The One I Love

“I haven’t,” I say and that’s the truth. Up until today, I didn’t think I could sing outside of my classroom and my shower.

“So, are you going to try singing with me or what? I think it could be cool, or whatever.”

“Thank you for the offer Charlie, but no,” I tell him confidently and walk out into the seats where the students from my music class are waiting for me. One sweet boy named Mitchell hands me flowers.

“You were just wonderful Miss Springfield. The voice of an angel.”

“Now Mitchell. Let’s not over-exaggerate,” I say embarrassed. The kid has never had a bad thing to say about anyone.

I notice Charlie has followed me off stage. I wonder if I shocked him with my no.

“He’s not over-exaggerating Miss Springfield,” another girl Sarah, one of the brightest in my class, says.

“Thank you so much, everyone. It means a lot to me that you’re here, and that we’ve raised so much for the school and Everyone Sings, but I won’t be making it a habit.”

Everyone Sings is a wonderful charity and they help bring music into the lives of chronically ill and handicapped children. To be able to contribute to something that brings such joy is a good feeling.

I have raised money for them in one way or another each year but this year I turned it over to my students. They planned the charity concert, percentage nights at local restaurants and the silent auction going on during the concert. I am so proud of them and surprised with myself that I never thought to let it be a student project before. It definitely will be after this year.

“Yes, you will,” Charlie says as he comes towards me.

“No, I won’t.” I don’t like where this is going. I cross my arms over my chest and set my jaw. I plan on fighting him on this and standing up for myself. Especially, in front of my students.

Chapter Five

Charlie

Addy Springfield. She has grown up, but now that I was looking I could see the sweet little high school girl she had been. She looked the same, but different. Addy had glasses in high school and she'd dyed her hair a dark black. She tried to look grown up when we were teenagers but it actually made her look younger. We’d been an odd pairing from the beginning.

I'd been failing math and she was slated to tutor me. It was too much for me, she was already looking at me with puppy dog eyes after the second date when I kissed her. I couldn't ruin her so I just never called her again. It wasn't the manly

thing to do, but I was sixteen, I was not a man. It was funny how all this is going through my head as I watch her walk away from me.

I walk up to her students giving her praise. She's taking it with a flush to the cheeks. She looks even prettier.

She tells them she isn’t going to sing in front of people again.

“I wouldn’t listen to her,” I say as I come to a stop beside her. “I bet she sings again real soon.”

Lots of teens with different colored hair and wide eyes look up at me. Some smile, some, not so much.

Addy snorts and rolls her eyes. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Why not?” I am curious why she wants to waste such a beautiful voice.

"I'll never sing on stage again.”

“Again, I ask why not?”

She just gives me a wide-eyed look like I’m missing something obvious. If I’m being outrightly honest, it is kind of intimidating. I don't want to back down though so I keep a poker face. She shrugs and adds. “I’m a teacher, not a singer.” She turns her head from me as if that’s going to deter me from the conversation.

She has no idea I refuse to be dismissed like one of her students. She’s about to find out how convincing Charlie Maxwell can be.

“Couldn’t prove it from where I was standing. Don’t you agree, kids?” For a moment I forgot the little hormones are still listening.

Some of them answer, the others look like they really couldn’t care less. I’m not sure why I’m pushing it so hard and so fast, but I don’t give myself time to think about it. I’ve committed to the jump now I just need to stick the landing.

“What I did tonight was for a charity. It was a one-time thing. As in, not gonna happen again.” She is growing frustrated, and if I am serious with myself, I’m enjoying the banter back and forth. Blush is creeping into her cheeks and it is so damn adorable.