Chapter 17
Julian spotted Robert at last, coming down the front steps of the school. He looked like he was heading out for the day, jacket slung over his shoulder, hair slightly mussed.
"Julian," he said, surprise flashing in his eyes. "You didn't tell me you were coming."
She didn't smile back.
"What's wrong?" he asked, slowing his pace.
"I saw Carl," she blurted.
Robert froze mid-step.
"He's a student here," she continued, her tone low but firm.
Something shifted in his expression—just a flicker, but enough.
Before he could reply, a voice piped up beside them. "Is this your girlfriend?"
They both turned to see Sister Rose standing there, a warm but nosy smile on her face.
"No, she's my friend," Robert said quickly, forcing a polite smile.
"Good afternoon," Julian greeted, masking her confusion. "I'm Julian."
Sister Rose tilted her head. "Are you married?"
Julian blinked at her. "No…"
"Then why don't you two get married?"
Julian opened her mouth, but Robert cut in before she could form a word. "Thank you for the advice, Sister Rose, but we have to be going. Have a good day." He gently but firmly took Julian by the arm, steering her away.
As they crossed the courtyard, he muttered under his breath, "Don't mind her—she's always in everyone's business."
Julian pulled her arm free. "I don't care about that, Rob. What I do care about is Carl—"
Robert clapped a hand over her mouth, his eyes sharp now. "Not here. Not in the school."
She pushed his hand away. "Robert—"
"Let talk at my place," he said, opening the passenger door for her.
Julian hesitated, meeting his gaze. "Fine."
She slid into the seat, the tension in the air thick as he shut the door and circled to the driver's side. The car pulled away from the school, but the silence between them carried more weight than any words could.
---
They rolled through Willow Ridge like they owned it, windows down, hair whipping in the wind. Gina was singing—loudly and off-key—while Valerie drummed her hands on the dashboard. Every time Carl slowed at a red light, they'd wave at random pedestrians like royalty in a parade.
When they passed the drive-thru of a fast-food place, Gina smacked Carl's shoulder. "Pull in! I'm starving!"
Carl sighed but steered in anyway. They ordered the most ridiculous combination possible: two milkshakes, a tray of fries, one burger "with literally every topping," and an apple pie just because Valerie said it felt "cinematic."
The cashier handed over the bags, and Carl drove off while Gina tried to feed him fries from the back seat. "Careful, I'm driving!" he protested, but still took one.
"Where to next?" Valerie asked with a grin.
"Gas station snacks run!" Gina yelled from the back.
They ended up parked under the bright fluorescent lights of a corner gas station, drinking milkshakes and blasting music while Gina flipped through silly air fresheners inside the store. Valerie took pictures of Carl leaning against the hood, shaking her head. "You look like you're filming a car commercial."
"Don't post that," Carl warned, but he was smiling.
On the way back into town, Carl took the long route, cruising down an empty road where they could really feel the speed. Valerie had her feet on the dashboard, Gina was hanging halfway out the window, and Carl—for the first time in a long while—felt free.
They dropped Gina off first, then Valerie, who gave him a knowing look. "Told you driving yourself was better."
Carl stayed in the car a moment longer after she left, the smell of fries still lingering, the echo of their laughter sitting warm in his chest.
For once, it felt like he was living, not just existing.
-----
They reached Robert's apartment in silence. The moment Julian stepped inside, she tossed her bag onto the couch, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Robert closed the door with a weary sigh.
"Come on," she said, turning to face him, arms crossed. "I'm listening."
He moved slowly, almost stalling, before lowering himself into the armchair.
"Well?" Julian pressed.
"I… don't know what to say, Julian," he muttered, frustration tugging at his voice.
"Oh, you don't?" Her tone sharpened. "How about you tell me how you've been in a relationship with one of your students—a minor."
"He's eighteen," Robert said quickly, almost defensively. "He's in his senior year."
Julian let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, big whoop. That makes it fine then?"
His gaze flicked to hers, but he stayed silent.
She shook her head, disbelief in every line of her face. "Do you even understand the consequences of this? If word gets out, your career is over. All those years of grinding, sleepless nights, building your name—it'll be gone. And who's going to hire a teacher who had a relationship with a student?" Her voice rose with every word until it was almost a shout.
"I know," Robert said quietly, head bowing.
"If you do, then why?" she demanded.
Silence.
Julian ran a hand over her face, exhaling sharply. She sat down beside him, her voice softening. "Don't throw your life away over some… lust."
"It's not lust," he said, barely above a whisper—but she heard.
Her eyes narrowed. "Then what is it? Love?"
Robert looked at her, the question hanging between them. "I don't know."
Julian leaned back, studying him like she didn't recognize the man in front of her. "You need to do what's right, Robert," she said finally.
He didn't answer—just stared into the empty space ahead of him, his thoughts somewhere far away.