Free Alpha Girl by Kate Bloomfield Page A

arrived at the café for my shift with Estelle, she apologized profusely for Saturday night. I begrudgingly forgave her and got on with my shift. She knew I was still annoyed, so she did not push the subject too much.
    ‘So … who was that man you left with on Saturday?’ she asked, wiping down the tables.
    ‘My teacher,’ I said. ‘He lives next door.’
    ‘That cute one that always comes in here?’ Estelle asked.
    I chewed on the inside of my lip. ‘Yeah.’
    ‘Be careful,’ she said.
    I raised my eyebrows. ‘Be careful?’
    ‘He’s an older man, and a teacher at that. You don’t know what he’s up to. He could be one of those predators you see on dateline.’
    ‘He’s not like that.’ I said. ‘We’re just friends.’
    Estelle gave me a pitying look. ‘Oh, honey. Men don’t have female friends unless they want something.’
    ‘Mr. Stone is different. He’s kind, and mature.’
    Estelle put her hands on her hips. ‘So why does he only come here when you’re working?’
    ‘Does he?’ I asked, feigning disinterest.
    Estelle nodded. ‘Uh huh. He never shows up when it’s any of the other girls. Monday’s and Wednesdays, that’s it.’
    I shrugged. ‘He said he likes my coffee.’
    ‘Rose, you’re smarter than that. I can see that you like him. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?’
    ‘Like you have such good taste in men,’ I snapped. ‘Your friend Spider decided he wanted to have a go at me. You’re the one dating sleaze bags, not me.’
    After that, my friendship with Estelle was fractured. We were polite to each other, but not as close as we’d once been.
    But Estelle was right. I did like Mr. Stone.
    I was falling for him. Fast . I couldn’t help it. I was drawn to him and I feared that it was becoming increasingly obvious. He was a good man and I did not wish to complicate his life with my childish notions of love.
    He was responsible, and would spurn my advances at once. I could feel it in my gut. So I endured the torture without speaking a word of it.
    Meanwhile, my parent’s divorce had not left my mind since they’d told me about it, though I hadn’t said anything to anyone yet. They hadn’t even noticed my absence on Saturday night, and I’d been able to return to my bedroom with them none the wiser.
    Who was I meant to talk to about my issues at home? Would Mr. Stone open his arms and embrace me when I confessed my distress? The thought of his arms around me left me momentarily brain dead.
    Numerous times I considered using the number he’d given me. I wanted to hear his kind voice, speaking soothing words of comfort.

Tuesday – 8 days to go

     
    I couldn’t believe Sadie. I wanted to grab her by the hair and slam her stupid face against the desk. I’d never imagined hurting someone so badly before.
    She was doing everything within her power to make sure Mr. Stone’s attention was on her for the entire lesson, which included asking him if she could help him with anything to earn extra credit. I was surprised I didn’t spontaneously combust when she asked him.
    ‘Yeah, of course Sadie. Just hang back after class and we can work something out,’ Mr. Stone told her.
    My skin burned at the thought of them being alone together. I wouldn’t allow it.
    At the end of the lesson, I hung back too.
    ‘What are you doing?’ Sadie asked me with narrowed eyes as I remained in my seat.
    ‘I’m interested in extra credit, too,’ I lied. It was so obvious what I was doing, I wasn’t sure why I bothered to lie about it.
    With a smirk, Sadie flicked her hair back and walked to the front of the class, where Mr. Stone was wiping the day’s work off the board. She perched herself on the edge of his desk, her legs dangling back and forth.
    ‘Right – ah, Rose. You’re interested in extra-credit too?’
    ‘Sure, why not?’ I said, waving a hand.
    Get off his desk you slut , I screamed inside my head.
    ‘It was my idea,’ Sadie said quickly, leaning forwards so