Sexual attraction can't be ignored (Teacher/student JDM FanFic)

Chapter 31

Anticipation for the upcoming photography exhibition buzzed through the college corridors, creating a palpable mix of excitement and anxiety that filled the air.

"You're sure this is going to work?" I asked Neve, my nerves betraying my attempt at casualness.

"Stop worrying," she chastised, a confident smile playing on her lips. "It's going to work; there's no way she can resist."

A chuckle escaped me.

"I can't believe you managed to rope Stewart into the events committee."

"Neither can I," Neve giggled, her eyes glinting mischievously. "There's no limit to my powers of persuasion."

"Maybe it's you he's had a thing for this whole time," I teased, observing the slight blush that danced across Neve's cheeks.

"Don't start," she blushed deeper, her attempt at denial unconvincing.

"Oh my gosh, you fancy Stewart!" I exclaimed slightly too loud.

"Will you keep your voice down?" she hissed. "I do not fancy Stewart," she told me unconvincingly.

"Mmm hmm," I raised an eyebrow, savoring the playful banter.

"We need to focus," she dismissed, her demeanor shifting to business.

"Are Lucy and Jeffrey here yet?"

"I think I saw them with the caterers," Stewart's voice surprised us from behind.

"Stewart, you're here!" I greeted, Neve's subtle panic indicating she hoped he hadn't overheard our previous conversation.

"Neve was insistent that I help with planning and setting up," Stewart chuckled, his easygoing demeanor adding a layer of charm.

"And he is far too nice to object," Neve added with a grin."Speaking of Lucy. Stewart, could you ask her for help with logistics and layout? We've had some last-minute displays, and she is the best person to ask for squeezing them in."

"Of course," Stewart smiled, and we observed as he approached Lucy for assistance.

Neve hurried off to the area that Stewart would direct Lucy to, and I played my part by aiming daggers in her direction during the exchange.

Stewart placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder to gain her attention, and as soon as she realized it was him, she turned up the charm.

Lucy's eyes scanned the room over his shoulder as if searching for me. When she found me, a sly smirk crept onto her face as she flicked imaginary fluff off Stewart's shoulder, seemingly hanging on his every word as he asked for assistance.

Eager to be involved and important, she agreed immediately, reveling in the belief that she was winding me up in the process.

She glanced across at me as Stewart guided her to the other end of the exhibition hall, and I turned on my heels to fake storming out, hoping she bought my reaction.

Once out of the hall, I rushed to the duck pond where we had met up all those weeks before.

My heart raced as I approached and could see Jeffrey perched on the bench, waiting for me, his foot tapping nervously.

His head snapped up in my direction as the gravel crunched beneath my feet. His features softened when he realised it was me.

"Grace," he began, uncertainty lacing his voice as he stood to greet me but held his distance, unsure of where we stood and how to act now that we were finally alone.

"Jeffrey," I responded, my tone cautious. I took a seat on the familiar bench and he returned to his seat beside me. Our proximity stirring a mix of longing and apprehension. "What a mess" I added when it was clear he wasn't going to break the silence.

"You should have come to me" he sighed "when she threatened you"

"Jeffrey it wasn't that easy" I defended

"So you chose to just ignore me with no explanation after what we'd shared the night before" he replied hurt

"That wasn't easy either" I whispered, tears threatening to spill already.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, a nervous tic I'd come to recognise.
"It's killed me staying away from you" he confessed

"I've hated it" I agreed "Lucy's threats, the secrecy, its tearing us apart"

"I hate that you're going through this because of me," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the water. "But I can't let Lucy control us."

I turned to face him, searching his eyes for sincerity. "What are we going to do, Jeffrey? Every moment feels like a battle."

"We fight" he replied, like it was the most obvious response "we carry on fighting to be together like we have already, this was never going to be easy Grace"

He reached for my hand, his touch setting my skin alight, i wanted more than an innocent touch but we couldn't risk anything more.

"We fight," I repeated, feeling a small shimmer of hope and reassurance hearing that he still wanted this, even with the added risk.

His thumb traced gentle circles on the back of my hand.

"And we find a way to face this together. Lucy won't dictate our happiness." He told me. I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in.

"I want us to be together, Jeffrey. But how do we navigate this without everything falling apart?" His expression softened, and he leaned in, placing a tender kiss on my forehead, i was shocked and felt a stab of panic that someone might see but the warmth that his sweet kiss gave me overpowered any other feeling.

"We take it one step at a time" he told me, his eyes held a glimmer of hope, "We'll be careful, find moments like this when we can steal away from the chaos. We can't let Lucy win."

His words echoed in the quiet space around us, and for a moment, it felt like we were in a bubble, shielded from the outside world.

I traced circles on the back of his hand, mirroring his comforting gesture.

"I miss you, Jeffrey," I confessed, the ache in my chest laid bare.

His gaze never wavered. "I miss you too, Grace. We'll find a way back to each other, no matter what obstacles stand in our way."

We sat for a minute in silence, content in our bubble. Jeffrey stood, his hand entwined with mine, and he offered a reassuring smile.

"We should head back before she notices we're both gone" he suggested reluctantly.

Nodding, I rose from the bench, our fingers reluctantly releasing each other. Together, we retraced our steps towards the exhibition hall.

Neve, stationed strategically near the entrance, shot us a conspiratorial grin. Jeffrey headed in alone and I hung back a minute before joining Neve at the door, a hopefully seemless transition.

"Everything okay?" she asked with a knowing twinkle in her eye.

"We're good," I replied, "any suspicion?"

Neve shook her head "she's too busy flirting with the scotsman" she groaned

"Speaking of the scotsman" I teased

"Don't" she warned. I smirked and made a mental note to ask her about this at a more convenient time.

I squeezed her hand in silent thanks and headed over to the crowd surrounding my work.

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They got their moment!

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