The Graded Affair

6.

Mr. Cage drove me back to my car, at that time school was almost out so I decided to just skip the rest of the day.

         "Thank you, Mr. Cage I had a really good time with you." I say, grinning. 

        "I look forward to the next time we encounter each other. Speaking of I wouldn't mind your phone number, just incase you have some questions about assignments or..." he trails off. I laugh and hand him my phone and he puts in his number. Then we switch and I put in mine. 

        "Until next time Madelyn." and he drives off.

I jump into my car and feel my forehead. Was this a dream? Did I really just have a lunch date with my english teacher? I think I'm sick. I run the thought over and over again. Yup definitely not a dream and this was definitely happening. I couldn't back down now, I needed to pick up the pace. I couldn't tell if my mind was telling me that or my heart. 

I drove home in daze not even sure how I pulled into the driveway. I went straight up stairs ignoring the calls from my mother who was tripping over the chaise. I needed to sleep, not think, sleep. 

I woke up rolled over and checked my phone 6:35 a.m. shit. I woke up late. I rolled out of bed and threw on a black hoodie deciding today was just gonna be a mental health day. The school would call my mother but it's not like she would answer. Sauntering downstairs I peered around the staircase and called for my parents. No answer. So that meant nobody was home or they were both passed out. 

While I was pouring my cereal my phone chimed and I leaned over the counter to see who it was. 

Warren Cage: Missed you today in class. Is everything alright?

Ugh god, he was perfect. He cared, checking up on me when I didn't show. I picked up my phone trying to think of something clever to say back but I end up deciding not to say anything and playing hard to get. 

After Im done eating I head back up stairs and flop down on my bed, what have I gotten myself into, groaning I turn the tv on and click on Netflix, something dark and sad I think as I flip through the movies. Ahhh A walk to remember, perfect. In short time I dose off dreaming, yet again, of Mr. Cage. 

                                                                      ...

My goal for today was to get through it without making any obvious notions that Mr. Cage and I were now involved romantically. I realized last night that this relationship had to be completely under wraps, in lieu we could absolutely not flirt in school. Even if he is too tempting, I can't let myself break. I threw on a hoodie, grabbed my bag and headed out the door, this should be fun. 

I stride in the classroom preparing myself to be challenged when engaging with him, but he doesn't even look my direction as I find my seat. Weird, I thought after he basically announced his love for me the other day, he would pay more attention. He goes on with class without even a glance and it's starting to get on my nerves. Did something switch up between that time we spent together and now? Maybe I shouldn't have ignored his text message, maybe he's offended? 

         Sitting there, pondering if I made the right choice, Mr Cage. renounced "Madelyn, please stay after class, I would like to see you." the whole class oooed. Shit, he was angry. How could I have already fucked this up? Get it together Madelyn maybe he wants to see each other again. 

         I stay back while the rest of the class leaves, "what did you need Mr. Cage" I challenge deviously, hoping this would lighten the mood. He crosses his arms and leans up against his desk. Damn he is hot. 

        "You didn't answer my text yesterday, I was worried about you and its typically respectful to answer texts that clearly show worry." he exclaimed. 

        "I was busy, very busy, I'm sorry I didn't answer but its obviously not like you care, you couldn't even look at me all day in class, you just pretended like I wasn't there." I began to cry. Why was he having this type of effect on me? I told myself all morning I was going to keep my cool and here I was, certainly not keeping my cool. 

         "Don't be upset Madelyn." he pleads coming over to my side "my feelings for you haven't changed but we have to be discrete." he chuckled tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch was electric. "In school I can't interact with you the way I do when we're alone." I knew we had to be careful, I'm mocking my overthinking up to the years of betrayal by my parents. 

         "I know" I agreed "I felt some type of way and now I just feel embarrassed." I laugh wiping my tears away. 

         "Don't feel embarrassed Madelyn, I want to know your every emotion and how you react, like I said, I want to know every part of you." his eyes scanned my body, "inside and out."