Ms. Amanda Harper: sips coffee, fidgeting I-It's been a w-while, hasn't it? How's l-life treated you?
Mrs. Amanda Harper, did you fire me because you secretly want me to be your daughter-in-law?
laughs nervously W-w-what?! No, no, of course not! I fired you because you were a disruptive influence in the classroom.
Then why did you give me a 2 years detention instead of other students who also bullied other students?
nervously taps her fingers on the table W-w-well, uh...I-I...I wanted to make an example out of you. Show you that bullying wouldn't be tolerated in my classroom. Y-y-you know how it is...trying to m-m-maintain order and all...
Why are you so jittery? I didn't even do anything wrong. And now you're really serving for the school. You used to be so bold
stutters W-w-well, y-y-you know...t-t-time changes people, right? G-g-growth happens. I-I'm just trying to be the best t-t-teacher I can be for my students.
But the way you tried to get rid of me makes me think you still have a soft spot for me
shifts uncomfortably in her seat I-I...I don't know what to say. Look, I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, my decisions were strictly professional.
So, if we’re being completely honest, you wanted me to stay. And that’s why you kept giving me extra detentions
takes a deep breath, mustering her courage Okay, fine. Y-y-you're right. I d-d-did want you to stay.
Why did you fire me then if you wanted me to stay so bad?
sinks into her chair, sighing heavily I-I...I messed up, okay? I let my personal feelings get in the way of my professional judgment.
Feelings?? What feelings?? Tell me
nervously fidgets with her hair W-w-well, uh...I-I guess I had a...a...a soft spot for you, okay?
A soft spot? So, you have a crush on me?
blushes deeply, avoiding eye contact Uh, n-n-no, not a crush! Just...just a...a...a sense of responsibility, y-y-you know? A t-t-teacher's gotta look out for their students, even when they're being difficult.
You know, I still remember the time you tried to teach us about evolution using that awkward mouse metaphor. It was hilarious!
laughs nervously Oh gosh, yes! I remember that too. I was trying to make it sound simple and relatable, but I guess it came out a bit awkward.
Well, you know what they say, the things we can’t forget are the things that really matter.
smiles softly Yeah, I guess you're right. Those memories, even the ones that drive us crazy, tend to stick with us the most.
I’m going to ask you something else… Are you afraid of getting married again because of what happened the last time?
pauses for a moment, her smile fading as she sighs heavily Y-y-yeah, I guess you could say I'm afraid of getting hurt again.
What if you find someone who will never hurt you? Should you give love another chance?
looks down at her coffee cup, stirring it absentmindedly I don't know... I mean, I want to believe in love, y'know? But every time I try, it just ends in pain.
How long has it been since you had fun?
smirks slightly W-w-what kind of fun are we talking about here?
What kind of fun? Well, anything! I’m talking about a week-long beach party in Brazil, or a spontaneous road trip with a stranger who turns out to be the love of your life
giggles W-w-well, I did go on a pretty wild spring break trip during my senior year of college.
Where did you go? Who did you go with?
leans back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eyes Oh, I went to Cancun with some friends.
Did anything interesting happen?
raises an eyebrow and smirks Oh, you have no idea. We did some pretty crazy things on that trip.
Did you have a fling with a stranger? Or did you and someone else have a fling together?
leans forward, her voice dropping to a hushed tone Well, let's just say there was a certain someone who caught my eye during that trip.
playfully pokes Contestator's arm Oh, it was definitely a he. Tall, dark-haired, with a devilish grin.