Teacher's Pet

XVIII

Mollie

I jerked my arm out from underneath my pillow to hit the snooze button on my phone. Just five more minutes. That's all I need. I groaned, feeling the sunlight pour through my sheer curtains. I loved the warmth against my fair skin, but I was never a morning person. At times like these, I felt like I needed to cocoon in my bed spread or wished for my mattress to eat me alive somehow. But all I could manage was to tuck my head underneath my pillow for now. His bed is so much comfier than mine. How is that possible?

Perhaps it wasn't how comfy his mattress was, but how it felt to sleep next to someone. Next to him. I missed the way it felt to have his muscular arm draped across my waist. His chest hair had tickled my face, but it was perfect waking up and getting to look into his drowsy eyes. "Well there's no point in trying to go back to sleep." I groaned, rolling out of my bed. What was I doing? I had school as my first priority and now Dreven, but Mr. Thomas just gets to me. He makes my head go foggy and my knees weak. Yet, I've been here for less than a month.

My center still ached, even after two nights of sleep- well a very early morning and last night's sleep. Mr. Thomas felt heavenly, and he had brought me to places I've never been before. The way my body reacted to his touch was foreign concept, but he left me wanting more. If I didn't need to work on homework and cram yesterday, and he needed to prepare for his lectures this week, I would've asked him to take me again. "I need a shower. A cold one at that." I mumbled to myself while grabbing my clothes for today. I wouldn't get through the day if he was clouding my thoughts like this.

Hopefully there would be some coffee left down stairs by the time I was done. Otherwise today would be a very long day. Normally steam would fill up my spacious bathroom, but not today. I stepped underneath the chilling water, and sucked in a sharp breath. The icy droplets forced my back to arch before I finally got used to it. I took my rose shampoo and lathered it into my hair, getting rid of my bed head. Once all the suds were out, I massaged the conditioner into my hair and washed off with vanilla soap. It took away the scent of his body wash and shampoo, but that was just more reason to take a shower.

Today wasn't my first time showering with cold water. The water heater at my house would go out, and sometimes we had to choose between the water bill or gasoline to get to work. My family had never been good at budgeting, and that came with consequences. That made me thankful for P.E. and sports in high school, because then I didn't have to sneak into the locker rooms for a hot shower. This house, however, had turned me spoiled it seemed. I had grown accustomed to nice, long and hot showers. But now, it seemed like an Olympic sport rather than a normal occurrence.

After turning the knob off, I wrung the water from my hair and stepped onto the rug to dry off. I felt better now. The fire ready to take rage on my body had died out and I could get ready for my morning classes a little quicker now. I slipped on the black and white checkered dress that I had resting on the sink, and slid on my old, rugged combat boots. 'You're fucking asking for it. How about you put on some fucking clothes, kid.' My father's words tormented me nearly every time I looked in the mirror. I twisted to the left, and then the right making sure my dress wasn't too provocative for class. The cotton fabric rested above my knees, and the neckline rested just below my collar bones. This should be okay. I smoothed out the fabric before applying a soft amount of makeup, leaving my hair to dry into its natural waves.

Once I was finished getting ready, I walked into my room to search for my books. They weren't next to my backpack, and I don't remember where I put them before I fell asleep last night. I looked on top of my night stand, and even inside my closet. If they didn't turn up soon, I wouldn't have my notes for class. Before I could break out in a nervous sweat, I went to check and see if they had gotten tangled up in the mess of blankets on my bed when I kicked something. Huh. I guess this is what happens when your mattress isn't lying on the floor. My books had slid under my bed, surely collecting the dust from underneath it.

I picked up my books, along with the notebook I started for Dreven... Everything I could think of went in there, basic information about him, the names of his old friends, phone numbers to the hospital and police station. I felt like a little Sherlock Holmes, but I wouldn't leave out any information I deemed necessary. Part of me felt like Mr. Thomas wouldn't want me going out on my own, but I knew he would be too busy with the semester starting. Maybe I can get the girls to help me... Hell, they would probably think I was crazy too. That's if they would talk to me given I ditched them Friday night.

With them in mind, I pulled out my phone to send them a quick text: Hey, sorry I couldn't stay Friday. Want to meet up for lunch? I hoped they would want to. It'd be nice to have them as friends, and I didn't imagine I'd make many more anytime soon.

***

Mr. Thomas had already left for work, but left a travel cup filled with coffee and a bagel on the counter for me, along with a note. My stomach had twisted in little knots because I hadn't seen him much yesterday and didn't catch him this morning. Not like I'd say much to him anyways. But the note made my heart flutter, and forced a grin to break out onto my face. I would've tucked the note in my pocket, but I didn't want his perfect penmanship to get smudged in the slightest. So I ran it back up to my room and stuck it in my night stand.

Mollie,

I apologize for not seeing you this morning. I have an early meeting with the Biology department before my lecture, and I do not enjoy being late. Please don't skip out on breakfast this time, even if you're in a hurry. Let me know what you would like for dinner tonight. I believe it's your turn to pick.

Have a good day. I'll see you in class.

-Xander

Gosh, why did I keep it? He's making me feel like a girl swooning over a boy in junior high. Before I could read it again, I grabbed my bag and hustled down stairs and out to my car. It took a minute before it would start, the engine whirring before it turned over. "Thanks, mom," I whispered at the picture taped to my dashboard. I always swore she was what kept my car running, so I'd have a way to get around.

I turned on the radio to a country music station and got lost in the music while driving. It was almost serene how relaxing driving could be. I was tapping my thumbs, to the beat of the song, on my steering wheel as I pulled into the parking lot. Of course every spot near the front was taken, so I had to park near the soccer field again. After I cut the engine, I slipped out of my car, ready to head to class.

I pulled my phone out of my backpack to see if either of the girls had replied yet. My heart sank when I saw that my message said 'read' but it was still early in the morning and I had two classes before I could meet for lunch anyways. I closed the message app and opened up Pinterest, scrolling through recipes for dinner. Mmm, chicken parmigiana sounds pretty good. It didn't take long for me to find a recipe close to my mother's, but soon my phone was on the pavement, along with my bottom.

"Shit, I'm sorry," said a gruff voice. "Are you alright?" The boy asked, while reaching down to help me up. I took his hand, feeling a chill where his skin met mine and he pulled me to stand. I looked up, having to crane my neck to see who it was exactly. Those eyes. I gasped, recognizing the deep emerald color swimming in his eyes. It was a pair I wouldn't soon forget. Landon.

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シ M. Reeds