Punished by bullies: Rory Gilmore's 17th

Chapter 12: 'Just a kiss'

"A kiss," the young teacher said with a smile.

Rory: "Wow really? But I didn't think you even like me."

Ms Cyrus: "I'm just drawn to you Rory. I hope we'll spend more time together."

Rory: "I don't get it. You have a boyfriend, don't you?"

Ms Cyrus: "It's just a kiss, Rory. Don't overthink it."

Rory: "A proper one? Like lovers do?"

Ms Cyrus: "Yes Rory, a proper one."

Rory: "But is that even allowed?"

Ms Cyrus: "Well it's your choice. One kiss and I'll get your shoes back for you in time for your first class of the day."

Ms Cyrus walked closer to Rory and placed her hands on the younger girl's shoulders.

"No kiss, no shoes. So what's it to be?"

Rory: "I need them."

The teacher drew the slender girl in close to her and kissed her passionately. Rory kissed back just as well, surprised at how connected she felt to Louise. Somehow, it was a stronger connection than she'd ever felt when kissing her boyfriend Dean.

The encounter left the 17-year-old feeling very confused indeed.

It was almost 8.30am and Ms Cyrus had only just drawn away from the schoolgirl's embrace as Mr Morgan, the 40-something head of PE, entered the room and gruffly said good morning.

Ms Cyrus: "So Rory, let's see what we can find you."

Mr Morgan: "Everything alright here?"

Ms Cyrus: "Um, yes Derek, Rory here lost her shoes so I'm just helping her out."

Mr Morgan: "Ah. Being forgetful once again, are we, young lady? I've found this one missing all sorts of her belongings around this school before. You really are going to have to sharpen up your act, Miss Gilmore."

Rory: "Yes Sir."

Mr Morgan: "But you'll find something in lost property no doubt, Lou-, Ms Cyrus excuse me."

The bullies call Rory 'Casper' because she's so pale

So as not to arouse any suspicion from Mr Morgan, Louise initially walked Rory to the lost property store next to the gym, then told the 11th grader to wait in there.

Staying true to her word, the teacher returned to the locker room. She could have requested a master key for the lockers and got in that way - but then difficult questions might be asked.

She checked the coast was clear before breaking into Becky's locker almost silently and retrieving Rory's shoes from it. Louise was experienced at this kind of thing - she'd done it plenty of times in high school.

Mr Morgan was sitting in the office next door and didn't seem to notice or hear a thing.

Louise also found that it made her feel powerful to do something like this to help Rory. It was an interesting feeling. But she was only keeping up her end of the bargain.

Back in the semi-darkness of the lost property store, Rory was so happy and relieved to have her shoes returned, completing her uniform, that she kissed Louise on her cheek as a thank you.

Rory's classmate Paris has no idea of the bullying Rory puts up with from the older girls

Then, Louise removed the scrunchie that was holding the younger girl's ponytail in place so that Rory's beautiful long brown hair hung loose. Ms Cyrus found that very attractive. The pair kissed passionately once again.

The teacher knew that she was playing a very dangerous game. Even though Rory was over 16 - the age of consent in Connecticut - Ms Cyrus knew that nothing less than her whole teaching career was at stake.

The mischievous 22-year-old had only intended to use a kiss as another way to mess with Rory; she hadn't expected to feel anything. But she did.

Louise was surprised that with her chunky school shoes on, Rory was slightly taller than her. She found that cute. She was overcome with all sorts of feelings about wanting to date Rory, even though she knew that would be impossible.

For both of them, this second kiss felt even more right than their first encounter in the PE office. What were they going to do?

When Rory was kissing Louise, it was like Dean didn't exist. It was a completely different experience to kissing a boy; she found it more intense and interesting. She hoped for more secret encounters like that with her teacher, even if it meant she'd get bullied again.

Louise resolved to make sure there were more opportunities in future for her to be alone with Rory. And just maybe, she would even protect Rory from the bullies - although she'd have to think further about that. She didn't like impeding bullies, especially very attractive ones like Allison, Becky and Jackie.

As she stumbled off to English class that Thursday morning, her arms still aching, Rory contemplated the possibility that she was in love with the teacher who just helped put her through the worst ordeal of her life.

THE END.