by Olivia Harp
She came into the building already giving orders to check for damage and other things Audrey didn't really understand. Half an hour later she brought her a quote for the service.
Not gonna lie, I didn't even want to see how much it would cost. But she didn't need to fear.
"I think there's a problem with this?" she told Tina.
She leaned forward to see what was she talking about, "what do you mean?"
"Is there a missing zero? It can't be just this."
Five hundred and eighty dollars. That was it. For full gym and plumbing repairs. It was impossible.
"No," Tina replied, casting a glance at her then stepping forward to tell her workers where to put tools and materials, "just sign on the dotted line. Our work has a ninety day warranty."
"But how—?
"Enzo and I are good friends," Tina said, "just sign on the dotted line so we can begin."
Audrey looked at her briefly. She was a brunette, with shoulder length curly hair and a bossy attitude. She felt a flash of jealousy but put it down. She wasn't supposed to feel like that. To be able to feel that way, first she needed to be in a relationship with Enzo.
He couldn't be there when the crew arrived at 8:00 a.m. sharp, but she and Larry explained the situation to Tina. Audrey signed the paperwork and they started checking everything out, Tina said they would start with the repairs the very same day if they could.
That was three hours ago, she came to ask her some questions about the plumbing and other things, but all in all, they seemed to be doing a great job on their own. The professionalism and speed with which they worked really surprised her.
She thought she would have to be monitoring the whole thing, but when Tina gave her the preliminary repair schedule she knew she could trust her.
When Audrey got back at the gym to see how everything was going, the whole area was already cordoned off. Some of the big, tough guys already worked on taking the wooden boards off the floor, while a few others walked out of the locker rooms.
"They're checking out the plumbing system," Larry, said with a smile on his face. The old janitor told her they explained the renovations to him, "finally! things working out the way they should!"
She smiled. The poor guy had to deal with water pressure problems, leaks and all sorts of little annoyances on a daily basis... and he'd been working at the school for decades now. She couldn't begin to understand how happy that made him.
"How come you never said anything?" she asked.
"Oh! I did! Lots of times! Folks just don't care unless bathrooms are clogged. Nobody listens."
"Sorry to hear that, Larry, you know my door is always open."
"Glad to hear it," he said, crossing his arms, looking at the crew take out piles of wood and put them outside. He took a deep breath and nodded at her.
"I gotta go, miss. Thank you for repairing this shi—" he stopped before finishing the sentence, "I'm sorry. I'm a bit excited."
"No problem Lawrence," she said, seeing him go. She promised she wouldn't ask but couldn't stop herself.
"By the way, have you seen Enzo?"
Larry stopped and turned to her, with a grin on his lips, "have not, want me to give him a message?"
She frowned. Something was off.
"No, thanks. I'll talk to him later."
Does he know? She bit her lip, cold sweat started to form in her hands.
Nah, it was impossible, You're being paranoid.
Tina wasn't around, or at least she didn't see her. Again, she felt an itch of jealousy in her chest. She cleared her throat, smiled at the crew and went back to her daily business.
***
Every teacher had arrived, she still waited for Enzo, who apparently had a session with one of the senior students. She checked her watch. It was 3:40 P.M. already, she had to start. No teacher needed ––or wanted–– to be at school longer than they needed, and she didn't like having these unexpected meetings anyway.
"As I said," she began, "this is going to be quick, I know you all have things to do."
She met with every teacher in private at least once since she arrived, she wanted them to know her personally and to tell her things that they thought needed work.
"As you all know, the gym is closed, please tell the students the reasons why. Let's try and prevent accidents by being transparent here. Curious kids will try to trespass, we need to make sure they know there's serious consequences if they do."
They nodded in silence. The Teachers' Lounge was big enough to hold all of them comfortably, and even though the walls needed repainting and the coffee maker was ten years old, having everyone in the same room gave her a sense of comfort.
There might have been some drama before, but that was done. The reality was they all stayed out of everyone else's business and focused on their own jobs.
Mr. Dunley was the first to speak.
"Miss Rodriguez, I just want to ask. We have a small basket-ball tournament going on, is it just going to be suspended?"
Audrey shrugged, "matches in the gym, yes. Everyone, if you had plans on using it, try to work around the problem, you'll have to move somewhere—"
Enzo entered the room, moving silently trying to avoid calling attention to himself.
Just seeing him got her mumbling for a second, her heart raced, she even got butterflies in her stomach... most of all, she felt stupid for getting all worked up for a guy.
She cleared her throat.
"You'll have to either change your plans, or change the place."
Everyone nodded. They probably just wanted to leave, but still seemed to pay attention.
"Where did you get the money for the repairs?" Martha, a young math teacher asked.
Audrey's stomach churned.
"I had to take some of the money from the fund raiser."
Everyone groaned, "so it was all for nothing?" Mr. Dunley said.
"No, Peter, it was just a small bit. We have a sponsor who's helping us with most of the bill."
"Wow!" a few of them exclaimed, a couple of them even clapped.
"Holy crap," Peter Dunley said, "that's great! Who's the sponsor?"
Audrey turned to Enzo, he smiled and took over.
"It's a friend of mine, she's loaded and owed me a favor, so I just asked for her help."
Tina.
Audrey was grateful, really. But she was really curious. She was being stupid, she knew. She had to control herself.
Enzo looked over to her and she shivered. Damn, I hope my mind isn't too easy to read. He smiled. He said he wouldn't do it. I have to trust him.
"Is she available?" Mr. Dunley said, making everyone laugh. "Maybe I can take her out for dinner..."
"I think she is," Enzo replied, "want me to ask if she's interested?"
Everyone laughed again. The big bellied, bald middle age guy was cool, but speaking out loud always made him nervous.
"He's just kidding," Darcy said in her usual monotone, "Are we done here?"
"Are you sure?" Enzo teased him again, "she's pretty."
She's pretty he said. Audrey's felt like yelling. But she swallowed it.
"It was a joke!" Mr. Dunley kept on saying, "I didn't—"
The whole room looked at him, grinning, "okay, bad joke, I know. Sorry, everyone."
"Thank you Enzo for helping the school," Audrey continued, "everyone, why don't we give him a round of applause."
Everyone clapped. It was a silly moment that probably only happened at schools.
"That's it everyone," Audrey continued, "remember, the camping trip is still greenlighted. Remind your students."
Mr. Dunley clapped even harder.
"Thanks, man. Nothing like spending a weekend away from home."
Audrey smiled. Mr. Dunley was a sweetheart, he just liked playing the part of a big, bad, macho gym class teacher.
He played it badly, though, but everyone humored him.
"There are still some spots available, in case any of you want to come,
" Enzo said, looking at the room and finally fixing his eyes on Audrey. She knew in that moment that the message was meant to her, he just covered it up nicely.
The four teachers that always went up the mountain were already signed for the trip. No one else wanted to go.
"You don't have to make up your mind right now," Enzo continued, "just remember that you have until Friday to decide."
"Okay, that settled—" said Audrey before being interrupted by Enzo.
"What about you, Principal Rodriguez?"
She stopped. All eyes on her.
"What about me, what?"
"Don't you think you should go?"
Everyone in the room looked at her, their eyes kind of sorry for her. Going out to the woods, babysitting a bunch of seventeen-year-olds. Definitely not. She wasn't an outdoorsy kind of woman, and looking out for alcoholic beverages and late night escapades was out of the question.
She started to shake her head but he acted first.
"I thought you might be interested in going, seeing that you're new here. It would send the students a message that you care. I mean, at least you'll know what the whole trip is about engaging in these kinds of activities."
God darn it. She thought, her heart raced, she had no recourse. No escape.
"Or you can just say no," Enzo finalized.
He was right. She had to go. After all, since she got here, she hadn't been out of town.
No other option, anyway.
"Sure, I'm happy to go," she said, and Enzo's smile almost melted her heart.
The rest of the meeting was about the details of the gym project, just so everyone knew what was going on.
Audrey played it cool, but inside, she was worried.
It dawned on her, just after she said yes, that she'd be out in the wilderness, with a bear shifter, under the starry sky.
Teachers were supposed to look after the kids, prevent them from drinking alcohol or getting too romantic... but there was no one to look out for her.
She'd have to ride it out. There could not possibly be any kind of approach between she and Enzo... nothing, not even a look.
Damn it, what is that? Excitement. She was already looking forward to going on a camping trip with him.
CHAPTER 19
"Darcy, please take care of all this paperwork before the end of the day, please" Audrey said.
"Sure."
Audrey had been in kind of a rush since the previous day. The weekend was coming and she still had a lot of things to do. Even worse, she wouldn't be able to work during the weekend, now that she wouldn't be at home.
"Are you ready to go camping?" Darcy asked.
At least she understood her. Their relationship might not have started perfectly but now they finished each other sentences.
"Honestly?" Audrey replied and just shrugged, the worried look on her face said everything.
"Oh, it can't be that bad."
"I'm scared."
"Why?"
"I look forward to it, but come on, look at me. One misstep and I'll ruin the trip for everyone."
Darcy laughed, "oh, Miss Rodriguez, I'm sure you'll be okay, you're young! Have some fun!"
Audrey did not reply.
"Besides," Darcy continued, "you might even get to see Enzo shirtless and—"
"Darcy! Inappropriate!"
Darcy put her hand over her mouth, as if she didn't mean to say that.
"I'm trying to help you relax! You're not telling me he's not a looker, right?"
Audrey shivered, she shouldn't continue the conversation, but she couldn't shut it down, it would look... it would look weird.
"I can't see him that way, he works here."
"So what?"
"So what? Well, it's wrong, for a start."
Darcy sighed, "we're only human, Au, don't be so hard on yourself. It's not like no one has done it before."
Audrey stopped.
She should've laughed about it and go back to her office, but it was impossible.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he's a popular guy, what do you expect? He's intelligent, tall, incredibly handsome—"
"He goes out with teachers?"
"Well," Darcy said, cleaning out the smudges on her glasses, "now that you mention it..."
She thought about it for a few seconds, then shook her head, "I don't recall him ever going out with a teacher here. Not that he hasn't had the chance. Practically every single female teacher would do it in a heartbeat. Sheesh, half the married ones would, too, and who can blame them?"
She finished the sentence with a laugh.
Audrey didn't know why that made her so happy. It was weird. Some teachers were drop dead gorgeous: young, thin, perfect hair and body.
"I think he likes to focus on his work," Darcy said.
Audrey just nodded, trying to hide her smile.
"Either that or he's gay."
"Definitely not," Audrey replied without even thinking.
She froze, realizing what she just said. What the fuck, Audrey?!
"What?" Darcy asked, her whole body turning to her, her interest growing fast.
"I mean," Audrey said rushing into her office, almost running away, "you would know by now, right?"
She turned back and got a glimpse of Darcy, as she shut the door. Darcy didn't seem preoccupied. Maybe she actually managed to defuse the situation.
"I guess you're right," Darcy said behind the door.
That was close. Too close.
She got careless, Darcy almost got her. But she had a good reason. Her heart beat fast and she couldn't stop grinning.
Enzo was hers only.
CHAPTER 20
The sun broke out of the horizon. It was past six in the morning and Audrey hadn't yet arrived. Maybe she changed her mind.
The students talked to each other as the other three guardians Peter Dunley, Martha Jones and Eddie Valente repeated the rules to the group.
"All right, everyone knows the team they belong to?" Enzo yelled.
Some students replied with a yes, but most of them were still groggy. They were anxious to come to this trip, but getting up this early was always hard.
"Okay," Enzo continued, and looked at the papers in his hand, "Peter," he said, giving him the list of names so he could gather them around and make an initial head count. Then continued with the rest of the teachers, "Martha, Eddie."
I guess she's not coming.
He started with the roll call, moving slowly through it. He would give her as much time as he could. If she didn't come, well, at least he tried.
His bear was already fully awake and angry.
No. He wouldn't listen to the damn beast. He wouldn't call her or put pressure on her. She had to come by her own will. Maybe I fucked up, putting her on the spot the other day.
But still, it wasn't her to just skip the trip altogether without telling him first.
He finished with the roll call, everyone was there.
"Okay, Teams A and B, get in this bus, C and D on the red one."
Mr. Dunley jumped on the bus's stair and called his group, "come on people let's get going!"
It was only twelve people per group, plus the guardian. Enzo's group was already forming a line behind Dunley's.
The bear started to growl, it insisted on him calling her. It wanted to be out in the wilderness with its supposed mate, under the starry sky. You sappy bastard.
It wanted her kiss, too. Just like him.
Enzo's body hairs bristled, the animal inside tried to take a hold of him but he fought it back. It had been years since the darned thing took control.
The last student in his team hopped on the bus, everyone was ready.
"I guess that's us," he said out loud, and jumped inside.
The driver closed the door and turned on the engine. The truck rattled and he was sure he could hear every nut and bolt vibrate, as if half loose. The vehicle moved in Reverse, moving away from the parking space.
"Stop
," Enzo said, still standing at the front of the bus.
Enzo leaned forward and pointed away, a car was coming in, fast enough to leave a trail of dust behind.
It was her, of course.
She parked and jumped out of her car.
"Open the door please," Enzo told the driver, his bear pacing inside, still full of energy, but at peace.
When he got to her, she was trying to take out a huge backpack from her trunk. It was so big it almost made him laugh.
"We'll be there for two days only," he said.
"Enzo!" she said, and caught herself before she gave him a hug, "could you please help me out with this?"
He took it in one hand and headed towards his group's bus.
"I thought you weren't coming."
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I just... just..."
She fell silent for a second and then sighed.
"Okay, I set my alarm for five in the evening instead of in the morning, you know how that is..." she said, raising her hands in defeat.
They stepped into the bus, she sat at the very front. He did so too, but not right next to her, he took the seat across the aisle, so people "wouldn't suspect anything," and she could be at ease.
Just seeing her bare faced, with no makeup, wearing her hair in a bun, a sports jacket and pants made him tense.
She looked gorgeous.
He wasn't sure how he would be able to keep himself— my bear, not me. I'm not sure how I'll be able to keep my bear calm.
He cast a glance at her, she was sweating already. Mate! His bear roared and he smiled. The beast might be wild and crazy, but she did look incredible.
Mate! The beast repeated. This was going to be way harder than he anticipated.
CHAPTER 21
Audrey put her bag on the ground and took a deep breath. They finally arrived, just in time, before I dropped dead.
But it was worth it. Enzo took them on a hidden trail through the forest, and after two hours of hiking, they arrived at a big clearing amidst the forest. She couldn't stop smiling, she was glad she came.
The grassy, even ground looked ripe for just laying down and chilling, the morning air kissed her sweat covered clothes, the coolness of the wind felt like heaven.