Forbidden Love

Chapter 1

Sarah's POV

"Wow, can you believe we're already halfway through senior year? Time passes so quickly!" I commented, slamming my locker closed. My best friend Summer Anderson nodded in agreement, trying to balance all of her books in one hand while trying to find a pencil in her locker with the other.

"Need a hand?" I asked, taking the books from her.

"Thanks, Sarah. Yeah, it seems like ages ago that we were starting freshman year. It took us forever to memorize the schedule and get used to high school!" We watched a couple of giggly freshman girls as they walked by, and shook our heads. "But now look at us. We're graduating in less than six months!" Summer said triumphantly as we walked to class.

"So many things have changed, though," I said.

"Yeah, your parents got divorced and your dad remarried."

"And now my mom is getting back into dating."

"And my relationship with my parents and sister has really improved over the last year," Summer reflected.

"And I'm starting to get a handle on life after high school. I've already found a couple apartments in Portland that I can totally see myself living in!"

Summer stopped and looked at me. "Sarah Tegan, you are so ahead of yourself! Those apartments probably won't even be there after you graduate. And do you really think you can afford an expensive apartment on a college student's salary? No, you can't!" She answered her own question before I could tell her about my savings and how I would get a job and scrimp and save and everything.

Well, yeah maybe," I shrugged, "but it's fun to dream. And, if everything turns out the way I want it to, I will be living it up in one of the most up and coming cities on the west coast!"

"You're weird," Summer said bluntly. "What happened to 'YOLO?' And 'live in the moment?'"

"Well, what if I like the future more than I do the present?" I muttered under my breath as I followed Summer to our religions class.

I walked in and took my seat, pretending to stare intently at my notes. Peaking over my binder, I snuck furtive glances in Mr. Walker's direction all during class, admiring his fit physique.

"Not too bad for a teacher," I thought to myself. "Not too bad at all." A seductive grin snuck its way across my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Summer looking at me, as if to tell me that she knew the exact thoughts running through my head. I did a double-take and mouth the word, "NEVER" as emphatically as possible, but she saw right through me.

Ignoring her teasing looks and blatantly sexual actions, I forced myself to concentrate on the assignment.

"He could never feel the same about me anyway..." I told myself reluctantly.

Adam's POV

It was five minutes til class is out, and already the papers were shuffling.

"Calm down, class. If you finish the assignment before the bell rings, you won't have any homework. I bet that would be nice," I said. Heads nodded simultaneously in agreement as answers were scribbled down.

I tried to stay concentrated on my grading, but flashes of beautiful dark brown hair kept distracting me. I knew that I shouldn't be so attracted to a student. She was seventeen, and I had just turned 24.

The bell rang, and Sarah was blocked from my view. As the students filed out of the classroom, I could hear Sarah talking above all the noise. She was so beautiful; even her name, Sarah Ireland Tegan. Her sweet, lilting voice soothed my soul, chasing all the worries away. She was such a blessing, but at the same time, such a curse. Sometimes when I saw her, it took all of my self control not to push her up against the wall and kiss her, letting everything I felt about her known through that kiss.

Since I moved from New Castle, Australia to Newport, CA six months ago, things have really changed. For instance, I got used to a new climate and learned how to drive on the right side of the road instead of the left. I also have to remember not to use any inappropriate Aussie lingo around my students at La Marina Academy, where I work teaching various religion and psychology classes.

The last string of students trickled out, and the door slammed closed. Instantly, I missed her presence.

I got up to straighten the desks. As I passed by where Sarah was sitting, I caught a whiff of her perfume, and the image of a light mist floating onto her protruding collarbone was brought to my mind. I closed my eyes, imagining my hands running down her bare back. The bell rang again and I sighed, pushing the fantasy away. I shook my head, erasing my forbidden thoughts.

Sarah's POV

"Wow, Mr. Walker sure has loosened up since the beginning of the school year," Summer said. "Remember how at the beginning of the year he was super strict?"

"Yeah, I do. He used to be my least favorite teacher," I agreed.

"But I," Summer bragged, "said that he would end up being super cool." Summer winked.

"Whatever. I'm gonna go to English so I don't get another tardy slip."

"How many do you have?"

"Three. And the semester started less than two weeks ago. I get them when I stay after class to talk to Mr. Walker."

"Too bad he's so cute, huh?" Summer inferred.

"You know for a young, single teacher, he's pretty cute," I said seriously.

"Oh, Sarah. You always go after the older guys, don't you?" Summer said, dragging me to class.

Author's Note

I can't wait to continue this story!! One of my best friends is helping me write this, and I just want it to be known that this story would not be as good as it is without her. Please enjoy this first chapter and leave any constructive criticism you have, as I would REALLY appreciate the feedback.