The Art of Forbidden Romance (Student x Teacher)

Chapter 44

"To Winnie!" Jackson said loudly, holding his drink up in the air. Everyone at our table let out a cheer and I smiled widely. After the results of the gallery were announced, we all headed out for some drinks.

"Thank you everyone," I said with a laugh.

"A perfect score, damn, dude!" Joan said, patting me on the back firmly. "And the first one ever for the program!"

"I went from failing last year to perfection this year," I said sarcastically. She laughed and downed the rest of her beer before heading back to the bar for another drink. I swirled my cocktail in its glass and looked over at Chuck and Andy who were at their own table near ours, deep in discussion. Andy was listening intently to Chuck, his eyebrows furrowed together and eyes squinted. Chuck's mouth moved rapidly like he was telling an exciting story, but I couldn't hear him over the music in the bar.

"So," Mel said as she squeezed into the empty space next to me. "What happened?"

I tore my eyes away from Chuck and Andy and looked over at her.

"What do you mean?" I asked her. She rolled her eyes.

"You know what I mean," she said. I sighed and took a sip from my drink.

"He apologized and clarified things," I said quietly, my voice just above a whisper.

"Well, that's a start," she said. "How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure," I said. I bit in the inside of my lip, mulling over our conversation earlier outside the Gallery and the unanswered questions I still had. I knew I still felt hurt, and I wanted to know why Chuck hasn't mentioned what I said in the hospital, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for the answer.

"I can't believe what he did today though," she said. I nodded.

"I know, but I wouldn't have my score without him I guess," I said. Mel opened her mouth to say something as Jackson stumbled over to us and squeezed himself between us.

"Winnie, I just gotta say, you killed it," he said, his voice squeaking multiple times. I resisted the urge to laugh and slowly removed the empty cocktail glass from his hand.

"Thanks, Jackson," I said. He pulled me in for a hug tightly and I laughed.

"You know, Winnie, I know who he is," he slurred in my ear. I felt the color drain from my face as I looked at Mel over his shoulder. I pushed Jackson back gently and looked at him.

"You know who, who is?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"You know," he said. "Your boyfriend." Mel nearly choked on her drink and set it down on the table. I feigned a forced laugh and rolled my eyes.

"Oh really," I said. "Who is my boyfriend?"

"Chuck," Jackson said, shrugging dramatically. My heart stopped. I looked at Mel, hoping the panic I felt wasn't written all over my face.

"Dude, you're drunk," Mel said quickly, stepping in. "How many have you had?"

"Like four, maybe six?" Jackson said.

"You're crazy," she said, "Winnie would never date Chuck, he's not even her type." I let out an awkward laugh.

"Yeah he is," he slurred. Mel rolled her eyes.

"Dude, I live with her, she wasn't dating him. Don't go making up shit like that," Mel said. "Stuff like that can get her and Chuck in huge trouble." Jackson blinked hard and looked at Mel and I for a few moments.

"I was just messing with you guys," he said. "I know Winnie wouldn't do that." He laughed loudly and tousled my hair. Mel and I awkwardly joined him laughing. The anxiety between us was suffocating.