My Teacher, my Love

thing down the wrinkles in her favorite light blue blouse. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This w

best year of her life, right? The year of endless possibilities, of making memories that would last forever. But as she t

of her thoughts. "Emily, you're goi

k, grabbing her backpack and

filled the air. Her father sat at the kitchen table, his nose buried in the morning

her said, placing a plate of e

mile. She sat down and took a few bites

ring the paper and giving her a re

xciting, I guess.

hand. "You're going to do great this

w it wasn't just the academic pressure that had her feeling on edg

but reliable Honda Civic. The drive to Oakdale High was familiar, yet today, it felt different. As she pulled into the parking lot, she s

e, Emily parked and hopped out of the car. Sarah, ever

Em, I missed

er back. "We literally s

esn't count! It's the first day of

y creeping up the side of the main building, the large oak tree where studen

nd teachers prepared for the long year ahead. Emily's locker was near the English department, and a

the way he brought stories to life, had captivated her since junior year. But

h nudged her. "So, any plans to tal

ted. "Shh! Keep

en swooning over Mr. Parker for a year

"He's my teacher, Sara

through the windows, casting a warm glow inside. For a moment, she imagined walking in, saying something witty, m

an deny it all you want, but

"Can we not ta

"But I have a feeling this yea

n she saw Mr. Parker standing at the front of the room, dressed in his usual button-up shirt and

antastic summer. This year, we'll be diving into some incr

way he talked about books as if they were alive, as if they had the powe

her. "Emily, what do you think the autho

he was exploring the idea of fate versus free will. The character struggles with

o a small smile. "An excelle

felt Sarah smirking besid

the overwhelming feeling of senior year truly beginning. By the

at the school building. Something told he

't know how r