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(oooh just thought of a great plot twist 😈) . The teacher gave Iris a smile that said, 'I'm glad some kids around here respect their elders.' She got those looks a lot, being polite as she was. The teacher folded her hands on her desk and said, "I heard about you tutoring Mr. Ortiz, and how well it's going--" Iris froze. Did she know what was going on between them? But the teacher continued, "So I've talked to the headmaster, and he agreed to have me ask if you'd like to take on another tutee (that's a real word I promise lol). Will you?" Iris didn't hesitate. She loved teaching others, as long as they weren't... Well, as long as they treated her fairly. "Of course, ma'am." She replied. The teacher nodded and said, "Wonderful! You'll be tutoring Carmen Blackwood." (Had to make up a last name, sorry) |
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(lol it's fine! and ooh, i'm excited now) Caden eventually darted into his dorm, shutting the door beside him and sitting there for a moment as he took it all in. His ex... which they both had made plans about their futures, 2 kids, a house in Moscow, Carmen was going to get a marketing job, Caden a marketing job----then he struck it rich, bought a place in Phoenix, never returned to Russia besides the few times. And now she was here----even after all the yelling matches, digging slivers of glass out of his skin from her throwing them, and staying with her while everything got worse.... she was back. He made himself slow everything down, plastering on the happy 'everything is perfect nothing could be better' attitude as he made his way to the library. |
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Iris paused. Where had she heard that name before? Carmen Blackwood... Hmm, nothing. Blackwood... Also nothing. Carmen-- Then it hit her. She remembered reading that name off of google translate on her phone from a Russian book. The one with the entry about Caden. She dug a little deeper, trying to remember what context the name was in... Oh, right. Caden and Carmen had dated a little while back. Did that bother her? Iris didn't think so. It wasn't the fact that Caden had dated someone else before that bothered her-- it was the fact that she had agreed to tutor his ex. |
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Caden went down to the library, finding a quiet corner to sit in and read for a little while. He eventually texted Iris, curious as to what she was doing. -wyd? i'm in the library if youre open- The man sent it, grabbing his backup RedBull from the pocket in his bag. He cracked it open, taking a sip and setting the can on the table. The Mississippi sun setting over the ridge on the west side of the college. The rays settled into the room like they were born there, seemingly comfy as the cast the room in golden hour lighting. |
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Iris and the teacher finished their short conversation, Iris's mind buzzing with thoughts. She was just leaving the classroom when her phone vibrated. She opened it to see a text from Caden. She smiled and changed course to the library. -Coming over- |
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-Alr, ordering some doordash what do you want?- He asked, ordering a panini from Corner 17 as he took off his jacket. Caden hung it on the back of the blue plastic chair he was sitting in which was, to his surprise, very comfortable. The man drummed his fingers against the table as he waited on Iris's arrival, glad she was coming. |
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-I'm not hungry, but thanks.- Iris's smile slowly faded as she realized she would have to tell Caden what the teacher just said. How would he react? Would he be angry, scared, happy for her? She doubted that last one, but the first two sounded reasonable. She made it to the library in a few more minutes, and immediately spotted Caden. She weaved through the tables and bookshelves and sat down across from him, putting her backpack and jacket next to the chair on the floor. |
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Caden thought about Iris tutoring, knowing Carmen would defanitely need help and that the headmaster would most likely suggest her. He sighed at the thought, seriously hoping she would've declined after learning who she was. Still, she didn't know about everything that lead to him leaving her so... wasn't like she could relate or anything? He was unsure as he zoned out, flinching slightly when he heard her bag his the floor since he was lost in thought. "Hey," He mused, smiling softly as he turned towards her. |
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"Hi," Iris replied, forcing a smile. It was clearly fake. She debated not telling Caden about it for a moment before realizing he already could tell something was wrong and would ask her until she told him. There was no use holding it back. "Listen, my chemistry teacher just pulled me aside and told me... She said... Agh, she said I'm tutoring Carmen." Iris rubbed her forehead, party to hide her eyes from him and partly because she was getting a small headache. Water might be a good idea. |
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Caden noticed how forced her smile was, growing skeptical instantly. He decided to see if she would say anything or if he'd have to ask. "Go on," He encouraged softly when she paused, curious as to what it was. The man had a soft smile on his face, as he always did when she was around her-----though, it fell the second she said she was tutoring Carmen. "Oh my." Caden muttered, laughing. |
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Bright Sunshine with a few High Clouds
