Chapter Thirty-Seven

Kyla's POV

My palm connected with Joanna's face, and it echoed through the room. I felt slightly better after that. In fact, I felt great, and the feeling just wouldn't go away.

Just then, the classroom door opened, revealing Richard and Stein. Joanna was fuming but her face softened, and she started sniffling once she noticed Richard.

"The bitch hit me for nothing!" she shrieks, bursting into fake tears.

"Kyla. Come with me,” Richard commanded, and she paused.

"Aren't you going to say anything or do something?" she fired, trying to keep up appearances.

"I will. Come now,” he demanded but I wouldn't budge. Then, he tugged at my arm forcing me out of the class. Joanna had a smile dancing on her lips.

"Let go of me. You have no right to toss me around or tell me what to do. Just leave me alone." I broke free from him.

"You weren't doing something average in there. I thought you wanted your normal life back,” he fired clearly pissed for some reason.

"I do. I just have one last mess to clean up and that's her and then you can swoop in and comfort her,” I spat out, folding my arms and looking away.

"Are you jealous?"

He asked clearly amused.

"Trust me, I'm not jealous. I have no reason to be. You kissed me and it meant nothing. I've moved past it,” I lied with batting a lash.

"You think the kiss meant nothing to me?"

He asked lowering his voice.

"Well it was just in the moment. A desire you don't even know why you did it."

"So you think it means nothing?"

"I don't know,” I responded truthfully.

"I kissed you because I wanted to. It meant a lot to me Kyla."

"Right..." I responded sarcastically.

"I like you Kyla, a lot. I'm trying not to screw it up, but I end up saying the wrong words and eventually screwing it up. I'm sorry and this morning I tried to make it better but I'm sure I only hurt you even more. What I really mean to say is that I'm really sorry...” he trailed off taking a sharp breath.

"I better shut up before I screw this up that is if I haven't done it already. Have I?" he asked clearly distraught.

"You haven't,” I clarified, and a smile broke out on my lips.

"So you forgive me for being so stupid?"

"Yes, I do."

"Thank you." I chuckled and he moved closer once again.

"So hypothetically since I have a reason for kissing you, one that I'm sure of, would you let me kiss you?"

"Hypothetically...yes,” I answered grinning.

"Noted." He claimed my lips right there and I didn't resist his sweet assault. There and then, I realized I would just live as well as I can. There's no going back to boring, average Kyla. She's gone already.

"What the actual..." Stein trailed off and we broke the kiss, panting. "You two are…" He trailed off once again, scoffing lightly. "Nice. Really nice..." Then, he walked away.

"Stein!" Richard called out but he refused to budge.

"I didn't think his feelings would stick. I thought he meant it as a passing thing. I..."

"Shhh, I'll fix it okay,” he says leaving a quick peck on my lips before running after him.