20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Winnie

After the assembly is over, I hurry out of the hall before Telke has time to talk to me. I can see it on his face. He has things to ask, which... I understand.

I'm just...

I don't want to talk to him. I don't know what's wrong with me or him, but...

Heat simmers in my stomach and the same nudge that pulls me to him is back, which I hate.

I just want to be alone. I moved cities to do that, yet... Somehow, that four-armed guy thinks he can barge into my life...

A shadow shows up in front of me. I halt before I will run into the door of the library. If I slam my head against it, it won't end well.

It's all Telke's fault.

I pull the key card and swipe to unlock the door. My stomach does a flip-flop as I head to the counter. I don't have to keep thinking about Telke. There are a lot more meaningful things waiting for me to do. For example, to sleeve up the new books from yesterday that I procrastinated over because Telke distracted me.

I pick up the books from the bag and clear enough room on my desk for the equipment. The colorful books always brighten my day.

After the terrible fallout with my ex, I've had enough staying with someone or trying to stay with someone. I'm fine on my own. All I have to do is to keep my head down and not get fired, then I'll be able to save up and take care of myself, which is the only thing I should be caring about.

Not Telke, even though he gives great hugs.

I wrap up the books in transparent plastic sleeves, putting them to the side for indexing. Fresh new books smell amazing. I flip through the pages and enjoy the illustration. I think books aimed at adults should have more illustrations too.

I wrap up another book when there are steps coming my way. I put up a smile for the business.

But... It's Telke. I'm not surprised, but...

"Winnie... So..."

I shrug. "How can I help you?"

"Hey, you can't do this to me."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Like... I'm sorry if I've done something wrong."

"No, you didn't. I don't want to talk about that ever. Just forget about that."

He frowns and it hurts me more than it should. I don't have to care. Even though we may have spent time with each other, it still doesn't mean I have to care.

He says, "I don't understand what changed overnight. If there was something you didn't want, you could have told me."

"I told you nothing's wrong."

"But we know something has shifted since. I may not be the smartest, but I'm not that dumb either. Why don't you let me know what's wrong? Like... Why are you keeping your distance from me?"

I hate him... I just want to be left alone. "I'm busy."

He rests two arms on the counter, leaning closer. "I'm not leaving until I get an answer."

"I'm not missing lessons because you want to plant your ass here." I glance at the door. No students are here, so I guess he is going to waste more time with me. "Stop wasting your time."

"Is it wasting time because I care about what's going on?"

"It is. And you're going to miss your lessons. The principal won't be happy to know that."

"Hey! That's not fair."

I shrug. "Life's not about fair anyway."

He sighs. "I just want to make sure we're fine."

"You and I are fine. We aren't together, so there's no ‘we.'"

"I don't mean that in a bad way and I won't think we're dating or something just because, but... I thought we were at least friends, but you stopped talking to me all of a sudden." He stares at the floor and... his low hanging, sad arms hurt to see.

Maybe I'm a bit too mean to him.

"Look, Telke, you may be a good guy, but... I need some time. Leave me alone."

He sighs. "Okay. Just let me know if you need anything or are ready to tell me what happened."

I nod. I don't look forward to the talk, but I think I did owe him an explanation when... I did do an abrupt change.

He turns around and leaves, right when a few students are coming in for their lesson.

I stare at Telke's back for another moment before I greet the students. They soon visit the selves, leaving me alone, standing behind the counter and...

Right, I was wrapping up the books until Telke interrupted.

I... I've never been someone who brings good luck to beings around me. So... Maybe I'm part of the reason Telke ran into the accident. It didn't happen until we met, even though we were just co-workers with nothing special. It already didn't work well for him.

And now...

What if it would only go downhill if we... what if it would hurt him even when we're just friends?

But... Ossa likes him. Ossa is a smart cat, and he has never liked my ex since we were together. Maybe he is on to something.

I close my eyes briefly, and all I can feel is Telke's arms and... his cock.

Now that I think about it...

I take a sip of my coffee, trying to focus on wrapping the books again. I just want to make sure everyone's fine. but... It feels like that's almost impossible at times.

"Miss Bailey..." A girl stands across the counter with a sweet smile. Kame is one of the youngest in the school and has been helpful during lesson times.

"Yes? How can I help you?"

"So..." She looks away from me. "I... Do you remember the traffic accident with Mr. Stek?"

Telke? It will be hard not to remember that.

"I do. What's about that?"

She sucks in a breath. There are tears in her eyes at once. "I... I was the reason he almost died."

I blink. Trying to figure out what she means. "Can you elaborate?"

"I... I'm the reason he got hit by the spaceship."

Ah... I remember she took sick leave a while ago, but I didn't ask for details. I suppose... It makes sense. The kid Telke saved was only scratched and frightened. I'm happy that she is safe but at the same time...

She is the reason Telke got hurt...

I bet she would never wish that on anyone, but still...

It won't make sense to hate her for what she didn't want to see, but...

Deep breath. I can keep myself steady and stable the way it is expected.

I say, "It must be scary."

"It was..." She rubs her eyes with the back of her hand. I pull a tissue paper for her from the box on my desk. She sobs some more. "I... Can you help me? I want to make Mr. Stek a card, but I don't know how."

That sounds like something she should ask Jackel. He is the art teacher in the school, not me. But... Kime loves the library and reminds me of my younger self. Not to mention... It's not a bad thing for her to thank Telke. Except...

Then... I may have to talk to him, even when I really should, regardless of what happened.

I force a smile when the bell rings. It is time for me to be with the class. "Yes, we can do that together. Come after school and we'll plan that out."

She finally smiles. "Thank you!" She hurries to the beanbag area to join the rest of her class.

I wish I could be on my own so that I'd have time to process everything.

First, Telke annoys me. Now, Kime... I guess she didn't annoy me. I just...

She is a nice girl, except...

I bet she won't do that again.

And Telke is fine.

But he could have died.

But I just decided not long ago that I should care that much about him.

What am I even doing?

I pat my cheeks with both hands. It would be great if I could go to the washroom and sprinkle myself with water, but there's no time. The students are waiting for me.

It's okay. I'll give them the best story session ever, just like always. The kids deserve everything.