Chapter 5

Five

Fairlie

I’m sitting at my desk in the back of the second-grade classroom staring at my phone while the kids are at lunch. I tap the screen, scrolling through the messages from Osric. He’s nice, don’t get me wrong, and while he’s definitely a monster, he’s not as monstrous as some. But is that enough for me? Can I go on a date with a nonhuman?

Well, I mean I can, obviously, but should I?

I can’t even put my finger on what’s making me hesitant. It’s not like I care what other people think and lord knows I’m single and deserve to be treated right. But is that rightness with a monster? Am I ready to cross that line? What if I say something offensive by mistake? Or he goes to kiss me and I repulse him? What if he’s one of those creatures that have fated mates, and I’m just another notch in his belt while he’s searching for the one meant for him?

Times like these are when I wish I had parents to call and talk to. Unfortunately, they died three years ago in a boating accident, so it’s just me. I do have a best friend, though. Merrin. She’s been my rock—honest, blunt, and always ready to help me cut through the fog of my own insecurities.

I pull up her contact, hit call, and listen to it ring.

“‘Ello.”

“What are you up to?” I ask, my fingers nervously tapping the desk.

“Putting things in my cart after scrolling through TikTok.” She laughs.

“What are we testing now?”

“Have you seen the cucumber a day guy? I’m gonna try his California roll cucumber salad. What’s up? Aren’t you supposed to be teaching today?”

“The tiny humans are at lunch, then recess. I’m calling ‘cause I need your advice. Okay, maybe not advice. I need you to be honest with me.”

“Ooo, I’m excited. Did you finally dump that sack of shit?”

She’s never liked Alix. In fact, every time the three of us were together, the two of them would argue about the dumbest shit and threaten the other in ridiculous ways. Once, Alix threatened to cut her brakes, and she shot back about curb-stomping his grandma.

“I did. Found out he was cheating on me last night,” I confess. I’m surprised I didn’t tell her right away, but I was a wee bit drunk and Osric had my attention.

“No fucking way. I’ll kill him!”

I laugh cause well…she just might. “He never showed up last night to go to the party. He finally texted me and said he had to work late.”

“On Halloween? He does remember he works for Jesus lovers crafts. Right?”

“Well, then he sent me a text that was so not meant for me. It said something about the bitch or dull something I-D-K, but to have that tight little pussy ready for him.”

“Shut the hell up! What did you do?”

“I called him and he answered right away, being a dick saying he was working. I called him out on it and told him it was over. And he had the audacity to say don’t be like this…he thinks the two of us could hit it off. Like I’m going to be in a three-way relationship with him and his sidepiece!”

Merrin bursts into laughter on the other end, and I glance around, making sure Mrs. Gilmore, the grumpy teacher whose desk I now share, isn’t eavesdropping. Her disdain for my presence as a student teacher is obvious, and I don’t need her judging me for swearing during my personal call.

“I’m sorry. I can’t with this. I’m dead. Deceased.”

“Well, get it together, because now I need you to be straight with me.”

She takes a deep breath, like she’s listening with bated breath and trying to hold herself together. “I fully support you being in a triad relationship, but not with the prick and his whore.”

“Ewww. No. After I ended things, I got a little drunk on box wine while watching Scream , and I downloaded a monster dating app. I wasn’t really planning anything with it but thought, why not give it a shot. I matched with an orc named Osric and he asked me to meet him for dinner and drinks tonight. I said yes, but now I’m slightly freaking out and…I should just not go, right?”

“Ummm, first of all, who are you and what did you do with my best friend? You downloaded a dating app?” she squeals and I roll my eyes.

“I did. But can we move past that?”

“Why are you thinking about not going now?”

“I don’t know. What if I say something inappropriate? You know how I can be. And what if he’s just looking for his fated mate or something? What if I am his fated mate and I’m not ready for that kind of commitment?” I’m rambling now, the anxiety making my thoughts spill out uncontrollably.

“First of all, I just Googled it. Orcs don’t have fated mates, so you’re good there. They do have mates, but they choose them, and it seems you get a mark if you’re their chosen one. Second, I’m sure he knew you were drunk when you chatted and asked you out, knowing you’re filterless. You should go. Live a little. See what happens. Maybe you fall for a monster or make a new friend. Either way, you’ll have an interesting story to tell.”

“You’re sure?”

“Fairlie. Take your ass to dinner and drinks and see what happens. At the least, you could get some good monster dick and call it a night. Is he hot? Can I see a picture?”

“Yeah, hold on.” I pull the phone away from my ear and find the picture I saved. “There. It’s sent.”

“Fuck me. He’s sexy as hell. Those little teeth should be weirding me out, but they’re turning me on. Does he have a brother? Even a distant cousin will do. I could use a little green peen in my life.”

I laugh, feeling a bit more at ease. “We didn’t cover that last night. I’ll ask him and get back to you.”

“So you’re going?”

“I’m going.”

“Make sure you text me tomorrow. I want every detail,” Merrin insists.

“Promise.” The classroom door opens, and Mrs. Gilmore steps inside, her expression as frosty as ever. “I’ve got to go, Merrin. Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Okay. Love you. Oh! Drop your location tonight so I can make sure you’re safe.” She hangs up, and I set my phone down on the desk, watching as Mrs. Gilmore gives me the stink eye while hanging up her sweater. Her disdain is clear, and the weight of her judgment is evident as preparations are made for the kids’ return.

“The students should be back any minute. Do you have the lesson plan ready?” Mrs. Gilmore’s eyes narrow as she sits her purse down behind the desk.

“All set. I have The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a lesson, and craft ready to go for the life cycle of butterflies.”

Her eyes roll dramatically. “What’s wrong with a simple erase board and worksheet? You always have to go above and beyond. It’s irritating.”

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my frustration in check. “I want my teaching style to be interactive and engaging for the students. A worksheet and notes on the board might be effective, but it’s also boring. That’s not the kind of teacher I want to be.”

“Aren’t we a little know-it-all go-getter? Enjoy, Fairy. But when they get out of hand because they’re eight, don’t come crying to me.”

“Okay.”

Before the kids come back, I hurry and open my phone, finally responding to Osric.

Me

Of course! See you tonight. Can’t wait.

I hit send and sit back in my chair, feeling a renewed sense of excitement. I can’t wait to meet Osric in person. With some perspective from Merrin, the idea of a fresh start with someone new, especially someone as unusual as an orc, makes my heart flutter with anticipation. She’s right, I have nothing to lose. This could be my happily ever after, or at the very least, finally a good dicking. Now, the task of choosing out an outfit looms ahead. I’ll need something that balances comfort and style—something that says I’m excited, but also relaxed. I think about the options hanging in my closet. Maybe a chic dress with a little sparkle, or perhaps a smart-casual look that’s both flattering and comfortable.

The door opens once more and Sutton enters, her braids and toothy grin shining as she moves to her desk and sits down.

Mrs. Gilmore stands at the front of the room, looming over the space like a drill sergeant.

Shaking my head at how strict and boring she is, I sneak a quick glance at my phone. I smile again, thinking about Osric and our date tonight. I can’t wait to see where this evening leads and how it might just be the start of something exciting and new.

“Miss Gardener, are you with us?” Gilmore’s voice cuts through my good mood and I glance up at her with one side of my lip curled.

“Sure am. Just checking for an email from teachers' services.” I drop my phone in a drawer of the desk and shut it.

What I said isn’t a total lie.

I put in a request with Teacher Education Services to be moved and I’m hoping to hear back any day now. I’ll miss the kids, but I won’t miss her ass. Miss Woosley down the hall teaches second grade too, and she said to tell them I could just switch to her classroom. So I’m hoping since it’s the same school and grade and the new teacher is willing, that it’s not a big deal.

“Well, now that we’re all back from recess, we can move on to science. Miss Gardener, they’re all yours. Good luck.” She smirks and I flash a fake smile back.

“Okay, guys. Let’s put our listening ears on and make sure the volume is down on our mouths,” I tell the students as I put pretend ears on and twist an imaginary knob by my lips. They mock my movements and I start my lesson by reading them, The Very Hungry Caterpillar .

I can’t wait until I can do this full time and have my own classroom.