about since I had never seen her outside of the L.S.A.B. meetings, with the exception of our first meeting at the dress shop.
“Oh you know, the usual BS. I’m starting a cooking class tonight at the community college. I want to get some of my pre-reqs out of the way and it’s an eight-week course.”
“That’s actually a class I should take. I need to learn how to cook.”
“Come with me. We could take the class together.” She said, her eyes lighting up.
I’d only signed up for four classes this semester and it did sound like a class I could benefit from. “I think I will,” I said without much more thought.
“Excellent. So what ever happened with Walt?”
“I decided not to press charges so long as he takes therapy. Going in front of a judge and recounting what happened didn’t sound like something I could handle.” I didn’t explain more because I was still embarrassed. “How is the working out thing with Alissa going?”
“Okay, I guess. I’m not into physical activities but I thought it would be good to maybe lose some of my pudge.”
“Is Scott helping out too?”
“He works with the guys mostly. The defense classes seem to take up a lot of his time.” She stuffed half her pastry in her mouth and took a long swig of her iced coffee. “The guys seem to be really into the training. I hear them calling Scott badass all the time. They’re finally starting to stand up for themselves.”
“That’s good.” I didn’t know what else to say in response. “Do you think it’s good that they’re fighting back, though? I mean, it isn’t going to help if they antagonize bullies, is it?”
“I thought about that, too. That’s why I’m just sitting back and watching.” She looked at her cell phone and crumbled her garbage together. “I need to get back to school. See you tonight, right?”
“I’ll be there. Thanks for inviting me.”
~*~
I didn’t even bother to text Alissa to ask her about lunch. I was actually excited to be taking the cooking class. There were plenty of spots open, and my mom was so thrilled I was finally going to learn how not to burn water that she handed over the tuition without a second thought.
Mary saved me a spot next to her. Each station had three chairs, a small sink, lots of pots and a two-burner stove. The teacher walked in, dressed in a crisp white chef’s jacket and a white, tall hat. I smiled at how silly she looked until she instructed us to pull out aprons from the drawer and I realized we would all look silly along with her.
A couple of our classmates were sitting alone in the back. The teacher had them pick an open chair with at least one other student. A really good-looking guy pulled out the seat next to mine and I couldn’t help but smile. We were told to get acquainted and look through our pots and utensils.
“Hi, I’m Mary and this is Kat,” Mary jumped up and introduced us before I had the chance.
“I’m Conner,” he said, shaking Mary’s extended hand, while keeping his eyes on me.
“Nice to meet you,” I said in response.
“Can you cook, because I’m pretty sure neither of us can,” Mary said, nudging me in the side.
I looked back at her and she winked at me. I wasn’t sure what the meaning behind that wink meant. She knew I was seeing someone.
“I can, actually. I would be more than happy to help out,” Conner said, still looking at me.
“Okay, good. Can’t wait to see what you can do,” Mary said.
I stood back and watched them go through the cupboards and drawers, trying to memorize the names Conner was spitting out every time Mary asked him questions. Conner had to be over six-feet and his blond hair shone under the room’s lights. He glanced at me a couple times but I tried to ignore the looks by keeping my eyes on whatever happened to be in his hands.
The teacher gave us all some noodles and sauce, after going over basic boiling instructions. It was refreshing starting in on classwork right away versus
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