leona, Jenny, and Rip all stared at me like I'd grown a second head, then shrugged it off and followed me out. I locked up behind us, and we headed downstairs, passing by clusters of students. Some waved, others high-fived me, and a few winked—each one making my stomach do somersaults.

"Did you see how much Mr. Nixon was eyeing me?"

"He totally likes you!"

I couldn't help overhearing the two girls as we passed them. Their giggles and flirty comments about Cane's looks made my stomach twist again. The laughter stopped when their boyfriends came over and pulled them away.

"Who's Mr. Nixon?" Leona smirked. "He sounds hot."

"How do you know he's hot?" Jenny folded her arms.

Leona scoffed. Here we go. "I can feel it. A guy named Nixon just has to be hot. It's a vibe."

"What—" Rip started, but Jenny and I cut him off in unison.

"Don't ask."

"Plus beside," I start, opening the door for them. "Mr. Nixon looks can't stray away from his personality."

"Meaning?" Leona sang, clearly itching for details.

"He's a total A-hole," I muttered, remembering the first time I called him that to his face. "He barely speaks—unless he's teaching—and he's a complete jerk. Just a day or two ago, he called me a child. I'm a grown woman. With standards."

"Man," Leona pouted. "Way to kill the fantasy."

We laughed at her dramatic reaction as we piled into Rip's truck. Leona and I slid into the back while Jenny and Rip took the front.

"Okay, where are we eating?" I asked as I buckled in. The leather was cold, but the heater kicked on quickly—it was already starting to feel like winter in Minnesota.

"Leave it to me," Jenny said, pulling out her phone.

While she searched, Leona and I chatted about random things—our jobs, families, and whatever bizarre stuff she found online that day.

"Ooo! Let's go out!" Leona suddenly exclaimed.

"Again?" we all groaned.

"Okay, first of all—" She held up a finger, raising a brow. "Screw you all. Second, this place is new. All dancing, no alcohol—since, you know, Jen's pregnant."

"Yeah, but I can't be out too long," Jenny said as Rip placed a hand on her belly.

"Says who?"

Jenny and Rip exchanged a blank stare. "Says us," they said in unison.

"Boo!" Leona dropped her finger and gave two thumbs down.

"Immy can go with you," Rip suggested, cocking his head toward me. I glared. Going out late for me was basically inviting a cranky meltdown.

"True!" Leona gasped and grabbed my face, pulling me closer. "Tomorrow night. Me. You. Dance."

"But I don't want to go. Can't you invite someone else?" I asked, once she let me go.

Leona's brain went into overdrive for a second before she snapped her fingers. Oh no.

"I got it! Invite that Nixon guy!" I immediately shook my head. "Why?"

"Because!"

"Give me one reason."

"You don't even know him—Le, you don't even know what he looks like."

"Hot," she said without hesitation. "You're inviting him. No ifs or buts."

"But—"

"Ah!"

"You—"

"Nope."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she slapped her hand over it. "Good."

Falling back into the leather seat, I groaned, annoyed that I got steamrolled by Leona yet again. The last thing I want to do is talk to Cane.

Out of sight, out of mind... they say.

But not for me.

In mind. In sight.

Swirl of green and black.

A/N

💌

Just know I'm kicking lmao !