Transcending Regrets (No Regrets book 3)

by Noalane, Aimee

  “Good morning, Oliver.”

  “Hey, Emma. How are you this morning?”

  “I’m doing great, especially now that you’re here. So tell me, how much time do we have this morning?”

  I checked my watch. “Not much. I overslept a little and got held back by my roommate. I’m running late.”

  Of course it was a lie, I just had spent too much time reminding myself of how much of an idiot I was, but she didn’t need to know that.

  “Well that sucks.” She handed me my tall black coffee and looked at the patrons inside the coffee shop. “Wait here a sec, I have an idea.”

  She smiled while I watched her walk towards the other barista, which was working the cash register. My curious frown made them both smirk, and Emma took off her apron.

  “What are you doing?” I asked her while she stepped out from the other side of the counter to join me.

  “Taking an early break and walking you to work.”

  “Are you now?” I chortled. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Well, you don’t have time to chat with me here, so we’ll talk on our way there.”

  “Okay then.” I beamed. “Lead the way.”

  Emma and I walked side-by-side in an uncomfortable silence until we made it to my office building. She seemed preoccupied by something, and as I was about to ask what was going on, she turned to me with flushed cheeks.

  “What?” I asked her with a crooked grin.

  “I’m sorry this is way too awkward.”

  “Indeed it is,” I teased.

  “I don’t think you and I have ever had an awkward moment before.”

  “Nope, I don’t think we have, but then again you’ve never offered to walk me to work before, so we could blame it on that and forget it happened.”

  She laughed.

  “Thank you for accompanying me though. It was cool…you know in a weird way.”

  “Yeah,” she stuttered. “About that…um, there really was a reason why I wanted to walk you to work this morning.”

  I nervously rubbed the back of my neck. “Okay…”

  “I wanted to tell you that as of Monday morning, I won’t be working at Corner’s Coffee anymore. I got hired at Edge Designs.”

  “Wow, Em, that’s amazing. Congratulations.” I really was happy for her. I couldn’t remember the number of times she told me she’d applied for a designer job and had been turned down. Before meeting her, I never would have thought that interior design was such a competitive job market. “Edge Designs is a very renowned company, I guess your persevering all this time has finally paid off. Hasn’t it?”

  “Thanks.” She grinned. “Anyway, I’ve been holding onto the news for a few days and I really wanted to tell you. You know, in case you start wondering why I’ve stopped showing up at work”

  “So basically, what you’re telling me is that I’ll need to find myself a new favorite barista.”

  “I kind of hope that you don’t,” she admitted with a shy smile. “Listen Oliver, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while. I––” She glanced at the pavement and then back up to me. “Oliver, I like you. And––”

  “Emma, don’t.” I spotted her disappointment even before her brows furrowed together. “Please don’t finish that thought.”

  “Okay?”

  “I can’t. I’m sorry. Don’t take this the wrong way, I think you’re very pretty, and sweet, but I’m just not––” I paused unsure that I wanted to tackle the subject with her. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression, but my heart’s already taken.”

  “Oh!” she replied, surprised.

  I opened the door to the building.

  “Oliver?” she uncertainly called before walking away. She handed me a piece of paper and smiled. “It’s my phone number. Keep it––you know, in case one day you decide to change your mind.”

  I nodded and stuck her number in my pocket “Thanks for making my mornings tolerable, Emma. Good luck with the new job.”

  ***

  “Anything I can do for you, Greg?” I asked, raising my eyebrow curiously at my prying boss. I had no idea what he was looking for sitting at my desk, but I didn’t really appreciate him going through my stuff.

  He startled and coughed, surprised by my arrival. “Yes well, I was expecting you sooner.”

  “Coffee stop.” I raised my cup, stating the obvious. “So what can I do for you?”

  “You’re late. I’m sending you out for a special project, and I wanted to check your planner in case there is a scheduling conflict.”

  “Ever hear of this?” I asked dangling my phone in his face.

  “As a matter of fact, I have. The concept works wonders when the person you’re trying to call actually picks up.”

  I lowered my eyes to look at my phone. He was right; I had two missed calls from him on my caller ID.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I didn’t hear it ring.”

  “That was my assumption,” he replied crossing his arms over his chest.

  “So, um…what kind of project are you thinking? Because I’ve been pretty busy this week, and wasn’t given much time to take a look at all the new cases you handed me Monday.”

  By the sound of my voice, I was pretty sure Greg knew I wasn’t keen on being sent wherever he felt like he needed me to go.

  “School,” he replied. He stared at me waiting for some kind of reaction on my part.

  I nodded clearly displeased, but didn’t reply. I simply waited to be debriefed on the reason why I suddenly had a new and unwanted task added to my job description.

  “Our offices are currently collaborating with schools across the province. Each district has the task to work with teens that are finishing high school in a few weeks. We’re basically taking control of their social studies class, talking with them, preparing them, and answering their questions before they head out to university or into the job market. A lesson plan has already been elaborated; all you have to do is follow it.”

  “So I’m going to be working alone with a class full of hormonal students?” I questioned.

  Fuck! This is going to be my own personal hell.

  “That’s the plan. The person teaching has been working on the project for a few months, but due to medical issues, she can’t continue to teach her class. I need you to fill in for her until school is out.”

  “What about my current appointments?”

  “Move around what you can and schedule new meetings around your classes. Whatever you can’t change, you may delegate to Jane. She said she’d be more than happy to help.”

  “Does it have to be me?” I complained.

  He nodded and walked away from my desk. “I was told you were good with teens.”

  “We’re all good with teens. It’s why we decided to do this job, Greg.”

  “Listen, kid.” He exhaled. “This really isn’t up for debate. I need someone and that someone is going to be you. Period.”

  “Got it.” The last thing I wanted was to get on the bad side of my new boss, so in an effort to control any visible facial reaction, I tightened my free hand into a tense fist and breathed out slowly. “And for my other cases, are you expecting me to come back here every time I’m not in class?”

  “Nope. The school is allowing you to use one of their offices. If you do not wish to work there, you can also work from the district you are assigned to until the end of June. If you prefer traveling back here on your free time, you are welcomed to do so. I really don’t care where you work from, Langton.”

  “Great,” I replied sarcastically. I was beyond pissed. I hated that Greg had reorganized my life for the next month without consulting me. I grabbed my planner, and work laptop. “Where am I going?”

  “Carrington High.”

  I froze.

  Oh, fuck no…

  “You’re expected to be there before the second period starts.”

  “Greg, please.”

 
“That’s in less than fifty-five minutes, Oliver,” he replied, ignoring my pleading. “I suggest you get going.”

  Fucking hell…

  Chapter 4

  Oliver

  Fear overcame me as I hit the highway to make my way towards the town I had been avoiding for months. Walking into that school meant inevitably facing Abby. Facing Abby meant having to deal with every feeling of regret I had inside me. It meant that she would know I was back. It meant explaining to her why I hadn’t told her I was back…and even though part of me really wanted to see her, the other part of me wanted to stay away forever.

  I still had trouble dealing with what had happened…

  I still couldn’t understand why…

  Even after spending hours of showing her how much I loved her, she decided to give up on us. From my living room window, I had to watch the girl I love climb into that cab, and drive away from me while doing nothing about it. I let her go because she asked me to. It was the hardest thing I had to do in my entire life.

  I thought she would understand that what had happened with Sam was a mistake.

  I was wrong.

  She left. She never looked back and never called.

  Nervously driving through the busy traffic, I did the only thing I thought would calm my nerves, and picked up my phone to call my best friend.

  “Hello?” Laney lazily answered after the third ring.

  “Finally,” I groused. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve called you like five times already.”

  She didn’t even try to defend herself. In fact, the only response I got was the flat sound of the line going dead. I desperately tried to call her back, but after two more tries I realized that it was a lost cause. She wouldn’t be picking up.

  ***

  It seemed like the entire student body was outside enjoying the warmth of the sun when I rolled into Carrington High’s parking lot. I parked my car and looked at the time, I still had about fifteen minutes to spare before recess ended.

  I watched all of them from inside my car, jealous of their carefree lives and envious of their ignorance about life and its hardships. What I would have given to have just an extra teenage day…Carrington High held behind its walls my best memories, but also so many of my regrets.

  If I could just go back to that one day...

  Have just one extra minute…

  I shook the thought away and stepped out of my pick-up. As students started to head back inside, I noticed a guy, about my age, staring at me with curiosity. I locked my doors and started walking towards him. The closer I got, the wider my grin was. It was Liam, the quarter-back of the Giants football team when I was in school.

  “Can I help you?” he asked frowning. By the way he peered at me, I could only assume he was a teacher. “You do understand that this is public school property.”

  Since he seemed to have absolutely no idea who I was, I decided to humor him a little. “Yes I would assume so, considering I just saw hundreds of teenagers walking inside a building called ‘Carrington High’. And no, I don’t need your help, I know my way around here well enough thank you.”

  “Wanderers aren’t permitted on school grounds.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m not here to wander. Isn’t it?” I extended my hand. “Oliver Langton. I’m here to teach a class.”

  “Holy fuck, Langton?”

  I smiled at him. “Dude, I can’t believe you didn’t recognize me.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Have you ever compared yourself to any of your high school pictures lately? I assure you, you look nothing like the guy I used to play football with.”

  I smirked. “So do I need to call you Mr. Liam now? I thought you’d be the first one to get out of Carrington after high school.”

  “I did. I went to University in Toronto, studied physical health and tried out for the Varsity Blues. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut, so I came back here. When I heard that there was a football coach position opening, I jumped on the opportunity. Six months after my probation time, I was asked if I wanted to be a gym teacher, and here we are.”

  “That’s awesome, Liam. Congrats.”

  “So tell me, Langton. What do you teach?”

  We passed the student’s lobby just as the school bell went off. From the multi-colored painted lockers to the skylight windows, the place looked entirely different, but felt exactly as it had years before.

  “Oh I’m not a teacher. I work for the Child Protection’s Bureau in Ottawa. Apparently the school needs a social worker for a special project, and the one that’s teaching the class has health issues.”

  “Okay…” He chuckled although I was unsure why. “I’ve got to go, but I would really like to catch up. Maybe we can have lunch sometime next week, or you could stop by the field after school and talk some sense into my team.”

  “I’d like that. I’ll check my schedule for next week and see what I can do.”

  “Cool! See you soon then.”

  “Hey, Liam. Before you go, have you seen Abby around this morning?” I’m not sure if I was more anxious or nervous to see her, but either way I couldn’t help asking.

  “Well now that you mention it, I don’t think so. Which is weird since she’s normally in at least fifteen minutes before the first class. The girl can’t function without her morning coffee,” he mocked. “Maybe she got delayed at the doctor’s office again.”

  “Again?” I questioned.

  “Yeah, you know, for her follow-ups at the hospital. I really got to go,” he continued, hearing the sound of the second bell. “I wouldn’t worry, Oliver, Abbygail should be here pretty soon.”

  I smiled, pretending to know what he was talking about.

  “It’s nice to see you back home, Langton. Talk to you later.”

  I waved him off, and just as I was about to walk through the doors to the administration’s office, I noticed a young couple talking to each other near the locker Abby and Kylie shared in ninth grade. The guy whispered something in the girl’s ear, making her smile, and just as she started to pull away, he kissed the top of head.

  ***

  “Cut class with me.” I asked Abby.

  She stretched out from inside her locker and looked up at my face with a weird frown. “You’re kidding me right?”

  I shook my head in response and she rolled her eyes at me, getting back to whatever she was looking for in her locker.

  “I’m not cutting class, Oliver. My mom will kill me. Who are you, Mister Rebellion all of a sudden?”

  “But it’s math.” I complained.

  “I know. We’re in the same class.”

  “But it’s nice out.”

  “I know, and it’ll be nice out when school is over. Where is my damn pencil case?”

  “But you were at the library for the entire lunch break, and I haven’t seen you all day.”

  “Oliver,” she countered, grabbing her purple binder, “I had a team book report to finish. Do you really believe that I chose to skip lunch with you on purpose?”

  “No, but I hate that I have to share you.”

  The corner of her lips turn into that smile I adored. “I missed you Abs. I haven’t seen you all day.”

  “I missed you too. But in my defense, Oliver, we’re spending the entire afternoon together.”

  “Yeah, but wouldn’t it be even better if we shared a root beer slushy together outside?”

  She stopped searching, and I could tell she was contemplating the whole idea. “Yes, it would. But then our mothers would forbid us to see each other all weekend, and that would most definitely suck even more than going to our math and physics classes. Can you check in my small locker and see if my math book and pencil case are in there please? God, I feel like I can’t find anything in this thing. Kylie and I really need to clean our shit up.”

  I stretched out to look at the top shelf of her locker and rolled my eyes as I pulled out her math book and pencil case. “We can just sneak out after our parents go
to bed like we usually do. Come on, my treat.”

  “Thank you, and no. Oliver, I’m not cutting class.”

  She slammed the door and clipped the padlock. When she turned around to face me, she finally took the time to look at me and the books I was holding in my right hand. She smiled and shook her head. “You had no intention of cutting class did you?”

  I grinned and put my arm around her shoulder. “No. But it’s nice to know that you missed me today.”

  “Of course I missed you. I miss you every moment we aren’t together, Oliver…now let’s get to class, if we don’t hurry, there won’t be any spots left for us to sit next to each other.”

  ***

  “Can I help you, young man?” I heard from behind me. I spun on my heels and noticed that other than the familiar imposing man that was standing behind me, the corridors were entirely empty. He eyed me suspiciously and a low throaty laugh escaped him. “Well if it isn’t Mr. Langton, the awesome smiling guy that always used to sit in the back row of my advanced mathematics class.”

  I couldn’t believe that he’d actually remembered me. I smiled. “Mr. Fontaine?”

  “I bet you never expected to cross my path again, did you?”

  “Actually.... I… no, I didn’t, but I expected even less that you’d recognize me if I did.”

  “I’d never forget a face like yours, young man.” He winked. “I heard about your mother. I’m so very sorry for your loss, Oliver.” He extended his hand and I shook it.

  “Thank you.”

  “So,” he coughed out,” I’ve been informed that you are going to be my social studies’ project substitute for the remainder of our school year.”

  I nodded, hiding my displeasure as best as I could. “So that would make you the school principal, then?”

  “Yep. Just a few more weeks left before my retirement. Come on. Let me take you to class. The last thing I want is to have these little twerps walking out thinking it’s a free period because they don’t have a teacher. You and I can catch up after class.”