ANNA'S POV

It was Monday, and I was sitting at the teacher's desk in my classroom, all of the children having already filed out for the day, however, there was still one child remaining.

Sophia.

She waited in the classroom with me, and I sighed, glancing at the wall clock again for what felt like the hundredth time in a minute.

I watched as Sophia skipped through her book, mumbling to herself about the pretty colours and artistic characters, my mind filling with thoughts of Jared.

I couldn't help it, but whenever I had a free minute, he popped into my mind, consuming all of my thoughts.

We had been texting back and forth since the party, but, I had been keeping my replies short and within a reasonable time difference of one another. I didn't want to come across as weird or clingy.

I liked Jared. He was sweet and kind, and made me laugh. It also helped that he was insanely attractive, but, I didn't know if he felt the same towards me. I didn't want to end up getting played.

I also knew that it would hurt me if I got too close with Jared and then had to move away because of my Father finding me, so I kept that in mind whenever texting him, sometimes acting a little distant.

However, Jared always steered the conversation somewhere interesting, and I couldn't help but laugh at the screen at his replies, even though it may have appeared I wasn't putting in much effort.

"Do you not know who is picking you up today, Sophia?" I asked her, and she looked up from her book and scrunched her nose up at me, shaking her head.

Usually it was Jared and Gia, but the other teachers had told me that Clara or Dylan would pick Sophia up most of the time, and I frowned at the thought.

I was really looking forward to seeing Jared.

"Anna," spoke a voice from outside the classroom door, and I hopped out of my chair, rounding the corner to see the receptionist standing in the doorway. "We've managed to get through to Dylan and he said that Clara is on her way. She's just running a little late. He apologises for the hold up."

I visibly sagged in disappointment, before nodding and hoisting my shoulders up, plastering a smile onto my face. "Thank you, Jill."

"Is my Mommy coming?" asked Sophia, and I nodded, pulling out one of the small kiddie chairs next to her, seating myself on it, grimacing at how uncomfortable it was.

"What are you reading?" I asked, peering down at the book, causing Sophia to quickly shut it and giggle.

"It's a secret book!" she cackled, pushing it away from my gaze, and I shrugged, laughing.

"Okay, I won't look then," I reassured her, shaking my head with a smile on my face. "Come on, let's get you down to reception so I can finish cleaning up here."

"No! I want to stay with you," pouted Sophia, folding her arms across her chest, her pigtails springing up and down as she bobbed her head. "I can help you clean up! I'm really good at it."

I tapped my chin, humming and pretending to think. "Are you sure you're up for the challenge? It takes a whole lot of skill to clean this place up."

"I'm ready!"

Hopping out of our chairs, laughing to ourselves, I instructed Sophia to begin picking up any pieces of paper from the floor. We had been cutting out dinosaurs today, so the floor was covered in paper shredding.

I began collecting all of the pencils and pens from the tables, sorting them and putting them back in their assigned position.

"I think my Uncle loves you," Sophia suddenly chimed, and I stood motionless, the coloured pencils falling from my hands and clattering to the floor, making a mess.

My eyes were wide, and my heart hammered out of my chest after hearing what Sophia had just said.

I forced a laugh out of my mouth, shaking my head at the little girl, but inside, I was giddy, my entire body feeling like it was on fire.

"He keeps talking about you!" Sophia added, giggling as she dropped all of the pieces of paper she had collected into the recycling box, my mouth going dry at her words.

Jared keeps talking about me? Really?

"Yesterday he was saying how he-"

"Sophia, your Mother is here in reception," called a voice from the hallway, and Sophia cheered, grabbing her book and backpack and my hand, pulling us out of the classroom.

"Sophia, no running," I chuckled as we rounded the corner, the slight scent of Jared wafting through the air, causing me to stiffen as I scanned the reception.

The only person here was Clara.

Why could I smell Jared's cologne?

Was it that strong that it had rubbed off on Clara?

"Hi, baby," said Clara say as she pulled her daughter in for a hug, turning her attention to me and beaming.

"Anna, it's good to see you."

"You too," I said, smiling.

I had last seen Clara on Saturday evening when the party turned a little sour, too much testosterone floating through the air.

I felt bad, as I didn't actually say goodbye to anyone before I left, but I gathered that they would be too drunk to remember, and it felt mighty awkward.

"How was the rest of the party?" I asked her, remembering that she hadn't actually been drinking heavily when there, so she most definitely remembered me leaving without saying bye, making me feel awful.

Clara shrugged, chuckling. "Oh, just your standard party. I left early too. I wanted to get home to the babies."

"I didn't get to thank you for helping me out when things got a little strange," I told her, her casual smile making me feel much more at ease.

"Don't mention it," she said, taking a hold of Sophia's tiny hand and looking down at her. "Well, we better get you home then. Daddy has got dinner cooking."

"I'll see you both soon," I said, waving as they exited the school, and I sighed, again, disappointed that Jared hadn't come to pick Sophia up.

I was acting like a love-sick puppy, and it was making me cringe.

I needed to relax.

Trudging myself back to the classroom, I finished cleaning up, speeding through it. I just wanted to get it done and head home. I fancied being alone in my own company. I also had a pie for dinner, something my elderly neighbour had baked for me, and I was absolutely buzzing to guzzle it down, the idea of a hearty meal spurring me on.

Collecting my bag from the staff room, I waved goodbye to everyone and exited the school, making the journey home to my desolate looking apartment.

I walked fast, my freezing cold hands pulling my phone out of my pocket to swipe through the multitude of photos Jared and I had taken whilst walking home in the rain Saturday night.

I had been a little tipsy, but I remembered most of it, laughing at the photo where I had made Jared take hold of the umbrella and hold it up, pretending he was being blown away.

I had continuously called him 'Nanny McPhee' for a good ten minutes after that.

I was lucky that I had missed the rain today, and I sighed, shoving my phone into my back pocket after noticing that Jared hadn't replied to my last text yet. I peered up at the sky, noticing how the eery clouds floated above my head, resonating with me.

They looked just how I felt.

Grey.

I hopped over a few puddles, not wanting to get my shoes soaked. These were the only ones I had, and I couldn't waste money on turning the thermostat to high to dry them.

Pulling my key out of my pocket, I sighed, my apartment coming into view.

I just knew it was going to be freezing in there.

Pushing the thought aside, I repositioned my sliding bag over my shoulder, marching up the steps and making my way towards my front door, waving at Mrs. Compton through her window.

I shoved my front door open, grit falling onto me from above as the wood slid against the panel, the constant opening and shutting of the door wearing it away, and I knew it would cave in soon. But, I couldn't afford to get it seen to.

I was right, it was absolutely freezing in here, and I considered staying outside for a moment longer.

It was warmer.

I shut my door behind me, dropping my bag onto the couch, my stomach grumbling, and I suddenly remembered my pie, my mood picking up.

Food always made me happier.

I took a step forwards, something crunching under my feet, and I furrowed my brows as I removed my shoe, noticing a soggy letter stuck to the ground.

I peeled it away from the wood, bringing it closer to my face before my hands started to shake.

My breath was stuck inside of my lungs, and my mouth was suddenly dry.

My eyes filled with tears as I glanced at the letter I was clutching in my jittery hands, re-reading over the words, wanting to make sure I had got it right.

The ink had run, but the bright red words were clear as day.

Eviction Notice.

•••

Hmm I wonder what Jared's going to do about this? ;)

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