Kiara: Coffee

May 26, 2026

Donovan 9:03 PM: We should find some time to talk, I guess.

May 27, 2026

Donovan 4:10 PM: Is this a game to you? You're just going to pretend like nothing's wrong?

Donovan 5:15 PM: You can't just ignore me, this is a problem.

Kiara 7:15 PM: I'm not ignoring you, I'm just really busty.

Kiara 7:16 PM: *busy

Kiara 7:16 PM: busty too but that has nothing to do with it

Donovan 7:21 PM: Not appropriate.

Kiara 7:24 PM: Sorry, my smartass streak has gotten me in more trouble than you could ever imagine

Donovan 7:25 PM: Bet I could

Kiara 7:26 PM: No, you really can't.

Kiara 7:27 PM: We should talk in person though. I could probably do coffee tomorrow night at the cafe where we first met.

Donovan 8:01 PM: No way. Nowhere in town. Can't be seen with you.

Kiara 8:05 PM: Ooh clandestine.

Donovan 8:09 PM: How about [redacted location two towns over]?

Kiara 8:15 PM: I don't think I can get there, at least not tomorrow.

Donovan 8:19 PM: When then?

Kiara 8:22 PM: Maybe the weekend.

Donovan 8:24 PM: Why so long? We need this resolved soon.

Kiara 8:25 PM: Personal stuff. Obligations.

Donovan 8:27 PM: I'm just supposed to pretend you're a normal student until then?

Kiara 8:28 PM: I am a normal student.

Donovan 8:31 PM: [Redacted] 3:00 PM.

Kiara 8:32 PM: K.

May 30, 2026

Donovan 3:03 PM: I'm here, are you close?

Kiara 3:06 PM: Sorry, can't make it.

Donovan 3:09 PM: Are you freaking kidding me? you couldn't tell me before I drove all the way out here?

Kiara 3:10 PM: Last minute. Something came up. Was literally out the door.

Donovan 3:13 PM: Seriously??

Kiara 3:15 PM: I could do tomorrow.

Donovan 3:16 PM: I'm helping a friend move tomorrow.

Kiara 3:17 PM: Ew

Kiara 3:17 PM: Sorry, that was uncalled for.

Donovan 3:18 PM: I can't wait another week to talk to you and I can't risk seeing you in town.

Kiara 3:31 PM: Monday, 7 PM, same spot. I promise I can make it.

June 1, 2026

Kiara 6:58 PM: I am now walking through the door to [redacted]

I wasn't lying or trying to put him off, my life really just is that hectic. There isn't always childcare available, even with so many theoretical options, and besides, prideful ole me doesn't like relying on others. On this night I was able to hand Sienna off to Jen and get the car, a rare alignment of the planets. I order a decaf mocha frappe and join Donovan, who has changed from his plaid button-down to an old hoodie with a skate shop logo on it.

"So," I said, "What did you think of my response to the reading today?"

"Please no school talk," he rolled his eyes. "I'm here to try to convince you to drop my class."

"Oh, well that's not happening," I snorted.

"Kiara, there's a huge conflict of interest here," he hissed. "For God's sakes you're... I mean, you're over 18, right?"

"You didn't do anything illegal, don't worry," I said wryly.

"I can't be expected to grade you fairly if... if..."

"If what?"

"If we have that kind of relationship."

"We don't have that kind of relationship," I said. "We hooked up once. Before you were my teacher. It's not going to happen again, trust me."

"That... that doesn't matter," he stammered (possibly disappointed?) "I'm compromised here. We have a history."

"Just make like Men in Black and erase it from your memory, okay? It was a blip. Pretend that date ended with a handshake."

"I can't do that. Believe me, I want to."

"Yeah, me too," I snickered. He did not care for that.

"I thought you were in college," he sneered. "You lied."

"Hey, I had a high school textbook out when you met me. Not my fault you didn't clock that. What was I supposed to do, show you my student ID? You didn't ask any follow-ups."

"You made it very clear we weren't sharing personal details. I was trying to be respectful. I didn't realize you were trying to trap me."

"What trap? If I laid a trap, I'd be trying to catch my Adult Ed English teacher? I just didn't want to talk about my personal life."

"And why not? Why are you in ALC instead of regular high school anyway? Are you into drugs? Crime?"

"Well, that's none of your damn business."

His silence seemed to cede my point.

I went on: "Donovan, I can assure you, this is all just some crazy mishap. We can forget it, move forward like last week was the first time we laid eyes on each other. I am no more a conflict than any other 18-year-old girl you might teach."

"Kiara. Drop the course. Please. You can take it with a different instructor in the fall."

"I don't want to. There's no more open courses that I qualify for and I want to graduate pronto."

I took a long sip on my frap and glared at him.

"I can't quit teaching this course," he said.

"Nobody's asking you to."

"You're being selfish."

"I have that right," I said. "I checked. There's no code about this, and you can't induce me to drop the course. This is purely about your own conscience."

"Yeah, and?"

"You don't think you can be objective about me?"

"Do you think I can be objective about you? If you fail the course, are you going to say it's because I was being spiteful?"

"Well, yes, because I'm actually going to ace the course."

"That's very presumptuous."

"It's frickin' high school writer's craft, Don," I chortled. "Even if I was one of the other burnt-out meth-heads in the class, I'd still be able to pull at least 55. You fail me, and everybody will know what's up."

He took a deep breath and I watched his jaw clench.

"It would be so much easier if you just dropped the class."

"Life is not easy, Donovan," I said, glaring directly into his eyes. "I know that better than anyone you've ever met."

He huffed. "You're 18, Kiara. You have no idea what the world is like out there."

That made me laugh. He asked what was so funny, and I had to say "I really wish I could explain it, but it's better if you don't know. Just don't go around assuming you know other peoples' stories."

With that, we parted.

June 2, 2026

I got an 89 on my response. Personally I think it was at least a 90, but I won't kick up a fuss. I mean, it was an examination of "Hills Like White Elephants" for crying out loud. You get a 75 just for writing the word "iceberg."

-Kiara