Chapter 6: Reunion

My fingertip danced across the worn squares of my calendar, each turn of the page rustling like a whisper of time passing. A bittersweet pang tugged at my heart. In just a few short months, these once-empty squares would be filled with final exams and graduation ceremonies, marking the end of another academic year. A wave of relief washed over me, loosening the knot of tension that had become a constant companion in my shoulders. This year had been a whirlwind – a relentless storm of deadlines, parent conferences, and the ever-present challenge of keeping a classroom full of teenagers engaged. But as I scrolled through the calendar, a flicker of anticipation ignited within me. The coming break, a chance to recharge and breathe, felt like a distant oasis shimmering on the horizon.

Excitement buzzed through me like a live wire as I stared at the calendar. Saturday – the day of Brian's dinner invitation – was practically upon me! A whirlwind of pre-date jitters and nervous excitement swir