Stolen Innocence (Evergreen) [Student/Teacher Love Story]

twenty eight

As Thanksgiving comes and goes, I find myself with a lot less to be thankful for this year. But none of those things, as Michael has reminded me, really matter anymore. My friends and Ethan were too childish anyways, I needed to grow up and move on. It does suck not having anyone to go out with anymore and I find myself getting really antsy as I try to envision what the hell I'm gonna do for three weeks without Michael.

"I want you to take me out," I mumble as he pulls off of me, him sweating and out of breath, me not so much. He snuck me into his house for a few hours as he said Lily was going to take Sebastian and Veronica out on a group playdate with some other kids and their moms. I'm far past the point of feeling bad doing things where she sleeps. At this point, if I do think about it, it's a passing thought, one that goes almost as hastily as it arrives.

"What?" He questions, trying to pull me into him but I push him off, sitting up.

"I wanna go out. With you," I emphasize and he sighs, taking a moment before sitting up next to me.

"Iris, you know we can't-"

"There's gotta be somewhere," I repeat, and he looks at a loss for words, "Somewhere no one will question me. Us," He looks at me thoughtfully for a moment before nodding, realizing I'm not gonna give this up this time. He's gotten what he wants from me, now it's time for me to get what I want.

He tells Lily that he's going out to the bar with some coworkers and I text my mom saying I'm sleeping over at Hayden's. Even if she does check in with Hayden's mom, I'm sure Hayden will find a way to cover for me. I realize I'm putting a lot of faith in my ex-friend right now, but I know she cares too much about me to let anything happen to me.

When he drops me off at my house, I run in and steal some of my mom's makeup, grabbing a tight black dress, combat boots and tights. I debate grabbing a cardigan, but when I think about what the women will be wearing wherever we end up going later, I leave it behind. He waits for me outside while I get ready, taking some pointers from Hayden on the makeup, but going darker and (hopefully) older.

If I had any doubt about how good I looked, Michael confirmed any suspicions with the look on his face when I get back in the car.

"Iris..." his eyes trail all over me, ending on my lips, "you cannot wear that,"

I smirk.

"Watch me," I peck him on the lips and tell him to drive. He stares at me for a moment, dumbfounded, before scoffing and peeling off the curb. His hand rests protectively on my thigh and I roll the window down, loving the feeling of the night air whoosing by me. The night air is cold, but exhilarating. I feel alive.

I'm not sure where he's taking me, him having given me absolutely no hints at all, but we drive for about 40 minutes...without traffic.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" I laugh as I look around the less than desirable neighborhoods we're passing through.

"Can't risk being recognized, now can we?" He smirks and as the lights flash through the car, illuminating his face, I'm reminded of how attractive he is. And - as he turns his head back forward and I catch a glimpse of the crow's lines wrinkles by his eyes - how old he is.

"Right," I huff, trying to contain myself. We pull up into a somewhat nicer looking part of town than the one we just passed through, and all of a sudden we're parking.

"You ready?" He questions, squeezing my thigh as I smile.

"More than ever," He opens the passenger door for me and helps me out. A gust of wind passes by as we start walking down the sidewalk and I press myself into Michael's side. He wraps an arm around me as he scoffs and I look over to see him staring at my chest.