Teach Me (SAMPLE)

01. TROUBLEMAKER

Talia liked the cold, comforting silence of Twilight.

Her home was at its most peaceful at that time. The sun had not risen. The birds hadn't woken to chirp behind her windowsills and her husband was lost in his dreams. So, she liked to be up at this time. He never stirred when she left him. In fact, he would climb in beside her when she slept. The entirety of the evening and night belonged to him in this house. The twilight zone belonged to her.

Her thick, jet-black hair blew in the morning's breeze. Her caramel skin softened under the coconut lotion she'd pressed against herself. And her plump, cupid bowed lips were warmed by the coffee she'd made for herself. The specks of hazel spots glistened between her dark green gaze, just like the sun as it slowly peeked above the horizon. There was a part of her that was not pleased by that.

"Another day." She murmured.

She took another sip of her breakfast, just as the sound of shuffling could be heard from upstairs. The woman released a breath as the shuffling got louder and a bit annoying. It didn't take long for the man she married to bulldoze his way down the wooden steps. The morning air was stifled by the trail of last night's drink. Talia did her best to ignore the scent and turned to him with a soft smile.

"Good morning, Jerome."

The man could barely raise his dark brown eyes to look at her. And when he finally did, he didn't offer her a nice greeting. No hug from his strong, muscular arms or a kiss from his thick lips. Not even an attempt at a smile. Instead, the tall, dark brown man scratched his black head and waved at her.

"Mawning. Yuh mek coffee? (Morning. Did you make coffee?)"

"Yea... here, I'll pour you a cup."

She turned her back so he could not see her frown, or how the light dimmed in her eyes. Instead, she sucked it up and poured him a fresh cup, ensuring to add his favorite compliment-Condensed Milk from home.

'Relax Talia. You've had years to grow accustomed to change.'

Her smile was bright when she turned back to him, and she offered him an innocent kiss as he handed him the cup.

"Thanks. But what about breakfast?"

"Oh, don't worry about it, baby. Coffee is a good start for me."

"I was talking about me. Yuh nuh mek nothing? (You didn't make anything)" He grunted, clearly annoyed by the empty kitchen island.

Talia froze, "Oh I- I'm sorry. I was going over my students' assignments last night so I actually woke up a lot later than I usually do. I'd make it now but it's a long drive to the city from here. I have to go now, but I'll make it up to you, I promise. Ok?"

She watched as the man rolled his eyes and sipped the coffee.

"Whatever, Talia. I'll be late again tonight. I have some paperwork I need to catch up on at the shop."

She closed her eyes and did so tightly. It took everything in her not to ball her hands into fists and scream. It took so much, and it did so every time they spoke.

"That's fine, baby. Have a good day, I'll miss you."

He didn't answer her as she briskly walked out of their two-story home and into her car. She drove out of their driveway in silence, releasing the giant lump she had in her throat.

'I miss you every day.'

~

Talia could hear her students shuffling in their seats as she wrote on the board. She did not have to turn her back to know that they were all groggy from the morning rush. Some probably slept less than others-reasons being productive, wild, both, or neither. She could hear the subtle groans and smell hints of quick breakfast meals, coffees, and even teas-untouched but salivated over. It was an amusing thing to her, as she took the extra minutes to reminisce about being in her twenties like they were. There was a thin line between appreciation and jealousy. That was where she stood when it came to her mindset on the youth of the twenty-first century. Of how wild and free they must be and how amazing it would be to experience that kind of privilege again. Even if it were for just a day.

"Alright, good morning everyone! I know that this is more first class for the day, but chin up, the quicker dish this out to you, to quicker I can bugger off. Have your morning coffees or whatever you may have. Breakfast is important. But make sure to pay attention. We have a very important man in our class today."

The professor grabbed her chalk and scribbled the name of an author on the board, in bold, bright colors-MARK TWAIN.

"Does anyone recognize this name?"

Silence greeted her as she turned around, but she made sure not to show any signs of frustration.

"Remember, I told you all to do a little research on him yesterday. Ok, Mark Twain-"

"Was an American author, publisher, and lecturer. Also known as the greatest humorist the United States ever created, and the father of American Literature. Which, if you ask me, Professor Baker, is absolute bullocks."

Talia paused, unable to hide her eye roll before gazing at the student who'd spoken. Amusement and slight annoyance struck her as she sat on her desk, warming her inner thighs as she crossed them, unknowing riding up her tight, black skirt.

"And what makes you say that, Mr. McCartney?"

In the chair to the left, three rows down, an amused set of ocean blues looked up at her. The student's cherry pink lips were stretched into a grin as he straightened his posture. The young man shrugged his shoulders, crinkling his leather jacket, and clasped his silver-coated fingers together.

"Well in my research on him, I came to a personal conclusion. Which is that he's a twat."

His British accent was thick and firm. But his voice was low and husky as if he'd just woken up. And Talia knew it all too well. She tightened her thighs and adjusted her glasses, trying to figure out to properly answer Malaki McCartney, the troublemaker of this year's class.

And that is the end of Chapter 1. This story may have short chapters. Depends on my mood y'all. Hopefully, this was a good start. Let me know what you think in the comments section below, and do vote if you enjoyed it. Until next time, my darlings🤷🏾‍♀️🥵👩‍🏫