Michael Pov

It was Stephanie.

I walked over to her and pulled her outside. I slightly shut the door so my students wouldn't hear. "Stephanie, what are you doing here?! Are you crazy? You could get me fired." She scoffed. "You blew me off Michael, I have a right to be angry." I shook my head. "What are you doing?" She asked. "I'm supposed to be teaching but I've been rudely interrupted." I state smartly. "I meant on Thursday... What's so important?"

This was the question I was trying to avoid. Even though I kept a straight face on the outside, I was scared as hell in the inside. "I-I'm going to a funeral... Aunt Rea passed and its on Thursday." I bowed my head and stared at the ground for a moment, then looked up to her confused eyes. "I didn't know you had a Aunt Rea?" She said crossing her arms. I shrugged. "I mean- were not really that close but, she's family."

She stood there with a pissed look on her face. "I thought you had projects to "catch up on" she said using air quotation. I gulped. I re-adjusted my posture to leaning against the doorframe. "I-I was just informed that I was given a two week extension. Aunt Rea passed away last night.

"Aww, poor baby." She said rubbing my arm. She was actually buying the story. "Well, guess we can't go the the wed-" I shake my head. "Baby, I don't want you to miss your aunts special day, I don't want you to have sympathy for me... You go to the wedding, okay?" She tried to speak but I raised my finger to her lips to silence her. "Babe, I want you to be happy, go for me." She huffed then smiled. "Okay, talk to you later baby?" I smiled at her as she returned it. She walked away with waving at me as I walked back in the class.

Once I got back, my whole class was on their phones. "Guys." My voice boomed. Everyone looked at me. "Phones away... Please." There was little murmuring as everyone put their devices away. "Class, I just want to apologize for what just happened." I looked over to Ana who just sat their nodding her head.

I don't know why I felt guilty. She sat their taking in information while I'm sitting here ashamed of myself. Why am I feeling guilty about Stephanie showing up here? I shake my head and continue. "Alright class, let's begin."

Anastasia Pov

Today, we researched famous composers. Like Bach and Beethoven. I already knew about this stuff so I zoned in and out of times. I held on to key words just in case Michael wanted to call me out.

On the topic of Michael, who was that woman. She was raging like an angry bull. The look on his face was full of shock, it was honestly priceless. I looked at the clock on the wall and sighed. "17 more minutes." I muttered. I looked at Michael as he stared heavily at me. I looked at him and began to fiddle with my fingers as he began talking about whatever.

The bell finally rang as I grabbed my bag and was on my way to leave. "Ms. Mendoza, a word?" I turned on my heels and saw Michael standing by his desk. I walked over to him slowly. He walked over to the door and shut it all the way. "So, what's up?" I ask him. "I'm sorry." He states. I look at him confused. "About?" He looks at then to the ground. "For what happened before class started." He whispered.

I awwed him and he looked at me. "Michael." I started while grabbing his hands. "You don't owe me an explanation, you have your teaching life and your personal life. I'm only involved in your teaching life but have casual ice cream." His lips formed a smile as i finished. "So your not mad." I shook my head while smiling. "I'll see you later... Michael." With that I left school.

Once I got home, no one was there. I sighed and called my friends to make sure everyone was still going through with the plans. Ally, Chelsea. Alex, Donna, and Fred were all coming in 2 hours. I went to the cabinets and searched through everything. I sighed. "Crap!" There were no snacks in the cabinets. I grabbed my jacket and slipped on my sneakers. I grabbed my purse and keys and went to the nearest super market.

Once I got there, I immediately ran to the snack aisle. I threw popcorn, chips, cookies,etc. You could probably say I have everything in this basket. "Am I missing something?" I ask myself. "Your forgetting this." A voice said as they put a box of chocolate in my bin. I turned around and faced a grinning Michael. I stand back and fold my arms astonished. "Are you stalking me now?" I ask. He smirks and shakes his head. "You would like that wouldn't you?" He questions. "You don't know the half of it." I thought.

"What are you doing here?" Michael questioned. I raised my bin in his face. "Well, I don't know, shopping!" He held his hands up in defeat. "Well sorry." He said. I giggled a little bit. "Nah, it's okay." "What are you doing here?!" I asked. His eyebrow raised in an amused arch. "Well I don't know, shopping!" He teased. "Touché Michael, touché."

"Why are you buying all these stuff asia?" I scoffed. "Why do you call me asia, my name is Anastasia." I smile. "Why, you don't like that name?" He asked. I shook my head. "No-no it's just that your the only one that calls me that." I said. "That's the point, it's my nickname for you." He smiled. I smiled too. The thought of him having a nickname for me brought some type of joy to me. "Well, me and my brother and some friends hang out on Fridays." He nodded and smiled. "That's nice." He said.

"Why are you buying all these stuff?" I turn the tables. He scoffs as he shakes his finger at me. "Hey, these are healthy foods, my foods won't shorten my life!" I sucked my teeth as he began laughing in my face. "You know what, good bye mr. Jackson." I say while walking away. I hear his fast footsteps running towards me. "Girl, don't be like that." He said rubbing my shoulder.

I was slowly falling into his touch. It was captivating me in some type of way. Pictures of Michael flooded through my mind. I slowly gained consciousness. I smiled as I pulled away from him. "Bye Michael, see you... When I see you?" I smiled. I thought I was actually flirting. "See you later, Mendoza." He shot me a wink and went the opposite way.

What does this man do to me?

Stephanie Pov

I was on my way to see Janet. I can't imagine how she must be feeling right now. I know how it is to lose your family. Especially mine. When my aunt died, a part of me died as well because she was the one who raised me. Unfortunately, my mother died due to alcoholism. I wonder if that's the way I'm going to die sometimes. I shake the thought from my head as I'm I front of her house.

I reach the doorstep and knock on the door. "Who is it?" Janet's voice rings. "Stephanie!" I yell back. She opens the door and smiles. "Hello Stephanie what are you- woah" she said as I brought her in a big embrace. "I'm so sorry for your loss Janet." She pulled away from me with panic in her eyes. "Oh my gosh, who died?" She questions. I looked at her confused. "Your aunt Rea, Michael said she passed away last night."

Janet's Pov

"Your aunt Rea, Michael said she passed away last night." Stephanie declares. I mentally rolled my eyes because Michael lied to her and didn't inform me on anything. "Oh my, thank you for telling me, I'll have a word with Michael later." I wink at her. She smiles and walks towed her car and starts pulling off.

Damn you Mike