1

Five years later

Evan's POV

"I know all of you are feeling very lazy with it being your senior year, but there is still work to be done! You can't slack off now just because you can see the finish line! Especially because you can see the finish line..." I preach to the room full of sleepy-eyed seniors before me. First day of the year is always like this, especially teaching seniors.

I get a few disinterested nods and mumbles, but that's all I can get from the teens. I nod and sigh hard, wishing it wasn't so hard to pull a response from at least one of them.

"If you haven't already figured it out, my name is Ms. Johnson. This is your syllabus for the class, I kept it as short as possible, so please read over it." I tell them as I hand out a stack to each row of students.

After everything that happened a few years ago, I went back to my maiden name. I couldn't stand to keep the last name of the man who broke me, nor did I feel comfortable given the whole "Lexi's mom is psycho" situation. So now, I am Ms. Johnson and no one is the wiser. Moving to a new area was the best thing for me after the nasty divorce Scott and I struggled through.

I came here, found a nice little place, a new teaching job with staff and students who had no idea who I was, and basically started my life over. There have been many challenges, but nothing I haven't been able to overcome thus far.

Overall, I can't complain. Things could have gone so much worse for me than they did.

* * *

Lexi's POV

"Babe?! Have you seen my keys?!" My voice echos down the hallway of our hardly-furnished apartment.

"Nope. Can you go more than a week without losing those stupid things?" My girlfriend grins from the doorway, pulling her messy hair into a bun.

"Obviously not!" I groan, throwing around the few pillows on our couch. "Please help me find them. I have to be at that meeting in like... five minutes." I frown, checking my watch.

Her hazel eyes roll and she assists me in my search for my car keys.

"Lexi, you should seriously consider investing in a key holder. You literally lose them all the time!" She hisses as she pulls them from between the couch cushions.

"Bitch at me later, I have to go-" when I reach for the keys, she jerks them away and I cut my eyes at her.

She grins and taps her lips with her finger, "I don't give stuff up so easily, you know that."

I smirk and grab her neck, pulling her into me and meshing our lips together. "Love you, I'll see you in a few hours, hopefully."

I take my keys and leave the apartment at that, rushing to make it to my meeting with the board.

After graduation, my life felt like it was on a downhill slope. I lost the woman I was crazy about, had hardly any friends, my mom and stepdad both had it out for me... things were not looking up for me in even the slightest.

That all did a 180 degree turn when I met Mia last year. I bumped into her (quite literally) on campus one day, and we hit it off. We have similar backgrounds and interests, and one thing led to another. Now we are happily dating and just got an apartment together... away from my mother.

My relationship with my mother improved a little in the time since I came out (against my will, might I add), but there is still a lot of tension between us.

Graduation night was easily one of the worst nights of my life. I lost Evan and I was convinced my life was over. My mother ripped me to shreds, calling me more names than I'd ever even heard of. She put me into therapy, and I had no choice but to comply since I was living under her roof... well, Mike's roof.

I stayed there for about five months, but eventually scrounged up enough money from working part-time and financial aid to be able to escape to a tiny dorm room on campus for my college career.

Getting out of that house was easily the best decision I made. I hated everything about it. From the people who lived there with me, to the memories that flooded my brain each time I glanced at the house next door. Evan moved out pretty quick after everything went down, and eventually Scott sold the house. I haven't seen either of them since, and the kids have probably forgotten who I am by now.

Despite moving out and having no contact, my brain still managed to wander off and think about Evan a good bit. Where was she? How is she? Does she have her kids? Did the divorce actually happen? These were all questions that burned in my head for a very long time... until Mia came along.

Mia came into my life and changed everything for me. She gave me the push I needed to get my career going, she changed my priorities entirely. She's helped me see things clearly, like the fact that my relationship with my mother is nothing but toxic, and she's helped me become a better person in the time I have known her.

I am so grateful for Mia and everything she has brought to the table in our relationship. I can honestly say that she is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I don't know where I'd be without her.

* * *

"I'm back!" I announce as I walk into the apartment.

"You're back!" Mia grins, sitting in the center of our (soon to be) dining area with boxes piled around her. "How was it? You were gone longer than I expected."

I sigh and kick my shoes off and put my things down, "it was alright. I definitely think it could've gone better though." I admit.

Mia frowns slightly and walks over to me, hanging her arms over my shoulders and squeezing me, "don't be so hard on yourself, babe. I'm sure it went amazing and everyone saw what an incredible, smart, beautiful, kind asset you are."

Her words of encouragement bring a smile to my lips, "yeah, maybe." I peck her lips quickly and she smiles up at me. "Do you want to go to dinner tonight?"

"And leave our apartment in shambles for another night? No thanks." She laughs, going back to the boxes that desperately need to be emptied and rehomed.

I roll my eyes, "fine. I'll change clothes and help you unpack. We can order pizza."

"Oh, yay! I'll call." Mia chirps as I enter the bedroom and change out of my professional clothes.

Once I return to the other room, I begin helping unpack boxes containing everything from blankets to shoes to childhood photos.

Mia keeps light conversation going, mainly about my day and how the meeting with the board went.

"Babe, I really don't want to even think about it anymore. My brain is... mush." I tell her, wanting to change the subject. "What about you? Did you ever get a call-back from the places you applied?"

She shakes her head and frowns slightly, "no. I guess we can't all be Lexi's and land interviews with the first place we apply..." she taunts.

I roll my eyes and shake my head, "don't act like it was easy for me! You'll get a call-back soon. I'm sure they're still trying to collect their jaws from the floor after reading over your resume and academic records." I tease.

"Oh, for sure." She rolls her eyes.

I giggle quietly and my phone rings from the table beside the door.

My eyes instantly snap to Mia's and we are both thinking the same thing. Could it be?

I jump up quickly and run to my phone, answering with a calmness in my voice that I didn't know existed.

"Alexis speaking."

"Hi, Alexis. This is Danny, the principal at Cliffview High School calling to deliver some good news..." the man's voice makes my heart beat fast. "After reviewing with board members, they've given you the green light. Even thought we usually don't hire such recent graduates, we believe you bring a certain quality to the table that we cannot pass up. We'd like to have to start tomorrow."

My face lights up at his news. I glance at Mia and mouth the words, "I got the job!" She grins big and bites her lip.

"Thank you, Danny. So much! I- I really look forward to this. You won't be disappointed." I mutter through my growing smile. "I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning!"

I end the call with my new boss and Mia squeals and jumps into my arms. "I knew you'd get it!"

I hug her tight and kiss her jaw several times, "I wouldn't have even applied if it wasn't for your nagging, babe. Thank you. I love you..." I say to her, still clinging to her body.

She kisses me tenderly, "you would've. You're great like that..." she smirks. "I vote we celebrate before pizza gets delivered. We still have an hour...." she bites her lower lip and pulls at my shirt collar.

"Smart and pretty, I'm so lucky." I tease and carry her towards our bedroom.

* * *

Evan's POV:

Second day of the year and I'm already running late.

I rush into the school, lugging two bags with me containing some last minute school supplies. I make my way through the students in the lobby and head towards my classroom, which will be filling up with said students very soon.

I make it in time to put my things down and update the homework and book chapters written on the board, but that's all I have time for by the time the first bell is ringing and the students are headed my way.

Before the teens arrive, the principal's voice catches my ear in the hall. Next thing I know, he's standing in my classroom doorway with his beaming white smile.

"Good morning, Ms. Johnson." He greets me.

"Morning sir. How are you? What brings you to my door?" I smile kindly and make my way to him.

"I'm well, thank you. I'm here to make an introduction. We've filled the room across the hall from you. So, this is your new neighbor! Meet Alexis Brewer."

My face freezes and my heart stops at the name, and my world stops spinning when she steps around him and I see her face.

"Alexis..." I mutter softly.

Note:

I said I would get part two out as quickly as possible, so here is the first chapter! I may not be able to update as quickly as everyone would like at first, but I will do what I can. Thank you!

Also- fair warning that this is a bit of a slow-burn!