Teacher's Pet

5

The next day after school, I walk straight to the bookstore. I walk through the shelfs and look for something interesting to read. Then my eyes fall on a special title.

That'll do.

I walk back to campus, to my favorite reading spot. The bench underneath the trees. I sit down and pull out my new book and start reading.

After about an hour of reading, I look up from my book to take a quick break. That's when I notice Derek leaning against a tree a couple of feet away. His arms are crossed over his chest and he's staring directly at me.

How long has he been standing there?

When he sees that I've noticed him, he slightly tilts his head to the side. I roll my eyes at his stupid dreaminess.

I can't stand having him look at me like that from that far away. I pat the spot next to me on the bench. He points at himself mouthing "me?"

I roll my eyes again. "Yes Mr Shepherd, YOU." I say a bit too loud on purpose.

"Shhh.." he hushes me putting a finger to his lips and starts walking towards me. I only did it cause I knew no one was around.

He takes a seat beside me and eyes me suspiciously.

I roll my eyes for the third time in just one minute. "Don't give me that look, you're the one stalking girls underneath trees."

"I wasn't stalking!"

I raise my brow.

"Ok maybe I was a little.." he mumbles looking away.

"Mhm.."

"What are you reading?" he asks changing the subject.

"Lolita."

His eyes grow wider.

"I'm kidding Derek.."

He let's out a breath and I chuckle lightly. I hand him the book.

"How to get over a heart break??" he reads the title.

I nod nonchalantly.

"Mer.."

"Hey people who break other peoples hearts doesn't get to call them by their nicknames!" I snatch my book back.

He sighs. "Just for the record, you're not the only one with a broken heart." he says quietly.

I look at him and notice the sadness in his eyes. I want to reach out for him but know better.

"That just makes me feel worse." I mumble.

"We can still be friends Meredith."

"Friends?"

He nods.

"With my teacher?"

He shrugs.

"Who's cock has been inside of me?"

He laughs. "You're not as verbally shy as you act in the classroom, that's for sure."

"Yeah I know.. I hate speaking in front of people. Especially those I don't know.."

We stay silent for a while.

"Can I ask you something Meredith?"

I nod.

"If you hate talking to people you don't know so much, how come you walked up to me at the beach?"

"Honestly?" I say.

He nods.

"I have absolutely no idea. I came from a party that night, and sure, I had drunk a bit of tequila.. but the minute I saw you.. I became as sober as one could be."

He tilts his head sideways again.

I sigh. "It was just something about you. You were sitting there all by yourself. It was a beautiful night, with a sky full of starts. A cozy fire. I mean the perfect place to be with someone you love- yet you just- sat alone.."

He keeps looking at me as I speak, trying not to show any emotions.

"It just didn't make any sense to me. I don't know-" I shrug my shoulders. "I just wanted to know more.."

I've been looking at the ground the entire time I spoke but now I turn up to look at him. He smiles softly, yet painfully and looks down at the ground himself.

"I take it your door isn't open at 8 tonight?" I ask carefully.

He chuckles lightly and shakes his head. "No. It's not open tonight."

"Ok.." I say.

Then suddenly he turns up to look at me again. "It's not completely locked every night though."

I look at him confused, needing more explanation, but he just gives me a soft smile, stands back up, and walks away.

What the hell is that supposed to mean??