Her Touch

16

AS WE MADE our way to the diner, I felt the need to hold Ava's hand, but I knew I couldn't. It was quite impossible, given the circumstance that we were in public and it was known throughout the town that she was my teacher.
"I wish I could hold your hand," I whispered, my eyes focused on the road ahead of us, as we walked.
"That would make me the happiest woman alive," she replied enthusiastically, "you're amazing," she added, as I continued to follow her. I wasn't too sure which diner we were heading to. I only knew about the one that I occasionally bought smoothies from and wasn't sure if there were others.
"So, about Emily, I don't want to lie to you," I mumbled, remembering that I had brushed off the topic earlier in front of everyone else.
"She thinks that she can bully you and make herself look good. She's just envious of how much smarter and more beautiful you are than her. You've got brains and the beauty. Which girl wouldn't envy you?"
"Thanks for boosting my ego," I chuckled and smiled, "I can handle myself, but she did bring up a valid point."
"Which is?"
"If I cause conflict it can ruin my chances for Harvard."
"Your mom said that you have scholarships," she said, obviously wondering why I was so keen on attending Harvard.
"I wanted to attend Oxford University, but it is too far away from home. I did apply though, just to see if I would be admitted, but I haven't received a response yet. As for Harvard, I have always had my mind set on it."
"I don't see the difference between Harvard and Yale. They are basically the same," we began to slow down our walking speed.
"My mom attended Harvard, my, umm, father attended Yale."
"I see, sorry for bringing that up," she apologized.
"It's a backup plan at least. But I'm hoping to be accepted into Harvard, but if I don't get a scholarship, I might go to Princeton."
"Shouldn't they have notified you already if they are giving you a scholarship?" I felt a little bit of my hope die.
"Not necessarily, there's still time."
"So, you want to go somewhere with a scholarship?" I nodded and looked at her.
"I don't want to burden my mother with college tuition. She already does enough for me," I turned my attention back to looking ahead of us.
"I went to community college. I'm obviously not as brilliant as you."
"I don't think I'm brilliant, I just had enough time to concentrate on school," she lightly placed her hand on my shoulder, making me stop in my tracks.
"You're brilliant, don't think otherwise," I smiled, as we began walking again, "so, you're waiting to hear back from Harvard and Oxford, any other colleges as well?"
"I sent out applications to other schools and was accepted, but they're not offering scholarships."
"Too bad for them, they'll regret it when you top the world."
"Great ego boost... again," she chuckled, as she stopped walking again.
"It's my job to make sure you know that you're amazing," I felt heat rise to my cheeks, "and I love spending time with you, but we're here, time to listen to our mothers talk about the good ole' days," I then noticed that we were in front of the same diner that I knew about.
"Is this the only diner in town?" I questioned, as we entered.
"This and another, but it's on the other side of town," she said, as we spotted Natalie and our mothers.
"By which you mean, it's fifteen minutes away."
"Twenty-two minutes actually," I rolled my eyes.
"Ava, Kylie's mom bought me a rainbow milkshake," Natalie squealed, as she jumped up from her seat and ran over to her sister, "I love it," she giggled, as Ava picked her up into her arms.
"You're getting heavier," Ava said, as she took a seat with Natalie on her lap. Our mothers were seated next to each other, so my only option was to sit next to the two sisters.
"Kylie, I have a rainbow just like you," she pointed to the milkshake with rainbow sprinkles covering the whipped cream.
"That's great, the next time I go pride shopping I'll get you a rainbow t-shirt," I gave her a smile.
"What's pride shopping?" She questioned.
"Oh, well, I meant to say when I go rainbow shopping."
"Oh, you bought the rainbow from the leprechaun," she grinned, making me arch my brow.
"Yes, and I stole all of his coins," I replied, as I wiggled my eyebrows.
"You're funny," she leaned toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck, resulting in her sitting on my lap, instead of Ava's.
"My friend Jacey told me that you like girls and not boys, is that true?" I bit down on the inside of my cheek, not too sure if it was appropriate to get into the topic of my sexuality with Natalie.
"So true that for her tenth birthday, she dressed up as a drag queen."
"No, I dressed as a woman trapped in a man's body. So, I dressed as a woman," I defended my reasons.
"Oh well, whatever it was."
"No, mom, you have to respect people, there is nothing awkward or amusing about someone expressing him or herself the only way they know how to."
"I'm sorry for offending you, Kylie, you know I don't know much about those things," I rolled my eyes, as Natalie moved back over to sit on her sister's lap.
"Just don't say things like that, it really pisses me off," I mumbled, as I rubbed my temple.
We sat in silence for a while, the only sound heard was Natalie sipping on her milkshake and her asking for ketchup to go with her fries.
"So does that mean you like me?" Natalie poked my arm, breaking the silence. My eyes widened and I immediately shook my head.
"No, no, not at all," she frowned.
"You don't like me?" She furrowed her brows, "but I'm a girl."
"Ummm, how do I explain this..."
"What she's trying to say is that yes, she likes girls, but she only likes girls her own age," I coughed, as my mother gave her an explanation, "including older than her as well," she added, with a smirk plastered on her face.
"So she likes my mom and sister?"
"No!" I yelled unintentionally, "ummm, I'm picky, so I don't like everyone."
"You're weird," I shrugged.
"I'm just not attracted to anyone at the moment," I felt Ava's eyes on me as I said that.
"Really? But you're so pretty, all the boys in school like you. Maybe you should try liking boys too, because they really like you."
"It doesn't work like that."
"I'm just saying, you have options," she said, before taking a sip of her milkshake.
"Okay, thank you."
"You're dating someone, right?" Mrs. Reese participated in the conversation. My eyes widened.
"No, actually, we broke up. She lives back in New York, and I'm trying to focus on school," I rubbed the back of my neck.
"Hmm, seems best. School is important, girls can come later," I nodded and bit down on my bottom lip.
"Yes, take your time, baby, and if you end up liking someone else, make sure to give the relationship your best," I cleared my throat, as my mother looked at Ava with worried eyes, "I hope that person will give the happiness you deserve," mom swallowed, before picking up a napkin from the holder, on the centre of the table, and wiping the sides of her eyes that became damp.
"Mom, don't cry," I said, as I stretched my hand over, "I'll be okay, don't worry," she nodded, took a deep breath and looked at Ava again, before shifting her attention back to me.
"Do you want anything to eat? I know you haven't eaten anything today," I smiled, as she changed the topic.
"Late breakfast? You know how much I love bacon any time of day."
"Diane, Ava, pancakes and bacon around the table?"
* * *
AFTER EATING AND walking around town, stopping in almost every boutique and bakery, our legs finally gave out and night was kicking in.
As we sat in the living room, our moms chatting about the upcoming wedding and Brian, including lots of things that happened in their lives over the years, I felt both mentally and physically exhausted.
Natalie had passed out and was asleep in one of the guest bedrooms and Ava sat next to me in silence.
"I'm going take a shower," I said to the women, our mothers not even lifting their heads.
"I'll check on Natalie," Ava chimed in, still not gaining the two women's attention.
I shrugged as she looked at me, before I walked toward the staircase and up the stairs, as she followed me.
"Natalie should be in the room down the hall to your left," I said, as I entered my room.
"I actually just wanted to be alone with you," Ava replied, making me turn to the door, as she walked in and closed it.
"To do what?" I pressed my lips together, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Umm," she slowly walked over to me, swaying her hips in the process. I couldn't deny that she looked very sexy, as a tingling sensation ran down my lower stomach. She leaned toward me, her hot breath against my skin. My breathing increased and my heart began to race, "I'll bring Midnight over tomorrow," she whispered in my ear, before backing away.
My eyebrows furrowed in disappointment, as she opened my bedroom door and walked out without saying another word.
"That bitch," I grumbled, as I crossed my arms over my chest and took a seat on my bed. I closed my eyes, as I imagined what I'd expected Ava to do and my expectations left me baffled. Do I really want her to touch me?
I swallowed as I took off my shoes. Why is it suddenly so hot? I slipped my clothes off of my body and walked into the shower. Turning the knob to allow the water to run, I imagined that my fingers were not mine, but Ava's, as they caressed and rubbed against my smooth skin.
My teeth sank into my bottom lip, as I thought of her beautiful grey eyes and the curves of her body. A moan escaped my lips, as my hand slipped below my stomach.