20

"They dated. My dad's new girlfriend and Professor Garcia dated!"

I said, walking down the pathway with Iris.

Our classes just finished, and we had a few extra time to spare before we split ways, so we sat at the benches outside and just talked.

Of course, Iris couldn't stop teasing about our kiss, asking me stuff like 'was it good?' or, 'I kiss way better than a man. Just don't tell Xavier that I ever said that.' She also asked me about the hickeys, but I lied and said Elijah gave it to me before I ended things off with him.

Iris turned to me with a frown, "Oh shit, that's weird." She said, chewing on her bottom lip, "On the bright side, we know miss hot stuff is into women."

I acted like I didn't know that already.

We continued walking until we reach the assembly hall.

"I'll see you after choir." I said, turning to her.

"Ugh, I don't want to go to work today." She groaned.

We quickly exchange hugs before she went to her volleyball practice.

I push the double doors open, revealing the huge empty hall in front of me, which a few days from now will be packed with chairs, people and lights.

The gleaming hardwood floor stretches out in front of me, its rich tones a stark contrast to the cold grey walls that tower above. The stage is about as big as the hall and the red curtains hangs at the sides with the piano at the middle.

Some of the students passed me as we all made our way up to the stage, quickly placing my bag down before I do so.

I was talking with some other people before there was a voice behind me,

"Well, well, well if it isn't my favorite cousin."

I gasp, excitedly, and spin around as I squeal.

I smile, "Oh my gosh, Anthony!?"

He gave me a warm smile before dragging me into his embrace which I gladly accepted by wrapping my arms around him too.

"You're joining the choir?" I ask.

We pulled back and he stood with his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, I guess so." He smiled with a small shrug, "Mrs. Feltham gives me extra guitar lessons. She told me about this new idea she wants to bring into the choir, beatboxing. And, that's how I'm here."

My lips form an 'O'

"You're gunna' beatbox? That's so cool!"

He chuckled and nod, "It is. Well, not so much when my voice hurts the next day."

"I'm here, I'm here people!" Mrs. Feltham rushed through the door with her beaming energy as always.

Some of us, including me, cheered and yelled out for Mrs. Feltham.

She's the type of lecturer we can party and drink wine with.

She and my mom were close since my mom also helped out with the choir sometimes.

Mrs. Feltham always encourages us to do our best, and she's genuinely one of the nicest, coolest people I ever know.

She gives the 'I have the coolest grandma' vibes, and she acts like a teenager just here to live life. She has so much passion and doesn't give a single flying fuck about people's opinions of her.

It's quite the coincidence that Anthony's joining us, because he looks like Beck Oliver from Victorious, the series. He has slick, long, fluffy brown hair, thick eyebrows, and dark eyes like him. And, Mrs. Feltham reminds me of a more professional, not-so-weird, female, version of Sikowitz from the same show.

"Gather 'round people, we don't have much time." Mrs. Feltham announced, "I'm sure most of you- and I hope all of you- just realized that it's almost the end of the semester and tests will be starting soon. I know it'll be hard to give time to the choir, so I understand if you rather want to study. But anyways, let's start, shall we..."

We all sat down on the edge of the stage as Mrs. Feltham stood in front of us with a few papers in her hands.

"We have a few songs to choose from, and I want Victoria to sing the chorus again. You'll be doing a solo with the rest doing acapella. You did it once, you can do it again. So, choose wisely with the song choices. Remember, acapella."

"Got it." I held a thumbs up, acting calm.

I really wanted to go crazy in excitement.

Mrs. Feltham one-by-one held the sheet music up and we all quickly discussed if the song will work or not.

Now there's a little less than 60 people in the choir, but not all of them will be preforming the end of the semester because some are going away for break.

So, it'll be difficult to choose, since everyone has different opinions on different songs.

That's until we eliminated a few songs until we have 2 left.

River by Bishop Briggs or We don't have to take our clothes off by Ella Eyre-- the songs are completely opposite of each other.

"Woah, River?" A guy, Mason said a bit too loud and it grabbed our attention.

We all turned to him.

"Why so shocked?" Mrs. Feltham asked.

Mason laughs nervously, "I mean... isn't that a bit wild?"

Suddenly, we heard the screeching of the doors sliding against the wooden floor as it opens and we all turn back.

The usual green eyes met mine and immediately, I looked away.

"Ah, perfect timing!" Mrs. Feltham cheered, "Let's ask Professor Garcia. Miss, my class is too indecisive on picking a song to sing. River by Bishop Briggs or We don't have to take our clothes off."

Professor Garcia folded her arms as she scans all our faces, except mine because I was hiding behind all the tall people.

"Depends, anybody doing a solo?" Daniela ask, her voice low.

I step out from behind the tall people. "I am."

Her eyes lands on me and she immediately gets her choice ready to say.

"River."

My eyebrows raise, not expecting her to choose that.

A few excited students cheered and rushed to the sheet music that had 'River' written over it, and grabbed one for themselves.

Professor Garcia and I stood there as Mrs. Feltham rushed over to the people too, trying to get them to stop messing the other papers around.

Anthony and his friends just sat on the stage, talking. So, professor and I were alone.

Self-conscious, I wrap my arms around my body as I look back up into her eyes. She was already looking down at me.

"So..." I mumble.

"So... you can sing?" She asked, "You never told me."

I shrug. "You never asked."

The side of her lips twitch into a side smirk.

"Are you helping with the set-up or lighting crew?" I ask.

"Oh, no, no. I'm just here to ask Mrs. Feltham something, work related."

"And here I thought you'd want to watch me sing." I chuckle, looking down to my feet.

My eyes widen as I realized I said that out loud and my cheeks lit up.

My head shot up to her again and this time, her head was tilted to the side, intrigued as she looked me up and down.

"Do you want me to stay and watch?" She said, her voice quieter than usual.

"I-I, erm..."

"Where is my lead singer?" Mrs. Feltham yelled out for me, "Rivera, come on! Come get your sheet before I give it to Jennifer to sing, and trust me, nobody wants that!"

Jennifer furrowed her eyebrows, "Hey!"

Mrs. Feltham shrugged innocently and held out the last sheet for me, as the boys went to the storage room at the corner to grab the mics.

"Coming!" I yell back. I look at professor, "Sorry." I whisper, walking a few steps forward, before I stopped and turned back to Professor Garcia. "And FYI, I do want you to stay and look at me."

I gave an innocent smile before walking away. I could feel her eyes burning into my back, but I just ignored it as I went to grab my sheet music.

I walked to the other people up on the stage and turn around to see Professor Garcia still standing there.

A smile form on my lips, but I quickly bit my bottom lip to prevent myself from embarrassing myself any further.

Xander passed me a mic and placed the stand in front of me before rushing to give Anthony a mic too.

"Right, let's start with you guys." Mrs. Feltham gestures to everyone else standing behind me. "We'll add the beatboxing after we figured out the tune. For now, Victoria, you just listen and I'll tell you when to start, kay'?"

As Mrs. Feltham started singing with the others, Professor Garcia got out her phone and brought it up to her ear while walking away.

For some reason, I felt a bit disappointed she left.

"That will be $12.50, please." I smiled politely as the customer gave me the money.

I nodded back to Iris who nodded to the other worker who immediately started making the coffee, while Iris got the blueberry muffin he ordered.

Iris handed over the muffin to the man and our co-worker quickly made the coffee before I gave it to the customer.

After our last outstanding order left, I took a quick glance around the café to the other co-workers, including Iris, taking orders from people.

The door dinged and suddenly this loud screeching, dying, noise made itself known, grabbing all of our attention.

Though, I knew what it was already.

It was the chihuahua

"O-oh, haha, hi Peet." I smile awkwardly at the elderly man walking up to me, trying not to look down at the creature in his arms.

"Victoria, hi." He smiled, "Long time no see. I love what you guys done to the place."

It's true, he was always a local around here. But he stopped coming because of heart problems-- he was in the hospital for weeks.

"Yeah, no definitely. I see you brought Puggy with you."

The chihuahua.

"Of course." He lifted Puggy up and out towards me, "Want to pet him?"

Before he could lunge at me I ducked down, "Woah, haha... no need for that." I laughed nervously and cleared my throat, "Anyways, what can I get ya'? Your usual hot chocolate and tuna sandwich?"

He nod, "You know me too well."

"Have a seat, we'll call you when it's ready." I smile and he nodded again.

I was busy giving the order to the co-workers as they started preparing.

Suddenly, there was a voice that caused me to spin around again.

"Let's see... do I want a black coffee or a girl in front of me that I can make fun of for not tying her apron correctly."

"What?" I laugh.

Daniela smirked, "Can you tie a knot?"

"Well... jokes on you, Iris tied it for me. So, blame her." I said, nodding to Iris, preparing the tuna sandwich in the kitchen behind me.

Professor let out a low chuckle before holding out her hands. "Come here, let me fix it for you. It'll fall loose any second."

"I'm on my shift, miss." I tease.

Intrigued, she folded her arms and tilted her head to the side. "Oh?" She taunted back, "Whenever I'm on my shift, I would put down my work or even stop my lesson for you."

"Touché." I mumble.

I quickly walk around the counter to her and spin around.

My shoulders tensed up as her fingers lightly slid over my waist-- which is normal because I'm a very sensitive person. She undid the apron and pulled it back tighter to make a secure knot that won't go loose.

Once she was done, I thanked her and walked back.

"Well, then, what can I get for you?" I ask.

"Oh, I just wanted to say 'hi.'" She said, "I'm meeting someone."

My heart sunk. "Oh, you're meeting someone?" My voice was higher than usual.

She laughed, looking down to her feet. "Yeah, my grandfather."

My eyes lit up and I couldn't help but to blush at my own stupidity. "Oh, right."

A co-worker passed me an order and I looked down at the sticky note attached to the cup of steaming coffee.

"Order for Peet." I said, loudly, looking around to see where he sat.

Professor also turned around, looking. Though, I spot the old man, but he was just too busy talking to his chihuahua.

"That old knucklehead " She smiled, shaking her head, "Ordered without me."

"Wait, what? He's..."

"My granddad, yes. You sound surprised. You two must get along well."

"Yeah, he stopped by a lot." I snicker, "Everybody is linked with one another, it's freaky."

"It's a small world, darling."

I had to cut the chat short because another customer walked in, but I couldn't resist saying one last thing.

"Yeah, who would've thought you dated my dad's girlfriend?" I mumbled.

It's like her eyes darkened, but I saw a gulp going down her throat. "She told you?" Daniela said quietly.

"Mhm." I said, holding out Peet's order, "Would you please give it to him? I need to take orders, so if you don't mind, please move."

Her eyes didn't leave mine once as she just took the drink and sandwich in her hands.

She stood there, not knowing what to say, before turning around.

Again, she just stood there, eyes glued to the ground while I helped another woman with her order.

Just as I finished putting her order in, Daniela took her chance since the row was empty and turned back to me.

"Good, so then you won't be confused and weirded out by the fact that she invited me for dinner at your house."

"What."