Chapter 2: Reunion

DARREN VALDEZ, JUNE 2028

“Woman, don’t you have eyes? Watch where you’re going.” What a great start to my day. I just had to bump into a lady while I was out here searching for a restroom at my new workplace. She suddenly came out of the blue when I turned a corner. My butt hurts from its collision with the ground.

“Excuse me? You also didn’t watch where you’re going; if you had, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” The nerve of this woman! I watched her scrambling on the ground to search for her fallen eyeglasses. Which, I noticed, is placed right next to me. I grabbed the eyeglasses, then I stood up. I would offer my hand to her if I could, but I’m just so annoyed at her right now to do so. Instead, I tried to hand her her eyeglasses but- CRACK

When I got a clear look at her face, I unconsciously tightened my grip on her eyeglasses, which cracked in my hand.

“AH! MY GLASSES!” Run for it. I bolted myself out of there as I heard her calling for me. Her voice echoed from a distance as I ran away from her.

Where the hell is the restroom for God’s sake?!

I know this is my alma mater, but God, they renovated this school so much that I barely recognize it. I feel guilty for breaking that lady’s glasses. When I saw her face, my whole body froze up. I know it’s all a blur, but I think I slept with her at one point.

But… why the hell is she here?!

Running into my one-night stand is not on my bingo card this morning

After a few moments and turns, I finally relieved myself and found the restroom at last. The flag ceremony must have already ended, so I hurried to the faculty room.

“Ah! There’s our star! Valdez! We’ve been searching everywhere for you.” The school principal greeted me with his warm smile. Geez, everyone was gathered together and looked at me like vultures awaiting their dead meal. I recognized my old teachers from my high school days. Old farts are still not kicking the bucket just yet huh…

The door suddenly burst open and-

“I’msorryI’mlateMyglassesbrokesoIhadtowearmycontactlensesto-” We locked eyes. My whole body froze up again.

Did she recognize me?

“It’s you.”

She did.

PHELOTHEA VALDEZ, JUNE 2028

Things have gotten complicated. No wonder that rude jerk ran away as soon as we made eye contact. And broke my glasses at that! He’s the same guy I somehow got entangled with two months ago. But what gives? It’s only a one-night stand. So, what’s with the overreaction? But then again, we are teachers who will be teaching students in the same proximity. After my sudden entrance to the faculty room, the school principal welcomed me as well, with that guy. We said our introductions. I don’t know if it's a sick fate or a nasty coincidence, but we even share the same last name, Valdez. One of the teachers even asked if we’re married or something. It’s maddening. And the fact that I managed to sleep with this guy just made the whole thing unbelievable. But seriously? Of all surnames, why do we have to share the same name? As if the universe is playing with us and trying to set us up.

“I finally got your name.” the runaway jerk stepped closer to me as we were on our way to our classrooms. Funnily enough, our classrooms are right next each other. At least that's what our senior teachers told us.

“Of course. I never told you to begin with.” I replied back at him

“That actually makes sense.” he curtly said. We’re here side by side, walking to our classrooms.

“At least you remember my face.”

For you to run off like that

But now that I’m looking at him closer, he does have a handsome face. He seems harmless.

A sudden memory resurfaced.

A kiss,

Those lips,

His touch,

His warmth

It’s starting to come back to me.

“Valdez!” Snapped back from my thoughts, his voice brought my whole body flinch to reality.

“Isn’t it weird to call me by my last name when you also share the same name?” I manage to choke out those words. I’m trying to brush off these disturbing yet distracting memories I’ve got.

“It is weird. Should I call you by your first name?”

He sheepishly scratched his cheek, showing a hint of nervousness.

“Let’s just be on a first-name basis.” I checked my watch, it’s almost my class.

“You say that, but I doubt you’d even know my first name.” He slouched back, wait, is he sulking? What the? Or is he teasing me?

“Just call my name,” He’s getting on my nerves

“Darren Valdez.”

Saying his whole name might just open some kind of a Pandora’s box inside of me.

“Roger that,”

“Phelothea Valdez.”

A mixture of his voice saying my name and his eyes focused on mine, I don’t know what to do with you.