The Coach

The Notebook

Zoey

    "Hello, Mr. Bradford," I greeted as soon as he opened the door. I wasn't sure why I came to his apartment when I could have given Martha her forgotten notebook tomorrow at school. Something told me to come, and now I found myself in front of him.

    "Hello, Miss Torres. I wasn't expecting you to come here. How did you know where I lived?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink, while I admired his lips pressed against his glass.

    "I looked up the address on Martha's file and um... I wanted to bring her notebook. She forgot it in class" I replied, taking a deep breath. Why was I acting all nervous in front of him? We just saw each other earlier, and I was just fine in front of him. I was even able to give him a piece of my mind.

    "Are you sure that is all you came here for?" he asked, raising his eyebrow. Damn him and that sexy move. Why the hell are you thinking like this?

    "Yes. Here it is, it is her favorite, and I was going to wait until tomorrow to give it to her, but for some reason I had to bring it to her personally," I replied while taking the notebook out.

    He opened the door wider, stepping aside for me to come in. I hesitated for a moment, but walked in. I looked around his apartment, and it was very luxurious, and well kept. "Your place is nice" I said, walking around and seeing the modern decorations.

    I looked at the living room and saw a huge mess in there. "Oh my, what happened here?" I asked, knowing very well it was none of my business. He walked with a glass of soda and handed it to me.

    "Martha happened. She had a moment, I guess," he replied. I looked at him, confused.

    "A moment? Did she really do this?" I asked, worrying about my little star.

    "She got irritated and started throwing things and breaking whatever she could get her hands on"

    It must have been heartbreaking to see her like this, and I wondered if there was something else other than her current condition.

    "Have you taken her to a doctor to check what she has?" I asked, holding the glass, but not having the will to drink anything. I was really getting worried. I have never seen her at a bad moment, so I wasn't sure how she reacts.

    "She is okay. I will make an appointment tomorrow so they can see her"

    "Can I see her?" I know it was late, and she must have been sleeping.

    "Miss Torres?" Martha called from the hallway. She walked towards me, and I hugged her.

    "How are you feeling? I heard you were having a hard time earlier" I asked, putting a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked at Sebastian and pressed her lips into a thin line before looking back at me.

    "I was upset, and I told my brother I hated him" she was really sad. Sebastian walked away to give us some privacy. I grabbed Martha's hand, and we sat on the couch.

    "I am sure you didn't mean any of that. Is there something bothering you?" I asked. I wanted to find out what was upsetting her. She shrugged her shoulders, and I took her in a loving embrace, "you know, I am your teacher, but you can consider me a good friend. If there are things that are not to your liking, you can always come to me"

    She nodded, and I noticed she was yawning, so I sent her back to her room. "Good night, Miss Torres"

    "Good night, sweetheart" as soon as she disappeared from sight, I saw Sebastian in the kitchen washing some dishes. I took a rag to dry them and took the opportunity to talk to him.

    "So, this new school. Does it have everything the kids need?" he stopped washing the dishes and put his hands on the edge of the sink. He looked at me with a soft smile, causing my heart to beat fast.

    "Yes. From ramps to special rooms for them to relax when they feel stressed. I just want the best for them, Zoey," it shocked me to hear him call me by my name "my sister is being bullied and your school is doing nothing to stop it. I don't want kids to go through that"

    That comment made me think. "I apologize for the way I talked to you earlier. It's just that the kids mean a lot to me, and if they leave, I would be heartbroken. They are the reason why I keep teaching, and they complete me. I went through a rough break up and...". Why was I telling him all this?

    "And?" he asked curiously, "come on, don't leave the story halfway"

    "I was just less than a week from getting married and my fiancé had an interview for a good job here. But as soon as he did, he called the wedding off. And now, all I can focus on are those kids."

    "It is totally understandable, but try to understand my point of view"

    I nodded and kept drying the dishes for him. If I was going to have him as my coworker, we had to try to get along. It was no use arguing when the kids need us to work for them.

    "I wish you good luck with the construction. You are doing a good thing here," I mentioned, causing for him to look at me with raised eyebrows, once again. I couldn't stop laughing, "I know, I changed my mind. There was no reason for me to get mad at you"

    We finished the dishes, and I was ready to go home. I had extended my stay already. He walked me to the door, and I turned to say goodbye to him.

    "Thank you for bringing Martha her notebook. I really appreciate how much you care for her, and how much she loves you"

    I shrugged my shoulders, "It was nothing, I love her too. My students are everything to me"

    "Don't worry. See you tomorrow?" he said, bringing a smile to my face. I was actually looking forward to working with him. The team needs him and I am sure he needs them.

    "See you tomorrow. The kids will be happy to have a new coach. Maybe you will be named the sexiest coach in the city" I gasped, realizing how wrong that came out. He laughed and I just walked away, embarrassment showing on my face.