Dominic

I’m at the window, staring at the chaos of students spilling across the courtyard. It’s closing period. Some hang back, talking and laughing, while others wander towards the gate. I’m still here, lingering in the empty classroom like a ghost. I hate myself for what happened—for giving in—but I know Celeste will come. She always does. Guilt gnaws at me, relentless. I can’t push her out of my mind for even a second.

Sure enough, she bursts in, and I turn to meet her gaze. Her wide smile catches the light of the setting sun, a glow that can’t outshine the warmth of her warm, dark skin. I look away, because looking at her only brings back what I’m trying so hard to forget.

“Forgive me,” I murmur, barely finding the strength to speak. The words feel dry and hollow, but they’re all I can manage.

Celeste’s smile falters as she steps closer. “What are you saying, sir?” Her voice is softer than I expect. “You did nothing wrong.”

Her eyes, for the first time, show a glimmer of something deeper. Understanding? Pain? I’m not sure. I grind my teeth and dig my nails into my palms. What kind of teacher lets this happen? It was wrong. I know that.

“No,” I reply, my voice firmer now. “That kiss shouldn’t have happened. It didn’t happen. Just... forget it.”

I turn and walk out without waiting for her response. I don’t want to see her reaction. Whether she’s hurt or not, I just need to get away. I head straight to the staff room, hoping the routine will dull the turmoil in my head. But there, I find Julianne standing with Mr. Kunle, talking in low voices. They’re both laughing about something until her eyes meet mine, and her smile dies on her lips.

“Ah, Dominic!” Mr. Kunle’s voice rings out, overly cheerful. “I don’t think you’ve met your substitute teacher, Julianne.”

“Long time no see, Ro!” Julianne gives a little wave, her voice laced with a familiarity that grates on my nerves.

“Yeah,” I mutter, nodding stiffly.

“We went to high school together,” she explains to Mr. Kunle, her tone light and nostalgic.

“Really?” Mr. Kunle raises his eyebrows, clearly surprised. “Well, I’ll leave you two to catch up,” he adds, stepping away to his desk.

As we walk out of the staff room, Julianne chatters on about how little the school has changed—how it even smells the same. She breathes in deeply, and I find myself forcing a smile just to play along. But her touch, light on my arm, reminds me that we’re not kids anymore, even if she’s still trying to drag me back to those days.

“Remember that tree?” She points to an old oak near the far end of the yard. “We used to sit under it, pretending we were some big-time couple in our silly little plays.”

“We were just kids,” I reply, my voice flat. “Caught up in stupid fantasies.”

“But now we’re grown,” she says, leaning in closer. “What’s stopping us from making some of those fantasies come true?” Her eyebrow arches suggestively.

“I’ve moved past all that, Julianne. I’m too busy for childish games.”

She chuckles, a sound that feels forced. “Still the same Dominic. Always the serious one.” But then, without any warning, she steps in and presses her lips against mine. It’s sudden—like a shock of cold water—and I freeze. Julianne, always impulsive, doesn’t even hesitate.

She pulls back, her voice trembling. “This is the second time, isn’t it? You’re repeating history.”

My chest tightens. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you,” she says quietly, “Earlier, in the storeroom... with that girl.” Her tone hardens. “You think I wouldn’t notice?”

The truth hits like a punch to the gut. I stare at her, my mind scrambling for something to say. Julianne’s eyes are brimming with tears she refuses to shed. She wipes them away, but I can see the hurt she’s trying to hide.

“It was a mistake,” I say, my voice almost a whisper. “There’s nothing between Celeste and me.”

“Then why did you leave your class just to meet her?” She fires back, her gaze piercing.

I reach into my pocket and pull out a cigarette, lighting it with shaky hands. The first drag calms me, the smoke curling around us. It’s a habit I picked up at university, a crutch I lean on when I need to forget. “I already told her to forget it,” I say, exhaling slowly.

Julianne stands up, her posture rigid. “Back in high school, I kissed you more times than I can count, but you never reacted like that. You never made the first move even once!”

I frown, searching my memory. “I don’t remember any of that.”

“We were friends,” she snaps. “But I guess to you, I was just the loud girl who hung around.” Her voice cracks, and suddenly, the confident Julianne from before is replaced by someone else—someone who’s been carrying old wounds.

I remember being the principal’s son, the kid everyone mocked for being small and smart. It was about nine ten years ago and students nicknamed me —Rat. Julianne was the one who made me feel like I wasn’t some joke. She has always been the one with the beauty and people thought we dated. On graduation day, she asked me out in front of everyone, and I told her I just wanted to be friends. I thought that was the end of it. But maybe it wasn’t. Maybe she never really let go. I tried finding her after then to apologized but I found out she relocated to somewhere in Los Angeles.

“You never loved me, did you?” she asks, her voice barely audible.

“I didn’t,” I reply, the words hanging in the air like a bitter truth.

She swallows hard. “I guess that’s always been clear. But I’ve loved you, Rowan. I still do.”

Her confession lands heavy, but before I can respond, she continues, “Listen, you can fall for anyone you want, but not a student. This is dangerous, it's crazy. It's going to look like a forced, abusive relationship no matter what! If Mrs. Dolton finds out, you’re finished. This isn’t just a scandal; it’s your career, your life.”

The reality of it all settles in, and I find myself wondering… did Julianne show up now just to save me? Or does she have her own reasons for trying to push me away from Celeste? And then there’s Celeste herself—what does she really feel?

Before I can even begin to sort through the mess, Julianne’s voice echoes in my mind, “You can’t fall for a student, Dominic. What if you get sued?”

I take one last drag, letting the smoke burn my lungs. There are too many questions and not nearly enough answers.

And somehow, I can’t help but wonder if this is only the beginning of my unraveling.

I flick my cigarette to the ground, crushing it under my shoe. “It’s done, okay? It’s not happening again.”

But even as I say it, the memory of Celeste’s eyes—so trusting, so full of something I don’t deserve—haunts me. Julianne’s right. I need to let this go. But can I?

And what if it’s already too late?