Teasing Miss Bullock (TeacherxStudent/gxg)

| Chapter 10: Thrills of hope

Novel POV

The days seemed to blur together as the field trip approached, leaving me with lingering doubts about my decision. I found myself sprawled out on my bed, trying to drown out Crystal's persistent pleas for me to agree to go.

"Please!! It's just five measly days, and think of all the fun memories we'll make! Plus, after that, I'll totally hook you up with an epic birthday present!" Crystal's eyes were wide with desperation, her voice pleading as she tried to sway me.

I glanced over at Tally, who was practically on the verge of tears, her lower lip trembling as she pleaded with me. "And besides, you could totally use this as an opportunity to work your charm and win over Miss Bullock!" she added with a mischievous grin, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment at Tally's suggestion, quickly burying my head in my pillow to hide my burning cheeks. The idea of trying to win over Miss Bullock was both terrifying and exhilarating, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought.

But despite their best efforts, I remained stubbornly undecided, torn between the allure of adventure and the comfort of familiarity. With each passing moment, the pressure to make a decision weighed heavier on my shoulders, leaving me feeling more conflicted than ever before.

I flopped onto my bed, burying my face in the pillows as I let out an exaggerated groan. "Can I have Miss Bullock?" I muttered to myself, my voice muffled by the soft fabric. The truth was, I did have a crush on her – a massive, all-consuming crush that seemed to grow by the day. But imagining her as my girlfriend? That was taking things a bit too far, even for my overactive imagination.

No, Novel!! I scolded myself aloud, my voice tinged with a mix of amusement and frustration. What are you thinking!? Stop gaslighting yourself! 

I chided to myself, using humor to deflect from the uncomfortable truth.

I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as I tried to shake off the silly daydreams that had been swirling around in my head. Miss Bullock was just a teacher – sure she's indeed strict but she's somehow a nice lad, incredibly attractive teacher – but still my teacher. There was no way she could ever see me as anything more than a student.

But try as I might to convince myself otherwise, the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach whenever she sometimes smiled in my direction told a different story. Maybe, just maybe, there was a tiny glimmer of hope buried beneath all the self-doubt and uncertainty. Only time would tell.

I felt a familiar weight on my side, signaling that Crystal was sitting beside me. But before she could launch into one of her pep talks, I couldn't help but interrupt her. "Crystal, you do realize that I'm her student, right? And obviously, we're never going to happen, no matter how much I might wish otherwise," I blurted out, my voice tinged with resignation as I leaned back, bracing myself for her response.

Crystal's expression shifted to one of concern as she regarded me with a sympathetic look. "I do know that's what you're thinking, Novel," she began, her eyes softening with understanding. "But from what I've observed, there's something more there. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you or talks to you. She's fighting against it, just like you are," Crystal explained, her words hanging in the air like a lifeline.

Her words lifted my spirits, injecting a newfound sense of hope into my heart. Could it be possible? Did Sandra feel the same way about me? The thought sent a fluttering sensation coursing through me, warming my chest with a newfound sense of possibility.