Updated Apr 8, 2026 • ~1 min read
Chapter 18: Rules Are Stupid
Sienna
Harper stays after class one day in November.
“Miss Martinez? Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
“Do you like my dad?”
Sienna’s heart STOPS.
“What? Why would you ask that?”
“Because he smiles different when he talks about you.”
“He talks about me?”
“Sometimes. When I mention school stuff. Are you friends?”
Sienna kneels down to Harper’s level. “Grown-up relationships are complicated, Harper.”
“But you’d be a good match. He needs someone nice. And you’re the nicest person I know.”
Tears prick at Sienna’s eyes. “That’s very sweet. But your dad and I are just… we’re teacher and parent. That’s all.”
“But you COULD be more. If you wanted.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m your teacher. And there are rules.”
“Rules are stupid.”
Sienna laughs despite herself. “Sometimes they are. But they exist for good reasons.”
Harper doesn’t look convinced. But she drops it.
And Sienna goes home and cries into her pillow.
Because Harper’s RIGHT. They would be a good match.
If only the universe would let them.
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