a second-grade-teacher-attracted-to-the-new-music-teacher au
It wasn’t exactly ‘business as usual’ for a man to be occupying the empty side of Rolly’s bed for a weekend, but Javier Robles wasn’t just any man, and these were, of course, special circumstances.
“Isn’t Claire going to come shank me for monopolizing all of your time?” Rolly asked, as she reached across the mattress to steal a few chili-cheese fries from Robles’s plate. “I mean, the two of you just got back together—”
“Marshall, it’s been like, two days; I don’t even know if that’s what we are. ‘Back together,’ I mean.” Meeting her eyes, Robles frowned, a crease forming between his brows. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
Rolly shoveled the fries into her mouth, half-chewing them before reaching for another few. “Because I’ve been monopolizing your time.”
“Because my friend needed me.” He slapped her hand as it neared his plate. “Slow down; you’re gonna fucking choke.”
“What was I supposed to say, though, Javi? ‘Hey, don’t go out with her; go out with me instead because I have a big, dumb crush on you?’”
“Well, yeah, you could’ve...maybe without the ‘big, dumb, crush’ part.” Rolly frowned at him, but he chuckled, jostling their joined hands. “You could’ve just been like—” his voice dropped to a low, molasses tone—“‘Hey, Horan, let’s bone.’”
“Shut up!” Rolly managed a short laugh, rolling her eyes before meeting Robles’s, serious. She watched the humor leave his gaze as he noted the look in hers. “It was supposed to be just a crush,” she said. “You know, this little...thing, inconsequential. Easy. Breezy. Stupid.”
“You weren’t supposed to get your feelings hurt,” he said.
She hated how he’d nailed it on the head, and how vulnerable it made her feel.
“I wasn’t supposed to get my feelings hurt,” she replied.
‘sup, friends! the ever-lovely Jess @nightingiall tagged me to post the last line of my WIP, and because I don’t know how to share one sentence, here’s a lil’ section:
She just wished she could steal an ounce of his confidence. Maybe make a little potion out of it. Guzzle it down until she had the kind of bravery that made her cross a room to strike up a conversation with the first cute guy she laid her eyes on, without even contemplating for a second that he might turn her down.
That kind of thing worked for some people, she’d learned. She’d seen Darren in action. Even watching it unfold was like an adrenaline rush.
I’m tagging...no one in particular because I don’t know who HAS been tagged, but if you see this and wanna do it, feel free and tag me so I can see!!!
Big thanks to @booksncoffee for tagging Elementary Niall! I still think about him, too, Eriza. He’s just on a really long Christmas break.
Rules: Choose a few favorite photos/aesthetics of your tagged character, answer the questions below from their point of view, and tag some characters/authors you would love to see answer next!
I’m gonna tag Charlie from lost in the light by @lifesbetterasamermaid because I love what I’ve read about her already and wanna know more.
1. How do you display affection? What’s your love language?
It’s been a while for me, but with my ex, Celia, it was like...I wanted to touch her all the time? Just be near her. And it was mutual for us, back then. She wanted to touch me all the time, too. Always wanted to be close. When it was like...suddenly, she wanted more space, didn’t crave my touch as much, I guess that’s when I knew. That it was it for us, I mean.
2. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish the way my marriage ended so soon and unexpectedly hadn’t scared me out of taking risks, in some ways. In personal ways, I suppose. Just have this sort of hesitance sometimes that I can’t shake.
3. What is your ideal Saturday morning?
Late rise after a long work week. Quick shower, breakfast. Some mindless strumming on the guitar, maybe working on a few new songs before I have to head in for real rehearsal time for a gig at Serenades.
4. What is your drink of choice? Nonalcoholic? Alcoholic?
Depends on the time/event/company. I enjoy beer, a nice wine. Coffee is my daily lifeline. Tea in the evenings.
5. How competitive are you?
Jesus. I can have a bit of a competitive edge when challenged. (Friends and family would say it’s more than ‘a bit’.)
6. When did you last have sex? Feel free to describe if you feel comfortable.
None of your damn business.
7. What is your idea of a perfect date?
Just spending time together, I think. Being with someone you like is ideal no matter the surroundings or activities.
8. What is your most treasured possession?
My guitar. It’s traveled all over the world with me. Always makes me feel at home, no matter where I am.
9. Would you ever get a tattoo? Do you have any?
I don't have any at the moment. Haven’t really thought about it much, but I suppose if something meant enough to me to ink it on my skin, I would.
10. Do you believe in love at first sight? Have you experienced it?
I used to. Now I think it’s more like attraction at first sight, and you have to take a deeper, longer look. And find that magic that makes you never stop falling in love with someone.
I love the update. Love Rolly and Robles relationship - they banter like brother and sister but still give the real talk to one another! There's some solid relationship advice from both of them. Brilliant chapter girl! I absolutely love the way you write all your characters and I cannot wait for more! :-)
I’m so glad you enjoyed, friend! I love their relationship as well - Robles is very much a sounding board Rolly, which is nice when she has to go long stretches without seeing her brother Darren.
Chapter five was such a doozy and I felt like there needed to be some decompression time after that with chapter six. And as someone who’s had those Big Dumb Feelings regarding a work crush, I wanted Rolly to take some time to talk through it. To acknowledge that a) despite what she planned, it feels bigger than she wanted and b) it’s okay to have those feelings and to be disappointed when it seems like things aren’t panning out. Robles is a safe space for her in that regard, and she’s one for him, too. And since he has his whole thing with Claire going on, I wanted him to be able to talk it out with her, too.
Thanks so much for reading, Deidre, and for sending me this message! I appreciate you always, my dear! 💜💜💜
Random thought, but I think Elementary might be the funniest story I’ve ever written, and I’m not overly fantastic with humor. Somehow, Rolly’s thoughts are just naturally funny, and there’s an easy, unexpected comedy element to her that I love. She’ll always be one of my favorite characters.
