Desire In A Kiss. Nicki Night

bell rang, and students poured from classrooms, filling the halls with a high volume of chatter.

      “Hey, Ms. Williams.”

      “Hey, Melanie.”

      Serenity held her hand up for Melanie and her other students to slap her high five. Some of the crowd carried their loud chatter from the hallway into her classroom. Girls snickered, boys laughed, friends promised to meet after class.

      The next forty-three minutes would take her mind off the dating site. Serenity was thankful for the reprieve. She was curious about the man named Chris Mullins. She pushed him to the back of her mind and closed the door.

      “Okay, everyone. Settle down, take your seats and take out your music books. We’re going to start by reading notes. We’re learning a new song today. Turn to page two-fourteen.”

      “Sing for us, Ms. Williams,” one of her students called out.

      “Open your books, guys.” Serenity smiled and shook her head. She loved everything about music, and she would sing or play one of several instruments for her class when they behaved well.

      “Please?” students chorused.

      “Yes, Ms. Williams. Please?”

      “You promised!”

      “I did?” She scanned the room with a skeptical gaze.

      “Yes. You said if all of us handed in our papers on time that you’d sing for us next class.”

      “Okay, okay.”

      Serenity walked over to the piano, sat down, opened one of the music books and flipped through the pages. They loved when she taught them how to play popular music—especially songs from their favorite artists. “Turn to page ninety-six in your music books. I’ll start singing and, those who know how to play the song, join me on the chorus.”

      Their response was collective. One student pumped his trumpet in the air.

      Serenity cleared her throat, and the room fell into absolute silence. Delicately she fingered the intro on the piano keys and began singing the first verse to one of the most popular songs on the radio.

      “Yeah, Ms. W!”

      Serenity laughed but didn’t break her flow. She was a good singer but a better musician. Some students snapped their fingers. Others waved. One stood and pretended to dance with an imaginary partner. Serenity chuckled at his dramatic display but relished the fact that her students appreciated her talent and loved music as much as she did.

      She held one hand high, lifting a finger, signaling her students of the upcoming chorus. Without missing a beat, she raised her eyebrows. The students took that as their cue and lifted their instruments in preparation. After four head nods from her, they joined in, undergirding her voice with their harmonies. Once the class picked up the rhythm, Serenity stood, still singing, pushing deeper into the song, now feeling it on the inside.

      Walking the tempo, she made her way around the room, careful to acknowledge each student with a smile or wink. She made her way back to the front by the time she released the last note into the air, holding it long enough for her students to stop playing, stand and begin cheering.

      “Oh my gosh, Ms. Williams! That was amazing.”

      “So dope,” one young man said.

      Her smile radiated from her core. She curtsied, taking in her adoring students’ applause.

      “Okay, now. Let’s get to work.”

      “Okay,” someone whined.

      Serenity guided them through their lesson. As usual the class came to a rapid end—the bell ringing while they were still playing.

      “Okay—” Serenity clapped and shouted over the varying sounds of the instruments “—we’re done. Don’t forget to pick up a permission slip on my desk for the show. Make sure a parent signs them. Remember, your artist profiles are due next time.”

      Quickly, the students replaced their instruments in their cases and stacked them in closets. The class was completely cleared seconds after the second bell.

      Serenity plopped into her chair feeling both exhilarated and winded. Teaching took so much energy but gave her so much joy. She had a free period, which she planned to spend preparing for her next group. Wheeling her chair snugly into the opening of her desk, she tapped the space bar on the computer, bringing the screen to life. Her phone buzzed. She’d temporarily forgotten about the dating app, but now it would dominate her focus again.

      Just as she picked up the phone, Rayne rapped on the door two quick times before stepping in.

      “How’s it going?”

      “Great! They made me sing again.”

      “That’s because they love you.”

      “I guess so.”

      “Give any more thought to the dating app?” Rayne sat on the corner of the desk and plucked a mini candy bar from the dish Serenity kept there.

      Serenity shrunk into her shoulders. “Yeah.”

      “You did?” Rayne’s eyes opened as wide as her gaping mouth. “Cool!”

      Serenity rolled her eyes. “Don’t make such a big deal about it. I just perused some of the profiles.”

      “Oh! See anything you like?” Rayne lifted a brow and popped the unwrapped candy in her mouth. Balling up the shiny cover, she shot it toward the wastepaper basket as if she were going for a layup.

      “Nice shot.”

      “So. Any prospects?”

      “Not quite yet. I did see a few cute guys though. Some are nuts, just like I anticipated.”

      “Oh my goodness! I laughed so hard at that horrible poem you sent. Did that guy message you?”

      “He and a bunch of others, but I haven’t responded to anyone yet.”

      “Why not?”

      Serenity shrugged and sat back in her chair. “I need to get more comfortable with this first.” Her mind shifted to the image of Chris Mullins again. She wondered what else was in his profile, but the old-fashioned girl in her refused to let her believe that pursuing him was a good idea. She wasn’t sure how to apply the dating rules to all this online stuff, nor did she know if she was willing to make the first move.

      “All right. Keep me posted. I need to go grade some essays.” Rayne slid off the desk. “I’ll see you later, right?”

      “Of course. Would I miss Elisa’s birthday dinner? Actually, the real question is, would I miss the duck confit appetizer at Gem?”

      “Or that beautiful black rice. Yum!”

      “Ha! You’re making my mouth water.” Serenity looked at her watch. “I haven’t even had lunch yet.”

      “Remember to keep it light.”

      “I will, so I can have room for all that deliciousness later tonight.” Serenity rubbed her belly. “I think it was a good idea for Clint to surprise her with a dinner today instead of on the weekend. I’m sure Elisa isn’t expecting us to be there.”

      “I know. She thinks we’re going out Friday instead. I can’t wait to see her face.” Rayne started for the door. “Later, lady.” She tossed a wave over her shoulder as she exited.

      “Later.”

      Serenity gathered the remaining permission slips on her desk, neatened them and tapped the bottom of the pile against the desktop to line them up. She placed them in a manila folder and set it in a tray. Her phone buzzed. She looked at it, paused and returned to what she was doing. She picked up the pile of homework her students had handed in and began reading the summaries on the history of jazz. She glanced at the phone once more. This time, it didn’t buzz.