Hot For Teacher (28 page)

Day 7

Zach

“And where the hell were you at so late last night, Zeke?”

“None of your business.”

“It’ll always be my business. You’re never out past eight, especially on a school night.”

“All right, Mom. I was out grabbing dinner with a friend.”

I could tell he was getting pissed off at me and I loved every second of it. We haven’t really gotten along since I stole his girlfriend three years ago. So I tormented him every single chance I got, just to get a rise out of him.

I decided to leave him alone and let him get ready for school. As much as I loved to piss him off, we had another important game tonight and I had to focus my attention on that.

On my walk to school I received a text from Amber.

Blondie: Hey, I know this is last minute, but I’d like to hang out again after school today.

Me: Can’t, I have a game.

Blondie: What time?

Me: Six, feel free to come and watch.

Blondie: Offer accepted. C u then.

***

Zeke

I was on cloud nine today. Nothing, not even Zach, could bring me down. Max and I connected on such a deep level last night, it was surreal.

All we did was share a huge half-pound burger and talk under the stars all night, but I felt so comfortable around her. I felt like I could be myself, talking to a beautiful girl, not my teacher.

I made sure I left the house after Zach this morning. I wanted a peaceful walk, alone. Not an interrogation session on my way to school.

***

“You look awfully happy today, Zeke,” said Rachel.

“I guess you could say that.”

“Don’t forget, we have our first Mathlete competition in two weeks! I hope you’ll be able to focus then.”

If only she knew how hard that would actually be. The person who was responsible for my distraction was going to be there. 

***

Zach

Amber and I were really starting to hit it off. She actually showed up at my game last night and we hung out all night afterward. I never really got to know a girl before I met her. Usually we’d bang and that would be the only connection we had.

This almost felt like it was too good to be true how well we clicked.

I was on my way to lunch when she yelled my name from the opposite end of the hallway. Chris was with me and he gave me the go ahead to leave. I sprinted down the hall, trying not to seem so desperate to hang with her.

“Hey, Amber.”

“Hey, I figured since I’m still pretty new around here, we could sit together at lunch.”

“Sure, sounds good.” She smelled so good, good enough to eat. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had a tight pink sweat suit on.

We walked into the cafeteria together and all eyes were on us. I was used to it, but it was clear she wasn’t. Whistles and cheers went surging through the crowd, and she grabbed my arm clinging to it. “What’s wrong, Amber?”

“I have severe anxiety. I’m not used to this many eyes on me at one time.”

“Well, welcome to Sheercrest. If you chose a less popular guy to walk in with, this would be no big deal. But you chose the star quarterback babe, so you get the royal treatment now,” I laughed.

Zach

“So Zach, who’s the blonde you’ve been hanging with?” Chris questioned.

“Amber.  She’s smokin’ right?”

“Yeah. Is she new? I’ve never seen her around here before.”

“Yeah, I met her at the diner a few nights ago. She came up to me and handed me her number.”

“Hmm, seems suspicious.”

“What do you mean, Chris?”

“I don’t know. A smokin’ hot chick meets you at the diner, hands you her number and y’all have barely even said more than two words to each other?”

“True, I didn’t even question it. I’m so used to random shit like that happening.”

“I know. I still smell a set up bro, so be careful.”

“Will, do. See you at practice tomorrow.”

Coach had finally given us a night off. He wasn’t totally over the Highlander loss last week, but he could tell we were exhausted.

I went to toss my books in my locker and forgot I left my football in my Creative Writing class. I went back to get it but the door was locked. I knocked a few times, and could hear someone moving, before they finally came to the door.

“Yes.” Ms. Sheppard asked.

“I forgot my football, can I have it back?”

“Uh-sure. Give me one sec, okay?” She locked the door back and I heard her fumbling around.

“Are you all right, Ms. S?”

“Yes, I just hit my foot on a chair. I’ll be right there!” She came back to the door and opened it just enough to hand me the football. Curious to what she was up to, I pushed it and saw him, sitting behind her desk.

“Zeke? What’s going on here? Are you two—banging?”

“No, why would you think that?” she said with a suspicious look on her face.

“I don’t know. The door was locked; there were a lot of weird noises coming out of here. Looks pretty suspicious if you ask me.”

“We’re just doing paperwork, you jealous douche,” Zeke huffed.

“Sure, and I’m the queen of England. It’s okay, your secret is safe with me, brother.”

She shut the door and I couldn’t contain my laughter. She dissed me? For Zeke? Give me a fucking break.

***

Zeke

“Great, just great. Now he thinks we’re having sex.”

“Well, we’re not.”

“That doesn’t matter, though. To him, we’re banging and now my life will continue to be a living hell.”

“You’ll be fine, Zeke. And besides, who cares what he thinks? We know the truth and that’s all that matters.”

I couldn’t argue with her about that. Part of me wished what Zach thought was true, but it wasn’t. I enjoyed helping her everyday but my heart wanted more.

After two hours of brainstorming and paperwork, we were finally finished. Max looked like something was bothering her, so I came right out and asked her. “Is everything all right, Max?”

“No, but you don’t need to hear about my stupid problems.”

“It’s okay, that’s what I’m here for. To help alleviate your stress, any and all of it.”

“Well, last night, my boyfriend Tommy broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask what happened?”

“I found him cheating on me. With my sister of all people.”

“Are you freakin’ serious? I’ll kill him! I mean, what a jerk!” She looked at me with her dark brown eyes, tears began to form in them and I instinctively grabbed her and pulled her into my chest. I don’t know what came over me, but I felt the need to protect and nurture her. She was too beautiful, too special to sit here and cry over some jerk that never deserved her in the first place. 

She cried so hard she soaked my shirt, but I didn’t care. I kissed the top of her head and let her know that everything would be okay.

Suddenly, she broke free from my grasp. “I can’t do this Zeke, you’re my student. I shouldn’t be crying in your arms. I could get fired for this!”

“You could get fired for crying on me? That’s one I’ve never heard before.”

“No, it’s—complicated. I appreciate you letting me vent, but this can never happen again, okay?”

“Yes.” I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on in her mind. This was just an innocent act of comfort and nothing more.

She offered to give me a lift home, but I declined. It was a cool fall evening and I needed some fresh air.

Day 8

Zach

Son of a bitch. He was winning. Never did I think he’d actually beat me at something. Especially not a prize like Max.

Amber sensed something was up with me last night. I couldn’t focus for shit. I didn’t expect to be like that.

I was in the kitchen eating a protein bar and drinking a shake when Zeke entered the room. He looked depressed—like he lost his pet or something.

“What’s wrong, bro? Couldn’t satisfy her? That’s okay, it was only your first time,” I joked, but he didn’t respond. It was like he was stuck on zombie mode or something. “Zeke, you okay?”

He glared at me as he slammed his bowl on the table, but still—no answer. I decided to quit busting his chops, since it was obvious something bad must have happened last night. Something so bad I wasn’t able to get under his skin.

***

Zeke

I woke up late today hoping he would already be gone. But low and behold, he was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked in.

I was so hurt by Max’s actions last night that I practically drowned him out. I felt like I caused her more pain and that wasn’t my intention.

The sheer look of horror in her eyes as she broke free from my grasp gave me chills. It also let me know that I should steer clear from her for a while.

After Zach left, my mom came into the kitchen and asked if I was all right, too.
Damn, how bad did I look this morning?

***
After a quick shower, I tossed on my sweats and a black shirt and made my way to school.

I ran into Rachel on the way. The last person I wanted to see this morning. “Rough, night?” she asked.

“That obvious?”

“Yep. What’s wrong, bestie? You can tell me.” If I told her the truth she’d be crushed—so I lied.

“Zach took things a little too far. You know him, the practical joker.”

“Well, that’s terrible. I should really give him a piece of my mind when I see him later.”

“No! Don’t. I have it all handled.”

“Okay, okay. Jeez don’t bite my head off!”

She remained quiet the rest of the trip to school, which was a godsend, and—
rare.

During homeroom, she didn’t say one word to me. This gave me plenty of time to think, I needed to find Max and clear the air.

***

Zach
 

I was sitting in my history class bored as hell until the teacher, Mr. Geoffrey, gave us our homework assignment.

“Class, I would like you to write a research paper about any event or discovery that happened during The Great Depression.”

Sally Langston, the class pet and goody two-shoes raised her hands.

“Yes, Ms. Langston?”

“I have a question. How long does this have to be? And can I choose more than one subject to talk about? There were so many awesome things that happened during that time. Hemmingway, Ford, just to name a few.”  She sat back with a huge grin on her face, pleased with herself.

“Three pages—typed and double spaced. Due in two weeks. Yes, you can choose more than one topic, but they need to be connected somehow.”

All I heard was blah—blah—blah. I’m such a smarty pants, no one will ever screw me.

The bell rang, ending my misery and saving the day. I practically ran out of the door, pushing everyone out of my way.

I saw Zeke moping down the hall and held my tongue. I walked beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder instead. He was my brother and like it or not, even he needs a break from my tormenting.

I knew he was upset because of Max, what I didn’t know, was why?

I hadn’t seen or heard from Amber all day, which was weird.

Me: Where r u?

Blondie: I’m out sick today.

Me: Everything okay?

Blondie: No, but I’ll meet you after school to talk.

Me: Screw school, I’ll come now.

Blondie: No, please. I’ll meet you in the park near the school after the final bell.

***
      Zeke

I was shocked Zach didn’t bust my balls as he walked passed me. He was actually kind to me—total shock.

On my way to lunch I received a text message from Rachel.

Bestie: Mathlete practice is cancelled. Ms. Sheppard is out sick.

Great.
My only chance to reconcile with her was gone. This day needs to be over—
now.

Zach

Amber was sitting on a park bench waiting for me. Ironically, it was the same one I banged Mindy on last week. “Hey, Amber.”

She slightly jumped when she heard my voice. Her eyes were red and swollen, like she’d been crying all day. I sat down beside her and wrapped my arm around her. “What’s going on?”

“My sister hates me.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just say, I ruined something of hers.”

“Oh.” I was never the sensitive type, and comforting people was a little out of my comfort zone. But it bothered me to see how upset she was.

“I’m sure she’ll come around. I give Zeke shit all the time and we still manage.”

“But y’all are twins, you have an unspoken connection. She’s my older sister and I changed her entire world—accidently.”

“She’ll forgive you—give it time.”

“Thanks Zach. You’re not too bad at this comforting thing.”

“Anytime, let’s clean you up and grab a movie or something.”

“Don’t you have practice tonight?”

“Yeah, but this is more important. Chris can cover for me.”

***
      Zeke

As I lay in my bed staring up at the ceiling, I wondered if Max was okay.  I really hoped to see her earlier, but after yesterday I couldn’t blame her for not showing up.

Rachel begged me to come over tonight and I blew her off. Zach was out, and mom and dad went out on a date.

I heard an unfamiliar chirping sound come from my phone. I picked it up and saw the email symbol right at the top.

I hadn’t received an email in so long that I forgot what it sounded like.

Subject: Sorry

Zeke,

I know you must think I am the weirdest person on earth. I know you just wanted to comfort me yesterday during my time of need, but my judgment was so cloudy that I couldn’t handle it.

I felt something indescribable and because of that, I couldn’t face you today.

I understand if you no longer want to be my assistant anymore.

I’ll see you soon.

-Max

I sat there gripping the phone in my hand as tightly as possible. Were my feelings for her so strong that she felt them without me even saying one word about them? I decided to write her back since this was the only form of communication I had available with her.

Re: Sorry

Max,

All I wanted to do was lend you an ear and give you a shoulder to cry on. I’ve been in your shoes once before and believe me, it
sucks!

Although I haven’t had many serious relationships, I know how a woman should be treated.

…delicately…

P.S I’m not going anywhere!

-Zeke

Never in a million years would I have ever had the courage to speak to a woman like this.

She was really bringing out the best in me, and that made me want her even more.

A few moments later, I had a new email.

Re: Sorry

Zeke,

Thanks for sticking by my side. You’re a good kid. If you were a little older, you’d be—perfect.

Anyway, see you tomorrow. We’ll have a lot of paperwork to sort through and new file folders to make.

P.S Never lose your shine, you’ll make someone very happy one day.

-Max

The more I read, the more I fell in love. What did she mean if I was older, I’d be perfect? Usually I’d brush something like that off, but I messaged her right back.

Max,

What did you mean by “if you were older, you’d be perfect?”

-Zeke

Several hours had passed and I figured I must have scared her off or maybe she had gotten sidetracked.

Until, I received another email after midnight.

Re: Sorry

Z,

Use your imagination.

-M

Re: Sorry

M,

I’ll be eighteen very soon...

-Z

Re: Sorry

Z,

Perfect…

-M