Loving Mr Hudson (Part One) (MM Romance)

six.

Grace stood there with her mouth gaping wide; a mixture of shock and worry plastered across her face. She stared at Oliver and Elliot, her eyes wide as if to ask what in the world was going on. How did this happen?

"Grace, please..."Oliver began before Elliot interrupted him.

"You must not say anything, Grace," He demanded. Elliot was flustered and out of breath, as was Oliver. A look of desperation spread over Elliot's face as he truly realised what had happened and what he wanted to happen. Something he definitely shouldn't have even thought about, nevermind acted on. 

"Don't worry, I won't say anything. Just be glad that it was me who saw you and no one else." With a forced smile, Grace walked away from them. Rather sadly. She was hurt that she didn't even have the slightest inkling that Oliver would have that type of relationship with his teacher. Why didn't Oliver tell her right away? It killed her knowing that he tried keeping a secret from her. 

Oliver and Elliot looked at one another, gutted that they'd been interrupted but also slightly crushed at the realisation that their relationship wouldn't work. Being together felt so right for both of them, however, it was wrong. On many levels it was wrong. But it didn't stop them from feeling the way they did.

Skipping the bakery, they walked in silence up the hill towards college with Elliot slightly ahead as if to look like they weren't walking together. It was fine before! Why can't we walk together now? As Elliot walked, he shook his head, annoyed at himself for leading Oliver on and letting his emotions get the better of him. It wasn't Oliver's fault. He blamed himself. He was an authority figure and he could have been seen to use that to his advantage. But he knew it wasn't like that. He saw Oliver as his equal. He was different from his other students. To him, his other students were...his students, however with Oliver it was like he was talking to someone he had known forever. A connection. A connection that needed to be broken. However much it hurt both of them.

Oliver felt helpless. Watching Elliot speed walk away from him was awful and it hurt like hell. Like a stab to the heart. But he knew that it was what it was. Having Elliot as his first kiss truly was the best there could be. He'd remember it forever. He felt like an idiot for thinking that he could actually have a relationship with his teacher. How on earth would that even work? Forever hiding their relationship? Meeting in secret? Not to mention the fact that Elliot was newly engaged to a woman.

Once Oliver got to the College, Elliot long disappeared, he found Grace standing with Henry under the big oak tree next to the building. They were talking and laughing; they were clicking. Oliver decided he didn't want to ruin their moment so he left them to it and walked into the building and went to sit in his first class, Psychology, despite the fact he was a good 30 minutes early. His phone buzzed.

Grace: Are you okay?

It seemed as though she wasn't angry at him, thankfully. He wrote back to her.

Oliver: Yes I guess, just too many emotions to understand how I'm really feeling.

Grace: I just can't believe you've bagged the sexy teacher and didn't tell me! I knew you were meeting for breakfast but come on, who would have thought that Mr Hudson was gay!

Oliver: He's not gay, Grace. He's engaged to a woman. They have a happy life together. I don't know why he kissed me. I'm just glad he did because it was amazing.

Grace: Surely he has to be a little gay to want to kiss you though. Like people don't go around kissing people they're not attracted to, right?

Oliver: I don't know. It won't work anyway. I'm fine with that. A bit gutted because damn he makes me feel things, but I understand because he's my teacher and he's straight. Two things that make it completely useless to hope for.

Grace: Not straight, Oliver! But, fair enough. Anyway, we should do something this weekend!

Oliver: Actually...we're doing this little party for Indy on Friday if you want to come. It's a little coming out party for them.

Grace: Of course! I love Indy!

Oliver smiled and put his phone away as students came piling into the room, taking their seats and getting ready for the start of the class. He was very glad that Grace wasn't too angry with him, despite the initial sting that she felt. That was the thing with Grace, if anything upset her, she'd get her feelings out then she'd forget about it. She hated a grudge or letting feelings linger about without addressing them. That was one of the many reasons why Oliver adored her.

The class seemed to, thankfully, go on forever and Oliver kept busy for once. He wrote notes after notes and actually became interested in the content he was learning. It made him think about things and how people's brains work and it made him realise why he chose the subject in the first place. Understanding why people think the way they do or do things they do due to mental illnesses and other psychological factors was truly fascinating to him. Before he knew it the class had ended and it was time to go to his next one.

Oliver hoped that his classes would be slow and would drag on forever so he wouldn't have to face a disappointed Elliot. Lunch went quicker than he wanted it to. He and Grace couldn't really talk things through because Henry was there. Mainly ignoring Oliver though. It was clear he was very much into Grace. And Grace was into him. Oliver could see them together too, which was annoying because he did find him pretty attractive, but if he couldn't be with him then he was so glad that Grace found a guy who was interesting and good-looking. A huge arsehole, yes. But attractive nonetheless.

It was time to face the music. Oliver walked as slow as he could in hopes of being one of the last students to enter the room so Elliot didn't say anything to him. It worked, however unsuccessfully. He stepped into the class where everyone was already seated and they all turned to look at him. Oliver realised that as he attempted to walk as slowly as he could, he walked too slowly, and ended up being 10 minutes late.

"Oliver! Thanks for joining us!" Elliot enthused, sarcasm dripping from his words, as Oliver walked over to his chair, "We'll have to talk about this after class, I'm afraid."

"Okay. Sorry." Oliver mumbled, hating the attention he was getting. Feeling so many eyes on him made his skin crawl and his hands shake. Urgh, stop looking at me!

"Right everyone, carry on with your research for universities and look at CV examples. If you need any help I'm here." Elliot walked over to Oliver and noticed that he wasn't doing anything. Not even looking at CV examples, like he said. "Did you hear me, Oliver? Are you going to university? If so, do some research. If not, look at the link on the college website for information on finding work." Very teacherly. Since when was Elliot such an arsehole?

"Okay. Sorry," Oliver repeated, embarrassment and confusion rolling about in his mind.

"Is that all you can say? If you're not bothered about this class I can look into getting you transferred to another one." Ouch.

"No, I am sorry. I just don't know what to do," he whispered, feeling the stares from those who wanted to watch some drama unfold.

"I just told you. It's not that hard to listen and follow instructions, Oliver." a low murmur erupted throughout the room. Elliot hadn't really told anyone off yet and Oliver happened to be the first. Everyone loved to watch someone getting shouted at and the girls loved a sexy teacher throwing around his authority. So attractive. If it was someone else, Oliver would have secretly been one of the girls reeling in the sexiness. But he wasn't. 

"Okay I can't do this, I'm sorry," Oliver quickly grabbed his things and ran out of the class, fighting the tears that were brimming his eyes. He ran around the corner, away from the class, and threw his body against the wall, slumping to the ground, letting his tears spill down his face.

He didn't realise how much Elliot had meant to him until he spoke to him with such hatred. How could he have gone from kissing him ever so passionately to speaking to him like he was a piece of dirt on the floor? How he held him so gently in his arms as Oliver gave his first kiss to him. How he embarrassed him in front of all those people. He did the one thing Oliver truly hated and that was to give him unwanted attention from people. He felt his throat burning as he sobbed, feeling vomit work its way up his oesophagus. Jumping onto his feet; leaving his bag on the floor, Oliver ran down the corridor towards the toilets. He threw up until he couldn't anymore. He threw up until he passed out right there on the floor of the stall.