The Art of Forbidden Romance (Student x Teacher)

Chapter 31

I smoothed my sweater down as I looked at myself in the mirror. I had changed from my grimy work clothes into something a little nicer.

Tonight, I was taking Mel to Chuck's for dinner so we could talk and she could 'meet' him. She still had no idea who James was, even though she had guessed a million times over since I told her yesterday she would meet him.

I grabbed my purse and went out into the living room. Mel was sitting on the couch, dressed warmly in jeans and a sweater as well.

"You ready?" I asked her. She jumped up from the couch eagerly.

"Of course! Time to meet your boyfriend," she said, her voice reflecting her excitement. I smiled, a little nervous, and we headed out the door.

When we pulled up to Chuck's house, Mel's eyes went wide.

"Does he own this house?" She asked. I nodded.

"So he's older?" I nodded again.

"Please, just don't freak out," I begged as we walked up to the front door. Mel nodded. I knocked on the front door.

"Why would I freak out?" Mel said.

Chuck opened the door with a smile, but he clearly looked nervous. I smiled at him.

"Hi, Winona," he said. I looked over at Mel, who's jaw had fallen open.

"Hi, Melanie," Chuck said to her. Mel shook her head.

"You're joking," she said to me. I shook my head, my stomach in knots.

"You're serious?" She squeaked. I nodded this time.

Mel squealed and jumped up and down, grabbing me in a tight hug, catching me off guard. I stumbled backwards into the door frame, Mel still squeezing me. Chuck shot me an amused look.

"Let's go inside," I told her as she suffocated me in her hug. Mel let me go and stepped into the house.

"I told you she'd take it well," I told him as I stepped inside.

"I'm just surprised it was that easy," he said.

"Oh, I'm not done asking questions," Mel said. I rolled my eyes.

"Well before the interrogation begins, would you like something to drink?" Chuck asked us both. We nodded and Chuck disappeared into the kitchen. I set down my bag and Mel turned to me.

"I knew it," she said. I rolled my eyes.

"Sure you did," I said.

"No really! I knew it was him," she insisted. "I've seen how you guys look at each other in class."

"Is it that obvious?" I asked nervously.

"Only because I know you the way I do. But he didn't pressure you into anything, right?" I shook my head quickly.

"Absolutely not," I said. "It was mutual."

Chuck returned from the kitchen with three glasses of wine. We all went outside onto the patio to talk.

"Melanie, I have to say it's nice to meet you in a non-school setting," Chuck said. Mel laughed.

"Please call me Mel, my mom calls me Melanie when she's mad."

"Mel," he corrected. "I know this might be surprising."

"Not really," she said. I laughed. "I knew it really. I just didn't think Win would be so ballsy." I felt my cheeks turn red.

"You told me it was okay to flirt," I said, laughing.

"I told you it was okay if nothing happened. Clearly something has happened!" We all laughed.

"But in all seriousness," Mel said. "I'm happy for you both and I would never say anything to ruin this for you or get anyone in trouble. We're all adults here."

Chuck smiled, and I felt him relax next to me.

"I appreciate that," he said.

"But if anything ever happens to Win," Mel teased. "You'll be sorry."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Chuck said, turning to me. I smiled at him.

"Well, at least now I know where you are when you're not home," Mel said, looking around the small yard.

"Yeah, and the cafe is close by too," I said.

"Ah, it's all making sense now. Did you know Win worked at The Artist's Loft?" Mel asked Chuck. He shook his head.

"No, but I did recognize her from class when I went in," he said.

Mel continued asking us questions, and getting to know Chuck. By the time we had finished two bottles of wine and dinner, we were all tired. Mel and I left to go back to our apartment, where she continued her onslaught of questions - a little more brazen now that Chuck wasn't around. I fended off her questions the best I could until we got home where I escaped into my bedroom.

———

The weekend went by faster than I would've liked, Chuck and I spending a little time together between my assignments and his grading. I sketched out the concepts for my last 4 paintings in my series for Andy's class. Some of the concepts would involve Chuck's 'help' again, but I knew he wouldn't mind. Monday morning my stomach was in knots going into Chuck's morning class. I was unsure how Mel would react in class now that she knew what was really going on.

But when I got to class she was normal, we chatted about our assignments and other classes. Chuck taught class as normal and everything went well. I was relieved to know that Mel's excitement over the weekend was contained. At the end of lecture I hung back as everyone cleared out. I told Mel I'd catch up in a minute and to wait for me outside. She nodded, flashing me a sneaky smile, before disappearing from the classroom.

As the final students filtered out, I approached Chuck's podium.

"Hey, Chuck," I said. He looked up and smiled, closing his laptop.

"Hello, Miss Smith," he said, with a wink. I bit my lip.

"I needed some help with my paintings for Andy's class again. Would you be able to help again tonight?" I asked. Chuck's eyes flickered momentarily with arousal and he cleared his throat.

"Of course," he said. I smiled.

"I just need to check in with Andy," I said, my voice low. "But can I come by right after? It should only take me twenty minutes." Chuck nodded.

"Oh and make some room in your art room," I said, with a wink. Chuck shot me a confused look before I laughed and left the lecture hall. Mel was waiting for me down the hall. I linked my arm through hers and told her about my painting idea for my next piece.

"Oh my god, Winona!" She gasped. "He's going to die."

"It's good though, isn't it?" I asked her. She nodded furiously.

"I'll be by the apartment to grab a few things and then I'll be gone tonight." I told her, before we went our separate ways.

I gave Andy a quick update on my portfolio and then headed home. When I got home I grabbed my acrylic paints and a large roll of canvas I had bought over the weekend. I loaded everything into my car before heading over to Chuck's. When I arrived he helped me unload my car, curiously examining everything I bought.

"What in the world are you doing?" He asked, laughing as he unloaded the last armful of my supplies. I moved some of his easels out of the way and spread a large tarp out in the middle of his studio room.

"You'll see. Just let me set up and I'll let you know when I'm ready for you," I told him. Chuck laughed and disappeared downstairs. I rolled out the large canvas, well over 7 feet long, onto the floor on top of the tarp. I then grabbed liquid white, a thin slow drying white paint, to prime the canvas and spread it out in an even layer over the canvas. I grabbed a few containers of varying shades of red, yellows and oranges and splattered the canvas with large blobs of acrylic paint. Next I did the same with some blues and greens but used them sparingly.

Once I was finished I slipped off my shoes, which now had paint all over them, and set them in the corner of the tarp. I took another tarp and spread it out next to the canvas.

"Chuck!" I shouted downstairs. "Can you help me for a little?"