0 8 |  e x p e c t a t i o n s

🎶She's All I Wanna Be - Tate McRae🎶

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I haven't talked to Ethan in the last one week and the fact that I'm not bothered about it bothers me.

I tried to reach out though but he ignored  all my messages. Weird how, for the first time, I feel happy he is doing that.

I'm also feeling relieved about the development of things.

I try to convince myself it's not because of a certain blue-eyed... I certainly hope not.

One day of close interaction changes nothing.

I have to focus on getting back with my fiancé.

Anyways, it's Monday and I'm all set to resume work at the school I work at.

"I've made a list. Could you get those when you're on your way home darling?" I heard my mom's voice suddenly coming from upstairs.

Unconsciously, I turn in the direction of her voice to behold the beauty before me.

It's clear from the hint of sleepiness still evident on her face, she just woke up. Her eyes are slightly puffy, and her eyelids are heavy, as if she's not quite fully awake yet.

Her hair is disheveled, with strands sticking out in every direction, giving her a delightfully rumpled look. A few loose strands frame her face, adding to her sleepy charm.

Her skin has a warm, gentle glow, with a subtle softness that comes from a good night's sleep. Her features are relaxed, with no visible signs of tension or stress.

She's still in her nightgown, which had a few wrinkles and creases.

Her eyes, a deep pool of deep rich brown, much similar to mine, sparkled with warmth. She bat her luscious eyelids at me and continued to descend down the stairs.

I was already putting on my heels and getting ready to kick off the first day of the week. I'm surprised she's just waking up and I don't hide my surprise.

"Don't judge. The weekend was crazy."

I laugh. She caught me already.

"Alright, I'm all set for work. How do I look?"

"Like my daughter."

I was touched and I made a cooing sound to that effect. "Huh-uh.... " I blew her a kiss and grabbed my purse simultaneously.

"The list?"

I expected her to start listing them off offhand already. I needed to be out of here before it's the usual time I go.

"Where are you rushing to?" Was her sharp reply.

As per my morning routine, Ethan picks me up. That isn't feasible right now considering the situation. I'm not pushing it either but my mom could get curious.

I really don't want her involved in our matters.

Therefore, I've been avoiding an upfront conversation with her because that might lead to her asking about things I don't want her to know as of yet.

I have absolutely no interest in telling her the fairytale love story she adored might be facing a dead end.

Not that I'm sure of that... Or maybe I am...

"Oh..."  Was all I could gather, to stop myself from escaping into my internal monologue and never answering her question. "Um, nothing. The list? I'm running late, mom."

She, however, gave me her classic megawatts smile, which is usually suspicious because she uses it when she has an evil idea.

Unconsciously, I started to smile even more when she pointed her eyes in the left direction of where I stood presently at the door.

I was trying to find out what she was hinting at when I spotted a sticky note at the back of the door.

"Oh mom..." I let out a goofy laughter when I realised the silent implication behind it.

A couple of times, she usually asks me to get the groceries instead of her. While she mentions ten items, I might come home with only a half.

Can't blame me because we split the grocery expense into two and I can only afford things within my budget line.

Mom believes Ethan spoils me with cash but the reality of things is that I never accept things from him even if he wants to do it. Not something like money. We're just dating, not married.

And so, when I come home with half the list of the groceries, mom is always perplexed why I'd do that.

The excuse I make up every single time literally is that I forgot to get them.

Mom's dismissive smile made me laugh even more.

"Mom... I don't always forget what to buy— the stuff, okay? It's just..." I shrug helplessly, "I don't pay attention most of the time. And, if we don't need something, I'm not gonna buy it. Every dollar counts mom."

She also  shrugs and gives me that classic slop-side smile.

"Well... When you tie the knots with Ethan, I pray you learn better not to do that."

My heart skipped a beat. And my purse abruptly drops out of my hand.

I can sense a confrontation coming already so I quickly avoided my mom's gaze and focused on picking the purse from the floor instead.

God... I haven't even told her about the misunderstanding I had with Ethan and she's already envisaging marriage.

"Is—" Mom was interrupted by the honking of a car. It sounded unfamiliar, not like Ethan's would. It's just probably the new neighbour's car.

"Oh. He's here. Have fun."

I caught her wink and despite myself I laughed.

My mom and I are more of roommates than a  mother-daughter duo sometimes. She can be respectful of my space but when she's a mother, I don't quite like that avatar.

"Bye!" I try to sound enthusiastic to the best of my ability.

I could still hear her chuckle when I shut the door and I sighed because I just completed the first mission of the day.

The second mission is how I'd get to work early.

The bus stand is a ten minute walk from my home and even if I walk there now, I'd still be five more minutes behind.

I didn't want to be late yet I didn't want to get out early so as not to raise mom's suspicion about the situation with Ethan.

Torn between deciding to swallow humble pie and accept he's never going to show up, I shift my weight on both legs at my doorstep.

When I guessed it passed a minute, I checked my wrist watch and sighed in disappointment.

It's already five minutes since I've been standing with no clues. Ethan isn't ever going to come.

I wonder why I was expecting the impossible.

______

A knock came on the door of my staff office and I took a moment to look up from the pile of classworks I was marking. It's the test week and the works are getting on my neck...

"Yes? Come in." I answer out of habit.

The door opened and the someone's head popped in just enough to fit in the small space between the door and the wall.

I laugh. "Oh John! Common in..."

His laughter echoed round the room and he soon stepped in.

He's dressed in his crisp, navy blue uniform adorned with gleaming brass buttons.

A matching navy blue cap sat atop his neatly combed hair, adding a touch of professionalism to his already polished appearance.

A bright, silver name tag, pinned to his lapel bore his name in bold, block letters.

JOHN EDISON

His white, starched shirt was immaculately pressed, and his black trousers were sharply creased.

A pair of polished, black dress shoes completed his outfit, giving him an air of confidence and competence as he prepared to deliver his message.

He had a rugged, weathered face with sharp angles and defined features. His jawline was strong and square, and his nose was straight and proportional. His eyes were a deep, piercing blue that seemed to bore into those he met.

His eyebrows were thick and expressive, and his skin was roughened slightly by stubble. His features were chiseled and defined, with sharp cheekbones and a resolute expression.

Maybe it's his face that exudes strength or his radiant  confidence, I just admire John. He has this sense of rugged individualism and impeccable humour.

My first real friend since high school.

"Your attention is needed at the principal's office miss Cooper."

He makes sure to not blur the line between professionalism and friendship as well. One more thing I respect him for.

I nod curtly in reply despite my smile. "Thank you John."

"My pleasure. I hope you had a nice weekend?"

I smile through that question. My weekend had been quite eventful.

Noting his look of interest, I sighed for dramatic effect and when he raised his brows, I laughed lightly. "I had a bit of a family drama over the weekend. But I'm good now! You?"

John mouthed an "oh" and then placed the back of his right hand against his jaw like he was thinking.

The look on his face was swoon-worthy!

"Me? I'm not sure what happened. But I think at some point I needed a weekend from my weekend."

That made me laugh despite myself. John's got this crazy full house family. All his extended family live with him. His grandparents, dad, widowed aunts and teenage cousins make up his family.

His mom is late and he's got no siblings hence the set up his dad created for him.

Even though John is always ranting to me at lunch break about the new drama they've got and how it annoys him to still have to put up with them all, I think he secretly wants and craves that drama in his life.

"Oh, I'm imagining all sorts of crazy scenarios. Am I close?" I make sure to lean in and gasp to give it a dramatic effect.

John winks. "Lunch. "

I laugh and nod, excited to hear all about it. "On you. Oh, I need to get to the principal ASAP."

"Yeah, bye."

I was already trying to rummage through my bag for my lip gloss when he replied.

"Bye! Have a boring week ahead!"

I laugh at the not-so-funny wish but John's John anyway.

I just shake my head and prepped myself for the meeting with  Mrs. Winterfield, the principal.

~~~~

The chapter was longer than I expected ｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡

By the way, why do you think her principal is asking of her? (⁠◔⁠‿⁠◔⁠)

It might be a little surprise