"Adrian!!" she squealed like a teenage girl meeting her favorite idol, crashing into him with enough force to push him back a couple of steps.
Her chest pressed flat against him as she wrapped him in a tight hug. His own arms hovered at his sides. Good thing she had already sent everyone inside, or this could have been very awkward.
He looked down at her and gave a wry smile. "I missed you too."
"Gosh, you're so tall now. My head barely reaches your chin." She tilted her face up at him, still clinging to his muscular frame. The closeness made him increasingly self-conscious.
"Growth spurt, I guess," he replied, glancing away instead of meeting her eyes.
Evelyn noticed the faint blush spreading across his cheeks. Rather than pulling back, she tightened her hold even more, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.
"What's the matter? Aren't you happy to see your favorite teacher?" She nuzzled a little closer against him. "Or is seeing me again rekindling old feelings?"
A knowing smile spread across her face before she finally loosened her embrace and stepped back.
Adrian quickly regained his composure and let out a weary sigh. "I was hoping you'd forget about that."
She leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Ohhh, my cute little student confessing his love to his teacher with a box of chocolates. My heart almost couldn't take it." She covered her mouth, trying—and failing—to suppress a laugh. "Not to mention the precious poem you wro—"
"Okay, okay, enough already! How long are you planning to torture me with that?" Adrian groaned.
Evelyn burst into laughter. "No matter how tall you get, you'll always be my cute little student."
Now that she'd finally stopped teasing him, Adrian took the opportunity to get a proper look at her.
Compared to his memories, she looked far more professional despite her playful personality. However, one particular change stood out more than anything else.
"Looks like you had your own... growth spurt too, huh?"
His gaze drifted downward for just a moment.
"...And what's that supposed to mean?" Evelyn narrowed her eyes.
"I'm just saying you've grown a lot over the last four years. From small to huge now. Truly impressive."
A vein twitched on her forehead.
"Now listen here, you little sh—"
"I mean going from a kindergarten teacher to the principal of an entire school. If that isn't astonishing, I don't know what is." She blinked twice as he smirked triumphantly
In case you haven't noticed, you've fallen right into my trap. "Looks like you were learning more than just algebra during my lessons." She pouted. "I learned from the best." He replied smoothly.
They both went silent for a second, the playful atmosphere fading before she spoke up. "I heard what happened to your parents" He froze up "I wish I could have come to meet you sooner but things were... complicated." There was a small pause.
"You seem to be doing well but if you need any help or someone to talk to you can come to me." "Thank you, Miss Evelyn I really appreciate it."He smiled at her.
"Besides..." She smiled warmly. "I wouldn't mind pampering you a little." She held out her phone. "Here—take my number. Call me whenever you have time." They exchanged contacts and Adrian turned to leave the school behind.
"Adriaaan." Evelyn called out to him. When he turned around he saw her standing with her arms spread wide open. "What is it now." She smiled teasingly. "Won't you give me a hug." Her feet bounced lightly on the concrete. "Didn't we already hug each other when you saw me." If that shameless anbush could even be called a hug. "But you didn't hug me back." She pouted lightly arms still stretched out wide. He sighed. "Fine then."
Before she could react he pulled her into a tight heartfelt hug, his large arms and frame easily encompassing her. "You know I really did miss you a lot, Miss Evelyn." She patted his back lightly. "You don't need to call me 'Miss' you know, makes me sound old." He chuckled next to her ear. "Fine then, Evelyn." Heat crawled up her face.
He pulled away from her. "I have some things to attend to now so you should go." She shooed him away lightly. "Okay then, I'll call you later." He mounted his bike, strapping on the helmet. "You better." She crossed her arms under her chest. He flashed her a bright smile and soon sped off disappearing around the curve.
Once he was gone she let out a breathe she hadn't even realized she was holding in, placing a hand against her chest. "That boy is a danger to my heart." It's beat faster than normal. She turned around with a sigh walking into the school.
***
The roar of an engine echoed into the alleyway, a black and red motorcycle settling smoothly in the small space as it's rider took off his helmet and pulled out his phone.
Adrian pulled out his phone staring at Evelyn's number added to his short list of contacts. I'll call her tonight. He opened his messages to see Kyle's reply to his invitation.
*Sure man, I'm free besides I need to tell you something too.*
*Meet in 30?* Adrian replied *Works fine for me.* He stored his phone back in his pocket and walked into the kitchen.
The fast-paced tension of the morning rush had slowed as the afternoon sun climbed high into the sky, giving the workers reprive from the rapid flow of orders.
"Adrian you're back." Drew called out to him from across the kitchen, wiping his large hands on a white handkerchief. "Yeah, deliveries today were smooth, that bike handles like a dream." Drew squinted at him. "And yet despite that you came in even later than with your past deliveries... or were you just busy joy-riding through the city."
"I would've but on my last one, there was this girl who was alte to her class so I decided to give her a ride." He explained calmly. "I just got you that bike today and you're already picking up cute girls huh?"
Adrian waved it off. "Nothing of the sort, she needed help I helped her, simple as that." "Heh that's what they all say." Silence fell over them for a beat. "But she is cute though." Drew gave a hearty laugh. "I'm sure she is."
"I'm going out to meet up with Kai, if you're okay with it." Drew approved. "Sure sure, we've got it covered here, go out and have some fun." "Thanks, you're the best." He smiled. "Like I didn't know that already."